I Didn't Want to Buy This! Sony TA-AN1000 AV Receiver - Multi-Zone Monster!

[@camerongray1515]

IMPORTANT UPDATE - It looks like HDMI CEC control (automatic power on/off and input switching) is unavailable whenever the second HDMI output is configured for use as a Zone 2 output. Looks like I'm going to have a bunch more home assistant integration work ahead of me for when I get around to using the second zone! Buy the Sony AN1000 AV Reciever on Amazon (Affiliate): geni.us/2IBIgl * Note: The model shown in this video was the TA-AN1000. In some markets, this receiver is sold as the STR-AN1000 which appers to be basically the same, but with a built in FM radio tuner and antenna connection on the rear.

[@RWL2012]

By definition of this version not having the radio tuner, it's an "AV Amplifier", which is stated on both the website and box you show in this video (the version that does have the radio tuner is the AV Receiver). A stereo receiver combines an integrated amplifier (itself a combined pre-amplifier and power amplifier) with a radio tuner, therefore becoming a receiver. In an _AV_ Receiver, the added "receiving" of wired audio-video signals is in the "AV" part ("receiver" only refers to radio reception, at least in the unit type name of this kind of product). With surround sound in addition to AV functionality and built-in pre-amplification and power amplification, the full unit type name is "AV Surround Amplifier" if it doesn't have a radio tuner, or "AV Surround Receiver" if it does have a radio tuner. In Sony model numbers, the TA prefix is used for _amplifiers_ (whether surround/AV, stereo integrated, pre or power), that is, such products that don't have radio tuners, whereas the STR prefix is used for _receivers_ (whether surround/AV or stereo), that is, such products that do have radio tuners. That's why, even for "sister models" (as in, doesn't or does have a radio tuner but is otherwise the same), whether it doesn't or does have a radio tuner (the difference between it being an "amplifier" or a "receiver") changes the prefix of the model number (rather than the suffix / part after the dash, as you might have been expecting for a small variance - here, the small variance changes the entire "type" of unit! and yes, that way of doing it is probably showing its age, as back in the day of course, any built-in radio reception was a much bigger deal than it is nowadays, and was more of a main/obvious feature difference).

[@sydneyperryman7894]

Couldn't reply to you so I posted more

[@tylerjw702]

The IEC lead is a great point, now they have to sell UK-specific SKUs that are hard-wired instead of being able to support all the ~230V countries with one option and throwing a simple country-specific lead in the box. It's just crazy stuff.

[@MaZEEZaM]

It really is, getting large sockets through the back of units can be a pain in the arse task as it is even when using the detachable power cable let alone large attached sockets though thankfully the Australian power plug is much smaller.

[@steveb166]

that is a mad (impressive) bit of kit! thanks for the rundown.

[@blue-fj9ky]

I've owned it for four months. My first Sony. I came from decades of Onkyo receivers. I don't care about multiple zones. But I love it for the sound quality and the many features. Very happy with the purchase.

[@HomeCinemaEnthusiast]

Love Sony Receivers, used them since DVD came out in 1998 👌👌👌👌

[@x2brainsx]

Thanks for a great video that goes into detail on the multi zones. I have the much older STR-DN1050, overall its been great and its still going strong almost 10 years on, but I was disappointed with the limitations on the zone 2 output, and there was little to no information online at the time so was unaware until i got it. When i'm in the position for an upgrade I'll certainly be considering this one

[@alanalexander7579]

Same here great amp

[@RWL2012]

4:56 at least Sony Corporation is using real UK plugs nowadays! In the 2000s, they just screwed on those "Power Connections" European to UK plug adapters to the European plugs (and not only on the Sony-branded products, but also their 2003-2006 Aiwa range).

[@manutd19880728]

Just love his accent! 😅 Feels like when listnening Sir Alex Ferguson’s press conference! 😂 And great review btw dude! Id like the same speakers and reciever like yours!

[@IanScottJohnston]

Ideally, audio calibration with the mic should have been done with the door on your cabinet closed. Nice unit though. I have the Denon X-2300W and loving it.

