Sony STR-DH190 Stereo Receiver Review

Here's a look at my Sony STR-DH190 stereo receiver. A lot of bang for the buck! :)

[@johnathanfelton6251]

Bought one early in 2021. I LOVE this thing! I mainly use it for playing records. The bluetooth function is nice, and it works surprisingly well for streaming digital audio from devices. Sometimes I use it for audio on my computer or dvd/cd player. I have it wired up to a pair of Advent heritage towers and some Bose speakers on 8 ohms. The sound is indeed very clear and robust. Playing albums sounds great. The radio sounds good too, even with its cheap wire antenna. So far it's been a versitile workhorse that's hassle free with plenty of power to spare. It won't impress most of the audiophiles out there who are used to high end gear, but for what it is, it does its job very well, and is decent for a sub $200 receiver. I've had different stereos over the years, some of them Sony, but this one is by far my favorite to date. I'd recommend this one to any music lover on a budget who's looking for a reliable and modern stereo of decent quality at an affordable price.

[@aldizzle]

Nice comment. I appreciate your review. It helps people like me. I'm going to buy it and this review of yours helps too!!

[@fredmclaughlan7574]

Bought 1 about 6 months ago. Thanks for your review Joe! Didn't read the booklet so now I know about the buttons just below the screen and about the amp function button on the remote, thank you!

[@Caedo12]

Appreciate the review, Joe! Gotta say, I especially enjoyed your comment regarding the excessive amount of superlatives some of these audiophile reviewers use to describe the sound coming from these systems. I just roll my eyes and cringe because it’s so pretentious. My dad used to say, “There’s a difference between scratching your ass and tearing it to pieces.” Anyway, this receiver is arriving today and I’m looking forward to using it with my Fluance RT85 turntable and Triangle BR03 speakers. Thanks again, sir!

[@chrisnunya7171]

Very helpful, thank you! It's December 2022 now & the unit is price at $149.00 on Amazon. I have been looking at other videos about the DH-190 but this one has sealed the deal for me! You showed me shit the others didn't cover! And since I'm only in the market for a 2 channel system, this one is right up my alley! Thanks again for a very informative video! 👏🏼👍🏻

[@Rebel9668]

What I like to do with the B speaker outputs is to wire them into a powered subwoofer's high gain inputs. Works great! At night I just turn off the Sub by clicking the remote to (A) speakers only, so the bass doesn't disturb anyone else in the house.

[@budsmoker4201120]

I thought about doing the same. 🎉

[@jeffkelly5972]

I miss the old days of analog tuning on FM fine tune and use afc. Nice video thanks for sharing .

[@PNCNDNOB]

I miss everything analogue! Specially phones..

[@jeffkelly5972]

@@PNCNDNOB I restored an old dial pay phone and 2 old bakealite dial phones all working in my house.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

That looks like a nifty bit of kit and it's almost impossible to get me excited about contemporary foux fi. Sucks that they dissed on FM this way but whatever. Now don't assume they put A&B in parallel. Many put them in series so if you select both but only have one connected you lose all. Any word on whether it's A-B1 or D?

[@jeffcsMN]

I’ve had mine for a couple of years and at one point I owned a couple of these receivers. It’s a champ, but a minor drawback is the lack of digital inputs. I recently upgraded to an Onkyo 2 channel unit and a Yamaha AVR because I wanted more inputs.

[@jasonshaw2065]

Great video. Thank you for pointing out the amp settings with phono offset. I haven't seen that pointed out elsewhere. That should help boost my vm95 cartridge into my neutral speakers a little more.

[@TheJaHa5]

I was actually looking at this receiver just yesterday!!! Hadn't set out looking at videos about it, but I'm subscribed to this channel and this video came up, so, thanks! 🤣🤣 Very interesting unit; 6 INPUTS!!! I saw it advertised as 100w per channel, but then again, that can be a gimmick! Looks like a prospect to me. but I do have a lot to take into consideration though, especially seeing that I'm from Trinidad & Tobago, and the shipping is about the price of the unit itself, and there ain't much of those systems here.... Great, informative video. Thanks again!

[@EzeeLinux]

Glad you liked it.

[@jch2514224]

I’ve had my dh-190 since late March. I pared the purchase of the receiver with a set of Sony tower SS-CS5 3-way speakers. I’ve had nothing but awesome sound from my main use which is playing my turntable through it. The bass is just about rite on lower volumes. It will get more of thump when turned more at about 50% with my speakers. But the mix always seems to be really consistent. I do get a hum from the generator. But I think it’s more because the build quality is just ok. The shell is not as tight as it could be.

[@EzeeLinux]

This receiver has been a joy... Love the sound and you can't beat the price. :)

[@robertmyers2663]

I added a pair of CS5,s to mine too plus a Polk audio subwoofer which really made the trick

[@robertmyers2663]

Add a subwoofer to it and you'll be pleasantly surprised

[@sidsingh]

I am looking to buy this amp and so far this is the best review I have come across. Thanks

[@DavidSmith-eg5le]

I am going to be using this to replace my old Sony receiver from the year 2000 I have had my mixing board and my DJ equipment to it but now I'm going to use this one because it seems to do the same thing just wanted to know which input to hook at 2 or does it matter I can use any of them and my receiver had record out and it seems like this one does too so I am definitely purchasing this

[@dm95422]

Yamaha R-S300. Same price range. Wayyyy more bang for your buck....better sound quality & it's built like a tank. Highly recommend.

[@cyclistedeLongueuil]

Thanks for the review. I just bought one that should be delivered in the upcoming days. The stereo receiver is going to sit in my home office by the turntable, cassette player (yeah still got those too) and the computer. I've got a pair of really cheap Pioneer CSX500Q bookshelf speakers and a pair of powered Edifier R2000DB bookshelf speakers. What would be the best way to hook-up the Edifier to the STR-DH190 ? The Edifier has 2 Line-in. The first is connected to the Desktop computer.

[@EzeeLinux]

I'm not sure... It depends on whether you want to feed the tape deck to record or not. If not, you can just take the output from the receiver and put in the second input.

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

Anyone know if the str-dh190 remote works on the str-dn1040? At least for the volume and bluetooth feature?

[@felipelopezlizana2368]

HI Joe, nice review, very much complete and didactical... Do you believe is possible to mix 2x6 and 2x8 ohm speakers and run them in parallel A+B mode?.... In the manual page 20 one note says "• When you connect the speakers to both SPEAKERS A and B terminals, connect the loudspeakers with a nominal impedance of 12 ohms or higher", but it does not give you the possibility to select 12 ohm on the AMP MENU, it only allows you 6 or 8.

[@EzeeLinux]

It appears that they are running the speakers in series. If so, a mix of 8's and 6's would be 14 ohms per channel. It should;d work fine. :)

[@felipelopezlizana2368]

@@EzeeLinux Thank you very much. :) In that case mixing 6 and 8 ohm speakers... which resistance do I have to choose in the Receiver AMP Menu?.... 6 righ??

[@jessicantina]

Picked one up for $99 at Best Buy last fall. Only budget option you need.

[@samjuan3440]

so you can't connect an eq to it since input 4 does not loop? If I recall correctly, to use an Eq you would have to be able to have two sources selected which in the older systems was normally Tape one and Tape 2. Looks like this system will only let you select one source at a time.

[@DougMcDave]

I have my sights on this model. I took the chance of ordering the JBL Stage a130, instead of the SS-CS5, speakers. I hope it was worth the splurge. I look forward to hooking up my turntable.

[@PAULOSOM]

Hello Joe, you showed that the phono input has the possibility to increase or decrease the audio output level. I wonder if this is also possible on the other 4 inputs?

[@EzeeLinux]

No. It's just on that one input. :)

[@robertmyers2663]

I really wish they would have made a better FM looking for an upgrade for the antenna section desperately

[@Rebel9668]

The small 3.5mm input jack is also good for hooking up an Echo to it. Then you can just have Alexa play stations from TuneIn or Amazon music.

[@sj460162]

Are all in one blueray home cinema systems as good as cheap recievers?

[@mohammedalomari1998]

Thanks for your great channel Do you consider this receiver go toward warm balanced vintage soundlike or modern bright sound? Kind regards

[@EzeeLinux]

It's rather neutral. That's why I like it. If you've got nice speakers that don't need the bass or treble boosted just to sound good this is a good choice. It's dirt cheap too... :)

[@mohammedalomari1998]

@@EzeeLinux Thanks alot. Another question please, which you recommend this or Yamaha 202? Kind regards

[@EzeeLinux]

I don't have the Yamaha so I don't know... I bet they have a better radio, though. The one in this amp sucks. :)@@mohammedalomari1998

[@leonardlos3209]

So if you were to run 4 OHM speakers with this receiver, what imp. setting would you use? 6 or 8 OHM?

