Sony STR-DH190

Sony STR-DH190: The Versatile and Affordable Stereo Receiver

The Sony STR-DH190 stereo receiver offers a versatile audio solution combining the amplification power needed to efficiently drive your speakers with modern connectivity through built-in Bluetooth. Whether you’re a vinyl enthusiast looking to enjoy your turntable or a fan of digital music, the STR-DH190 allows you to easily switch between analog and digital sources.

With a power output of 100 W per channel at 8 ohms, this receiver provides ample energy reserves to deliver your music with dynamism and precision, while adapting to a wide variety of speakers. Its reinforced chassis and optimized heat sink ensure excellent stability and efficient heat dissipation, for powerful and controlled sound without distortion or unwanted vibrations.

Bluetooth for Convenient Wireless Experience

In addition to its wired inputs, the Sony STR-DH190 is equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to wirelessly stream music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Very easy to use, pairing is done in seconds. As a bonus, the Bluetooth Standby function even lets you turn on the receiver directly from your device without having to get up from your couch.

Note that while Bluetooth offers a convenient wireless solution, audio quality remains better with wired connections, especially if you’re playing high-resolution files. Bluetooth tends to compress the signal, resulting in a loss of detail and dynamics.

Easily Drive Two Pairs of Speakers

Thanks to its A+B function, the Sony STR-DH190 can power two pairs of speakers simultaneously, whether to provide sound in two rooms or to achieve a more immersive surround sound in your living room. You can easily switch between speakers A, B, or A+B according to your preferences. The screw terminals on the rear panel make connecting your speaker cables easy.

However, be aware that the minimum supported impedance by the receiver is 6 Ω per channel. If you use the A+B mode with 8-ohm speakers, the impedance seen by the receiver will drop to 4 ohms, which may cause it to overheat. Therefore, prefer 16 Ω speakers if you plan to use the A+B mode intensively.

A Thoughtful Design for High-Fidelity Sound

Despite its affordable positioning, the Sony STR-DH190 benefits from a carefully crafted audiophile design. Each component has been meticulously selected and positioned to offer optimal sound quality and limit interference.

The discrete power amplifier is designed to provide high power and pure sound with minimal distortion. The high-capacity power transformer ensures a significant current reserve to reproduce the fastest transients.

The reinforced chassis and rigid heat sink held by robust elements help reduce vibrations induced by the acoustic pressure of the speakers. As for the phono stage and power transformer, they are judiciously positioned to minimize interference related to magnetic fields.

An Unbeatable Performance/Price Ratio

In the end, the Sony STR-DH190 stands out as a very interesting solution for those looking for a versatile and musical stereo receiver without breaking the bank. Although it is not a high-end audiophile model, it offers very respectable sound performance given its affordable price.

Certainly, one might criticize the lack of a digital input like an optical or coaxial jack, which would have allowed for easy connection of a digital source. Similarly, its Bluetooth, while convenient, is not aptX compatible, which limits the quality of audio file transmission.

Which speakers should you choose to pair with the Sony STR-DH190?

With its 100 W per channel, the STR-DH190 can accommodate a wide range of speakers, from compact bookshelf models to more imposing floor-standing ones. The impedance of your speakers should preferably be between 6 and 16 ohms. Avoid models that are too demanding or too complex to drive. Among the brands to consider in a similar price range: Elac, Dali, Triangle, Focal, Klipsch, Q Acoustics…

Can I connect a subwoofer to the Sony STR-DH190?

Yes, it is entirely possible. You just need to connect the Pre-out (Line out) of the amplifier to the low-level input of your subwoofer. This way, you can enhance the bass of your speakers, especially if they are modest in size. Be sure to properly adjust the crossover frequency and volume of the subwoofer for optimal integration with your speakers.

Is the Sony STR-DH190 suitable for Home Cinema use?

No, the STR-DH190 is a 2-channel stereo receiver, so it is not designed for Home Cinema use. It does not have any HDMI inputs or decoding for multichannel audio formats like Dolby Digital or DTS. If you are looking for a home theater amplifier, you should consider a model with HDMI inputs and a digital audio stream decoding section, such as the Sony STR-DH590, for example.

Can I bi-amplify my speakers with the Sony STR-DH190?

No, unlike some higher-end amplifiers, the STR-DH190 does not offer dedicated speaker outputs for bi-amplification. The A+B function is only for driving two separate pairs of speakers, not for bi-amplifying a single pair. However, if your speakers have a double set of terminals (bi-wiring), you can bi-wire them by connecting each terminal to the same speaker output on the amplifier.

Technical Specifications

Amplification

• Number of channels: 2 (supports A+B speakers)
• Output power: 2 × 100 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, THD 1%)
• Speaker impedance: 6 to 16 Ω

Connectivity

• Analog audio inputs: 4
• Phono input: 1
• Headphone output: 1
• Speaker output terminals A, B
• Phono input volume compensation
• Wireless receiver (Bluetooth)

Construction

• Precise sound and reinforced chassis
• Anti-vibration design
• Optimized layout for turntable and transformer

Tuner

• FM radio
• Preset stations: 30 (FM only)
• Radio Data System (RDS)

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 133 × 284 mm
• Weight: 6.70 kg

Power Supply and Consumption

• Power supply: 230 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Standby power consumption: 0.3 W
• Network standby power consumption: 1 W (wireless, all terminals and networks connected)

Energy Management

• Automatic standby after 19 minutes
• Network standby after 19 minutes (wireless)
• Wireless network on/off switch via amplifier menu (Wireless → Wireless Power → Wireless enabled/disabled)