9.2 Ch. Sony STR-DA5800ES AV Receiver Review

Sony STR-DA5800ES is a 9.2 Channel AV Receiver from Sony Entertainment. The STR-DA5800ES delivers an incredible 9.2 Channel output surround sound [at 130W x 9, 8 ohms, 20-20kHz, 0.09% THD] and is capable of 4K resolution pass-through and up-scaling with a 4K TV or 4K projector. Streaming movies and music from the internet is even made easier on this DA5800ES through its integrated 4-port Ethernet switch. What's more you can easily control the AV receiver with an iOS or Android device using an ES Remote app available on Google play or iTunes store.
The STR-DA5800ES is fully compatible with control4 controller for home automation; making it easy to integrate with virtually any home automation system.

DA5800ES Video Features

The STR-DA5800ES is fully loaded with equipment and features. The 8 HDMI inputs are more than enough for all the input sources you can pack in your living room. The remaining 2 HDMI outputs are enabled for 4K up-scaling and pass-through to a 4K projector or TV. Please note that, the 4K up-scaling feature is not meant to improve the image quality of the source picture, rather increase picture size without any image quality loss! During the tests, this feature was never tested since I did not have a 4K TV or 4K projector in my possession. I would very much like to know what happens when you scale up a 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p picture to 4K. I hope no jagged images result!

Music and Video Streaming on the STR-DA5800ES

For those of you who love internet streaming, you are in luck because with this STR-DA5800ES it is possible to stream movies and music directly from internet via its native Ethernet ports. However, while streaming an HD movie, you need a link speed of at least 2.5Mbps or 100Mbps for better picture
experience.

DA5800ES Sound Quality

The STR-DA5800ES produces an immersive experience and a nuanced performance for large rooms. It delivers all notes with extreme clarity for virtually the entire musical frequency range (20 Hz-20 kHz). However, at high volume the DA5800ES begins to waver a little bit - signaling running short on power. When the volume is turned up, it maxes out pretty quickly before my ears get enough of it. I cannot fault the DA5800ES on sound crispness; it is designed for accurate sound reproduction, no wonder it is rated at 0.09% THD!

STR-DA5800ES Pricing

I had considered acquiring this system to replace my Muteki STR-KM7, but after experiencing it at a friend's place, I have decided not to buy it mainly on grounds of limited power relative to its pricing. The STR-DA5800ES costs $3999.99 and if you are to add on premium speakers, this value stretches to $8000 to setup the whole system! This is way to high! On the other hand, the Muteki STR-KM7 or popularly sold as the Muteki HT-M7 home theater is very cheap and delivers a heavy punch as well. Don't get me wrong, the STR-DA5800ES is not in any way comparable to the KM7 in terms of features and sound quality. But what I'm saying is that it is over priced.

The STR-KM7 is supplied along with 9 speaker units for under $1399.99 unlike the STR-DA5800ES. You have to buy speakers separately and very often compromising on the price of speakers, which in turn affects sound output quality.

DA5800ES Installation

Installation of the STR-DA5800ES is a night mare - the backside simply has so many ports, figuring out which ports to use is no ordinary man's job! A lot of cabling has to be done. I advise getting a techie to help you out if you are not sure of what to do. If you do not have any home automation system of any kind, you can still control it via the ARC HDMI port, TV and iPod or iPhone or any smart phone to a limited extent. So set it up fast and have a blast!

STR-DA5800ES GUI and Software

I do not normally give a fuss about the GUIs and software that Sony has always loaded on their entertainment systems because I prefer to concentrate on what it is capable of delivering. For as long as the output is excellent then it's a system worth my dime! I'm quite sure though a good many would find the STR-DA5800ES GUI less flexible, less intuitive and unappealing to the eye. But since this is not part of my core judgment features I will overlook it and leave it for you to judge!

Wireless Audio and Video Streaming

The STR-DA5800ES is NOT enabled for Bluetooth audio streaming and NFC for Bluetooth pairing, and neither is it enabled for WiFi video and audio streaming because it has no built-in WiFi adapter. If you were hoping to do away with the clutter of cables, you should be utterly disappointed because the DA5800ES does not have wireless streaming capability!

Audio Specifications of the STR-DA5800ES AV Receiver

• 9.2 channel A/V receiver

The STR-DA5800ES is 9 Amp channel AV receiver rated at 130W x 9 @ 8 ohms for an entire audio signal frequency range 20-20kHz, at 0.09% THD. For STR-DA5800ES models sold in the UK each Amp channel is rated somewhat higher at 145W instead of the 130W for models sold in the US. The Amp is designed to minimize sound distortions as evidenced by the incredibly low THD for crisp music sound reproduction.

• Flexible speaker options

The STR-DA5800ES gives you a flexible speaker configuration with an option of Bi-Amping speaker units. Additionally, the speakers can be installed in a multi-zone configuration of up to 3 zones. You can enjoy a 5.1 channel movie in the main zone while in zone 2 and zone 3 enjoy a video stereo source. For Zone 2 you have the flexibility of connecting either 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers. On the other hand, if you decide to enjoy a full 9.2 channel cinematic environment, you can connect Front High Speakers to complete the setup.

• High-quality Audio Transmission System (H.A.T.S.)

This feature is meant for Super Audio CD (SACD) audio synchronization. But since there are not many commercially available media volumes recorded on SACDs today, I regard it as a redundant feature. I personally, have never needed it and possibly not in the foreseeable future.

• A variety of sound fields

The STR-DA5800ES features the common Movie, Music, AFD, Headphone, 2-Channel, Digital Legato Linear and Portable Audio Enhancer Sound fields. Additionally it is equipped with new sound fields like the HD-DCS (Digital Cinema Sound) which mimics different movie environments, and Berlin Philharmonic Sound Optimizer specifically for orchestra and classical music optimization.

• Digital Stream Direct(DSD)

DSD technology is devoted to Super Audio CD music quality. This DSD feature allows you to directly stream audio from sources offering Super Audio CD quality music. There are not many sources though but if you carefully scour the internet you will certainly land on them. Such as provided here.

• DTS Neo:X
• DTS-HD
• Dolby® True HD/Dolby® Digital+/DolbyPro Logic II
• 31 band graphic equalizer

 

Video specifications

• Supports HDMI 1.4a
• 3D pass-through and Audio Return Channel (ARC)
• Supports 4K pass-through and upscaling
• Supports 4K pass-through to 2nd zone
• On-screen graphical user interface with overlay
• Uses an HD Faroudja upscaler chip for up-scaling video to HD for zone 2
• Supports Deep Color and x.v.Color™
• 24p True Cinema™

 

Inputs and Outputs

• 11 HD inputs (9HDMI, 2 component)
• 3 HDMI outputs (1 for 2nd zone)
• Integrated 4-port Ethernet switch
• 2nd zone Component over Cat5e
• Output Multi-channel inputs: 7.1 Pre out: 9.2+2 (fH) 3rd zone audio only
• Front USB for iPhone or iPod

 

Control Features

• Can be Activated to full Control4 controller
• Control over IP, RS232, 1 IR-in/4 IR-out and triggers.
• USB port for ZigBee(ZigBee dongle included)
• AMX Device Discovery Beacon
• Crestron Connected™

 

Dimensions and Weight:

• 17"(W)x 7 3/8"(H)x 16 1/2"(D)
• 39 lbs / 17.7kgs