[@robertmyers2663]

I bought one and I'm very satisfied with it I matched it up with a pair of small Sony CS5s bookshelf speakers and a Polk audio subwoofer and I'm very satisfied

[@pensj]

May I ask how you hooked up your sub? I am picking this up and also have the Sony cs5 speakers. Thanks.

[@robertmyers2663]

@@pensj I wired it into my b speakers. And then change my receiver to play A and b speakers together

[@pensj]

@@robertmyers2663 Thanks, That's what I have learned from other reviews. To use the sub as the B speakers and the cs5 as the A. Appreciate the response.

[@frozenfridge3943]

Picked one up today, sounds phenomenal

[@bondgabebond4907]

Great review. I got the next step up from this and it turned out to be a "DOG." Being about $200 more, it lacked a MM phono input, which is why I wanted an amp. Years ago I had the Sony ES line amp and a separate tuner. They were far better than the trash we get today. If only we could go back to the basics without BT, cryptic input symbols and just have all the levers and knobs to adjust the music to fit our ears. I'm sorry to be sorry about these metal crates, but they don't hold a candle to the stuff of yesteryear, like the 70s and particularly the 80s. So, bought a preamp so I could play my 50 year old records on my Sony STRDH590. Just after I got the receiver adjusted, I played In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and just about 10 seconds to the end, the unit shut down from massive overheating. I packed it back up to be forgotten. Going to look at the Denon PMA-600NE Stereo Integrated Amplifier to satisfy my need. Don't need FM anymore, it's not the 60s and music is pretty much crap today. The Denon has knobs for base and treble, along with balance. I can't believe so many units don't have the knobs for adjustments and have to rely on a remote. So backwards and overkill. I looked at Yamaha, Denon and Pioneer and all I saw was expensive units with blank front ends and lots of plastic. Garbage. No wonder people pay through the nose for those great Sansui, Pioneer, etc. units from the 1980s.

[@bjthomas-1047]

I finally found a shop to redo my 80's Cerwin Vega speakers. However, the tech replaced the 8 ohm (12 in.) woofers with 4 ohm without asking me first! So far I haven't used them with this Sony but i'm getting really upset, especially considering what I paid for the repair job. Will the 4 ohm smoke this receiver? I know it will void the Sony warranty. Thanks Joe!

[@EzeeLinux]

You can drive anything with anything as long as you use your ears and avoid distortion. Change it to the 6 ohm setting in the audio menu... That should be lose enough so you don't run into any problems at moderate volumes.

[@bjthomas-1047]

Thanks Joe. I have been thinking along those lines. I took the CV's back to get new rear terminals so they aren't back yet. He is also supposed to check on the old woofers to determine their ohm rating. Actually, I have a suspicion they may be 4 ohms. Back in the 80's I Had a NAD receiver that could take any speaker. Plus, I didn't know much about ohms and things then. I just rocked loud and they sounded great with nary a problem. That is, until I moved and couldn't really play loud music, etc. Thus, they were stored and over time rotted. Thanks again. By the time I get them back the Sony warranty may be expired. So I may use the 6 ohm setting, and take my chances. If it goes into "Protect Mode" then i'll know I need to get something different. @@EzeeLinux

[@vivekmaliyakkal8884]

Can we connect 5 speaker and one woofer on it..

[@alanbranscum4594]

Does it sound good with tv ?

[@cgazlan]

I want to buy this for my dad. He also uses an active subwoofer. How to connect a powered subwoofer to this device?

[@EzeeLinux]

You don't. There's no provision for one.

[@madcrabber1113]

If the sub has speaker inputs and outputs you run speaker wire from the Sony to the speaker inputs on the sub then run from sub to speakers from the speaker outs on the sub. There is also an rca out on the Sony and I use it to an old cheap Yamaha sub that only has an lfe connection.

[@cubdukat]

As soon as I get a little bit of money saved, that's going to be the center of my bedroom audio setup. I've decided to stop using my computer for recording vinyl because there's some grounding issues which I haven't been able to find yet, so I'm gonna throw a Tascam SD recorder onto it and just transfer the SD cards between computers.

[@EzeeLinux]

This would work nicely, I think.

[@bpalpha]

You could use an outboard radio tuner if its that important, but you'll eat up an input, and the cost increase might as well be spent on a Yamaha R-N603 or other stereo receiver. The amp actually reproduces a larger proportion of the audio spectrum than most which is where the hi res audio sticker comes in to play. Someone needs to DIY this receiver and fix the few short comings like changing it to real binding posts, replacing the FM antenna tap, and perhaps adding a subwoofer output. This isn't just a great starter receiver, it's practically the only. The main competition is the Yamaha R-S202 and maybe the S.M.S.L., Fosi, Ayima class-d amps from China.

