Verdict
The Sony TA - AN1000 is a fun 7.1 - line Ab amplifier that delivers think about object - establish audio and across-the-board gaming features . Sony ’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping tech is useful if speaker placement is compromise , but the build is a bit lightweight , more king would be nice , and it ’s not very melodic , so this amp may scramble against the competition .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Sony TA - AN1000 is the firebrand ’s modish AV amplifier for 2023 , supercede the capable and democratic STR - DN1080 at the top of its current personal credit line - up . It sports seven channels of built - in Class D elaboration , plus processing for up to 7.1 communication channel with support for all the chief object - ground audio format , including Dolby Atmos , DTS :X and IMAX Enhanced .
The fully grown new feature film is Sony ’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping , which apply proprietary processing to stir the position of physical Speaker in practical blank space , create a more immersive soundstage that is n’t limited by the existent sonic environment . This clever acoustical wizardry can leaven very useful when you ’re forced to compromise on speaker placement .
The TA - AN1000 is very well - specify withHDMI 2.1connections that can handle 8K/60p and 4K/120p , plus a host of gaming - related feature article . It also plump for high - resolution audio , and Sony offers optional wireless hindquarters and subwoofer for anyone contrary to loudspeaker cable television . But despite all these features , this capable AV amplifier wo n’t break the coin bank .
Design
The Sony TA - AN1000 looks very similar to the early STR - DN1080 , and to be honest it ’s not going to win any stunner pageantry . The front facia is minimalist at best , with comment and volume dials on the correct hand side , along with a low LED display towards the centre . There ’s also a run-in of push buttons for access code to various features such as the Movie , Music , and 360 Spatial Sound modes .
The TA - AN1000 uses a simple-minded matte blackened ending , which adds to its generally spartan appearance . The build caliber is also rather disappointing consider this AV amplifier ’s Mary Leontyne Price point , with the chassis feeling somewhat fragile , while the buttons on the front are decidedly plasticky . On the plus side , at only 10.3 kg in weight you ’re unlikely to injure yourself while installing this fussy amp .
Connectivity and Control
The Sony TA - AN1000 sports minimum connectedness at the front , with only a USB port , a headphone doodly-squat , and a socket for the standardisation mike . This theme of simpleness also extends to the fanny , where you ’ll line up an as clean - down selection of inputs and outputs .
There are a number of analog remark , and even composite video input signal / output , which you do n’t often see these days , but amazingly there ’s only one coaxal digital input and one optical digital stimulation . There ’s also an Ethernet larboard , IR in and out , parallel outputs to a third zone , duple subwoofer outputs , and loudspeaker terminal for the built - in amplification .
gratefully there are six HDMI comment , two of which are HDMI 2.1 with support for 8K/60p and 4K/120p . There are also two HDMI 2.1 outputs : a main end product witheARC(Enhanced Audio Return Channel ) , and one for a 2nd zona .
The HDMI 2.1 ports substantiate gaming feature such as VRR ( Variable Refresh Rate ) and ALLM ( Auto Low Latency Mode ) , along with Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for role with a PlayStation 5 and compatible Sony TV . In improver , all HDMI connexion support HDR10 , HLG ( Hybrid Log - Gamma ) and Dolby Vision .
There ’s also a pair of aerial at the rear , which provide extended wireless capabilities for the TA - AN1000 , let in Wi - Fi andBluetoothconnectivity with support for Sony’sLDACcodec . In terms of networking there ’s Chromecast built in , along withAirPlay 2andSpotify Connect , plus this AV amplifier works with Sonos and is Roon try out .
The included remote controller is small but well lay out , with clearly labelled buttons that make frame-up and operation straight . While the diminutive size requires a bit of adaption when handling , my only real charge is the want of a backlight , which do it guileful to habituate in the dark . There is also a limited degree of voice control thanks to the inclusion of Google Home .
Features
The Sony TA - AN1000 admit a hefty choice of features , headline by seven channels of built - in course cholecalciferol elaboration . While Sony take 120W into two channel at 6ohms , you ’ll get a lot less than that when driving all seven channels simultaneously . As a result the TA - AN1000 is n’t the beefiest ampere you ’ll ever get wind , although it should be sufficient for an ordinary - sized way .
When it add up to target - found audio the TA - AN1000 decodes Dolby Atmos , DTS :X andIMAX Enhanced , but it ’s specify to 7.1 - channel processing . This means you could either unravel a 7.1 - channel system with no height speakers , or go for a 5.1.2 - canal layout with two speakers overhead . you’re able to also connect two subwoofer , although these will be share the same mono LFE signal .
The big young feature is Sony ’s proprietary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping , which has previously appear on the brand’sHT - A7000 soundbarand HT - A9 sound system . The technical school uses Sony ’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX ( D.C.A.C. IX ) to measure the height and posture of each speaker with a standardization microphone , it then applies psychoacoustic processing to make phantom talker around the room . The result is a more immersive experience , with virtual Speaker fulfill in gap where you ca n’t position physical speakers .
If you do n’t fancy track down speaker cables around your lounge or living room , the TA - AN1000 can link up wirelessly with optional speakers offered by Sony . These include the SA - RS3 and SA - RS5 rearward talker , and the SA - SW3 and SA - SW5 subwoofers . While this approach is convenient , it will significantly add to the cost of building a organization , particularly compare to a passive verbaliser parcel .
In term of other feature film the TA - AN1000 supports high-pitched - resolution sound recording , plus there ’s Sony ’s Acoustic Centre Sync , which take into account owners of the firebrand ’s compatible Bravia TVs to use their solidification ’s speakers as the centre channel in a multichannel scheme . There is a consecrated S - Centre Out jack at the back of the adenylic acid for this specific purpose .
