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Sony STR-DE998 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver
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Average customer review:
Product Description
Sony's worldwide reputation for creating unique, attractive, high-quality, advanced technology products rests on a long line of innovations embraced by people from all walks of life. With a diverse product lineup serving a variety of lifestyles and industries, Sony continuously strives to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing market needs.PRODUCT FEATURES:110 Watts X 7 (20Hz-20KHz, THD 0.09%);Component Up Conversion from S-Video & Composite;Amplification Relocation;On Screen Display;Dolby Digital EX, dts ES (Neo6), DPLIIx, dts 96/24;7.1 Channel Decoding with Auto Up conversion;LCD Remote Control;Powered 2nd Room Audio;2 Zone/2 Room Control with 2nd Room Audio;2 Assignable HD Component Video In/1 Out;Portable A/V Input;A/V Sync (Variable);Multi-Channel Stereo (Party Mode);Multi-Channel Input (7.1);Phono Input;110 Watts X 7 (20Hz-20KHz, THD 0.09%);Component Up Conversion from S-Video & Composite;Amplifier Relocation - allows you to listen to a different Audio Source in a different room from the same receiver;On Screen Display for easy operation and setup;Dolby Digital EX, dts ES Neo 6, dts ES 96/24, Dolby Pro Logic IIx Decoding;7.1 Channel Decoding-Up converts all signals to 7.1 Automatically;LCD Remote Control;Powered Second Room Audio;2 Zone/2 Room Control with 2nd Room Audio;2 Assignable HD Component Video In/1 Out;Portable A/V Input (Digital Optical In, Analog Audio and S-Video and Composite Video In);A/V Sync (Variable)- For Synchronizing Audio to Video Switched;Multi-Channel Stereo (Party Mode);Multi-Channel Input (7.1);Phono Input.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #37025 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Sony
- Model: STRDE998
- Dimensions: 8.00 pounds
Features
- 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver with 30 radio presets, HD video switching, and 110 full-range watts per channel x 7
- Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES/Neo:6/96:24, and Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx 6.1-channel surround processing for lifelike, exciting audio from any source
- 7.1-/5.1-channel analog audio inputs accommodate high-resolution multi-channel formats like SACD and DVD-Audio
- 6 digital-audio inputs, 1 digital output; includes phono input for turntable and preprogrammed/learning LCD remote control
- Measures 17 x 6.2 x 15.8 inches (W x H x D)
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Sony's high-powered STR-DE998 delivers dynamic, full-force home theater excitement. The receiver accommodates everything from the latest surround sound movie formats to cutting-edge high-resolution audio sources. The STR-DE998 delivers 110 watts per channel across seven main channels (left, right, center, left/right mid surround, and left/right rear surround) and has a dedicated subwoofer output for an eighth (the ".1" low-frequency effects channel).
 Take a closer look at the STR-DE998's connections. You can also view the unit's front panel in detail. |
You get conveniences, too, like multiroom (Zone 2) outputs with independent source switching, so you can listen to a DVD in the living room while someone else is listening to a CD in the kitchen. What's more, you can use a feature called Amplification Relocation to use the rear-surround amplifiers to power speakers in your designated Zone 2, freeing you from needing an additional amplifier or integrated receiver in that room. The supplied Remote Commander learning LCD remote control comes preprogrammed for a range of devices, and it also learns new commands and has the ability to perform limited macro commands.
 Take a closer look at the STR-DE998's remote control. |
A set of front-panel audio/video inputs includes an optical digital-audio input and facilitates spontaneous hookups with camcorders, gaming consoles, MP3 players, and minidisc player/recorders.
There's even a phono input for your once or future turntable--yes, they still make 'em, and yes, your vinyl will sound as good or better than ever. The unit's three stereo and one set of multichannel analog audio inputs simplify hookup of, for instance, a cassette deck, a VCR, and a high-resolution audio device that decodes formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. A total of six assignable digital-audio inputs (four optical and two coaxial) accept bitstream feeds from DVD players, CD players, and other digital devices, while a single optical digital-audio out channels sound to a CD or minidisc recorder.
Digital Cinema Sound System is a group of exclusive Sony algorithms (the receiver offers 13 total) that represent a total rethinking of home theater sound based on careful measurements of movie-production dubbing stages in Hollywood. Cinema Studio EX modes offer greater apparent distance from listener to screen and a full array of 10 additional virtual surround speakers.
Sound Field Link applies the last-selected sound field to an input whenever you select the input. For example, if you select STADIUM for the CD input, change to a different input, then return to CD, the receiver will automatically apply the STADIUM sound field.
Other features include a convenient onscreen display, a pair of switched rear-panel AC power outlets for additional components, a gold-plated .25-inch headphone jack, bass and treble tone controls, and discrete circuit devices for the best possible sound from the receiver's amplifiers.
What's in the Box
STR-DE998 receiver, remote control, two AA batteries, FM wire antenna, AM loop antenna, and instruction manual.
