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Sony STR-DG520

The Sony STR-DG520 is a 5.1 channel A/V receiver retailing for $199 released April 8th, 2008. It features 2 x HDMI pass-through inputs, and 2 x component video inputs. The receiver will not process the audio found on the HDMI inputs, nor will it transcode or upscale analog and component video inputs to the HDMI output or vis versa. The DG520 is the bottom-of-the-line model of 2008 A/V receivers from Sony. The step-up model is the STR-DG720 ($299) that upgrades to 7.1 audio, has 3 component and HDMI inputs. The STR-DG520 is rated for 100 Watts RMS of output power @ 8 Ohms, and features only a single zone of audio.

Where to Buy

Sony STR-DG520
MSRP $199.00
Release date April, 2008
Brand Sony
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Pros & Cons10
Reviews3
Details
Buy It1
Competitors2
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
3 reviews
27
negative
mixed
positive
0 positive
0 mixed
3 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Good value receiver with 2 HDMI inputs
+3agreedisagree

•
Compatible with Blu-ray 1080p/24 fps
+2agreedisagree

•
Decent audio ouput power - 100 W
-1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
No video transcoding or upscaling
+3agreedisagree

•
No front inputs
+3agreedisagree

•
Only 3 digital audio inputs in total (2 optical + 1 coax)
+3agreedisagree

•
Only has binding post speaker terminals for 2 channels
+3agreedisagree

•
Doesn't decode HD audio
+2agreedisagree

•
Only a single zone of audio/video
+1agreedisagree

•
Horrible muddy sound quality; not high fidelity.
+1agreedisagree


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

Details

Features

  • 5.1 channel A/V receiver
  • power: 100 Watts RMS @ 8 Ohms
  • Video switching: Doesn't transcode or upscale analog/componet to HDMI and vis versa
  • HDMI: 2 inputs, 1 output (pass-through)
  • Component/HD: 2 inputs, 1 output
  • Digital audio: 2 x digital optical S/PDIF, 1 x digital coaxial
  • Audio decoding: Dolby digital and dts, but does not support HD audio decoding
  • Release date: April 8th, 2008
  • Price: $199

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This report was started April 7, 2008 at 12:00 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring July 21, 2009 at 8:35 pm by trisweb
This page has been viewed 17532 times, with 39 edits by 4 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Sony STR-DG520

• Sony STR-DG520 5.1 Audio Video Receiver - Black

• STR-DG520 Receiver

UPC: 027242727489

EAN: 027242727489

MPN: STR-DG520

Competitors

Sony STR-DG520 is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Pioneer VSX-818V-K

Pioneer VSX-818V-K

MSRP  $249.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • 5-way binding post terminals for all surround channels
  • Impressive output power rating
  • Available in silver and black
Cons
  • No HDMI audio processing - no PCM
  • When adjusting volume with knob, sound level does not change until finished moving knob
  • More expensive than competition
ProSCORE
5 reviews
74
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG520 0% vs. vote Pioneer VSX-818V-K 100%
Yamaha HTR-6130

Yamaha HTR-6130

MSRP  $230.00    Released  January, 2008
Pros
  • Value-price receiver with HDMI-passthrough support
  • Compatible with Blu-ray 1080p/24 fps
  • Decent audio ouput power - 100 W
Cons
  • Button-style input selector isn't as nice as a knob
  • Doesn't decode HD audio
  • No video transcoding or upscaling
ProSCORE
2 reviews
56
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG520 0% vs. vote Yamaha HTR-6130 100%

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Comments

1.  avatar beobopus said:

Pros: easy set up. So far seems good for the price. Good enough if you are looking for easy setup & easy handling for a decent sound.

Cons: seems that the HDMI inputs & out put is not really nessecary as you still need to hook up optical connections for the audio to be heard.

Notes: you will need a subwoofer with a RCA cable hookup & optical cables inorder to receive audio as the HDMI inputs are only "passthrough" & carry no audio signals.
Jan 05, 2009 10:26am
2.  avatar trisweb said:

Others have covered the technical limitations/features of the receiver - let me put a word in about audio quality.

It's really astonishingly bad. I mean, I'm picky about sound quality, but not that picky - but the difference was night and day between it and my little T-Amp. The T-Amp was like crystal in comparison - the Sony 520 had absolutely zero imaging, obviously bad stereo crosstalk (how often can you even hear that??), clearly introduced signal distortion... I could go on. The sound was essentially dead. Amplified, but dead.

Opting not to kill my beautiful music, I went with a 1-year old used Yamaha HTR-5960 and couldn't be happier. The amplifiers in the Yamaha's are clean and clear. But then, at a price point this low, any amplifier is probably going to be less than great, and you do get what you pay for - I was just surprised that I could hear it with such clarity (or lack of clarity, as it were). I can't recommend this if you have good ears. You have been warned.
Jul 21, 2009 8:17pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
April 7, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
6 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Good value receiver with 2 HDMI inputs
  • Compatible with Blu-ray 1080p/24 fps
  • Decent audio ouput power - 100 W

Cons

  • No video transcoding or upscaling
  • No front inputs
  • Only 3 digital audio inputs in total (2 optical + 1 coax)
  • Only has binding post speaker terminals for 2 channels
  • Doesn't decode HD audio
  • Only a single zone of audio/video

Competitors

Erik prefers Yamaha HTR-6130, Pioneer VSX-818V-K over Sony STR-DG520
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

trisweb

avatar
July 21, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
14
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
6 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Good value receiver with 2 HDMI inputs

Cons

  • No video transcoding or upscaling
  • No front inputs
  • Only 3 digital audio inputs in total (2 optical + 1 coax)
  • Only has binding post speaker terminals for 2 channels
  • Doesn't decode HD audio
  • Horrible muddy sound quality; not high fidelity.

Comments

"Others have covered the technical limitations/features of the receiver - let me put a word in about audio quality.

It's really astonishingly bad. I mean, I'm picky about sound quality, but not that picky - but the difference was night and day between it and my little T-Amp. The T-Amp was like crystal in comparison - the Sony 520 had absolutely zero imaging, obviously bad stereo crosstalk (how often can you even hear that??), clearly introduced signal distortion... I could go on. The sound was essentially dead. Amplified, but dead.

Opting not to kill my beautiful music, I went with a 1-year old used Yamaha HTR-5960 and couldn't be happier. The amplifiers in the Yamaha's are clean and clear. But then, at a price point this low, any amplifier is probably going to be less than great, and you do get what you pay for - I was just surprised that I could hear it with such clarity (or lack of clarity, as it were). I can't recommend this if you have good ears. You have been warned."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

sandman

avatar
April 7, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
4 cons

Pros

  • Good value receiver with 2 HDMI inputs
  • Compatible with Blu-ray 1080p/24 fps

Cons

  • No video transcoding or upscaling
  • No front inputs
  • Only 3 digital audio inputs in total (2 optical + 1 coax)
  • Only has binding post speaker terminals for 2 channels

Competitors

sandman prefers Yamaha HTR-6130 over Sony STR-DG520
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

STR, DG, 520, STRDG, DG520, STRDG520