One terminal observation , in the UK and Europe the TA - AN1000 has no AM / FM receiving set , which is why it ’s describe as an AV amplifier , but in the US and Australia the framework issue is STR - AN1000 , and this version does let in a tuner , thus making it an AVR receiver .
Performance
The Sony TA - AN1000 is pleasingly simple to apparatus , in part because it ’s limited to only 7.1 channels , but also because it has an illuminating drug user interface that produces an onscreen menu system with everything you require for installation and surgical procedure presented in a layout that ’s light to get at and understand .
The automatic calibration is very efficacious , only requiring you to bind the provided mike to the include stand , associate it to the dedicated diddlyshit at the front , and follow the pedagogy . Measurements are flux with acoustical filter to smooth out bass part reply and eliminate the more egregious transonic characteristics of your way .
Once up and run , I ’m immediately impressed by the adequate to and engaging operation . There ’s a full - bodied quality to the overall livery , retaining unmortgaged dialog , well - defined level-headed effect , and basso that remains both smooth and impactful . There ’s a composure to the soundstage that proves the room standardisation has been effective in equilibrate everything out .
When it comes to two - duct sound recording the Sony is good but lack some of the refining and deftness of touch that I ’d associate with the very best Ab amplifiers and receivers in this price bracket . This is a shame because the TA - AN1000 include extensive euphony and high - resolution audio support , and the built - in gain certainly has sufficient grunt to drive even a demanding duet of floorstanders without break a sweat .
However , the onboard juice does start to track down out once I move on to multichannel audio , and even with a 5.1 mix there ’s a feeling of form as I crank up up the intensity . In smaller way the TA - AN1000 will be fine , but larger space may prove challenging , peculiarly if you enjoy listening at unsociable levels . This take is only compounded when running all seven channels simultaneously , so a degree of expectation direction is required .
This is particularly straight when care with Dolby Atmos andDTS : Xobject - based audio soundtrack in a 5.1.2 - canal configuration , where all seven channel are often being used at the same time to create an immersive acoustic hemisphere . However , as long as you ’re listening at sensible levels the placement and steering of sound result around the room is first-class , with unlined transitions and a greater sense of three dimensionality .
If you ’re listen to Dolby Atmos or DTS :X natively , the 5.1.2 - channel organisation is in the main good , and more than enough for most people . A dynamic mix like Midway will make use every available transmission channel to make a intuitive sonic experience as it places you right in the middle of the action , but the limitations of a 5.1.2 - groove layout can become apparent , peculiarly as object move behind you and disappear into a transonic fix where there are n’t any loudspeaker .
gratefully Sony ’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping can prove a powerful pecker when it hail to producing a better immersive experience despite the TA - AN1000 ’s inherent channel limitation . Applying this total processing help make a more seamless bubble of sound that surrounds and envelops you , and is genuinely impressive when it make out to yield the sensation of there being more speakers around you than are physically present in reality .
While I found the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping most rewarding with immersive audio soundtracks , it can also be apply to two - channel and multichannel mix , make a more talkative livery with enceinte breadth and tot summit . It can be a bit make and miss with some outcome sounding unnatural , especially dialogue , but the sense of immersion is pronto apparent . I ’m more of a purist , so I ’d leave behind non - immersive mixing alone , but with object - base audio soundtrack like Dolby Atmos and DTS :X the benefit of those extra virtual speaker is undeniable .
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Should you buy it?
The TA - AN1000 ’s inclusion of Sony ’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping allows you to produce a more immersive object - base sound recording experience thanks to the combination of measurements and cagey psychoacoustic processing that create virtual Speaker where you ca n’t position genuine ones . This sonic wizardry also helps compensate for this AV amplifier ’s special communication channel count .
The seven channels of build up - in Class D grunt are sufficient for medium - sized way , but if you have a enceinte place you ’ll postulate a more powerful AV amplifier or telephone receiver . The TA - AN1000 also struggles a bit when drive all seven of its line simultaneously , so you ca n’t escape the feeling the ampere is beginning to run out of steam and go a little forced .
Final Thoughts
The Sony TA - AN1000 is a capable and well - specified AV amplifier that save an gratifying multichannel experience . The seven built - in channels of baron and 7.1 - channel processing allow it to decipher and deliver objective - based sound with an undeniable sense of fun , and whether it ’s Dolby Atmos , DTS :X or IMAX Enhanced , the placement and steering of healthy effects is precise and seamless , while the miserable - end retain plenitude of LFE heft .
The add-on of 360 Spatial Sound Mapping is definitely a welfare , using proprietary processing to create practical speakers where you ca n’t install genuine ones , and allowing the TA - AN1000 to overcome the limitations of its 7.1 - channel processing . The inclusion body of various gaming enhancements will also evidence popular , as will mellow - firmness audio frequency support , extensive networking features , and interpreter command thanks to Google Home .
However the material body quality feel lightweight , the remote is dissatisfactory and the rear connection rather confine . The built - in gain also struggles when driving all seven epithelial duct simultaneously , and there ’s a lack of musicality and refining when compare to competitors like the Denon AVC - X3800H , Marantz Cinema 60 , and Yamaha RX - A4A. This is a crowded section of the food market , and the Sony TA - AN1000 does n’t quite measure up to the very best .
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How we test
We try out every set of AV amplifier we review exhaustively over an extended period of clock time . We use manufacture standard test to compare features properly . We ’ll always differentiate you what we find . We never , ever , take money to review a product .
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FAQs
In the UK and Europe the TA - AN1000 has no AM / FM tuner , while the US and Australia the model number is STR - AN1000 as this rendering does include a tuner .
