Sony STR-AZ7000ES AVR Review

[ban25]

For years, there have been reports of audible hiss (noise) when engaging Sony's upmixer and room correction on these units. Matthew Poes even commented on it in his review. It would've been interesting to see test results with these modes engaged, though understandably, Amir only tests in Direct with DSP disabled for comparison purposes.

 

[dlaloum]

Wow. Thats sad

What’s the best tested AVR so far that’s under $1k?

Depends on the features and channels you want...

Also at street pricing, I have heard of the Denon X3800 going around that price on occasion.

But the Onkyo RZ50 / Integra DRX5.4, or Onkyo NR7100/RZ30 / Integra DRX 3.4, the O/I's do suffer from a "nanny protection circuit" in lab bench tests - but it does not seem to get triggered in actual use (I have a DRX3.4) - These frequently are to be found under US$1000.

The above are all Atmos height capable AVR's there are also more economical AVR's without the additional channels, processing, features (Audyssey, Dirac, etc...)

 

[beagleman]

Depends on the features and channels you want...

Also at street pricing, I have heard of the Denon X3800 going around that price on occasion.

But the Onkyo RZ50 / Integra DRX5.4, or Onkyo NR7100/RZ30 / Integra DRX 3.4, the O/I's do suffer from a "nanny protection circuit" in lab bench tests - but it does not seem to get triggered in actual use (I have a DRX3.4) - These frequently are to be found under US$1000.

The above are all Atmos height capable AVR's there are also more economical AVR's without the additional channels, processing, features (Audyssey, Dirac, etc...)

Have to ask, is your "Best" AVR list based on ones that got good measurements on ASR or based on owning/listening and real usage, or based on reviews from Audio/Video forums that have reviewed them etc?

Not being sarcastic at all, but I have NOT found a direct correlation between mediocre SINAD and actual audibility.

I own three Yamahas, but only USE two of them right now, and zero ability (in usage) to tell they do not measure great or even very good, so there is that......

Just saying many in here are very happy with AVRs that measure mediocre, but they have actually used them extensively and not based it just on numbers.

 

[dlaloum]

Have to ask, is your "Best" AVR list based on ones that got good measurements on ASR or based on owning/listening and real usage, or based on reviews from Audio/Video forums that have reviewed them etc?

Not being sarcastic at all, but I have NOT found a direct correlation between mediocre SINAD and actual audibility.

I own three Yamahas, but only USE two of them right now, and zero ability (in usage) to tell they do not measure great or even very good, so there is that......

Just saying many in here are very happy with AVRs that measure mediocre, but they have actually used them extensively and not based it just on numbers.

Sure, the threshold of audibility is a lot lower than people think - and Yamaha makes excellent gear.

My choice of Onkyo (Integra) was based on features for $$ - I had also had disappointments in the past with reliability (due to their issues in previous generations with heat, HDMI boards and DSP chips).

In terms of the features I was seeking, which included a decent roomeq system - the shortlist quickly revolved around D&M and O/I.... at the time the lowest cost AVR that had all the features I wanted ended up being the Integra DRX3.4 ... however the Denon X3800 and Onkyo RZ50 were there too on the shortlist, but at around 30% higher cost.

Then I sought out reviews both subjective and objective...

Yamaha knocked itself off the list due YPAO and the wide range of feedback left me with a negative impression... Anthem (and others) was too expensive.

Having heard Dirac at several expos, I wanted to try that system... my own auditions of its results, as well as extensive feedback on multiple forums tweaked my interest. (accompanied by disappointment from my previous Audyssey based setup)

Yes ASR reviews factored into it - but lots of other things did too.

Sony's EQ/Processing appears excellent at relocating less than ideally placed speakers (virtually) - but less so at fine tuning already well placed speakers, although the gear has always been well built - it wasn't of particular interest to me.

The latest reviews of the Marantz AV10 lead me to think that Dolby may have improved their surround processing algorhythms leading to substantive audible improvements - not related to SINAD, or any of the usual technical measurements - I am watching to see whether this feedback starts to spread down the range - if there are improvements in the software/firmware, then we should see that spread relatively quickly across all brands and market segments....

And yes one should not purchase on "SINAD" or similar measurements basis - but also one should expect manufacturers to provide a certain standard as a minimum level of engineering quality.
Should we look for SINAD of over 100? - well that would be nice, but in an AVR/AVP that would be truly SOTA.

We can however look at bench tests and see the noise and distortion levels and consider them as measures of engineering hygiene - a poor SINAD, high noise or high distortion are very valid reasons NOT to consider a particular component.

As to whether people get enjoyment from it - my Grandparents console record changer provided me with much joy through my teens.... subjectively fabulous! - But I would not suggest it bore any resemblance to high fidelity, or any of the performance criteria we expect at a minimum!!!
So yeah - the bench tests do count.

