Dragging Myself Into The 21st Century HDMI-Capable SONY: STR-DG1000 vs STR-DA5ES

 March 11, 2026

#539

Gentle reader, 

I found an amazing deal at Goodwill several years ago, a SONY STR-DA5ES "Elite Series" home theater receiver. It included the remote and the manual. It was marked "$10 As-Is, NO sound." This unit came out in the year 2000, the last year of the 20th Century. (Remember, we do not start counting at zero.) It retailed for $2,499, new and it weighs 48 pounds. That's almost 22 kilograms!

[A note to you, the reader. You will see that the size and type of fonts changes throughout this (and all of my) articles. This is something Blogger (owned by Google) does and nothing I have tried to correct than anomaly works.]  

A comparison look at the front panels of  replacement unit, the new-to-me SONY STR-DG1000, which is on top of the veteran STR-DE5ES. 

This image shows what is behind the folding panel of the STR-DA5ES: Less used switches, controls and the front A/V inputs.

The manual which came with it from Goodwill. It originally came with a second remote control for speakers in another room.

Oddly, I did not write about that massive STR-DA5ES receiver here in The Robb Collections. I did, however, include it in this 2018 article: The Robb Collections: Stereo and Surround Sound Receivers, I Have Known Many of Them. 

The newer, DG1000 is on top. As you can see, it has had a hard life with the top HDMI and one optical input which look like they were electro-sexually abused. It was the best price of all available via eBay at $130US from a seller in California with free shipping all the way to Virginia.

I actually looked at 2025/6 models of SONY Home Theater receivers, such as this one, below:

I specifically looked only at SONY units since I added the OPPO Blu-ray player so that I could play Surround Sound SACD discs in the living room. The Robb Collections: Klipsch RB-35 RC-25 Speakers Plus OPPO BDP-93 Blu-ray SACD Player 6-Channel SACD at Last! Thus, I needed one with HDMI and six-channel analog inputs.

As you can see, they have finally dropped all of the insane number of legacy RCA analog audio and video inputs. This particular model is probably the least expensive SONY model since it lacks proper three-way binding/banana terminals for all speakers as seen on the older receivers above that image.

The rear of the OPPO BDR-93 Blu-ray player which also plays all multiple channel audio discs too. Note the eight RCA terminals above and below:

Both of these receivers have the needed inputs.

The DG1000 (top unit) has those inputs much easier to find, clustered in a box at lower left, than the far more crowded location of the DA5ES. 

Things went swimmingly for many years using the DA5ES. My $10 receiver worked flawlessly. I simply used one of the Optical inputs for the HDTV's audio and one of the Coaxial digital RCA cables from the DVD and then later the Blu-ray player which replaced it. 

Then, one day, there simply was no audio from the TV. WTH? I have some cheap Chinese-made optical to digital coaxial and coaxial digital to optical converters. Sadly, they only output stereo. So, I tried one that have all kinds of inputs and outputs. But, again, it only outputs stereo. So, it was time to find a replacement for my beloved STR-DA5ES receiver.

This image is from a year or so ago. Most thing have changed since then.

The three Klipsch speakers and large subwoofer all were given The Robb Collections: Having Friends Who Are Neighbors is a Wonderful Thing! Gifted Klipsch Speakers And More. to me (plus two more matching speakers which are now in the listening room) and my completely updated and only-ones-in-the-world, Realistic Minimus 7W speakers now serve as rear speakers. The Robb Collections: Converted my already upgraded Minimus 7 speakers to ribbon tweeters!

The SONY STR-DG1000 has the most enormous remote I have ever seen! It's a good thing actually, because one can choose inputs and so much more with the remote rather than getting on their knees squinting while trying to read the tiny script on the receiver.

The remote for the STR-DA5ES, however is more "upscale" because it has a tiny screen. I rarely used it as a result for anything other than switching the receiver on and off and adjusting the volume. To make up for the lack of buttons, the keypad folds down, ala flip phone to reveal 29 more buttons and switches. For fun one could carry it around outside and blow peoples minds while pretending to talk on a vintage "flip phone."

The STR-DG1000 now in it's new home. Because this receiver's depth is not as great as it's predecessor, I can keep the knobs back within the frame of the stand. Thus, they don't get bumped while vacuuming.

I tested it all out by playing CHESS IN CONCERT, a live concert remake of the 1980's LP. This performance features Josh Groban as the Russian chess player and Idina Menzel as the American chess player's second.

So, just how far did I drag myself into the 21st Century by buying a used STR-DG1000? Six years. It was made in 2006. For thoroughness, I scanned both owner's manual's Specifications pages. 

STR-DA5ES's first specs page, above.

STR-DA5ES's second specs page, above.

STR-DG1000's first specs page, above.