[@oa_munich]

I've got a Denon 1910 since mid-2000s. Been thinking to replace it, but found no compelling reason to do so. Only if it broke down

[@mmaster23]

FYI, the newer Denons have true OSD for 4k60/4k120/8k sources. Even with HDR.

[@camerongray1515]

Yeah, it's not a Denon issue as a whole, it's just that my X2400H was one generation too old to have the 4K OSD.

[@BENZK-j9t]

I like it , only thing it is a little under powered in my mind with 7.2 , but if you are starting a home theater its great if you don't plan on expanding too larger towers.

[@yellowcrescent]

Looks like a pretty nice receiver -- I didn't realize there were 3 zone receivers in this price range. I imagine the fixed plug is due to a fixed voltage PSU/transformer? I figure you might appreciate this-- I have two Yamaha AVRs, one of which used to be in the office next to my bedroom. I have a very hard time waking up from my phone's alarm (after I'm used to it, I can sleep right through it). So I created a script to use my Yamaha AVR as an alarm in the morning -- it turns on the AVR via the HTTP API, then starts up mpv to play an mp3 file over the HDMI output, then every 5 seconds it increases the AVR's volume until it reaches a max setpoint. I have to hit Ctrl+C on my computer to shut it up (which requires me to get out of bed and walk into the next room) -- otherwise it will loop the song up to 5 times before shutting it off. A bit excessive -- but also saved me from being fired... lol

[@MaZEEZaM]

I really want to buy the 5000E or 7000E model but it isn't sold into the Australian market and even though they only came out1 year ago and got a fantastic review from Andrew Robinson, they have been discontinued. This is available in Australia but its lower-end and though it does have very good sound, its not quite as good as the 5000E & 7000E models.

[@jameslyman1377]

How is the dialog coming out of the center channel?

[@dbcooper7326]

For sale £699 in Richer sounds

[@StefanHolmes]

Richer Sounds are fantastic. I won’t buy TVs from anywhere else.

[@TheRealHarrypm]

Yeah full-size A/V receiver units have a shelf life before you got to get the de-soldering gun out and remove all there caps, one good tip is to put a IEC13 IEM rated sockets on everything there is always space to cut a hole for one or replace the standard modules in speakers for example little 8-15GBP thing but worth every penny when you spend 100s on kit.

[@tristramdavies2301]

Had the Sony 1080 which was before yours. It was a tank, on every day for at least 4 hours, for the last 7 years and never went wrong once. Mid way thru your video atm, the multi zone on the 1080 was not good at all, hope yours is better. Shame Sony don’t bring the ES line to the UK, gone for Marantz high end AVRs now as the Sony sounded a bit ‘digital’ to me ears.

[@harveybolton]

Hi Cameron, jumping ahead of a likely future video but what light switches are you going with in your new house? I see you went with the Click decorative socket range and they do make ClickSmart zigbee receivers and retractive switches in their gridpro modules but from what I found the retractive switches are incredibly stiff and you need their dimming receiver if you want to use retractive switches so each switch ends up costing around £50!

[@roccocadwallender]

Could be using some sort of smart relay. Something like Shelly’s

[@camerongray1515]

I'll be using Click Definity for all of the light switches as well, but for smart switching I'll probably end up using Shelly devices behind Click MiniGrid retractive switches. The Click Zigbee switches look interesting however they only look to be available in black or white rockers which wouldn't match the metal rockers I have on everything else.

[@raihanashraf6414]

Hi Cameron. Great review of the zone functionality. I’ve got this amp as well. I’ve set up zone 2 HDMI B for my kitchen tv. But, when I switch this on, the sound in the main zone switches LPCM 2.0, along with sound in kitchen. If I switch off the zone 2, the main zone then plays surround sound (ie dts, Dolby atmos etc). Does yours do the same? I’ve contacted Sony and still waiting for a reply.

