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New Sony ES 8K AV Receiver Line STR-AZ7000ES STR-AZ5000ES STR-AZ3000ES STR-AZ1000ES

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I am still saving up for an STR-AZ7000ES, but was hoping since Sony is understandably not using Audyssey that they would have at least licenced Dolby Volume or added their own home brew equivalent to their 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
 
RocShemp said:
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I am still saving up for an STR-AZ7000ES, but was hoping since Sony is understandably not using Audyssey that they would have at least licenced Dolby Volume or added their own home brew equivalent to their 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
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I would reach out to Sony. In the previous generation, they had a loudness option

Sound Optimizer: High and Low (dynamic volume)
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Enjoying clear and dynamic sound at a low volume (Sound Optimizer)

which is different from DRC
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Compressing the dynamic range (Dynamic Range Compressor)

In the current generation they took that out! (Unless it is automatic in 360SS or it is renamed to something else)
 
GXAlan said:
I would reach out to Sony. In the previous generation, they had a loudness option

Sound Optimizer: High and Low (dynamic volume)
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Enjoying clear and dynamic sound at a low volume (Sound Optimizer)

which is different from DRC
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Compressing the dynamic range (Dynamic Range Compressor)

In the current generation they took that out! (Unless it is automatic in 360SS or it is renamed to something else)
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That is very interesting. I'll do as you suggest and drop them a line.
 
GXAlan said:
I would reach out to Sony. In the previous generation, they had a loudness option

Sound Optimizer: High and Low (dynamic volume)
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Enjoying clear and dynamic sound at a low volume (Sound Optimizer)

which is different from DRC
STR-ZA5000ES | Help Guide | Compressing the dynamic range (Dynamic Range Compressor)

In the current generation they took that out! (Unless it is automatic in 360SS or it is renamed to something else)
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I had Dolby Volume with my Arcam found I never used it. But some may like it I guess.
 
Hattrick said:
I had Dolby Volume with my Arcam found I never used it. But some may like it I guess.
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It all depends on your listening level and content. Dolby Volume is pretty sophisticated for those who need it. Like many things, I am a big fan of user controlled features.

Dolby Volume did make your Arcam more expensive since it is licensed tech but at least for Sony’s loudness algorithm, it was in-house and surprising that it seemingly was removed.
 
My old Onkyo TX-NR5010 had both Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dolby Volume. They each had their quirks but I liked them. I felt DV was less aggressive (in all it's equivalent settings) and even let the bass cut loose a bit more. However, unlike ADV, DV would boost all Dolby tracks by around +10 dB relative to other audio tracks. That was actually counterproductive. If they ditched that "feature", I'd have preferred Dolby Volume over Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
 
RocShemp said:
My old Onkyo TX-NR5010 had both Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dolby Volume. They each had their quirks but I liked them. I felt DV was less aggressive (in all it's equivalent settings) and even let the bass cut loose a bit more. However, unlike ADV, DV would boost all Dolby tracks by around +10 dB relative to other audio tracks. That was actually counterproductive. If they ditched that "feature", I'd have preferred Dolby Volume over Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
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With the Sony there is a feature which is similar to Dolby Volume which is not only for Dolby. I believe it will work for all audio. I have to look it up but I believe it is like a loudness feature for audio at low volumes. It doesn't over extend the frequency range and immersion.
 
How does the STR-AN1000 with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX, $600 on sale, compare to the Onkyo TX-NR7100 with Dirac Live, at $650 on sale, or anything else in the price range? I am looking to replace a TX-NR656 mostly to get better room correction and secondarily to get the latest HDMI. I've also been eyeing a HDMI SACD player like the Sony UBP-X800M2 since I already have a bunch of SACDs but only analog outs on my current player. Speakers are the Pioneer Andrew Jones in 5.1.2. Apartment with lofted ceiling. Usage is primarily gaming, then movies, then music

edit: I'll have to check my library but a lack of HDR10+ may mean a pass
 
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Hattrick said:
With the Sony there is a feature which is similar to Dolby Volume which is not only for Dolby. I believe it will work for all audio. I have to look it up but I believe it is like a loudness feature for audio at low volumes. It doesn't over extend the frequency range and immersion.
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Are you referring to the Sound Optimizer featured in the ZA line, that GXAlan mentioned? Because it's not mentioned in help guide for the STR-AZ7000ES.
 
rafacq said:
About two months ago my STR-AZ5000ES started a loud hiss when 360SSM was engaged. It was very annoying and after a couple of calls with Sony support, a full reset solved the issue and it’s now working fine.
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How do you do a full reset?

I tried resetting all settings through the UI.
 
CaptainNorway said:
How do you do a full reset?

I tried resetting all settings through the UI.
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Well the answer is debatable. Technically going to the Settings menu, the last option is the reset menu. Selecting all options should bring the unit to factory defaults. Amazingly my STR-AZ5000ES did not reset to factory defaults. It did remove the hiss when using 360SSM.

Since my last post, my receiver (STR-AZ5000ES) did the famous super loud pop then shut off and would not restart. It was shipped to United Radio who is Sony’s repair center. They found a blown fuse, repaired the unit and returned it in a total of 8 days from the date I shipped it.

Receiver is working fine, Only once had to power off and restart as my TV failed to display the HDMI signal via the eARC connection from the receiver.

My concern is the repair center did not comment what could have caused the fuse to blow!
 
mattsrs said:
If it hits 120x7, that means it will pull 840 watt from the wall socket and doesn't make sense for them to put 540watt on the back for max power usage.
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You will never pull maximum watts from all channels simultaneously. Surround speakers rarely, if ever, demand significant watts. You can always use a 3 channel amp for fronts.
 
rafacq said:
Well the answer is debatable. Technically going to the Settings menu, the last option is the reset menu. Selecting all options should bring the unit to factory defaults. Amazingly my STR-AZ5000ES did not reset to factory defaults. It did remove the hiss when using 360SSM.

Since my last post, my receiver (STR-AZ5000ES) did the famous super loud pop then shut off and would not restart. It was shipped to United Radio who is Sony’s repair center. They found a blown fuse, repaired the unit and returned it in a total of 8 days from the date I shipped it.

Receiver is working fine, Only once had to power off and restart as my TV failed to display the HDMI signal via the eARC connection from the receiver.

My concern is the repair center did not comment what could have caused the fuse to blow!
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If recurs, replace fuse yourself.
 
TonyJZX said:
the 1000/3000 do not have full pre-outs... this will count it out for many

i agree with a lot of people here... i dont have much faith in these manufacturer RC systems

at this price i couldnt put my faith in whatever the hell Sony are doing here... i'd bet on dirac tbh

i mean people here dont even like audyssey that much
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Dirac is not the end all. Anthem and Trinnov are excellent.
 
Hattrick said:
AVR850 / Sony ES 5000 Music listening comparison.

The AVR850 I would say slight edges out the Sony here. I find with listening to vinyl, I like the AVR850 a bit more. Certain frequencies stood out more over the Sony but not dramatically. The AVR850 sounded a bit more open but again so very slight. I compared both using the Direct Pure setting and with some processing as well, both stereo and multi-channel. I play around with both processing when listening to music. I find I love to use multi-channel for digital streaming being the music is everywhere in my home being it is so open. Reference songs were School and Bloody Well Right from Supertramp's Crime of the Century played on a Technics 1200GR with a Audio Technica 740ML cartridge > Whest Two.2 dual mono phono pre.

As per digital streaming and CD I would put them even. If the Arcam wasn't showing intermittent failure issues per the surround channels L&R, I would keep it. I find I can't be sending this back for another repair and paying for it being out of warranty. Consensus is the Sony stays and the Arcam will be sold if possible for a fair price. If I find no one is willing to pay a fair price I will keep it and use it elsewhere in my home.
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A "fair" price for your lemon? I hope you disclose.
 
Hattrick said:
I would consider bluetooth or Wifi Headphones. I have a pair of Wireless or wired Sony WH-X1000 M3 which I can use effortlessly with this AVR. In fact I prefer wireless then I can roam around gete a snack or drink and not miss anything. Wired Headphone jacks are going to be obsolete Sony just opt to move forward doing so saved cost on the unit skipping an outdated connection.
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Better yet, connect headphone dac amp from monitor. Inexpensive and sounds much better than any avr headphone connection. Goodness, how many has Amir reviewed?
 
I've been saving up for a Sony STR-AZ7000ES. However, Amazon is offering a Denon AVR-X6700H for $1,895.00. That's very enticing. What would you recommend?
 
Stach said:
Or get it for $1,449 from Adorama! I’m having a very hard time not pulling the trgigger on this as it’s just not the right time for me, but man what price!
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Yeah, I was shown that over at AVS Forum. I'm about ready to pull the trigger (even without qualifying for free shipping). I just never heard of Adorama before.
 
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