I replaced my old 23-year Pioneer receiver with this Sony STRDH590, because well, even electronics die eventually! I wanted something with good bass, and this Sony definitely delivers. It easily powers my subwoofer and puts out some serious thump.
The build quality is impressive too. The entire receiver is metal except for the plug, and it has a nice hefty weight to it – you can tell it’s not cheaply made. Here’s the weird part though: I ordered a brand new unit, but Amazon actually sent me a refurbished one. They did credit me the difference, but it wasn’t exactly the first impression I was hoping for from Sony.
Despite the rocky start, the receiver itself has a lot going for it. The sound quality is excellent, and the Bluetooth connected flawlessly to all three of my Android devices. For the first 3 days, I was really happy with it, and I would have definitely recommended it, especially if you’re looking for a durable receiver with strong bass.
However, things took a turn for the worse. After just 3 days, the subwoofer’s voice coil blew, and I haven’t been able to get any help from the company. They keep asking for a video recording of the issue, but my phone can’t record video. It’s frustrating because the subwoofer is rated at 800 watts, and the receiver is only 725 watts total, so it shouldn’t have blown it.
So, to conclude, this Sony receiver started out great, but then broke really fast, and the company hasn’t been helpful. It’s a shame because the sound quality and build quality are impressive. If you’re looking for a reliable receiver with good customer service, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. Read more…