STR-DG1000's second specs page, above.

        STR-DG1000's third specs page, above.

Comparing the "POWER OUTPUT" specs for both receivers, they are virtually identical: STR-DA5ES reads for ALL five channels: 110 WPC @ 8 ohms 20-20,000Hz THD 0.05%.  At 4 ohms, the power drops to 90 WPC THD 0.09%, all five channels.  

However, while the STR-DG1000's 8 Ohm specs are the same, it is only in STEREO, meaning the front left and right speakers, NOT for all seven channels, it measures 120 WPC @ ONLY 1kHz, THD 0.7%. NOT the full 20-20,000Hz! 

So, what does that mean? To keep the price lower, manufacturers, even SONY, are a little sneakier by measuring total harmonic distortion at ONLY the 1000 Hertz frequency! Not, the full twenty to twenty thousand frequencies.

Therefore, for Stereo MUSIC listening it competes and compares equally to it's considerably higher priced older brother: The STR-DA5ES. The "Elite Series", however, delivers clear, distortion-free music through all five of it's channels. 

We have not heard any audible distortion while using the STR-DG1000 because the Klipsch speakers are SO highly efficient: 96 decibels at 1 watt (2.83 volts) at 1 meter within an anechoic chamber. So, in our case, thanks to my buddy Jack, who gave us all six speakers, we will never drive the STR-DG1000 anywhere near the limits of it's amplification circuits.

To conclude, I replaced the otherwise fully capable STR-DA5ES circa 2000 receiver because it's Optical inputs stopped working. Otherwise, it is still a very capable receiver. I'll hang onto it for a while. 

So, am I happy with the newer STR-DG1000 receiver? Absolutely! The enormous remote is far better to hold, read and use, than the "flip-phone-like" remote for the STR-DA5ES. I have played six-channel SACD discs through it and I have never heard any distortion. Again, likely because of the Klipsch speaker's ultra-high efficiency.

I did try using an HDMI ARC* cable in HDMI 1 input socket, and the STR-DG1000 did turn off the TV's speakers as a result. But, since this receiver predates HDMI ARC by MANY years, I will use Optical and Coaxial Digital cables for the sounds of A/V sources to provide full aural and physical enjoyment of Blu-ray and other movie sources such as Netflix, etc.

Thank you SO much for taking the time to read this rather lengthy article. I began doing this all the way back in 2008, having no idea if anyone would ever read it. Well, over 700,000 of you, and counting DO read it. And I am truly humbled. 

Fell free to comment below or via Facebook.

Scott Robb

March 11, 2026

#539

*HDMI ARC stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface Audio Return Channel. It allows audio to be sent from a TV back to an audio device, like a soundbar, using a single HDMI cable, simplifying connections and reducing cable clutter.

Is Your phone Too Complicated? Try The Jitterbug Smart4 It Is Excellent And Easy To Use

March 5, 2026

#538

Gentle reader, 

Size and Camera Lens comparison of the Lively Jitterbug Smart3 vs Smart4

UPDATE: The more I use my Jitterbug Smart4 phone, the more I LOVE it! It is SO fast at loading apps and the cameras provide crisp, sharp images. I am completely satisfied with this phone! Scott Robb Updated on March 9, 2026.

I, like many humans, do not like changes. I've lived in eight decades and am in my 70th year of life. Also, I learned early on that I have an addictive personality. Fortunately, I also have strong will power. Therefore, I have been able to avoid: Tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and never, ever, tried illegal drugs. There is another, worldwide addiction: Smart Phones. Just stop and look around you when you are outside or in a store or especially a restaurant. What do you see?

No one is talking. Oh, one might show their neighbor what they are watching. But, no one is TALKING with the very people they got together with!

Nancy and I were both relatively poor when we met and a couple years later wed in early 1996. Thus, as cellular phones shrank in size and price, we still hesitated to get some. We both got pagers.  Medical Doctors in hospitals still use them. Ours were simpler than the ones seen below, with just a small screen on the top to show the telephone number of the caller. You didn't even have to unclip it from your belt to see who paged you.

                        Image of pagers courtesy of media.cybernews.com

I worked for the Washington, D.C. subway authority working on their subway cars, starting in 1982. Calling Maryland or Virginia then was a long distance call. Therefore, a quarter (1/4 dollar) coin was not going to work.  What is a "long distance call?" you may be thinking.

Wikipedia defines it as thus: Long-distance phone calls are telephone calls made to a location outside a defined local calling area, typically charged at a higher rate than local calls. They can be either national (within the same country) or international (between different countries) and were historically more complex and costly to connect than local calls.

