Sony STRDG820 7.1 vs. similar models?

[reece]

Hi everybody. My mother asked me to check out the Sony STRDG820 7.1 reciever for her, and it looks like a good buy to me seeing as it decodes all formats and has great ratings. But before I give her the ok, i figured I'd come on here and check with you expert folks about other brands in the same price range. is there anything you'd recommend over the sony strdg820? thanks a bunch,

tommy

[Diablo829]

Originally Posted by reece

Hi everybody. My mother asked me to check out the Sony STRDG820 7.1 reciever for her, and it looks like a good buy to me seeing as it decodes all formats and has great ratings. But before I give her the ok, i figured I'd come on here and check with you expert folks about other brands in the same price range. is there anything you'd recommend over the sony strdg820? thanks a bunch,

tommy

I just bought the 720 version and couldn't be happier. Nearly identical. Love it!

[reece]

Originally Posted by Diablo829

I just bought the 720 version and couldn't be happier. Nearly identical. Love it!

thanks for the feedback. glad your enjoying it!
does anyone have any specific issues with with 820? the only thing i've heard is that analog signals are not convereted digitally through hdmi which is no big deal to me...

[Old_Guy]

I'm very happy with my 820 and like you, the analog to digital conversion was not important to me.
The way the book describes the set-up can be a little confusing until you get the hang of it, but it is really no big deal. And the set-up display is on the unit, not on the TV screen (as with the 920)-again, no big. But us older folks might need some help.
Very satisfied with performance in a medium sized room.

[Jordahn]

Originally Posted by reece

Hi everybody. My mother asked me to check out the Sony STRDG820 7.1 reciever for her, and it looks like a good buy to me seeing as it decodes all formats and has great ratings. But before I give her the ok, i figured I'd come on here and check with you expert folks about other brands in the same price range. is there anything you'd recommend over the sony strdg820? thanks a bunch,

tommy

Just scratching the surface, I'm throughly impressed with the sound processing of the 820. Aside from my DirecTV HD reciever, I'm running all audio via PS3. My 320bit rate AAC audio files all sound better, and the HD audio formats via Blu-ray playback is bery deep and encompassing. And this is with my +6 year old SONY satellite speakers 8 ohms, 100 watt max, and 85 db. Looking forward to upgrading my speakers someday. I paid mine for $330. I'm sure there are better a/v eceivers out there, but I really cannot complain with the price I paid. I do think that the SONY BRAVIA feature is overrated, and I cannot get the a/v remote to control my DirecTV HD reciever (H20). What I really need to do now is to get the tuner set to my local FM stations. No expert here (at least not yet), but this is my standpoint.

[jgzr2]

Originally Posted by reece

thanks for the feedback. glad your enjoying it!
does anyone have any specific issues with with 820? the only thing i've heard is that analog signals are not convereted digitally through hdmi which is no big deal to me...

hey guys.
I got the 720 receiver in November and it's been awesome so far.

The bolded is a little annoying. I tried having my ps2 hooked up through component to the receiver and hdmi to my tv. I spent about 45 minutes trying to figure out why I wasn't getting a picture. I was getting audio through optical, but ripping my hair out about the video.
I have my tv on a wall mount and want to have as little cables hanging as possible, but I'll live

Otherwise the sound is awesome and I can't wait to really break it in with Killzone 2.

[callas01]

The Sony 820 & 720 are the same receiver except that Sony added programing into the 820 so it can decode the HD audio. Weight, size, & specs are all the same. I would say that if your mother is willing to buy online to check out this it is prolly a little more money, but will be far better. Please understand that I love my Sony 920, and if you could find a 920, I would say that it is much better then the old Sony 710 I bought before, but if this deal would have been around when I was shopping, I would have went this route.

I do believe that with the Sony 820, if she is not an audiophile, then she would be satisfied, but if she is interested in the added investment try the Pioneer I gave you the link for.

[lotrfan]

I have had the 820 since Christmas and have been very pleased so far with performance. The newer HD codecs bring the audio to a completely new level. I guess the only buyer's remorse that I have (and it is very very small remorse) is that the 820 doesn't upconvert like the 920 (I have a Nintendo Wii) and that there is no pre-out, in case I ever wanted to go into getting a separate amp. But, overall, I have totally enjoyed the purchase and for the price point, I think it is a great buy.

[reece]

Thanks for all the help everyone. now im just trying to decide between the 820 and the pioneer that was linked

[ijokr]

is the upconversion the only difference with the 920 and the 820? Aren`t the 720 and 820 pass through?

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by ijokr

is the upconversion the only difference with the 920 and the 820? Aren`t the 720 and 820 pass through?

The 820 can decode HD audio, whereas the 720 can only pass the audio through via LPCM but cannot decode the HD codecs itself.

[Big N' Tasty]

Its a great receiver.