Customer Reviews
Simplifying the installation of a great receiver/amplifier
A glance at its back panel indicates the 998's abundant connectivity. If something doesn't meet your needs, you can probably reassign an unused resource: I have two DirecTV PVRs. For the first I used the 998's TV/Satellite s-video and optical inputs. For the second I used Video 1 for the s-video and reassigned the MD/Tape optical input to Video 1. I had only one tight squeeze: DVD has neither an optical input nor a way to reassign an unused optical input to DVD but it has regular (RCA) and digital coax inputs. Anyway, purists claim digital coax bests optical.
I had never used optical or digital audio cables. I bought some from Amazon.com (search for "TOSlink" and "coaxial digital audio cable", respectively).
Two aids helped me conquer the dual cornucopia of 998's features and connectivity: (1) I printed a copy of the 998's back panel (under Product Description above, click "Take a closer look..." in the photo caption to see a beautiful image of the back of the 998 then right click the image and print it). I drew in my components, speakers, and cables showing connections to the appropriate jacks. Great for planning. (2) What you read about the manual is mostly true. The data is more or less there but Sony could give Bill Gates lessons in inscrutability. I downloaded and saved a copy of the 998's manual (under Product Details above, click "View the product manual..." then save it). When I had trouble configuring the subwoofer-subwoofer isn't even in the index-Adobe reader found 55 references. (How can you use a term 55 times in only 63 pages and not have it in the index?)
The 998's sound is great and it has enough power to drive my main speakers and several sets of satellites around the house. It has a full complement of signal processing (audio control) options, some of which you may not use: Though the 998 will synthesize low frequency elements and send them to the rest of the speakers, I like the sound and feel of a subwoofer. T. Orkus' review is right-on including the admonition to "hit that AFD button a couple of times". You step into and navigate menus with multiple pressings of the relevant buttons. Not as bad as it sounds. Don't hesitate to press a button several times. Once you become accustomed to the front panel metaphor, you will guess some undocumented remote control features.
I have yet to move up from s-video to component-video cables but the 998 seems to have enough inputs and outputs; I've just bought some component cables.
Why five stars given the less than wonderful manual? Because it works better than I expect of an under-$500 receiver/amplifier and because there are designed-in ways around all limitations I have encountered.
Great AMP with some minor limitations
I probably got my hands on one of the first-shipped 998's this year. I was going to get the 997 but there's some added functionality that the 998 provides (and it's shiny-new). I've had it set up running 7.1 surround with my new JBL SCS300-7 for about a week now.
Sound: Sound is great, but now quite as loud as I expected. I'm not sure if that's the speakers or the AMP though...but when I'm watching a movie and want it 'movie-theatre loud' I turn the AMP all the way up to max. Other that that, it's a huge improvement over my older SONY amp. It decodes all the new surround standards such as 96/48 and Neo6. Given that most DVDs I have are 5.1 it seems a bit like overkill in retrospect.
Options/Configuration: If you're not familiar with setting up surround systems then be careful with this one. If you don't know what AFD, PCM, etc. mean then you're going to do a lot of head-scratching. It took me a while to figure out how to make the stereo decode (or emulate) surround in 5.1 or better. (Hint: hit that AFD button a couple times).
The 998 has lots of connectivity options - 2 component INs, 5 optical/2 digital INs, along with s-video, composite, and a zillion plain audio INs. Also included is the option to assign different inputs to different things (i.e. video 1 can use the optical in labeled SA-CD). This is great - but the assignments are limited to their orig. listing and video 1/2. You can't, I've discovered, swap the digital DVD IN to TV or assign the TV optical in to DVD. Bummer. Granted, I could use Video 1 for my TV...but my OCD-ism wouldn't like that. One great feature is the upconversion from composite or s-video to component. This means that you can hook up everything - DVD, cable, satalite radio, VCR, ipod, CD, xbox, PS2, etc. to the stereo and run only a single cable (hopefully composite) to your TV.
The on-screen setup is much easier than using the display on the AMP - another reason I chose the 998. The universal remote looks nice (and has a learning function) but i'm sticking with my universal touch-screen SONY remote from a previous system.
Overall, I'm very happy with the DE998 despite a few minor shortcomings. If you're just looking for basic 7.1 then go a few steps down sony's 2005 line to the 898, 798 or 698. If you want a great reciever to switch all you audio AND video inputs then this is the one and you can't possibly beat the price.
Many video inputs one video output
That was my goal in life. To have four video inputs from various sources and upconvert them to one video output. This would greatly simplify our lives!
Well, I found it in the Sony STR-DE998.
I have all of my A/V equipment connected into it and they all get upconverted to component video to my HD-capable TV. I had been looking for something like this for years. The video quality is great, too.
Now, my wife can stop messing with the TV remove and switch the receiver instead.
And the price on Amazon? Great compared to going to all of the major electronics retailers in the area.
