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Sony STR-DA6400ES network music streamer

March 25, 2009

Sony has updated to its line-up of DNLA-certified AV receivers and added a network audio server to the range. Replete with dull-sounding codenames, the new devices let you bring together more than the usual array of home entertainment components.

The Sony STR-DA6400ES and its DH-labelled cohorts will supersede the existing DG range. The top-of-the-line Sony STR-DA6400ES is the first device in the range to act as a network server. It is compatible with the ShoutCast internet radio service and is also able to shunt music from any connected audio source, whether that be a vinyl record, cassette tape or CD on a home hi-fi, or a digital source such as an MP3 album or an internet radio station.

Sony says the AV receiver supports 7.1 digital audio and has a remarkably generous six HDMI (high-definition media interconnect) ports. One of the HDMI ports is front-mounted to make it easy to connect an HD device such as a camcorder.

Sony TGR3 HD camcorder review.

HD video codecs and Dolby Digital Surround Sound are also included. The device is intended to "bridge the divide between your analogue content and digital devices".

As with similar music-streaming setups from Sonos and a planned network music system from Cisco, the Sony STR-DA6400ES works with remote control devices that can be used in other rooms to launch and play back audio from several connected sources, including internet radio and any locally-stored music available to other network devices.

Both 1,080p and 24P HD video are supported, as is Sony's X.v extended colour range for home displays such as HDTVs playing Blu-ray movies. The AV network audio server is set to go onsale in the UK in May, while the complementary STR-DH500, STR-DH700 and STR-DH800 receivers will launch at intervals from April to July.

Pricing for the devices has yet to be announced.

Sony STR-DA6400ES network music streamer

Posted by: Rosemary Hattersley

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Comments

Posted by Sebire on March 26, 2009 :

All the ES range have changed, Im not particulary sure though if these newer models can be used in passive encoding loops, i hope so, and for the cinema buff, the are 7.1 but adopt a virtual extra 2 center rear speakers, my favourite encoder is the cinema ex. These es's have the dd hd and dts hd, but no sony model will ever support thx, cant blame them really though.
Price will be around £900 like normal for the flagship, and if you want a dlna media server for say a ntfs external hdd for the ps3 ect, just use a java applet and the latest codec pac, and its the same if not better thing. Ie 40gb blueray rips streamed anywhere in your home
6 hdmi ports though, wow

Posted by Rsebire on March 26, 2009 :

Dont forget that to get the super audio cd performance from it you will need a proper iec in this and the transport, and for the 7.1 you will need a proper medical grade optical, and the speakers will need to be uk tuned(reccomend brooklands sony)
And if your device outputs at 1080p dont use the amp to upscale.
The remote commanders a troublesome device to learn too, and just to let you know the instruction manual in english is about half a telephone book thick.

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