Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony STR-DA2400ESB 7.1 Channel AV Receiver in Black

I recently purchased this reciever and was initially hapyy, but on connecting a Sky HD box disappointment set in. The early batches had a problem which was reported in a Hi-Fi mag, in that if you use an HDMI connetion which is not Full spec and use the optical output to listen to 5.1 sound, the amplifier gets confused and switches between 2 channel and 5.1 chanel. Sony subsequently did a firmware modification to overcome the problem, but this had not happened to the one that came from Amazon EU. So only buy from a UK source,Sony STR-DA2400ESB 7.1 Channel AV Receiver in Black

I bought this receiver to replace a Yamaha AX759SE as I was trying to simplify the operation of the various inputs by using HDMI. My first impression after running the auto setup was that the sound was muffled and lacked dynamics so I set about manually changing some of the settings. This slightly improved matters but still nothing like the sound quality I was used to even after using THX discs to try to correct.

Even more annoying was the fact that my HTPC couldn't see the amp so when it was rebooted it only reported the local monitor and wouldn't set up a second screen, meaning that the HDMI lead had to go direct to the TV with optical sound only to the amp. As this was what I already had with the previous amp it did not really simplify anything.

If this is your first A/V receiver and you are pairing it with budget speakers, you may be very happy with the results, but if you are replacing the heart of an existing A/V system (Mission 753 Fronts,KEF Q9C Centre, Mission 77DS surrounds x 4, Focal Cub 2 Subwoofer) you may be disappointed with the compromises made to give you the electronic wizardry of HDMI.

Mine was returned to Amazon and replaced by a Denon AVR-2309 which my PC recognises, has a proper Zone 2 and sounds (almost) as good as the Yamaha.

I recently ordered this item from Amazon.
Delivery was fine but it's NOT A UK UPGRADED model, so won't accept the SKY HD multi-channel sound input from the optical input.
It would only accept 2 channel sound over the HDMI cable, which is very poor.
Sent the item back and got a full refund, and will now order from another source, as Amazon can't confirm whether the model they're selling is the genuine upgraded UK spec.

I bought this system hoping it would be better than my then current one, one of Sony's very first 5.1 systems but in some respects it isn't.
Sony Claim its crystal clear even at low volumes, its not, sound is muffled, and dialog is sometimes difficult to hard to make out, unless you blast your neighbours out of their houses and get yourself an ASBO. I keep having to adjust the volume, up and down all the time, mind you TV transmissions don't help when the commercials have the audio compression on. And yes I did use the auto calibration feature.
Not enough inputs, for Video, unless I miss understand, Example: Video input 1, it has phono connections and a HDMI and an Optical input, are these all the same, or can you connect 3 different sources to each and it will automatically feed whichever is on at that time? The system doesn't balance input volumes, you cant set a volume for any particular input. so if you Blue ray is HDMI, and feeds the sound at full level and your Cable box set using its volume and set at a desired level. With the 2400 master volume set at say + 5Db when you play the Blue-ray you get another ASBO, one is louder than the other.
This unit for this reason should have input levels adjustment to equalise the volume across all inputs.

I haven't worked out yet why anyone would want to listen to music using the concert hall or the other music settings the sounds produced using these affects are awful, in addition what with the volume being in DB, what was wrong with o, 1,2,3,4 ect.

Mine is at at - 20db, which seems odd to me, 0 (Zero ) to me is silent, but hey... Bang another ASBO.

The FM and Am radio are poor quality reception, why they even have AM in it I don't know, wake up Sony most people are now wanting DAB, which isn't in this system.

If anyone can shed light on my issues please feel free to respond, if you can.

Amazon did the usual quick efficient job with delivery - 5*'s

Unit is great other than one of the HDMI inputs didn't work....... I've contacted Sony Customer Service but they haven't decided to respond yet!! Having said that I have dealt with them before and this appears to be usual!!! As long as you are aware that Sony will spend a ridiculous amount to get you to buy their products and as little as possible looking after you when you have.... then it's a good buy

Sorry Amazon, but if I don't get a reply from Sony in the next couple of days the STR is on it's way back!