Sony STR-DH790 vs Denon AVR-S660H

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Being able to compare Sony STR-DH790 and Denon AVR-S660H gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DH790 received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S660H was rated 6.7 points. The release date of STR-DH790 is 2018, and AVR-S660H is 2021. AVR-S660H is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the STR-DH790.

Main advantages Sony STR-DH790 over Denon AVR-S660H

Main advantages Denon AVR-S660H over Sony STR-DH790

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DH790 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S660H supports a 5.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVR-S660H this value is 100/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DH790 it is 90/6 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-DH790 8 out of 10, and the AVR-S660H - 6.

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the STR-DH790.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Sony STR-DH790 has Pure Direct mode.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Sony STR-DH790 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DH790 scored 6, and Denon AVR-S660H scored 7 out of 10.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the AVR-S660H only.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, both receivers got 7 points on our 10-point scale.

Sony STR-DH790 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S660H has 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Sony STR-DH790 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S660H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S660H has a Phono interface.

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the STR-DH790 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S660H.

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The STR-DH790 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-S660H has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Denon AVR-S660H.

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Denon AVR-S660H.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DH790 got 6 points, but the AVR-S660H has 10.

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVR-S660H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon AVR-S660H has the ECO mode.

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-DH790 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S660H got 8.

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Sony STR-DH790 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the STR-DH790.