[@chrissuarez6431]

Can you add a tape deck or EQ to the in and out

[@user-kv3ue5fp4c]

Chris, Because this doesn't have a TAPE 2 MONITOR connection, you can't add an EQ - but you CAN add a tape deck or CD recorder to record analog sources going through the receiver. It's the same issue I have with my Onkyo TX-8555 - I can't hook up an equalizer, which I'd love to, but I have my Tascam CD recorder running through the regular tape in/out.

[@raceingdemon6464]

Glad To See You Got An Amplifer You Dig Joe Still Have My 4 A&R Amps All Working Of Course But For My Main Stereo Amp I Am Useing a Wee Sansui AU101 Amp Its As Sweet As a Nut And I Use a Mission Cyrus 2 And Tannoy MX2 Speakers With My Computer Setup With a Audiolab Q Dac Great Sound Even When Useing KZbin Glad To See Your Doing Well Joe Regards mike.

[@EzeeLinux]

I just fired up the A&R you sent me the other day... Still sounds good but there is a cross talk problem with one input. I plan on getting into it and finding it because I'm hoping to put it back in service when I get moved and build my new studio. Can't think of a better amp for the monitors! Keep in touch! :)

[@raceingdemon6464]

@@EzeeLinux Thats Great Joe I Know There Are Pre Sets Inside To Adjust The Incomeing Levels For The Inputs If You Want a Service Manuel For It I Could Send You The PDF Of It But I Dont Know How To Do It On KZbin Only On Facebook Nice Your Makeing Your Own Studio Joe Regards mike.

[@netoe]

Is it possible to connect an equalizer without the tape loop?

[@samjuan3440]

this is what I was wondering as well. That's a deal killer for me if not.

[@lmull3]

Dig the Tascam stuff, man, that's nice.

[@petersammon8771]

THX JOE!!! Thinkin' about this one or the Yamaha RS 202 but think I'll go with this one for headphone listening with my U-Turn/Goldring E2 and my Fluance RT 81 AT XP5/Ortofon 2M Red TT. I'll get that FM stereo Dipole to pull in nicely LOL!!! Besides this Sony nostalgically reminds me of mySTR 6045 w/Rednut cabinet up @ Eileson AFB, Alaska in '72 when I worked the AFRN 1490 AM radio station in my sso-called "OFF" hours LOL GOD BLESS!!! P.S. I don't m ind the red black spring terminals at all. They R fine and not a deal killer.

[@majorgeek3265]

I've had this Sony for a couple of years and I effing love it. I spent $200 Canadian which is pretty damn affordable. This was to replace the old thrift store Lloyd's that crapped out the day I moved in with my girlfriend. That being said, I've recently obtained the ART DJ Pre II for my Technics phono, and now it's even better.

[@EzeeLinux]

It does appear to be a wolf in sheep's clothing... :)

[@Bad_P0tato]

Is the art DJ better sounding than the Sony's built in phono?

[@ChillToMusic87]

Hello. Do you find that the Sony gets hot at any point? I've read from a couple of sources that this amplifier can heat up? Thank you.

[@robertorodriguez2609]

sorry but you didn't explain fully the output. what is heard out of it: any one of the other three inputs, or only what is connected to input 4? because if the first, then that output is a line out.

[@EzeeLinux]

The out put is whatever the amp is playing except input 4. :)

[@gilpi552]

Nice review. I wished I had the same results as you. It sounds great, very clean but it almost felt it was running out gas most of the times for me, even with different speakers. Lots of nice qualities to it but no reserve, poor dynamic range.

[@EzeeLinux]

Mine is super punchy sounding with Sony B3000 speakers... I haven't really played around with other speakers, though.It may be just super sensitive to them. :)

[@carlosdelacerda4128]

Can I run (4) 8 ohm speakers on this thing?

[@mgrsdgfsdafsdgrsdgfsdg6980]

yes.

[@carlosdelacerda4128]

@@mgrsdgfsdafsdgrsdgfsdg6980 no is the correct answer.

[@jimschulte2848]

I cant get any bass out of mine. I'm using old pioneers and a set of 125 watt monitors. Crap for bass. Went back to my str de197 and now I have bass. Yeah its loud but thats about it.

[@ronb7481]

Awesome, thanks!

[@mannyg.forever5730]

How would i hook up my sub woofer?

