1-on-1 Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES (USA and Canadian versions)

SCORE:
72

Highlights

  • 7.2 channels
  • 7.1 channel processing
  • 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
  • Ethernet
  • USB input

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Content

Overview

Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES was introduced in 2016. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 72 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
76
VIDEO FEATURES
73
AUDIO FEATURES
66
CONNECTIVITY
67
MULTIZONE
89
MISCELLANEOUS
62
RADIO
59
OVERALL
72

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES.

PROS
  DSD via HDMI
  Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
  New HDCP Version
  4K or 8K Video Passthrough
  4K or 8K Signal Upscaling
  Ethernet
  USB Input
  Composite Video Inputs
  Component Video Inputs
  Zones
  Analog Tuner
CONS
  No Front Wide Channel Support
  No Dolby Atmos
  No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
  No DTS:X
  No IMAX Enhanced
  No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
  No eARC
  No HDR10
  No HDR10+
  No Dolby Vision
  No Chromecast Built-In
  Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
  No Wi-Fi
  No Bluetooth
  Few 8K Inputs
  Few Optical Inputs
  No RCA Pre-Outs
  No Pandora
  No Spotify
  No Tidal

Audio Section

7 channel Amplifier

Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

    Speaker Configurations

    Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

    • Configurations: Available configurations are:
    • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
    • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES 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.

    Sound Processing

    • Digital Legato Linear: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES features Digital Legato Linear (D.L.L.) to play audio signals with high-quality sound. The D.L.L. function is a technology developed by Sony that allows low-quality digital and analog audio signals to be played with high-quality sound. This function is available for Linear PCM signals, as well as lossy compression audio formats and analog audio signals. It works when [2ch Stereo], [Direct], [A.F.D.] or [Multi Stereo] is selected.

    Room Calibration

    Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES comes with Advanced D.C.A.C. room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES features 5 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 Main and 1 Sub/Zone2.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4) video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES can upscale up to 4K/60p from HDMI sources.
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: 1 input and 1 output are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

      Multi-zone Playback

      Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 3 different rooms.


      Zone 2

      • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
      • HDMI Output: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES offers HDMI output for Zone 2. This means that it can send two different HDMI signals to two displays.
      • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.
      • Composite Video Output: Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES has analog Composite Video output for Zone 2. This means that it can send a different video signal to the TV.

      Zone 3

      • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 3 amplifier.

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
      • Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 2 optical outputs and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Inputs: 5   Outputs: 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
        8K Inputs: 0
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one.
      • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1
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      Specifications

      Here we list all the available features and specifications of Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES.

      BASICS
      BrandSony
      SeriesES
      ModelSTR-ZA1000ES
      TypeA/V Receiver
      CountryUSA and Canada
      Release Year2016
      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Front Wide Channel Support
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability
      AUDIO
      Maximum Channel Processing7.1
      Air Studios Monitor Certification
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic PLIIx
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo Neo:6
      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
      PCM 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
      Music Playback via USB
      DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
      DSD via USB
      DSD to PCM Converter
      USB DAC
      DTS Dialog Control
      Dialogue Lift Center Speaker Lift Up
      Digital Legato Linear
      In-Ceiling Speaker Mode
      Sound Optimizer
      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
      Enhanced ARC
      HDCP Version2.2 (1 input / 1 output)
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      BT.2020 color space
      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 up to 4K/60p
      isf Certified Calibration Control
      CONNECTIVITY
      MHL Input
      DLNA 1.5
      FireConnect
      FlareConnect
      Chromecast Built-In
      DTS Play-Fi
      Works with Amazon Alexa
      Works with SONOS
      AirPlay
      InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
      Ethernet
      Ethernet Switch 8-Port Gigabit
      Wi-Fi
      Bluetooth
      HDBaseT Compatible
      HDMI Inputs5
      HDMI Outputs2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
      8K Inputs
      USB Input1 (Front) for update and setting
      USB DC Out Port
      RCA Line Input4
      RCA Line Output
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Optical Inputs2
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs1
      Composite Video Input2
      Composite Video Output1
      S-Video Input
      S-Video Output
      Component Video Input2
      Component Video Output1
      PC In
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs0.2
      XLR Pre-outs
      Front A/V InputsUSB
      Speaker A/B
      Headphone Out
      ZONES
      Zones3
      Powered Zones 2
      Zone 2 OutsHDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
      Zone 3 OutsRCA Pre/Line Out
      RS-232C Interface
      +12V Trigger Output1 (80 mA)
      Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 2
      MISC
      On-Screen Display Graphical User Interface
      GUI Languages3
      Detachable Power Cord
      RADIO
      Analog Tuner FM/AM
      Presets60 (30/30)
      Digital Radio
      Internet Radio
      Pandora
      Spotify
      Tidal
      Deezer
      Napster
      SiriusXM Internet Radio
      CONSTRUCTION
      Speaker Terminals7
      Large Speaker Terminals7
      Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
      Gold plated RCA terminals
      POWER
      Power SupplyAC 120 V, 60 Hz
      Power Consumption290 W
      Standby Power0.3 W
      GENERAL
      Dimensions (W x H x D)430 mm x 174 mm x 410 mm
      17" x 6-7/8" x 16-1/4"
      Weight12.3 kg (27 lbs. 2 oz.)
      Warranty5 Years
      SPECS
      Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 270 W (0.09% THD)
      Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 290 W (0.9% THD)
      Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 290 W (0.09% THD)
      Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2120 W (0.9% THD)
      Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)150 W (0.9% THD)
      Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)150 mV/50 kΩ
      Rated Preout Level and Impedance2 V/1 kΩ (Subwoofer)
      S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)105 dB (20 kHz LPF, 500 mV)
      S/N Ratio (digital)96 dB (20 kHz LPF)
      Frequency Response (Analog In)10 Hz - 100 kHz/±3 dB
      DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI2.8 MHz
      Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y)
      0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR)
      1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
      FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
      AM Frequency530 kHz - 1710 kHz

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

      Successor

      In 2017 Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES was replaced by STR-ZA1100ES. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.


      UPGRADES Sony ES STR-ZA1100ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES
      More Channel Processing 7ch + Phantom 2ch vs 7.1
      Dolby Atmos up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels vs
      Dolby Surround Upmixer vs
      DTS:X up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels vs
      DTS Neural:X vs
      Calibration Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Speaker Relocation vs
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) vs
      HDR10 vs
      Dolby Vision vs
      HLG vs
      BT.2020 color space vs
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC) 100 W (0.9% THD) vs 90 W (0.9% THD)

      DOWNGRADES Sony ES STR-ZA1100ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES
      Dolby Pro Logic vs PLIIx
      DTS Neo vs Neo:6
      Ethernet Switch vs 8-Port Gigabit
      Less Component Video Outputs vs 1
      Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 110 W (0.9% THD) vs 120 W (0.9% THD)
      Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC) 140 W (0.9% THD) vs 150 W (0.9% THD)

      For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony ES STR-ZA1000ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA1100ES.

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