Sony STR-DH790

    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 90 W (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
    • HDR10, Dolby Vision
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough
    • Bluetooth

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    1. Overview

    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.

    Amplifier
    67
    Audio Features
    84
    Video Features
    94
    Connectivity
    62
    Zones
    55
    Radio
    36
    OVERALL
    73

    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.

    Evolution of the series
    Model Year Chann. Power Dolby Atmos DTS:X HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision Pass. Price
    STR-DH790 Image cannot be found 2018 7.2 90 W 4K
    STR-DH770 Image cannot be found 2016 7.2 90 W 4K

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

    2. Pros and Cons

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

    PROs

    •   Dolby Atmos
    •   DTS:X
    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   HDR10
    •   Dolby Vision
    •   eARC
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Bluetooth
    •   Analog Tuner

    CONs

    •   No Front Wide Channel Support
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No 360 Reality Audio
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   No Wi-Fi
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   4 HDMI Inputs
    •   1 HDMI Outputs
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No USB Input
    •   No Phono Input
    •   No RCA Pre-Outs
    •   No Composite Video Inputs
    •   No Ethernet
    •   No Zones
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Pandora
    •   No Spotify
    •   No Tidal

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   Power Output - 90 W
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   RCA Line Inputs
    •   Bluetooth 4․2

    3. Sony 2018 Lineup

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

    Sony 2018 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsImmersive Audio Price
    STR-DH790 Image cannot be found 7.290 W7.1Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    STR-DH590 Image cannot be found 5.290 W5.1

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

    4. Changes from the STR-DH770

    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.

    5. Amplifier

    7 channel Amplifier

    Sony STR-DH790 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 90 W (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output90 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

      6. Speaker Configurations

      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.

      7. Immersive Audio Formats

      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

      8. HDMI

      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 Version2.2
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
      Video Signal Upscaling

      9. Room Calibration

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

        10. Inputs and Outputs

        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
        Image cannot be found
        Image cannot be found
        TERMINALS
        HDMI Inputs4
        HDMI Outputs1
        8K Inputs
        USB Input1 Rear for Firmware Update and power Supply
        USB DC Out Port
        Optical Inputs1
        Optical Outputs
        Coaxial Inputs1
        RCA Line Inputs4
        RCA Line Outputs
        XLR Line Inputs
        Phono Input
        Multi-Channel Input
        RCA Pre-Outs0.2
        XLR Pre-outs
        Composite Video Inputs
        Composite Video Outputs
        S-Video Inputs
        S-Video Outputs
        Component Video Inputs
        Component Video Outputs

        11. Evaluation

        We evaluate Sony STR-DH790 and give score of 73 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


        OVERALL
        73

        Amplifier

        AVERAGE
        67

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 67 for Amplifier features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   Power Output - 90 W

        Audio Features

        GOOD
        84

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 84 for Audio Features features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   No Front Wide Channel Support
        •   7.1 Channel Processing
        •   Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   No 360 Reality Audio
        •   DSD via HDMI

        Video Features

        EXCELLENT
        94

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 94 for Video Features features.

        •   HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough

        Connectivity

        AVERAGE
        62

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 62 for Connectivity features.

        •   eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   No Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        •   4 HDMI Inputs
        •   1 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   No USB Input
        •   RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   No RCA Pre-Outs
        •   No Composite Video Inputs
        •   No Ethernet
        •   Bluetooth 4․2

        Zones

        AVERAGE
        55

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 55 for Zones features.

        •   No Zones

        Radio

        BAD
        36

        We give Sony STR-DH790 a score of 36 for Radio features.

        •   Analog Tuner
        •   No Pandora
        •   No Spotify
        •   No Tidal

        12. Specifications

        GENERAL
        BrandSony
        ModelSTR-DH790
        TypeA/V Receiver
        CountryEurope
        Release Year2018
        PredecessorSony STR-DH770
        AMPLIFIER
        Channels7.2
        Power Output90 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 Processing7.1
        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 MicrophoneMono
        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 Version2.2
        QMS (Quick Media Switching)
        ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
        VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
        QFT (Quick Frame transport)
        3-D Ready
        Video Signal Passthroughup 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 Inputs4
        HDMI Outputs1
        8K Inputs
        USB Input1 Rear for Firmware Update and power Supply
        USB DC Out Port
        Optical Inputs1
        Optical Outputs
        Coaxial Inputs1
        RCA Line Inputs4
        RCA Line Outputs
        XLR Line Inputs
        Phono Input
        Multi-Channel Input
        RCA Pre-Outs0.2
        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 Out6.3 mm (1/4")
        Detachable Power Cord
        ZONES
        Number of Zones1
        RS-232C Interface
        +12V Trigger Output
        Remote (IR) Input/Output0 / 0
        MISCELLANEOUS
        On-Screen Display Graphical User Interface (Only through HDMI)
        RADIO
        Analog Tuner FM
        Presets30
        Digital Radio
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Tidal
        Deezer
        Napster
        SiriusXM
        CONSTRUCTION
        Speaker Terminals7
        Large Speaker Terminals2
        Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
        Gold plated RCA terminals
        POWER
        Power SupplyAC 230 V, 50/60 Hz
        Power Consumption240 W
        Standby Power0.3 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"
        Weight7.4 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 Impedance2 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 HDMI2.8 MHz
        Bluetooth Version4․2
        Bluetooth Frequency2.4 GHz
        USB TerminalType A, Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 1 A
        FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
        Warranty2 Years

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

        Discussion

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