I am looking to upgrade my current Sony receiver (Sony STR-DE825) and I am willing to spend between $400 and $600. I am only looking at Sony models, and from what I have seen the Sony STRDE875 just about fits my criteria. The only problem is that this receiver does not support Dolby Pro Logic II. Basically, is there any Sony receiver on the market that meets my criteria, and if not, when do the new models become available?

You haven't said what your criteria is/are.

You mention that the DE825 doesn't support DPL2, but don't say whether or not this is a criteria.

What are you looking for in a receiver? (video switching, power, # of digital inputs, multi-room, learning remote, etc., etc., etc.)

Yes, Dolby Pro Logic II is one of my criteria. The other major issue would be price range. As far as the other features are concerned basic options and connections should be fine. I'm not up to date on options such as a learning remote, etc. but if they fall within my price range it can't hurt to have them as well. If there is any other info I left out that might be helpful please let me know.

If you are planning to upgrade your current DE series receiver, I would do so with a DB or ES line instead. There is a step up in quality with both lines of receivers that frankly makes the DE series look a bit shabby.

I am not usre if the current 825 you have does DD and DTS decoding but if it foes, there is no need to upgrade to the 875. The only new feature on that unit is a virtual 6.1 mode, which is not hat big a deal.

J

Actually, the main reason I need to upgrade my receiver, and have needed to for awhile now, is that it does not support DTS. Sony did not support DTS when I purchased my receiver about 3 or 4 years ago and now DTS has become somewhat of a standard. I don't want to run into the same problem with Dolby Pro Logic II as I know off hand that a few of the Nintendo GameCube titles will be supporting Dolby Pro Logic II.

I would second Master J's recommendation to look at Sony's DB line. In your price range you're likely to get more bang for your buck than you would the ES line, which can cost quite a bit more. The DB line is much nicer and more reliable than the DE line.

You don't say why you're so set on getting a Sony receiver. If you aren't absolutely locked into Sony, I would recommend the Onkyo 595 or the equivalent Denon (model 1802 maybe?). Both have DPLII and are incredible receivers in their price range. You can get the Onkyo online for under $400.

For the record, I have a Sony DE-845 now, but will be upgrading to the Denon later this year. I found the build quality to be much better and the sound much warmer and more pleasing than my Sony. I will say the Onkyo is very close to the Denon, but with a better remote.

This is most likely out of your range but the 555ES is an amazing piece of electonics...you could also look into the 1075 which supports 6 channels.

Actually, I was at the Good Guys today asking about the DB series and the 1075 and the salesman said that the 1075 was comprable. Not sure I'll be getting either at this point as it looks as if Sony is not supporting Dolby II for this year's models.

For what it's worth I upgraded from the Sony DE line to the Denon and was like night and day to me.

The receivers are somewhat comparable when you look at the feature set, but in reality there are some major differences. That guy was just trying to make a sale with the model he had on the showroom. I would say the DB series is closer to the ES line, then the DE series being close to the DB.

Overall, the DB uses better parts and construction. The DB series is a very heavy receiver where as a DE is much lighter. Though weight is not a great measurement, it does show that higher quality materials were used.

Another major difference is the way the power is rated. In the DB line it is full bandwidth rated power. DE rates their power at 1 khz. Receivers that rate their power in this way, do so so just for marketing reasons, and attempt to full uninformed consumers by portraying themselves as 500 watt receivers.

I mentioned the weight, but the cosmetics on the DB line is also alot nicer. It has a nice fold down front panel (not cluttered buttons like the DEs), and the front is also made of metal and not the DE plastic. I am not sure on the higher up DEs but the DB series should also have better terminals on the back of the receiver for inputs and speakers.

The DB gives you a nice classy package overall, whereas the DE is a bit lacking compared to other receivers.

J