Sony STR-DN1040 First impression

T C · 27 Jan 2014 at 14:11

I have the Sony 1030 and really love it. It replaced an old Yamaha 6.1 amp and the sound difference was amazing from the Sony, giving a lot more clarity and tighter bass response.

Richer Sounds have a few of the 1030's left for £149 I think, which is a steal for a wifi enabled, 3d capable bells and whistles amp!

SC0TTRS · 27 Jan 2014 at 14:14

Been using a sony str dh820 for nearly a year now, floor-less performance.

Recommend the range to anyone!

Yaayuh! · 10 Feb 2014 at 11:17

Rossi~ said:
Well, that's damn shame. Bit of a mistake on Sony's part i think. The Marantz SR*008 series has IP Control function, when set to "Always On" it uses slightly more standby power but can automatically come on when DLNA/AirPlay data is sent.

Also, Taylor Swift?..... Seriously?

Edit:

Just found this in the manual:

While the “Network Standby” mode is set
to “On”, the receiver can always be
connected and controlled over the network.
• On: The network function works even
when the receiver is in standby mode, and
resume operations when controlled over
the network.
• Off: The network function turns off when
the receiver is in standby mode. The
receiver takes more time to resumes
operation when powered on again.

Can someone give this ago and see if it works with Airplay? TIA

Tested this out at the weekend. I can confirm that with 'Network Standby' enabled, you can play music to the STR-DN1040 whilst in standby, it'll turn on to Airplay and start playing.
Brilliant

Kishywish · 13 Feb 2014 at 08:11

Thanks for this review - i'm in the market for a new av / speaker set-up and have had my eye on the DN1040 and 840 (didn't even know the 1030 existed until this thread).

Broken Hope · 13 Feb 2014 at 14:57

The 840 is available for £199 at Richer Sounds.

psalliss · 23 Apr 2014 at 22:54

Hi Ive just got the amp and it's set to Afd auto. Could you advise that when sky box is connected via hdmi It will automatically play 5.1 when im watching something that is record in dd or similar. I had a onkyo 705 before and I set it to play different sound formats for each input.

I can't see anywhere in the sony menus where I can do this so presume afd does it automatically

MagicBoy · 23 Apr 2014 at 22:59

Yes it does.

Have you read the book of words?

psalliss · 23 Apr 2014 at 23:07

Yes it does what? No not fully yet only got it setup this afternoon and the powers that be won't let me fiddle with it tonight

MagicBoy · 23 Apr 2014 at 23:14

AFD is Auto Format Direct/Detect (*can't recall which). It outputs the sound as it was recorded, you'll get stereo/2 channel or the appropriate Dolby ProLogic or Dolby Digital output where detected.

Most Sky channels are stereo, some HD channels offer DD 5.1 for certain programs.

psalliss · 23 Apr 2014 at 23:19

Cool so I have it setup correctly

DiNZi · 23 Apr 2014 at 23:19

Raymond Lin said:
You can only send music to the amp, however to the Apple TV you can send video, such as youtube or movies on your phone, or apps such as Catchuptv.

Hi, can't PM here otherwise I would've, but what Glass stand are you using in the pics?

Also the 1040 looks flawless, if I could afford it I would've gone with it but I'm getting the yamaha rx-v475 over the sony 840, if I'll get a sony in the next 6 months or so it will be the 1040, for sure!

Raymond Lin · 24 Apr 2014 at 07:28

I can't tell you what stand it is, it's very old, think it was from Argos or something. I think Atacama does one similar.

spoffle · 24 Apr 2014 at 07:42

SC0TTRS said:
Been using a sony str dh820 for nearly a year now, floor-less performance.

Did your sub blow it away?

psalliss · 24 Apr 2014 at 14:58

Does anyone know if there's a setting which makes it power up in mute as when I turn on it mutes automatically

NeverWinter · 24 Apr 2014 at 17:15

Anyone using this with a HTPC? Having problems with the STR-DN840 and not displaying the signal from my HTPC until it is turned off(the AMP) at the plug and back on.

snappyfish · 24 Apr 2014 at 19:58

great write up, I have been looking at the Pioneer SCLX57 which is currently £799 at richer sounds with free ipod touch.. But this is cheaper and getting some good reviews.

Kishywish · 1 May 2014 at 12:27

Got another question to add to this list - Anyone here making use of the zone 2 functionality?

If so, do the apps let you control zone 2 functions remotely (wirelessly), or can it only be done via the supplied remote?

Raymond Lin · 1 May 2014 at 12:40

Kishywish said:
Got another question to add to this list - Anyone here making use of the zone 2 functionality?

If so, do the apps let you control zone 2 functions remotely (wirelessly), or can it only be done via the supplied remote?

Sorry not tried it as i don't have zone 2 enabled.

snappyfish said:
great write up, I have been looking at the Pioneer SCLX57 which is currently £799 at richer sounds with free ipod touch.. But this is cheaper and getting some good reviews.

The LX57 is a great amp. This is £300 cheaper though. The LX57 i think is better (as I had a similar Pioneer), but it don't think it is twice as good. It's up to you, I am happy with both.

NeverWinter said:
Anyone using this with a HTPC? Having problems with the STR-DN840 and not displaying the signal from my HTPC until it is turned off(the AMP) at the plug and back on.

Not HTPC but I have a NAS which I can stream music direct into the amp for playback.

Snow-Munki · 22 May 2014 at 16:30

How you guys finding this amp ?

It's 'only' £299' now from Richersounds, tempted for the 1050 but that's £500 !! Worth the £200 uplift ??

Raymond Lin · 22 May 2014 at 17:43

£500? Thought it was £400? It was £400 at Christmas.

I'm loving mine, it's been faultless, the bass in particular is quite surprising, it seems to have lots of juice so when it needs that thump, it has it in spades.