Sony STR-DH790

Sony STR-DH790 was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 90 W (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 73 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluation section.

Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony STR-DH790 vs STR-DH770.

In this section we present pros and cons of Sony STR-DH790.

In 2018 Sony released 2 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony STR-DH790 vs STR-DH590.

Sony STR-DH790 has replaced STR-DH770. Here we present differences between these two models.

UPGRADES	Sony STR-DH790	vs	Sony STR-DH770
Dolby Atmos	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1	vs
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
DTS:X	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1	vs
DTS Neural:X		vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	Advanced D.C.A.C.	vs	D.C.A.C.
Automatic Phase Matching		vs
Dolby Vision		vs
HLG		vs
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)		vs
USB DC Out Port		vs

DOWNGRADES	Sony STR-DH790	vs	Sony STR-DH770
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIx
Dolby Digital EX		vs
DTS Neo		vs	Neo:6
USB Input	1 Rear for Firmware Update and power Supply	vs	1 (Front)
Less Composite Video Inputs		vs	2
Less Composite Video Outputs		vs	1
Front A/V Inputs		vs	USB
Analog Tuner	FM	vs	FM with RDS
Less Large Speaker Terminals	2	vs	7

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony STR-DH790 vs STR-DH770.

Sony STR-DH790's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
• 2-ch Bi-Amp: Sony STR-DH790 allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

Dolby Atmos

Sony STR-DH790 supports Dolby Atmos with Surround Upmixer.

• Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X

Sony STR-DH790 supports DTS:X with Neural:X.

• Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

DECODING
Dolby Atmos	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
360 Reality Audio

Sony STR-DH790 features 4 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4) video signal.
• BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Sony STR-DH790 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Sony STR-DH790 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma via HDMI ports. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)

Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature allows the compatible TV to send audio signal to the a/v receiver through the same HDMI cable which is used to send audio and video signals to the TV. So one HDMI cable is used to transfer audio signal in both directions. New Enhanced ARC will support uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio whereas the previous ARC could support only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
HDCP Version	2.2
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling

Sony STR-DH790 comes with Advanced D.C.A.C. room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Audio

• Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

Video

• HDMI:
Inputs: 4   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0

GENERAL
Brand	Sony
Model	STR-DH790
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA, Canada and Taiwan
Release Year	2018
Predecessor	Sony STR-DH770

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Power Output	90 W (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
Front Wide Channel Support
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO FEATURES
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X	up to 5.1.2 or 7.1
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
360 Reality Audio
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
DTS Dialogue Control
Dialogue Lift
Digital Legato Linear
In-Ceiling Speaker Mode
OP Processing
Sound Optimizer
Tone Control	All Channels
High-resolution Music Enhancer
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Direct Mode

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	Advanced D.C.A.C.
Calibration Microphone	Mono
Speaker Relocation
Automatic Phase Matching

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
HDCP Version	2.2
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC
Works with Amazon Alexa
Chromecast Built-In
Works with SonoS
DTS Play-Fi
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
Music Connect
Remote Monitoring with ihiji
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue

TERMINALS
HDMI Inputs	4
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Rear for Firmware Update and power Supply
USB DC Out Port
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
RCA Line Inputs	4
RCA Line Outputs
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Pre-outs
Composite Video Inputs
Composite Video Outputs
S-Video Inputs
S-Video Outputs
Component Video Inputs
Component Video Outputs
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
PC In
Front A/V Inputs
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")
Detachable Power Cord

ZONES
Number of Zones	1
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISCELLANEOUS
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface (Only through HDMI)

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM
Presets	30
Digital Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM

CONSTRUCTION
Speaker Terminals	7
Large Speaker Terminals	2
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	240 W
Standby Power	0.3 W

PHYSICAL
Dimensions (W x H x D)	430 mm x 133 mm x 297 mm 17" x 5-1/4" x 11-3/4"
Weight	7.4 kg (16 lbs. 6 oz.)

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)	90 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	105 W (0.9% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)	145 W (0.9% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	500 mV/50 kΩ
Rated Preout Level and Impedance	2 V/1 kΩ (Subwoofer)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	105 dB (500 mV)
S/N Ratio (digital)	100 dB (20 kHz LPF)
Frequency Response (Analog In)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+0.5 dB, -2 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
Bluetooth Version	4․2
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	Type A, Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
Warranty	2 Years

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted