5.1 Ch. Sony MHC-GN1300D - Mini HiFi Component System

Sony MHC-GN1300D is a 5.1 channel mini HiFi component system featuring a three DVD/CD changer, Tuner, legacy cassette player and USB support. The GN1300D is powered by a massive transformer and consumes a staggering 365W while delivering a total of 905W maximum RMS power to the speakers with P.M.P.O of 10000W. The massive Subwoofer gives the MHC-GN1300D its characteristic heavy punch especially when playing media sources loaded with LFE effects. The Sony MHC-GN1300D, offers limited support for USB audio and video playback and recording. Only specific file formats, sizes and bit rates are supported for USB playback. Supported file types include; MP3, AAC, WMA, Divx and MP4.
With a massive 905W RMS power output, the MHC-GN1300D certainly has a place among top mini HiFi audio systems. I happened to own one several years back and I really loved every bit of it starting with its intimidating looks.

The MHC-GN1300D delivers impeccable sound quality particularly while playing from high quality DVD/CD/MP3 and USB sources. Ability to resume playback from last known playback point while playing your favorite disk is a plus. Though the MHC-GN1300D is with a single Subwoofer, it does well in delivering a heavy punch with majority of the sound sources complemented by the two front speakers. The center speaker adds extreme clarity to the sound output making every instant of action very enjoyable.

Installing the MHC-GN1300D is simple and is aided by an easy to understand Graphical User Interface (GUI). The outlook of the GUI itself is not very pleasant being of low resolution. But most importantly, it features all the required functionality.

Sony's MHC-GN1300D is an ingenious design but not without fault. First, the MHC-GN1300D, consumes way too much power while delivering very little to the speakers in comparison. It falls far too short on volume when compared to loud systems like the STR-KM7 nominally rated at 185W input power and 2012W RMS output music power. Perhaps, it is not fair to compare it to the STR-KM7 AV receiver since the MHC-GN1300D power runs an extra load of motors for the DVD/CD/MP3 function!

Secondly, I have found the MHC-GN1300D to generate a humming noise, mute or completely go off when the mains voltage falls below 100V or 200V, and remains in this state until the mains voltage stabilizes. A power off and on action bears no effect. On the other hand if the voltage is higher than the rated power input, the power supply handles well and no noise is heard in the sound output. Notably, if your power is very stable, this is not an issue and you will enjoy a quality sound output at all times.

While enjoying movie action or music playback loaded with Low Frequency Effects (LFE), the speaker boxes vibrate on the floor creating a disturbing noisy sound. The speaker boxes are not sufficiently heavy to withstand sound vibrations. The tiny rubber studs supplied with the MHC-GN1300D do not provide adequate breaking for the speaker boxes against vibrations.

The absence of HDMI terminations makes the MHC-GN1300D unsuitable for most enthusiasts because the best media devices today have HDMI jacks and this presents a connectivity challenge. The S-Video and component video output jacks seem to be an adequate substitute to HDMI in terms of output quality. Though an HDMI connection would give you higher definition output as well as convenience.

Additionally, the MHC-GN1300D USB playback option is limited to playing MP3, AAC, WMA, Divx and MP4 files only. The USB device must be FAT formatted (NTFS not readable) and only a few files; 150 per folder, and not more than 200 folders on the root folder are playable which is adequate for an average user. Large USB devices like portable HDD sizes are not supported.

Overall, the GN1300D scores fairly in terms of quality sound and output power but falls short in other areas as mentioned already. For this reason and I would rate it at 3.5.
Find a complete specification list of the GN1300D as follows;

Amplifier section:

• Total RMS power output : 905W RMS 
• Subwoofer power output: 210W RMS (8 ohms, 100Hz, 10% THD) 
• Center speaker power output: 85W RMS (6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD) 
• Front speaker power output: 2 x 215W RMS (6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD) 
• Surround speaker power output: 2 x 90W RM(6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD) 

Video features:

• 3 DVD/VCD/CD Changer with Divx and MP3 playback. 
• NTSC/PAL Progressive scan 
• 12bit/108MHz Video DAC 
• DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD+R DL, MP3/JPEG, MP4 - Simple Profile USB Playback and recording (Divx, MP3, MP4, JPEG)  

Audio features:

• MP3 Booster + Karaoke scoring 
• Digital Cinema sound Multi dimension  
• Dolby Digital DTS Dolby Prologic II 
• S - Master Digital amplifier  
• USB Playback and recording (MP3, Divx, MP4)     
• Single deck audio tape playback and recording

Inputs and outputs:

• Audio input and Audio output  Jacks

The MHC-GN1300D has (1) stereo analog standalone Audio input port and one (1) stereo analog standalone Audio output port. The standalone Audio input is the TV/SAT L/R jack with input voltage sensitivity of 250 mV/450 mV and impedance of 47 kilo ohms. Similarly, the standalone output port has a voltage characteristic of 250 mV, but with impedance of 47 kilo ohms.

• Audio and Video Input Jack

The Audio and Video input is bundled together as the VIDEO IN jack. To this port you can connect audio or video component of an analog source depending on your desired installation. The Video port on this jack is rated 1 Volt (peak-to-peak) and impedance of 75 ohms. While its stereo analog audio input is rated at 250 mV voltage sensitivity and impedance of 47 kilo ohms.