[@EzeeLinux]

You wouldn't... This amp doesn't have an output for one.

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

i run 2 set of speakers 8ohm and 6 ohm @ 65 volume so far no issues

[@artprince9163]

Not a good idea to run 6 and 8ohm speakers together. It will fry the amp eventually.

[@netoe]

I am highly tempted to buy one of these Señor Collins, they're on eBay at 90 USD

[@EzeeLinux]

Still using mine every day. It's been a very good little amp. :)

[@ronb7481]

I wish someone would demonstrate running one of these with four 8 ohm speakers at once to verify whether or not it's safe.

[@EzeeLinux]

It works fine... I've had this one hooked up with A and B speakers running on a couple of occasions.

[@Mark-kh2in]

It's £200 over here in England.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

Sony. Proprietary antenna input. You don't say?

[@charlesdonaldson962]

This thing has Bad sensitivity. I took the end of the FM antenna wire that does not come off in place of the adapter to go to the coax like you mentioned, I stripped the end of the wire and attached it or held it to my coax pin. On a 54 MHz antenna and it wouldn't improve. So they pumped 100 watts per channel through at 1000 hertz audio pitch. That was cheating which means stealing and lying. I have to buy a good tuner to use with my receiver that could not do its job. If you think about it I don't have much money to spend on these things and I should have known that it was a week piece of crap by the price, but nowhere on that machine or the packaging does it have a warning that this is a budget-friendly priced receiver so it's going to be missing things you might expect it to have had. Thanks for the video I wanted to watch it and see if I was missing anything I hoped there would be a mention of some way to buy an accessory antenna connector for it or some other type of useful information. I would mention about the rest of KZbin they turn these tuners on and receivers and run through six-strong stations in the city they live in and say the FM is good. My $25 SDR radio dongle that plugs into the USB port of my computer or tablet has better receive on the station I want then this Sony and it's nearly a toy. Sony receiver doesn't give you a hint of voice. It's not all their fault that I live in the country but I can't believe people are consistently taking their antennas off of their trucks and putting back smaller shorter ones. We definitely have different needs..

[@Madness832]

Good ol' RTFM!

[@Rebel9668]

I bought one of these 2 weeks ago at Best Buy for $148.00 . The thing I hate most is the stupid little antenna that came with it which I'm going to attempt to modify by stripping the jacket off the delicate little wires and soldering them to a 75/300 ohm balun so that I can connect this to my rooftop FM antenna. If I had known it had that goofy antenna connector I'd have never bought the thing. It's nowhere near as powerful as my old Hitachi 504-R receiver but the Hitachi needs new switches and pots that I don't want to have to hunt down. I can clean them with CRC and D5 DeOxit and it'll work fine for about 3 months before they all start acting like little shorts again. Wish me luck, lol.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

I could never get Bluetooth to work. Next try an 80’s Carver amp. It will knock your socks off.

[@crisjr6478]

Every amp company in the ENTIRE WORLD should hire sony to design their remotes.

[@hameleon80]

I don't think I'll be replacing my TA-S7 with this

[@dannytse8767]

Oh wow! You have one of those too. It is actually an ES level integrated amp.

[@hameleon80]

@@dannytse8767 what mean ES level

[@johnlund2654]

There is an easy way to improve the antenna

[@johnkreutz3207]

Good for a system where you don't need super quality sound

[@EzeeLinux]

This sounds fine... It sounds better than a lot of more expensive stuff I've heard.

[@twohandsandaradio]

Just out of warranty and it breaks. I'm not a bit happy with all the KZbin used car salesmen saying this is the greatest thing ever. It's cheap plastic junk.

[@mikeguion9449]

Can't understand why they would build a basically good product with such a limited antenna capability. That little string they called an antenna is worthless, unless you plan on putting your receiver next to a window. I bought mine to use in the basement. Reception is terrible, and seemingly no way to connect an upgraded antenna. Bad design folks.

[@EzeeLinux]

The radio in this thing is an afterthought... Other than that, it has been a very reliable amp and it does sound good. :)

[@mikeguion9449]

@@EzeeLinux I can't imagine anyone puts their hard earned money toward a partial amp. If it was an "after thought" that would certainly be great for their brand. Hey, come by our product, some of it's okay, the rest you'll just have to live with.

[@RD-vf6nx]

Greetings but no salutations

[@knifeswitch5973]

Don’t do it. You’ll be hauling it to goodwill.

[@Daniel-wz6oc]

First

[@PNCNDNOB]

Who cares?