SONY STR-DH790 7.2-CHANNEL AV RECEIVER

Sony produces equipment covering just about as wide an affordability gamut as any company, and this STR-DH790 is one of its lowest-priced multi-channel AV receivers, so let’s see what features have been selected for inclusion and exclusion, given the $849 price-point.

THE EQUIPMENT

The Sony STR-DH790’s seven channels are organised with sufficient flexibility to allow you to bi-amp the front stereo pair of speakers, or drive rear surround speakers or a pair of height speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, both of which are supported.

There are couple of compromises.

First, you need to stick with speakers of at least 6 nominal impedance in order to protect your warranty.

Second, all but the front left and right channels use spring-clip connections, not binding posts. They accept cable up to about 1.5mm thick, but I think this is a step too far in economy.

There are four HDMI inputs, all supporting all the good stuff you’d expect. According to the specs they support up