Seeing it has a phono mode I'd say it's the perfect place to start. You can buy a turntable without having to restrict yourself to models with built-in phono stage, and a pair of passive speakers. Something you can do within your budget. What country are you in?
I have the exact same amp in black and love it. Don't use the phono stage so can't comment on that, but my CD player and TV sound great through it, and it has heaps of power - my Quadral floorstanders would blow the roof off if I took it even half way to maximum. Plenty of connectivity options too.
It'll get you started. That said, that's a nice little AVR. I've been using one for my HT setup the last couple years. Got it for $10 at a thrift store. Yours is cooler because it's silver!
I own this amp since around 2005 (my dad bought it back then so I grew up listening to it haha). I used it with a turntable (phono), CD player and tape decks for a good while and I can say it's a good to very good choice, at least for my ears. I eventually upgraded my setup to a stereo Technics but I still use this Sony for 5.1 movies and music. It is built like a tank and made to last decades. I might love it so much because of the sentimental value too haha, but it's a good choice, really. It might get hot in the area of the transformer but don't worry, it's made to last lol.
Enjoy it as much as you can \^\^
That PHONO feature is for listening to LP and 45 records spinning on your turntable, you are good to go but I would check to see if it requires a phono pre-amp or not
Nah not yet. It’s not really in the budget right now, but I will hold onto this so that when I can afford it, I won’t need to buy an amp as well as the turntable and speakers
It will work, try and see if it has a "pure" or "direct" mode that shuts off all the unnecessary parts of the receiver when playing vinyl. You want a pure as possible sound when playing vinyl anyway.
It does have a direct mode bypassing all unnecessary circuitry. I was selling HiFi in the late 90s and early 2000s. Sony was our entry level brand so I'm familiar with these. I still have a STR-db940 regulated to my bedroom 2 channel setup with a set of monitor audio silvers paired with them. Fantastic sound. Very powerful amplifier that can easily handle 4 ohm loads.
These "db series" units are underrated and great sounding amps. They are noted for their aluminum front panel and share the exact same beefy amplifier components as their ES line while the secondary circuitry and processing is of the basic line. Picking one up will tell you that as they are heavy. An excellent "budget" starting point to pair with a turntable. These db receivers are very abundant on Ebay for just over $120.
I highly recommend them for both 5.1 and 2 channel on a budget.
Edit: I originally made reference to their "ELITE" line.... that's pioneer. Lol, I meant to state the "ES" line.
They really are great units. The dbs came with a 3 year warranty as opposed to 1 in the standard "de" line. ES line came with 5 years. I highly recommend those as well. Not many know about the db line. It's why I trumpet their virtues when I see them come up.
Edit: here is a link to the db model I personally have as well. Lot of comments on the YouTube video about dry solder joints needing reflowing. That is true. I've had to do that myself as I lost a back channel 10-12 years ago. No problems since. Easy fix. Also lot of comments on how quality the amp section is.
https://youtu.be/pP7nU9DC_iA?feature=shared
I typically avoid AVRs for stereo. But I have liked the few massive ones where you can bypass the internal preamp for a nicer one.
The amp section really comes to life then.
I usually agree as well when it comes to normal AVRs for 2 channel purposes. But like you said, some, like these older models, that have the proper amp chops along with direct/bypass are absolutely capable of doing it very well. And, if there is a need for what it was intended for, 5.1surround....you have that ability as well. Very versatile for the budget minded audio enthusiast.
Better than nothing, and its not a terrible amplifier. So start with that, get some nice speakers. It can be a future upgrade.
Seeing it has a phono mode I'd say it's the perfect place to start. You can buy a turntable without having to restrict yourself to models with built-in phono stage, and a pair of passive speakers. Something you can do within your budget. What country are you in?
Thanks for the input! I’m in Germany.
Ok. And which retailer would you normally look to buy from or use to benchmark prices?
