Sony STR-AZ7000ES AVR Review

[JSmith]

Is this maybe the problem... does the unit have this sticker?

JSmith

 

[sealman]

Even with all the things this receiver failed at and still 2 people vote fine and great?

 

[peng]

Even with all the things this receiver failed at and still 2 people vote fine and great?

Not really surprised, it's a Sony ES after all, and Sony knows their stuff, has been in the hifi business for years.

 

[Kiko1974]

Not really surprised, it's a Sony ES after all, and Sony knows their stuff, has been in the hifi business for years.

And also don't forget that Sony has been MAINLY Focused on TV sets (yet they use third party LED and OLED pannels) and video games.
Current Sony is not the same we knew and liked 25, 30 or 40 years ago.

 

[Power Pop 23]

And also don't forget that Sony has been MAINLY Focused on TV sets (yet they use third party LED and OLED pannels) and video games.
Current Sony is not the same we knew and liked 25, 30 or 40 years ago.

It appears from the revenue data at the link below that the PlayStation 5 gaming system has become the jewel in the crown for Sony:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/297533/sony-sales-worldwide-by-business-segment/

 

[aagstn]

It appears from the revenue data at the link below that the PlayStation 5 gaming system has become the jewel in the crown for Sony:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/297533/sony-sales-worldwide-by-business-segment/

PS5 is really the only innovation they have left in home electronics. Their TVs do have custom chips but they use panels from Chinese and Korean companies. Most of the rest of their home audio and video products are models they have had on the market for years. They just recently discontinued their high end UHD blu-ray player and now only sell their budget model at a higher price with less features. I would think their music and movie business is also a huge source of income but most people consume that by streaming it. I guess general audio and video products just aren't worth putting money into R&D for anymore.

 

[Power Pop 23]

PS5 is really the only innovation they have left in home electronics. Their TVs do have custom chips but they use panels from Chinese and Korean companies. Most of the rest of their home audio and video products are models they have had on the market for years. They just recently discontinued their high end UHD blu-ray player and now only sell their budget model at a higher price with less features. I would think their music and movie business is also a huge source of income but most people consume that by streaming it. I guess general audio and video products just aren't worth putting money into R&D for anymore.

It is my understanding Sony is a major supplier of optical components used in iPhones and other brands of smartphones.

 

[mhardy6647]

Not really surprised, it's a Sony ES after all, and Sony knows their stuff, has been in the hifi business for years.

It can't really be a Sony ES, can it?
I mean, where're the rosewood* side panels?!?

_____________
* or whatever they are...

 

[aagstn]

It is my understanding Sony is a major supplier of optical components used in iPhones and other brands of smartphones.

I would imagine so. They are still pretty strong in the camera business and their optical sensors are in all kinds of phone cameras and dash cams.

 

[respice finem]

It can't really be a Sony ES, can it?
I mean, where're the rosewood* side panels?!?
View attachment 480917

_____________
* or whatever they are...

These are probably DIY or aftermarket - it's wood veneer, not wood (look at the side vs. front).
That said, there may be different versions for different markets, SONY had the ES series for export and Esprit for Japan IIRC, and they weren't necessarily identical.

 

[mhardy6647]

These are probably DIY or aftermarket - it's wood veneer, not wood (look at the side vs. front).
That said, there may be different versions for different markets, SONY had the ES series for export and Esprit for Japan IIRC, and they weren't necessarily identical.

it was meant to be a bon mot.

 

[GXAlan]

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.

Yamaha CX-A5100 vs. Monolith HTP-1

0.1 V: 85 vs 84
0.2 V: 91 vs 90
0.3 V: 94.5 vs 93
0.4V: 96 vs 95.5
0.5V: 96 vs 97.5
1.0 V: 92 vs 102.5

The HTP-1 is one of the best processors at low voltages (think about high gain amps) and might only be beat by the Marantz AV10. The CX-A5100 is even better at 0.4V and below.