When I was in my early adulthood, I could go into a plethora of showrooms to listen to various gear and learn about the hobby... and it is by auditioning that I selected my speakers... and reading a bunch of reviews too!
But with todays setups - it becomes a matter of tuning the setup that is in your home.... issues other than performance will often drive speaker and other equipment locations... and then you have a setup that needs to be optimised.... you need to choose electronics that can properly drive YOUR speakers (hence an AVR with pre-outs for me, as most of the AVR's I can afford, are unable to properly drive my speakers due to their 1.6ohm impedance and reactive load) - and a DSP system that can get the best out of your room and speakers.

And for this, listening to gear in showrooms (or audio shows) has very very limited value - it shows you what can be done with their speakers in their room and with their gear.... take that gear to your home, with your speakers - and it will be a completely different ball of wax.

Hence I think it likely that I will need to further open my wallet in the near future to step up to Dirac ART - and perhaps a new AVR to support it.... which I will do "ear - unheard" based on a multitude of reviews - and I will do this because I think it may give me a more substantive upgrade to my system than anything else I could do for similar $.

P.S. my AV history begins with Fosgate processors in the 1980's then the Lexicon DC1, then MC1, the subsequent MC12 was too rich for my pocket, I briefly ran a Marantz AVP for a while, and then went Onkyo SR876 followed by Integra DTR 70.4, and now Integra DRX 3.4. I certainly respect Yamaha and Sony and others - all of which have been on my shortlists over the years....

 

[Robbo99999]

Shouldn't have these bugs, and not for that price for sure! Got to iron out the bugs, not a proper device when this buggy.

 

[Kiko1974]

Do these new AVR's play High Rez PCM at its native resolution if any processing IS on, for example room correction or bass management?
My last AVR, a Pioneer SC LX-76 (second top of the line in 2011/12, sold in the US with the Elite badge), warned somplace in the user's manual, kind of hidden but It was there, that in order to play High Rez digital audio at its native resolution, all processing should be disable and turn the Pure Direct Mode on. I remember that when Pure Direct mode was on there was no bass management.
This AVR had a few shortcomings that I don't know if their contemporary counterparts have addressed, the aforementioned Pure Direct on to play High Rez digital audio at its native resolution, even with It on, ALL DSD playing, either from an SACD/Universal Player vía HDMI, or DSD files, DSD was converted to PCM, a noisy fan, and a not so good sound when playing two channel music, either from a CD, an SACD, a BD-AUDIO disc or LP's using an external tube Phono preamp (an ugly looking yet good sounding copy of an EAR 834P with NOS TELEFUNKEN DE CC83 tubes). My current inexpensive Marantz PM 6007 stereo integrated amp with its 45 Watts (at 8 Ohms, from 20 to 20000 Hz, both channels driven simultaneously) literally trounces my former Pioneer SC LX-76, which Costa 1900 € in early 2012. The Marantz PM 6007 despite its low price is "respectful" (aka: musical) with the music it's playing, can Drive my KEF Q550 perfectly well without distortion, and it's dead silent even at high volumenes.

 

[kyuu]

Do these new AVR's play High Rez PCM at its native resolution if any processing IS on, for example room correction or bass management?

Likely not, if by "high rez" you mean high sample rate. Internal processing is likely done at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Luckily there's no audible problem with cutting off the ultrasonic noise.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I am a little surprised and more disappointed the '2023' ES-series of Sony AVR's and JBL's newer 'MA' line of AVR's appear to have omitted a jack for wired headphones.

 

[EWL5]

I am a little surprised and more disappointed the '2023' ES-series of Sony AVR's and JBL's newer 'MA' line of AVR's appear to have omitted a jack for wired headphones.

It's similar to how the car industry is removing buttons and levers: less parts = less cost and helps the company bottom line!

 

[dlaloum]

It's similar to how the car industry is removing buttons and levers: less parts = less cost and helps the company bottom line!

However at some point they start to notice unhappy customers... and now many car companies are bringing buttons back!

 

[kyuu]

You mean people actually used the headphone jacks on AVRs? I guess if it was something you were using for a desktop setup, but generally these are in entertainment centers. Not exactly a convenient place to plug in headphones. Never used mine, the only thing the headphone jack on my old Denons did for me was cause the audio to cut out when dust would get in and cause the AVR to intermittently think something was plugged into it.

 

[EWL5]

You mean people actually used the headphone jacks on AVRs? I guess if it was something you were using for a desktop setup, but generally these are in entertainment centers. Not exactly a convenient place to plug in headphones. Never used mine, the only thing the headphone jack on my old Denons did for me was cause the audio to cut out when dust would get in and cause the AVR to intermittently think something was plugged into it.