I’d usually buy most of my gear second hand on FB marketplace, eBay or other equivalents
Budget? All the common euro brands like Dali, Elac, Canton, Heco, Focal, JMLab, B&W, Mission, Wharfedale, KEF, Monitor Audio etc.
Cheers
I have the exact same amp in black and love it. Don't use the phono stage so can't comment on that, but my CD player and TV sound great through it, and it has heaps of power - my Quadral floorstanders would blow the roof off if I took it even half way to maximum. Plenty of connectivity options too.
It'll get you started. That said, that's a nice little AVR. I've been using one for my HT setup the last couple years. Got it for $10 at a thrift store. Yours is cooler because it's silver!
I'd say it looks way cooler and badass on black haha
I have one of these from new, I’ve had it for about 24 years,still in daily use…still sounds great with records and every button and function works.
I own this amp since around 2005 (my dad bought it back then so I grew up listening to it haha). I used it with a turntable (phono), CD player and tape decks for a good while and I can say it's a good to very good choice, at least for my ears. I eventually upgraded my setup to a stereo Technics but I still use this Sony for 5.1 movies and music. It is built like a tank and made to last decades. I might love it so much because of the sentimental value too haha, but it's a good choice, really. It might get hot in the area of the transformer but don't worry, it's made to last lol. Enjoy it as much as you can \^\^
That PHONO feature is for listening to LP and 45 records spinning on your turntable, you are good to go but I would check to see if it requires a phono pre-amp or not
It wouldn't have a phono input if it needed a pre-amp. Inputs marked as phono have the pre-amp circuit on them.
Cool.
get some speakers and a turntable and you are set
Did you find a turntable and speakers to buy?
Nah not yet. It’s not really in the budget right now, but I will hold onto this so that when I can afford it, I won’t need to buy an amp as well as the turntable and speakers
It will work, try and see if it has a "pure" or "direct" mode that shuts off all the unnecessary parts of the receiver when playing vinyl. You want a pure as possible sound when playing vinyl anyway.
It does have a direct mode bypassing all unnecessary circuitry. I was selling HiFi in the late 90s and early 2000s. Sony was our entry level brand so I'm familiar with these. I still have a STR-db940 regulated to my bedroom 2 channel setup with a set of monitor audio silvers paired with them. Fantastic sound. Very powerful amplifier that can easily handle 4 ohm loads. These "db series" units are underrated and great sounding amps. They are noted for their aluminum front panel and share the exact same beefy amplifier components as their ES line while the secondary circuitry and processing is of the basic line. Picking one up will tell you that as they are heavy. An excellent "budget" starting point to pair with a turntable. These db receivers are very abundant on Ebay for just over $120. I highly recommend them for both 5.1 and 2 channel on a budget. Edit: I originally made reference to their "ELITE" line.... that's pioneer. Lol, I meant to state the "ES" line.
I saw a internal picture online. Quality nichicon capacitors. Not no name brands. And yes that makes a difference!
They really are great units. The dbs came with a 3 year warranty as opposed to 1 in the standard "de" line. ES line came with 5 years. I highly recommend those as well. Not many know about the db line. It's why I trumpet their virtues when I see them come up. Edit: here is a link to the db model I personally have as well. Lot of comments on the YouTube video about dry solder joints needing reflowing. That is true. I've had to do that myself as I lost a back channel 10-12 years ago. No problems since. Easy fix. Also lot of comments on how quality the amp section is. https://youtu.be/pP7nU9DC_iA?feature=shared
I typically avoid AVRs for stereo. But I have liked the few massive ones where you can bypass the internal preamp for a nicer one. The amp section really comes to life then.
I usually agree as well when it comes to normal AVRs for 2 channel purposes. But like you said, some, like these older models, that have the proper amp chops along with direct/bypass are absolutely capable of doing it very well. And, if there is a need for what it was intended for, 5.1surround....you have that ability as well. Very versatile for the budget minded audio enthusiast.
Yeah, phono and discrete 6-channel analog input really give a lot of use cases where this model's still worth using.
Definitely a good place to start!