Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Dont wasting your time with Sony STR receivers

I have a Sony STR-945 that can suposedly handle 4ohm load. Not even close. I've put an order in for a H/K 635.

Not so fast, spiroh! The amp sections of the STR series receivers are weak - but the processor sections, at least on the STRDB1070 or better are very good. They can handle a 6-8 ohm speaker load if the speakers are easy to drive, like Axiom M3s, M22s and even M60s. If you already have one of these receivers, you can ease yourself into separates by using the receiver as a processor, and running from the preouts in the receiver to outboard amp(s).

I have m80s but there is a switch on the receiver to run either 8 or 4 ohm load.

You could fry an egg on my STR receiver at "fairly" loud volumes even into a 8 ohm load, It clipped more then a tight a$$ shopper on coupon sunday. I could not imagine 4 ohm, valid point on the processor I would think. But in terms of power, my Sony is great where it is now, powering my old little Polk bookshelves in my garage!!!

I had the STR595 and it got extremely hot playing stereo for only a few songs. The Denon upgrade was well worth it. Never gets above room temperature. Despite the Sonys' weak amp section, their CD players are excellent.

The only Sony receivers that are worth anything are from the ES line. I remember the techs showing me how easy it was to fry the amps on the STR's. The H/K should be an upgrade over the Sony; however, having it drive a 4ohm load may be asking too much of it. It might be best to eventually get a separate 2ch amp to take the strain of your new H/K receiver. Good luck!

The bright side to this whole thing is you get a new #635.

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Hi spiroh,

Sony builds excellent DVD players, CD players, and video displays but I've never recommended Sony receivers of any sort. Even the ES line always seemed to have some kind of design glitch, some of them apparent in press demos. No-one I know in the biz uses Sony A/V receivers.

You'll be fine with an upgrade to H/K or Denon.

Regards,

If it helps you in your decision...I had a Sony receiver. I had it repaired three times...until finally that last time a spark and a big puff of smoke came out of my receiver. Needless to say I'd had enough and moved onto a different brand. An H/K at the time actually. Big step up in that heavy duty feel. And yes, it is an upgrade.

But my Sony 53" RPTV has been going strong for nearly 8 years without any problems. Go figure.

I bought my Dad an ES series receiver. We took it out of the box, turned it on, and it worked for about three minutes. Then it blew...(literally). I immediately returned it to Tweeter, who graciously took it back, and said that they have a lot of people return the Sonys right after purchasing them. However, after getting the new one, we've had smooth sailing at my parent's house on the Sony. It's all a crap-shoot. Just make sure that you buy from an authorized dealer with a good return/exchange policy and stay away from eBay and other bargain basement e-tailers for your Sony needs. You won't get stuck with the bag that way.