Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony STR-DE885/B Audio/Video Receiver

First glance at the unit made me think I would never learn how to set up the receiver correctly. Instead, I found the set up was very logical and intuitive. Less than 20 minutes I had the Digital Cable box, CD, DVD, VCR, turntable, and theater speaker system attached and working. Only negative I have, if you want to call it a negative, is that I had to attach the DVD through the satelite/TV component hook-up as it had an optical audio input. The DVD inputs had no optical input but did have a digital cable input. I opted for the optical and just told myself the sat/TV setting on the receiver was the DVD. Otherwise, this unit is well worth the price.

This is a good reciever for watching movies or listening to music. But you cannot play music at high volume. It will shut itslef down as it gets overheated. Perhaps you can put a fan behind the reciever and keep the fan on if you are playing loud music.
I bought it from Sears and took it to their service center when it went into Protector mode and would not play. They replaced the switch and stated that there was nothing wrong with the reciever. I took it back again as it went into protector mode. They kept it for 45days, as it had to be shipped out of town and returned stating that there is nothing wrong with the equipment. I asked them to play it at loud volume and they said that they have done that and it never stopped playing. They are/were lying about playing it at high volume. If you increase the volume beyond 60% of the limit, it does not perform well. My main complaint is not against the reciever but against Sears plan service folks. I would never buy any electronic component or their service plans again.

Have been disappointed in this receiver. It doesn't do well as an audio receiver. The sound quality doesn't match the sound quality of previous audio receivers I've had. It's ok for movies, but doesn't provide the sound quality I expect for audio. Also, it won't drive two pairs of stereo speakers at the same time.
It has left me wanting to look for a replacement, which is irksome after putting so much money on this purchase. I want a receiver that places audio first, or at least doesn't treat it as an afterthought.

Bought a STR-DE885 brand new 4 years ago. Connected it to three Mirage Omnisat speakers (left and right surround and center channel), as well as a Sony 150W powered subwoofer. I learned very quickly that the receiver cannot handle high volume for sustained periods of time...at 75% volume, it will go into "Protector" mode after 20 - 30 minutes of sound output. Took it into an authorized Sony Service Center and was informed by their technician that this receiver is highly vulnerable to overheating and easily jumps into Protector mode. So, instead of using it as my home entertainment center receiver, I had to move it into the master bedroom and go buy a Denon receiver that can handle the volume I want. I'll never buy another Sony receiver.

I own the Sony STR-DE885 Receiver and have found that I LOVE IT. It Handles all of my Needs and Supports all of my Compnents as well. I Do listen to Movies and Music as well and have Found that Any one who Needs to listen to any thing over a Volume level of 25 needs to Have there Hearing Checked. I use Small Speakers and have found that Listening to the Volume at 20 for a Movie with Sub Woofer is Perfect. I have had the Volume to 40 and was able to walk outside and across the Street with the Door Closed. The Sound was like I was in the Same Room but Outside. Hooking it up and programing it was a Snap. Every thing went where it Should have gone. There hasn't been any Overheat Problem with the Receiver as Described in another Review. I had it going for over a week in a stere Cabinet in the Summer heat and Nothing happened to it. So there is NO Overheat Problems with this Receiver.