The key word in that paragraph is "costly". When all the world had was "landline" telephones, and cell phones (and the Internet) did not exist, there were three ways to communicate with other people from least expensive to most: Writing letters, sending a Telegram or via Telephone calls. Within the confines of your neighborhood town or city, calling each other was free. Try to call the city fifty or more miles away and it was a Long Distance Call and the telephone company charged that per minute.

You may live in an area where all power and other services are underground.

Above is an drawing of typical rural or urban/suburban utility poles. "Cable" refers to cable television line. Telephone is self explanatory. We still have a landline telephone with an "unlisted" number, but since everyone we know has our cell phone number, the only calls are from spam people intent upon stealing our money. So much for having and unlisted number. Finally, I unplugged the phone. End of problem.

Okay, hopefully, you know have a better understanding of how people around the world communicated over distances for well more than a hundred years ago. We can now move onto the reason for this article.

Because I worried about Nancy's car breaking down or other situations, I suggested that she get a cell phone. All there were then were phones. No one could get on the Internet then except with a computer. Over time I too had a flip phone. I had a "military grade" model similar to the one above. It proved to be my last. I grew frustrated when texting with someone who had talk-to-text and I was trying to keep up with my flip phone. Nancy surprised me a couple Christmas's ago with this:

That is the Lively Jitterbug Smart3 cell phone for Seniors. I balked at first, but once I tried talk-to-text (something Nancy still does not do) I was happy. Still, 98% of the time, it sits in my pocket. I tend to forget it's there. I have an extensive contacts list since I am involved in many activities since I retired. But, I mostly use it for talking or texting.

Since Verizon.net (FiOS supplier) uses AOL (yes, it still exists!) for their e-mail and my "geezer" phone could not figure that out I still have to use a PC of some kind to use e-mail. Which is fine. I still say, "I got on the Internet." 

I removed Email and Maps & Directions from the home page. However, if I opened something like Camera & Photos, the phone would sneak Email and Maps & Directions back onto the home page. "Look, sir, you are a geezer, therefore let me take care of you." it seemed to be telling me.

Anyway, the phone is slow to load things and the camera is not very good either. When I saw that this, the new Jitterbug Smart4:

The Jitterbug Smart4 was out and Best Buy had it on sale for $47.99. Yes, LESS than fifty bucks! I went to the local store and got one. They transferred everything from my old phone onto the new one. 

There are a few differences such as the texting interface, but otherwise it works the same but WAY better! Everything loads much quicker. The camera is better quality with three lenses and a larger sensor for more crisp photos and video.

Unlike the majority of the world's population, I still have and use, digital cameras. While cell phone cameras can and do produce stunning images and video, I am old school.

My Nikon D300 and lenses from 8mm fisheye to 400mm telephoto and everything in between. I also have two different Panasonic Lumix cameras both of which have Leica lenses.

Clearly, you can see the differences in the two camera's lenses. It reads 13MP HD camera.

With the case on, the Smart4 is substantially larger, heavier and easier to handle than the Smart3 with it's case on.

Here is the real difference. Note how smooth the Smart3 is compared to the thicker and textured edges of the Smart4. Now, the differences, Note the retail prices:

So, what are the ADVANTAGES of the Jitterbug Smart4 over a traditional Android or I-phone? 1: Ease of Use. 2: See how it does not use ICONS for all the apps. 3: Everything is easy to read and see. No squinting to try and read the names under all those ICONS. 4: If you tap, View All Apps, an ALPHABETICAL list of every app the phone contains appears. Just as bright and easy to read as the home page.

Now, look at a typical smart phone's home page:

Is YOUR phone's list of icons as nice neat and orderly as this one Samsung made? I didn't think so.

Don't be like everyone else! Be yourself! Don't go chasing the latest and greatest that the advertisers are ALL telling you that you NEED! Ads are all designed to TRICK you into giving them all of your hard earned money! Things will not bring you happiness. Don't be fooled by ads! 

I truly do not understand why folks have to have the "Latest and Greatest!" of things.

Advertising is so effective that so many homes, especially here in the United States if they have a garage, it looks like this:

Why? Because SO many people believed the advertisements. 

I am not a competitive person. I have never felt that I had to be "better" than anyone else. 

Sadly, some people have SO much stuff, that they start filling their vehicles up with it:

Now, obviously people who do this never intended it to get this bad. They likely have a mental illness. 

I once did a favor for a a neighbor. The inside of their house was SO filled with stuff, a lot of it NEW, that there was only a narrow passage through each room. And, they had children. Part of the reason they did this is: ADVERTISING. It is called HOARDING. It too is a mental illness.

Okay, I have gone off on a tangent. My advice to you is this: Don't be like everyone else. Be yourself. I am and I am very happy. 

AND, instead of getting a cell phone that takes you YEARS to pay for, getting a Jitterbug Smart4 for fifty dollars and give it a try. 

Also, don't spend your time holding that phone watching video after video with your neck bent like this guy. 

Trust me, don't keep doing what this man is or, you WILL: Have chronic neck and shoulders pain, arthritis in your hands fingers and thumbs. AND, you will have wasted TIME when you could be living YOUR best life, out in the REAL world meeting all kinds of new and interesting people, going places, doing and seeing new things. REAL things, REAL places! Live IN the world, not OF the world where you waste precious time alone watching things on your phone made by people trying to INFLUENCE you. Set yourself FREE!

Oh, and try watching your videos on your television. That way, you can enjoy them all together and talk about them later.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I do this for free. No one and no organization pays me to write. Please share this article with your friends and family and try discussing it, face to face. Or do you want to end up like the people in Wall-e?

If you have not seen the film, it realistically shows where people and planet Earth could be headed: Having to leave the planet because we did not CARE about it or our future on it.

Lastly, I apologize for the different sizes and types of FONTS. It is not me! For some reason, not matter what I do, I cannot get the fonts to be consistent size and type.

Scott Robb

March 5, 2026 

Skylabs Audio Did it AGAIN! They Used MY Photo in one of Their Videos!

February 26, 2026

#537

Gentle reader,

Back on August 19, 2025, I was watching the latest episode of Skylabs Audio, one of my favorite YouTube channels, when I saw an image I took in MY listening room. It had been altered, but it was my speakers in my room. That was article number 519. Here is a link to that article: The Robb Collections: Skylabs Audio Featured MY Image in Their Video about 9 Speakers! And, if you are Skylabs Curious, here is a link to their YouTube channel: Skylabs Audio - YouTube And, for the record, here is the image they used, unaltered: 

More on this picture and others from that same day, down below. 

Well, he did it again! Within THIS video: 10 Expensive Stereo Mistakes I'll Never Do Again - YouTube I watching and agreeing with what he was saying when all of a sudden, there was MY system! At least what it looked like back in September, 2018. Here is a photo of HIS video, on my TV, paused at 10:42

You can see the black frame of our LG 55" HDTV and the wall behind it in this image. And here, is the actual photo. It is from the same date, and in fact, the same The Robb Collections article:

I left a comment on HIS YouTube page, but, I doubt he read it. All I asked was that he CREDIT The Robb Collections as the source of the images he uses which belong to me. I do not want money, I don't made any money from these articles. I do this for fun and you like to read them which is all that I ask from my readers.

This image, the one he used and altered to use in a video about the Advent Baby Advent speakers. This is the far wall of what was once the "master" bedroom of our modest home. We essentially, all we did after all the kids STOPPED moving back in, was paint the room brown, add some moldings and designated it as our Den. We moved our TV in from the living room, the Stereo remained in the living room. I wrote about it here: The Robb Collections: The Transformation from Den to Audio Man Cave. In many crazy steps! 

I had started with the system on the left wall and the speakers on the far wall. I had decided to add a SECOND system, this for SACD 6-channel playback. So, I found a nice old Teak cabinet which I used to hold the stereo power amplifier and the SONY components to play music in surround sound. This was in 2012.

Those were still the halcyon days in which almost every visit to a thrift store yielded all kinds of speakers and audio equipment. Of the ten speakers in this image, only the BOSE 301s still remain. Why? The sound surprisingly good and Nancy bought them for me. In fact, none of the electronics remain either.

Back to the image used by Skylabs Audio, above, I like to take images of the rear after I have made component changes and roll the heavy table out into the room. I was running 1990's (Panor-ear) Dynaco equipment at the time.

I had a very lucky find in Goodwill, one Wednesday many years ago, when I saw this enormous two-piece shelf which was made in Denmark and for holding LP records. It was only $99! It is quite deep and it was to my right (when in my chair) and I felt crowded. So, I decided to move it front and center and move the system to my right.

Longtime readers have followed my adventures in music listening and have seen this current image before.

I stopped using the Advent Baby Advent speakers and started using another $99 find (that time on eBay) a pair of Dynaco A25XL speakers! The other speakers are the first Klipsch speakers I have found in the wild. They are KG4 models. They were $10! Also, the speaker stands are in fact bamboo STOOLS. They both match their speakers perfectly.

 Ah, the system was much simpler back then.

A closer look for you.

Oh, just in case you might be wondering what the Skylabs Audio's altered image version of my (then) system looked like for that video. 

Do you remember those books for kids which had two pictures side-by-side, where you had to find what was different in one of them. See how many things YOU can find that Skylabs Audio did to change my setup to make their image. Leave your answer below in the Comments.

Thank you So much for taking the time to read my article! Your doing so is THE reason that I keep writing.

Scott Robb

#537