[@dg2908]

@22:00 it looks like when you change the source for zone 2, it interrupts the signal to the main zone as well. I have no idea what features to expect on this kind of device but if I was spending 700 I'd want things to be seamless and changing one zone to not interrupt the other

[@Totalplonker]

If this was my setup and even if it meant drilling two holes into the internal supporting side panels, I would angle the back of the centre channel shelf slightly downwards. Therefore, allowing the centre channel to be firing directly towards your face. The centre channel not only handles up to 90% of the audio, but it's also responsible for nearly all of the dialogue too. You're already going to be losing virtual effects by having the centre channel housed within the cabinet, but having it firing towards your knees is gonna make the more important dialogue less intelligible as well. A young man of your talent could remedy this problem within a couple of hours. Nice little setup, btw. I had many enjoyable listening sessions with my then Sony STR dn1080 and my monitor Audio radius 90 speakers. Normally, when AV receivers get released, their predecessors normally come down by 20%. However, the Sony STR dn1080 was so successful that it actually went up by 20%. The sound of Sony will always have a place in my heart 💚

[@HomeCinemaEnthusiast]

Great review 👌👌👌👌

[@tomcooper9625]

Does the apple airplay2 support work well? If everything is off, can I airplay music to either zone without having to faff around turning stuff on? I want to make the zone 2 my projector on my deck and the main zone my living room tv. I almost want a Sonos like multi room configuration

[@darrencowie1178]

Just what I was looking for re the multi zone 2 hdmi output - thanks. What TV cabinet is that please?

[@JamesTenniswood]

I miss champagne gold av equipment. 90s throwback

[@dbcooper7326]

I loved my Denon 3802 in Gold

[@initial_kd]

My Pioneer DVL 909 laserdisc player is champagne gold.

[@arkigabor]

Haha. I clicked on this video because it seemed someone took a photo in my living room. I have the same IKEA Besta in the same color and the same An1000 placed in the same place.

[@H0P5]

I've got the STR1080 and am upgrading to this, but always found the connecting to it via Bluetooth a faff. Does this one fair as bad?

[@trikki69]

Your normal speaking voice is echoing in that room with the tv in it… that av system must be difficult listen in there. Lots of room for improvement damping that echo and reverb - good luck with it.

[@camerongray1515]

We only recently moved in so there's still a lot to do in terms of adding furnishings which will help dampen echos. Right now it's not too bad for regular TV watching but hoping curtains and more furniture will improve it even more.

[@iwillovertakeyou]

Good Vid, where did you get your Media cabinet from?

[@thejammod]

It looks like a Besta tv cabinet from Ikea.

[@installedsound906]

I think you've wasted your money; it was probably a dry solder joint on the Denon from the behaviour you described. That could go wrong on any equipment and a very straight forward fix.

[@kbhasi]

(22:58) I find it interesting that you bought a Google TV Streamer, presumably to access services that don't support or had dropped support for Hisense Vidaa, but to be fair, you upgraded to your current TV around 2 years ago according to KZbin video upload dates, compared to me who upgraded from a 4 year old TV that had been failing.

[@camerongray1515]

The TV still works fine, the Chromecast was just there from when we'd used it to cast an Oculus Quest to the TV while we had friends over a few weeks ago. I picked up a pair of Chromecast with Google TV 4K devices for super cheap (around £30 each) after Google announced their new streaming box, longer term they'll both be connected to the multiroom HDMI distribution system to act as a streaming receiver for both streaming content to TVs or for streaming audio which will ultimately be sent to the ceiling speakers.

[@alreadynuked]

its a shame both tvs are affected when changing the source on an individual zone

[@camerongray1515]

I'm not sure it happens all the time, in this video I was always switching between the same two devices so you'd always get the dropout while the device switched to the other TV. If on the other hand you switched between devices A and B in one zone while watching device C in another, I'm not sure if it would end up being affected or not.

[@olahansen]

Where do you find the radio?

[@RWL2012]

if you mean the built-in radio tuner, this version (the TA-AN1000, actually an "AV Amplifier") doesn't have it, whereas the AV Receiver version (STR-AN1000) does have it.

[@jonathanInLondonUK]

Not sure what residual value your Denon AV receiver has, but it's exactly the sort of repair that www.youtube.com/@MendItMark would take on.