• Video Output Jack

There is also a standalone Video output port labelled as the VIDEO OUT jack at the back panel of the GN1300D. To this port you can connect video output to your TV to watch playback of your favorite DVD titles. This port is rated at maximum output level of 1 Volt (peak-to-peak), and negative load impedance

• S - Video Output Jack

Although soon becoming obsolete, the GN1300D still has this port where you can connect compliant media sources. The characteristics of the S-VIDEO OUT jack are as follows;

• Luma (Y): 1 Volt (peak-to-peak), unbalanced, Sync. negative
• Chroma (C): 0.286 Volt(peak-to-peak)
• 75 ohms of load impedance

• Component Video Out

The GN1300D has one (1) component video jack on its back panel. By connecting your TV video component input to this jack you enjoy a better quality picture than composite video connections. The component jack ports are characterized by the following;
Luma (Y): 1 Volt(peak-to-peak) at 75 ohms impedance
PB/CB: 0.7 Volts(peak-to-peak) at 75 ohms impeadance
PR/CR: Volts(peak-to-peak) at 75 ohms impeadance

•  Mic input jacks

The MHC-GN1300D has two Mic input ports labelled as MIC 1 and MIC 2. These ports support microphones with sensitivity of 1 mV and impedance 10 kilo ohms.

• Headphone Jack

If you love listening to music or watch movies late in the night, the headphone input on the GN1300D comes in handy. All you need is simply plug in your headset gear to this port and enjoy. This auxiliary port works with headphones of 8 ohms and bigger.

• USB input port

The GN1300D has a single USB input port of type A towards the base of its front face. This native USB port supports Mass Storage Class Devices with maximum draw current of 500 mA. It supports playback of MP3 files with bit rates from 32 – 320 kbps, WMA files with bit rates from 48 – 192 kbps and AAC files with bit rates AAC from 48 – 320 kbps. Supported sampling frequencies for this port are respectively 44.1kHz, 44.1kHz, 32/44.1/48kHz  for WMA, AAC and MP3 respectively.
Additionally, the USB port allows to record or transfer video and audio files from a Data CD or DVD or any other connected analog audio source to a compatible USB device. The default saving file format is Divx, MP3, MPEG4 and JPEG.

General features

• Power requirements

Some MHC-GN1300D models come with a voltage selector to cater for all region, that is AC input at 120-127V, 220V, 230-240V, 50/60Hz. Its maximum power consumption is stated at 365W while in operation and 0.5W while on standby.

• Digital FM/AM tuner

A digital FM/AM tuner is embedded in the GN1300D with options for direct tuning and preset channel tuning of up to 30 channels in total, that is; (20 FM channels and 10 AM channels).

• Dimensions and weight

The MHC-GN1300D measures approximately, 295 mm along its width, 380 mm along its height and 457 mm along its depth. The Main unit of this component system measures 17.5 kgs by weight.

Speaker Specs 

• Subwoofer speakers ( 1 x SS-WGV1300D)

  The GN1300D is delivered with a single subwoofer characterized with the following specs;

• Bass Reflex Unit
• 250 mm cone type  driver.
• 8 ohms rated impedance  
• 1-way, 1-driver
• magnetically shielded speaker unit
• Approximately 401 mm × 366 mm × 355 mm (W x H x D)
• Approximately 8.5 kg by weight. 

• Front Speaker system (L/R) ( 2 x SS-GN1300D)

• Bass Reflex system
• 2 way 2 driver
• 25 mm horn type tweeter
• 200 mm cone type Woofer
• 6 ohms rated impedance
• Magnetically shielded speaker unit
• Approximately 280 mm × 401 mm × 325 mm (W x H x D)
• Approximately 6.9 kg by weight per speaker  

• Surround Speaker System ( 2 x SS-RSX1300D)

• Bass Reflex unit
• 2 way 2 driver
• 40 mm piezo type Tweeter
• 100 mm cone type Woofer
• 6 ohms rated impedance 
• Approximately 180 mm × 401 mm × 225 mm (W x H x D)
• Approximately 3.0 kg by weight per speaker 

• Center Speaker System ( 1 x SS-CT1300D)

• Bass Reflex
• Full range
• Magnetically shielded speaker unit
• 6 ohms rated impedance
• 2 x 80 mm cone type woofer
• Approximately 268 mm × 107 mm × 117 mm (W x H x D)
• Approximately 1.6 kg heavy 

Buyer's Guide

• The GN1300D is a great system, I love it because it combines everything in a single cheap HiFi unit going for as low as $599; the price I got it for. But it does not give you enough Bass as I would want. The Subwoofer is able to reproduce with clarity bass notes around 100Hz which is not deep enough for me. I would have loved something about 40Hz. 

• The Sound output of this HiFi system is incredible. It produces very clear and crisp sound thanks to its center speaker system. You are able to hear all dialogue while watching DVD titles even at the lowest volume. 

• The GN1300D Amp delivers 905W RMS music power from 365W of AC input power. This is on the high side. I would have loved more output to the speakers.