Introduction to the Sony STR-DN1070
The STR-DN1070 continues a long line of great performing Sony home theater receiver predecessors, including the STR-DN1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, and 1060. What does the STR-DN1070 offer? Here is a look at some of what you get if you choose to go with it.
Channel Configuration and Surround Sound Audio Decoding
The foundation of the STR-DN1070 is its 7.2 channel configuration (seven speaker and two subwoofer channels) with additional audio-only powered or line-out Zone 2 support and Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding.
HDMI Connectivity
Physical connectivity includes six 3D, 4K, and HDR-compatible HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, and analog-to-HDMI video conversion with 1080p and 4K video upscaling (HDMI sources only). The HDMI inputs/outputs are also HDCP 2.2 compliant. This provides the necessary copy-protection for access to compatible 4K streaming content sources (such as Netflix) and content from the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format.
USB and Network Streaming
A front-mounted USB port provides access to audio and video content from iPod, iPhone, or USB flash drives. The STR-DN1070 includes built-in wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) network connectivity. When connected to your home network, the STR-DN1070 can access content from DLNA compatible sources (media servers, PCs), internet radio, and services such as Spotify Connect. For direct streaming, the STR-DN1070 incorporates Airplay, Bluetooth, and NFC. The Bluetooth feature is bidirectional; you can stream content directly to the receiver from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled source or stream content from the receiver to a compatible Bluetooth headset.
Hi-Res Audio
In keeping with Sony’s commitment to hi-res audio, the STR-DN1070 is equipped with the ability to play back several types of hi-res audio files via HDMI, USB, streamed from a media server, or another compatible source device over a local network. Some of these file formats include ALAC, AIFF, FLAC, WAV, and DSD.
Easy Setup
The STR-DN1070 provides an easy way to fine-tune your speaker setup with its Digital Cinema Auto Calibration automatic speaker setup system. With the use of a provided plug-in microphone, the D.C.A.C. uses a series of test tones to determine the proper speaker levels based on how it reads the speaker placement in relation to the acoustic properties of the room.
What the STR-DN1070 Doesn’t Have
Although the STR-DN1070 continues the trend of home theater receivers serving several roles (system control, audio and video processing, and internet/direct streaming), you won’t find some traditional features, such as component and S-video connections, multichannel analog inputs/outputs, and no direct phono input for connection of a traditional vinyl record turntable. So, if you have old home theater components that use any of those connection options, take note. Although a built-in FM radio tuner is included, the STR-DN1070 does not have an AM radio tuner. Since most users don’t listen to AM radio on a home theater receiver, this is probably not a big deal.
The Bottom Line
Although the Sony STR-DN1070 does not provide some of the connection options and surround sound decoding that may appeal to high-end users, it does provide the needed power output (100 WPC x 7), solid cored audio, video features, and added support for streaming and hi-res audio that can meet the needs for a modest or midrange home theater setup. The STR-DN1070 was introduced in 2016. Sony has discontinued the product, but it is still available via several sources. Refurbished and used units in good working order are worth considering. However, if you are looking to upgrade your system to support the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X surround sound formats, you might want to consider its successors: the STR-DN1080 and STR-1090.
