Sony STR-DA4400ES

The Sony STR-DA4400ES ($1500) is the flagship 7.1 a/v receiver model of the STR-DAx400ES series, "Elevated Standard" (ES), product line announced in a June 26, 2008 press release by Sony. The DA4400ES replaces the previous generation Sony STR-DA4300ES ($1000) and Sony STR-DA5300ES ($1700) released the year before. The 4400ES features 120 Watts of power to each of its 7 channels, supports upscaling to 1080p using its built-in Faroudja DCDi chipset, and boasts 6 x HDMI inputs. It uses the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface found in the PSP and PS3 for onscreen navigation. The lineup is rounded out by the Sony STR-DA3400ES ($1000) and Sony STR-DA2400ES ($800) and they are expected to become available in July 2008.

Where to Buy

Sony STR-DA4400ES
MSRP $1,500.00
Release date July, 2008
Brand Sony
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Pros & Cons12
Reviews8
Details
Buy It6
Competitors2
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
89
negative
mixed
positive
7 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
6 HDMI inputs
+8agreedisagree

•
Video upscaling to 1080p
+7agreedisagree

•
High-resolution audio decoding
+7agreedisagree

•
2 zones of HD video output
+6agreedisagree

•
Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
+6agreedisagree

•
A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES
+5agreedisagree

•
Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps
+5agreedisagree

•
Low Price for Quantity of Inputs and Video Processing Capabilities
+4agreedisagree

•
Assignable inputs
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)
+5agreedisagree

•
No support for wireless rear speakers
+1agreedisagree

•
Overkill on the number of HDMI inputs
-7agreedisagree


9 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 7.1 channel a/v receiver (ES product line)
  • 1080p Faroudja DCDi upscaling
  • high definition audio decoding (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio, dts HD-MA)
  • Xross media bar interface (similar to what's found on PS3 and PSP)
  • power: 120 Watts / channel
  • 6 x HDMI inputs
  • price: $1500
  • 3-zones of a/v (2 zones of HD and 1 zone of audio-only)
  • release date: July 2008

Submit a link

This report was started June 26, 2008 at 3:38 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring July 21, 2009 at 2:52 pm by BrileyKenney
This page has been viewed 8312 times, with 97 edits by 12 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Sony STR-DA4400ES

• Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver

• STR-DA4400ES Receiver

UPC: 027242732124

EAN: 027242732124

MPN: STRDA4400ES

Competitors

Sony STR-DA4400ES is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Yamaha RX-V3900

Yamaha RX-V3900

MSRP  $1,899.95    Released  September, 2008
Pros
  • 4 x HDMI inputs + 2 HDMI outputs
  • Internet + network connectivity with Web browser control
  • Anchor Bay VRS Technology + PReP video processing for large displays
Cons
  • Anchor Bay not as good as Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX in Onkyo and Denon
  • No THX certification
  • No HDMI to HDMI upscaling
ProSCORE
13 reviews
95
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony STR-DA4400ES 0% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V3900 100%
Cambridge Audio Azur 640R

Cambridge Audio Azur 640R

MSRP  $1,299.00    Released  January, 2008
Pros
  • available in silver and black
  • 7.1 channels x 120W
  • built in AM/FM tuner
Cons
  • HDMI switching only - no transcoding between digital and analog
  • expensive to the majority of consumers
  • remote is difficult to use - buttons are small and difficult to distinguish
ProSCORE
2 reviews
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony STR-DA4400ES   vs. vote Cambridge Audio Azur 640R  

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Comments

1.  avatar HotBBQ said:

How does this model differ from the 5300ES model? I am buying my first AVR in the next few weeks. I was looking at the 5300ES or the Onkyo 876.
Aug 19, 2008 10:17pm
2.  avatar Erik said:

Wow! The 5300ES and 4400ES look exactly the same on paper. The only difference I could spot in the specs is that the 4400 has "Amplification Relocation", or the ability to reassign the surround channels as second zone, or biamplify the front speakers. The second difference I could see is that Sony is bragging about Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Decoding in the 4400ES.

It looks like they basically just renamed the 5300ES as the 4400ES to me, otherwise.
Aug 19, 2008 11:10pm
3.  avatar Sina172 said:

How is the number of HDMI Inputs overkill?! The 2/3-In 1 Out HDMI was THE BIGGEST complaint with consumers! That was MY biggest complaint, too! And whoever wrote that as a con is either ignorant or is in the MINORITY! Dude! COME ON man!

How is that even a con when Sony actually LISTENED TO ITS CONSUMERS?! I want that CON REMOVED! That is IGNORANCE in the WORST POSSIBLE FORM!
Dec 13, 2008 4:47pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Brad DerManouelian

avatar
June 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
2 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps
  • Low Price for Quantity of Inputs and Video Processing Capabilities
  • Assignable inputs

Cons

  • 2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)
  • No support for wireless rear speakers

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

darren

avatar
March 28, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
90
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
1 con
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES
  • Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps
  • Low Price for Quantity of Inputs and Video Processing Capabilities
  • Assignable inputs

Cons

  • 2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
August 13, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
88
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
1 con

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES
  • Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps

Cons

  • 2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)

Comments

"Wow! The 5300ES and 4400ES look exactly the same on paper. The only difference I could spot in the specs is that the 4400 has "Amplification Relocation", or the ability to reassign the surround channels as second zone, or biamplify the front speakers. The second difference I could see is that Sony is bragging about Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Decoding in the 4400ES.

It looks like they basically just renamed the 5300ES as the 4400ES to me, otherwise."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

meadmeriser

avatar
August 2, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
88
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
1 con
have ithave it

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES
  • Low Price for Quantity of Inputs and Video Processing Capabilities

Cons

  • 2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Void

avatar
June 30, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

sjurovich

avatar
August 13, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Jason

avatar
August 27, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
love itlove it
want itwant it
have ithave it

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Sina172

avatar
May 29, 2009
ProSCORE
90
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
1 con

Pros

  • 6 HDMI inputs
  • Video upscaling to 1080p
  • High-resolution audio decoding
  • 2 zones of HD video output
  • Xross Media Bar interface (XMB)
  • A $200 price-drop compared to previous gen DA5300ES
  • Has pre-outs for all channels for external amps
  • Low Price for Quantity of Inputs and Video Processing Capabilities
  • Assignable inputs

Cons

  • 2nd HD video zone is only component video (not HDMI)

Comments

"How is the number of HDMI Inputs overkill?! The 2/3-In 1 Out HDMI was THE BIGGEST complaint with consumers! That was MY biggest complaint, too! And whoever wrote that as a con is either ignorant or is in the MINORITY! Dude! COME ON man!

How is that even a con when Sony actually LISTENED TO ITS CONSUMERS?! I want that CON REMOVED! That is IGNORANCE in the WORST POSSIBLE FORM!"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

STR, DA, 4400, ES, STRDA, DA4400, 4400ES, STRDA4400, DA4400ES, STRDA4400ES