★★★★★ 1
Product does not function as befits a brand name like Sony
Review updated after TWO returns to the repair center and MANY calls to both Support and the CS Escalation department:
I'M STILL NOT PLEASED WITH THIS PRODUCT. During startup, this receiver bounces back and forth from input source to input source as if I triggered a roulette wheel. Where will it finally stop?
In my case, I most often use Video input. Sometimes during startup, it will momentarily display the Video input as expected, but will then start jumping/fishing around to other inputs types, including those I've never used. Eventually, it may return to the Video input, but it will not display the actual video or audio content. Instead, it just displays a black banner that reads VIDEO. I then have to turn the receiver off and on again hoping that maybe it will work this time.
Neither Sony's escalation Team, nor the repair facility will answer the simple question, "What SHOULD it do when I first turn it on?"
In addition, on at least two occasions, during startup, I saw PLEASEWAIT written across the display for 75 seconds before the device actually started up OR rebooted. (Note: THIS issue appears to be resolved by the repair center replacing a circuit board.)
Another related annoyance is that when video content changes (e.g., from a show to a commercial, back to a commercial on YouTube), each break in the chain displays 5+ seconds of black screen even though you can hear the audio. This doesn't sound like much, but when it does this every time, it gets annoying AND is infinitely longer than my previous 10 y/o receiver.)
About 2-3 times an hour, while viewing consistent content from the same input, the screen will suddenly go black, then the audio drops out, and then it will flash a HDCP 2.3 warning blue screen. Unacceptable!
In short, and IMHO, the audio quality is very good, but basic functionality is SEVERELY clunky. Again, IMHO, this product should have NEVER gone to market.
The combination of poor functionality AND a dismal customer experience forever diminishes Sony's former world-class brand status.
P.S.: Sony's Escalation department told me that they simply DO NOT provide refunds if you've had the product more than 30 days. So make sure that you test ALL functionality as soon as it arrives.
Caveat emptor.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2025
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