[@randomreader1999]

Put hdmi passtrouch in standy off. The noise is gone then when off and the heat.

[@harjitsingh-lc6cu]

The unit's plug didn't have a plastic cover or the stickers at the front Seems to be a used one. But let's hope not.

[@camerongray1515]

Given how neatly it was still wrapped I'm pretty sure it was new. It looks like Sony are going for "plastic free" packaging - most things were wrapped in paper, even the cable ties were cardboard based so imagine they omited the plastic cover on the plug along with stickers as part of this.

[@GisliKarlGislason]

Does your output a hissing noise when using the 360SSM?

[@robertgill9237]

Yes mine does,its bad,also on other seytings as well!!😢

[@MaZEEZaM]

+1 Sub for a really great indepth setup and review.

[@MrAzztech]

i bought the 1070, i wasn't massively impressed and same for this flagship model its lacking so many features that where standard on the old sony amps. kinda wished i went marrantz now.

[@nono_ct200]

if your wife has to operate the new receiver she's gonna freak out with all the zone options ;)

[@RWL2012]

He has a "partner", and it would be "them" freaking out.

[@charlesdoesmore5488]

27:55 You know there are Dolby Atmos Demo Videos on KZbin tho…

[@camerongray1515]

They may be demos but they are still technically copyrighted content and could content match against my video, not something I'd want to risk.

[@charlesdoesmore5488]

@ ok.

[@Totalplonker]

They might say they're Dolby Atmos, but most of the time, it's just stereo, 5.1 at best, but certainly no Atmos. KZbin doesn't support Dolby Atmos!

[@M3G4UK]

Audio quality wise this will be a downgrade from the Denon. The amp can barely push 30wpc! Sony's seem to rely purely on name and gimmicky features these days

[@Totalplonker]

When it came 2 - Channel stereo audio, I actually preferred the sound of my then budget £400 Sony STR dn1080 over the mid-price £2,000 Denon 6500. I found the Sony to be more punchy and agile and BTW I'm a avid music listener

[@amateurcyclists3857]

No way denon can beat this sony receiver. I had the denon x3400 before which i returned for a sony strdn 1080.

[@amateurcyclists3857]

Denon is fake sound muffled all the way

[@richierich7261]

85watts per channel 👍

[@blue-fj9ky]

It's driving my Paradigm tower speakers beautifully.

[@ivanigorpollick6690]

speech rush...!

[@veikokk]

Really hard to understand what you speak. Need to work on your diction.

[@sydneyperryman7894]

Built to last no more than four years! Absolute trash mate sorry.

[@camerongray1515]

Care to actually explain? What should I use instead?

[@greg794]

Sex inputs?

[@RWL2012]

Six, but in a Scottish accent it kind of sounds like sex.

[@danieldawson4937]

Wrong channel if you're looking for that sort of content

[@lillnemo1]

Sorry, but please talk a bit slower or use space between your words. Lots of fimes you rattle so fast, we don't understand you.

[@abeedwards]

I personally like the pace of his speech. Sometimes I have to turn the video speed to 1.25x for other KZbinrs because I get frustrated 😂 Have you tried turning the speed DOWN to 0.75x? Maybe that'll help :)

[@alexkiddonen]

Thanks but​ yeah his pace is not my favourite. Great content though and that's what matters. And your tip helps

[@RWL2012]

I'm fine with it, even though I don't talk as fast as him.

[@danieldawson4937]

Jesus, people will complain about anything these days...

[@StefanHolmes]

You have the option to play the video at slower speed. The rest of us are OK with the pace.

[@tazerwazerman]

Slow down when you talk, pronunciation is important.

[@robc606]

Hey @camerongray1515, I don't suppose you could tell me which TV stand you have? Been looking for one for ages with that sort of design.

[@arkigabor]

It's IKEA Besta. The only thing I'm not familiar with is the top board with the different color.

[@maynellrodrigues9862]

I'm on my 3rd denon receiver 🥲. They're not reliable at all. Same issue of audio cutting out