Sony HDMI Receiver Comparison

[Defshep]

Before I get into this, I know a lot of you consider Sony receivers to be craptastic. I have had no problems with Sony in the past, and the receivers fit my budget. So...

I was wondering if I needed this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH800...8632236&sr=1-5, which has an HD audio decoder built-in. Or, would this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH700...632270&sr=1-15 suffice, which has HDMI PCM audio only. Will I still get HD audio, as decoded by my BD player? I don't need a gazillion inputs, so the more inexpensive one would be fine. Just wondering about the audio decoding.

Thanks!

[frogmeat69]

If your blu player decodes Tru HD and DTS MA, the DH700 would be fine. I've had 2 Sony units before, and never had a single problem with them, would still have my last one, but wanted lossless audio through HDMI,my Sony only had 7.1 analog inputs and I couldn't hook up both my HD DVD and Blu, and my Onkyo was at the right price.

[Favelle]

Yep, if your Blu-ray player does the decoding and sends the signal as PMC to the receiver, it will sound exactly the same as the the other model doing the decoding....all other things being equal.

[Defshep]

Thanks! I actually just picked up the HT-7200dh, because I found a great deal on it. It's basically the same as te str-700 model, but with speakers and 1080p upscaling dvd player. I will probably change out the speakers at some point, but it's good for now.

[kaliphonia]

FWIW I have the STR-DG1000 and have been quite happy with it.

[Splicer]

I don't think the Sony is crap, but there are so many other, better sounding AVR's out there for the same money. But to each their own.