That and nearly every modern headphones these days are Bluetooth capable...

 

[Power Pop 23]

You mean people actually used the headphone jacks on AVRs? Not exactly a convenient place to plug in headphones. .

Yes

For most set-ups, it is inconvenient to use a headphone jack on an AVR.

Not having a headphone jack can be more inconvenient.

The AVR market is adjusting to demand, as with other functionalities that used to be a prominent feature (7.1 channel analog inputs).

Boo-hoo

EDIT - sample size of one

 

[Eric Natural]

- haven't read all 7 pages of notes but has Sony responded to the spurious test results Amir ran ?

 

[GXAlan]

- haven't read all 7 pages of notes but has Sony responded to the spurious test results Amir ran ?

https://research.encompass.com/SON/rr/STRAZ3000ES.pdf

Official specs seem to only worry about distortion at the amplifier output which is 0.09%, which means that the DAC is sufficiently spec’d for that level of performance.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I have an AVR and enjoy it. I think it was the performance of the last two reviewed at very high prices that confused me. You would think when you get to the 4 and 5 thousand dollar level noise and distortion would be a non factor. Especially when more affordable units from Denon and Yamaha have achieved it for years.

I’m not sure which Yamaha’s you’re referring to, but all of the ones reviewed here were average at best, high 80’s SINAD. And YPAO has never been true competitor for XT32 or Dirac.

 

[Eric Natural]

on no planet would response like this be considered acceptable by the consumer - Sony needs to re-submit another sample ES AVR(perhaps one a bit lighter :=) as this sample was flawed/defective. This DAC looks broken. Could the device have been mis-performing while downloading firmware after being newly plugged-in . . . ?

 

[mhardy6647]

Someone pushed the analog warmth button when @amirm wasn't looking!

 

[Elephen1]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sony STR-AZ7000ES Audio/Video Home Theater Receiver. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $4,199.
View attachment 478234
The unit was easy to navigate through front panel controls (didn't use the remote). Can't say the same about transporting it as weighs a ton! OK, it is 48 pounds but for me, that is heavy. So much that I could not bear rotating it to show a picture of the back side. Here is the stock image:
View attachment 478235

I focused my testing on Front Left and Right channels. Used the pre-out for DAC measurements and speaker terminals for the amplifier. I reset the unit to factory. Firmware revision was 1.44 I think with the latest being a couple minor ones later.

Sony STR-AZ7000ES Measurements
I connected using HDMI and tried to set the output to 2 volt. I say "try" as there seemed to be a ghost in the machine. I would set the output to 2 volt, only to have it drop down. I would turn up the volume, and the cycle would repeat. I power cycled and this got me closer to the first setting but then the cycle started again. I quickly grabbed a snapshot:
View attachment 478236

This ranks the Sony in our poor category:
View attachment 478237

I went to run the frequency response, only to fail at that for the same reason:
View attachment 478238

I ran one more test and then gave up on the DAC testing:
View attachment 478239
There is a glitch visible around 0.7 volt which is likely due to same level shifting.

I tested the amplifier with analog CD input and same problem existed. I switched to HDMI, and strangely and fortunately, it resolved the problem! So here is that dashboard:
View attachment 478241

The amplifier is good for the class:

View attachment 478242

Good and very good is the adjective for the rest of the tests:
View attachment 478243
It was strange to not see higher than 98 dB SNR. Usually that scales a lot more with output power (really voltage).

We are dealing with class AB amp so no load dependency:
View attachment 478244

Intermodulation results are very good:
View attachment 478245

This is a powerful amplifier when driven in stereo:
View attachment 478246

View attachment 478247

View attachment 478248

Yet another very strange response:
View attachment 478249

How could a sine impulse on the right produce so little power? Some kind of amplifier limiter protection setting in? I repeated that test and regardless of volume control setting, it would just show that 3.5 watts.

The transfer function is very unique:
View attachment 478250

Distortion at higher frequencies sets in very early. And noise floor increases at 15 kHz+.

Finally, there is likely an audible pop on power off:
View attachment 478251

Power on also exceeds my 1 mv target.

Conclusions
There are some serious bugs in this Sony. And they are the type that require instrumentation to find so likely poor owners don't know about them. The last Sony ES AVR did well. I don't know how the company has gone backwards and introducing such odd behavior.

The only bright light is the amplifier. Oh wait, it too had that odd peak response.

I can't recommend the Sony STR-AZ7000ES AVR. You will break your back getting it inside your home, and then again back out should you discover what I found.
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A year or so ago, the price of this AVR was $3,299. Is the $900 increase caused by a tariff?

 

[amirm]

A year or so ago, the price of this AVR was $3,299. Is the $900 increase caused by a tariff?

Was it? I wouldn't be surprised if it is due to that.