Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony STR-DE975 Surround Sound Receiver

I've had this Sony in my home just over a week now, and by far it's the best receiver I've owned. It's a "tweaker's" dream; you can microadjust just about everything soundwise to suit your tastes.
I particularly like how the unit holds a unique setting for each function. For example, if you watch DVD's using, let's say, the "Cinema A" setting while in DVD mode, but prefer to hear FM radio in tuner mode on the "Disco/Club" setting, it remembers both without having to toggle through to each every time you switch between one mode or the other. In tuner mode, it will also remember whatever setting you assign each radio station (102.9 on "Disco/Club" and 101.1 on "Concert Hall", for example). Another good feature is being able to name each radio station you preselect, along with each mode of the unit.
One of the handiest things about the unit is that I can now control almost all my audio/video components with just one remote! The one that came with the receiver can be programmed to operate most newer equipment.
The on-screen equilizer adjustment rocks.
The sound output is strong and clear. It far surpasses the receiver it replaced.
There's a bit of a learning curve to program the thing to your room and tastes, but I was impressed with the sound right out of the box. Tweaking it only affirmed that I made a good purchase.

4 or 5 Stars? I went with 4 since there is definatly better out there, BUT not in this price range (if you have thousands to spend then you're not looking here are you?)

Strengths:
More features than I ever hoped for. Sound quality is awesome! This reciever gets great use out of the On Screen Display, expecially with the built-in Graphics Equalizer.
*** (added later) This unit also has a secondary remote frequency so that you can use 2 Sony Recievers and not have 'Remote interference', I use the Old Sony receiver for the second room (though both are close enough that the remote would effect both). Very Nice!
*** And for one of the other reviewers, my old Receiver powers my 'Second' Front Speakers, something that is a little less important with 5.1 unless you're sending the Audio to a second room (which this one does).

Weaknesses:
I would like built in video switching between the SVideo bus and the Composite Video bus. As is I must change the video input on the TV to switch between the DVD and VCR. Steeper Learning curve than the reciever it replaced!

Summary:
I would definatly recomend this reciever to anybody looking in it's price range. The Graphics EQ, Multi-Room, and Surround capabilitys really sell the STR-DE975. The main differance between this one and the 1075 is a Rear Center Channel is added (on the 1075).

Plan on spending a few days with the somewhat helpfull manual to get things set-up as you like them. Settings like speaker size effect how much bass goes through speakers, or is redirected to SW. It took me a couple days to get Dolby Digital sound from DVD - the problem was with the DVD player (I set it to RAW output, and then all these extra lights came on the reciever as it now reconized the signal...) I wish that either manual (receiver of the DVD player) would have had better trouble shooting for this case!
*** Since posting this review I upgraded to a Sony DVP315 DVD player. No problem getting surround to work and the remote easily works with it - though you must still use the DVD Remote buttons to navigate many menu features.

A second Subwoofer output gives new life to an underpowered SW if you upgrade it in the future. I recieved Sony's 50w SW FREE as part of a promotion, and use it to complement the one that came with the speakers.

S-Link and Control A1-II busses make buying other Sony components much more attractive, and add many cool intrgration features.

Without the Onscreen Display the EQ would be pratically worthless, it really helps to see the whole curve on the TV as you adjust it. It also works with all chanels independantly Front speakers (adjusted together), Center, and Surround (adjusted together).

I bought this receiver in Feb 2002, when I found my other receiver(also a Sony) quit working in the optic dolby digital mode. I liked that this model offered much more wattage per channel(110X5) and also decoded DTS signal. Sony products also offer much more settings for the money. It comes with close to thirty EQ settings and a cool on-screen programming function. Maybe I was just going after manufacture name, because most of my other electronic products are Sony and I didn't want to have all these different remotes crowding up my coffee table, but I also think if I am going to spend upwards of 400-500 dollars for something, it better do alot of things. This model, at first, did that. The included learning remote allowed me to consolidate my 6 other remotes into one, albeit large. After a couple months of having to keep my volume below 20 in order to keep my neighbors from hating me ( one of the great perks of apartment life), the receiver seemed to lose its power dramatically. I sent it back, they presumably "fixed" it, but with the same results. Throughout owning this receiver, I have sent it back 4 times. All with disappointing results. Presently, when I am playing a DVD, the volume is pathetic. It almost sounds like the model is on MUTE. I am planning to call Sony's tech line and hopefully get a reliable repair on this problem. If I get it back in any condition other than when I bought it, this will be the last time I deal with a Sony product.

After several trips to the electronics stores, I came across this model, and was amazed at what it could do for the price range it was in. There were many other top name units for a lot more money, that probably sounded as good, but they did not have all the features this one did.

This is a great home theater receiver for the price. It has plenty of power for a 5.1 system at 110 watts x 5 channels. I got a great deal on mine at just under $400 (MSRP: $ 600.00).