Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES (USA and Canadian versions)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES was introduced in 2016. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 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 74 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.

In this section we present pros and cons of Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES.

7 channel Amplifier

Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Speaker Configurations

Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES'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-ZA3000ES 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-ZA3000ES 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-ZA3000ES comes with Advanced D.C.A.C. room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

HDMI

Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES features 6 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-ZA3000ES can upscale up to 4K/60p from HDMI sources.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: 2 inputs and 2 outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES 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-ZA3000ES 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-ZA3000ES 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.

Audio

• Analog Pre-Outs: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES has 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
• 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: 6 (1 front)   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

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES.

BASICS
Brand	Sony
Series	ES
Model	STR-ZA3000ES
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA and Canada
Release Year	2016

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
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 Microphone	Mono
Speaker Relocation
Automatic Phase Matching

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2 (2 inputs / 2 outputs)
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 Passthrough	up 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 Inputs	6 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 (Front) for update and setting
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	4
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	2
Component Video Output	1
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	7.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out

ZONES
Zones	3
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	3 (80 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 2

MISC
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface
GUI Languages	3
Detachable Power Cord

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	60 (30/30)
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

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

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	290 W
Standby Power	0.3 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"
Weight	13.4 kg (29 lbs. 9 oz.)
Warranty	5 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	110 W (0.9% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	100 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	120 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 Impedance	2 V/1 kΩ (All channels and 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 HDMI	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

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

In 2017 Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES was replaced by STR-ZA3100ES. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES	vs	Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
More Channel Processing	9ch + Phantom 2ch	vs	7.1
Dolby Atmos	up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels	vs
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
DTS:X	up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 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
More RCA Pre-Outs	9.2	vs	7.2

DOWNGRADES	Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES	vs	Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIx
DTS Neo		vs	Neo:6
Less Component Video Outputs		vs	1

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES.