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.