At 0.4V preout and 23 dB gain, that’s 5.65V at the amplifier. That’s still around reference level average (85 dB) at 7.5 ft.

So except for the bombastic peaks, it’s pretty clean for actual movies.

Like the Sony, Yamaha CinemaDSP assess positions of speakers in 3D space which gives it a great sound field processing. This is different than FR EQ. With good speakers in bad locations, Yamaha isn’t bad. Only Trinnov combines good room correction and speaker EQ with good soundfield correction.

Dirac and XT32 do great speaker EQ but they cannot reposition Atmos effects the way that Sony, Yamaha, and Trinnov can.

Even with all the things this receiver failed at and still 2 people vote fine and great?

Based upon SINAD and MSRP there are way better options. But based upon the amplifier being the limiting factor, it’s worth noting that Sony ES AVRs are extremely reliable. I am talking about HDMI CEC working consistently to auto switch inputs and respond to a single remote control. With a Sony TV, you can even choose upmixing options through the TV interface when you have a Sony AVR.

 

[sealman]

Not really surprised, it's a Sony ES after all, and Sony knows their stuff, has been in the hifi business for years.

So you are saying just because it is a Sony ES it deserves a Fine or Great rating based on the performance of previous products and not how this one actually performed in the tests?

 

[orlic222]

The best test is your ears, have you listened to it?

 

[sealman]

The best test is your ears, have you listened to it?

No I have not listened to it. That really is not the point of these reviews though.
The point is to see if they meet a certain standard of quality measurement wise compared to other products in the same category.
This receiver obviously has issues. At the price point it is listed at that SHOULD not be happening.

 

[Svend P]

The best test is your ears, have you listened to it?

You should read this

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

and this

Audio Science Review FAQ #1

This is the first in a series of FAQs for Audio Science Review. 1. Who created Audio Science Review? The founder is Amir Majidimehr. You can find out more about me by clicking on my background link in my signature. Briefly, I have had a long career in computing, audio, video and imaging...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[orlic222]

You should read this

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

and this

Audio Science Review FAQ #1

This is the first in a series of FAQs for Audio Science Review. 1. Who created Audio Science Review? The founder is Amir Majidimehr. You can find out more about me by clicking on my background link in my signature. Briefly, I have had a long career in computing, audio, video and imaging...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks, but for me this is the best receiver after Pioneer and Denon, I have STR-AZ5000ES

 

[sealman]

Thanks, but for me this is the best receiver after Pioneer and Denon, I have STR-AZ5000ES

That explains everything.

 

[beagleman]

That explains everything.

Maybe, but maybe not.

I realize most all AVRs tend to measure mediocre in some regards, okay in others.

I own three Yamaha AVRs, one their lowest model, one a TSR mid series and one Aventage top of the line that Amir reviewed (measured) a few years ago.

It did not do well, as how most all AVRs measure of course. But my confusion came more from using it and listening to it a lot, and NOT finding anything audibly that seemed wrong at all. I also have used MANY separate components in 2 channel use over the years and now, and even comparing, still drawing a blank............


I think some of the frustration comes from many members use these AVRs and most find no audible shortcomings, despite crappy/middling measurements.

I think my only "Issue" would be, so many assume just crappy measurements would make it "Sound" bad, and often we get comments like this from some members.
But, alas, I am doubting most making the comments have ever employed ANY AVR in real world usage, but simply gone from the measurements to make their comments.
I know Amir has no time to actually use the AVRs in their intended ways, but I feel that a disclaimer about audibility would maybe temper the comments in most threads.

Something like "Despite measuring poorly/medicocre/average, I was not able to audibly hear anything wrong or something similar.

 

[Everett T]

The best test is your ears, have you listened to it?

That should be relegated to speakers, not electronics. If electronics are creating audible issues within the sound chain there is a problem. If one piece of gear measures better than another but is inaudible, it's not an issue, right?