Main trade-off
Sony STR-AN1000
Only two high-frame-rate HDMI inputs.
Head-to-head
Sony STR-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-S770H: Sony adds wireless-rear options, Denon accepts a third fast source and phono
The short answer
Choose Sony AN1000 for compatible Sony wireless rears and two display outputs. Choose Denon S770H for three fast HDMI inputs, HEOS and a direct MM turntable connection. Both power a real 5.1.2 layout.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Three fast sources and two displays split the answer
The Denon has the third fast input, while Sony has the second output.
What this is based on
AN1000 provides two 4K120 inputs and two outputs. S770H provides three 4K120 inputs and one output.
Main trade-off
Denon AVR-S770H
Only one display output.
Sony STR-AN1000
- Choose it for
- Sony SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 wireless rears are planned
- TV and projector should stay connected
- Main trade-off
- Only two high-frame-rate HDMI inputs.
Denon AVR-S770H
- Choose it for
- Three 4K120 sources need receiver inputs
- An MM turntable and HEOS are part of everyday listening
- Main trade-off
- Only one display output.
About this comparison
Compare Sony AN1000 and Denon S770H for wireless rears, two displays, three fast HDMI sources, phono inputs and real 5.1.2 speaker layouts.
Choose Sony AN1000 for compatible Sony wireless rears and two display outputs. Choose Denon S770H for three fast HDMI inputs, HEOS and a direct MM turntable connection. Both power a real 5.1.2 layout.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Sony SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 rear speakers
Sony explicitly documents compatibility and a calibration workflow.
- Sony STR-AN1000
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Caution
Three 4K120 sources connect directly
AN1000 has two suitable inputs against three on S770H.
- Sony STR-AN1000
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Better fit
A TV and projector remain connected
Sony has two outputs against one.
- Sony STR-AN1000
- Better fit
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Caution
A phono-only MM turntable
S770H includes an MM phono input. Sony requires a separate stage.
- Sony STR-AN1000
- Caution
- Denon AVR-S770H
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Three fast sources and two displays split the answer
The Denon has the third fast input, while Sony has the second output.
How we reached this conclusion
AN1000 provides two 4K120 inputs and two outputs. S770H provides three 4K120 inputs and one output.
Virtual surround does not add powered channels
Sony's phantom-speaker processing should not be counted as a physical 7.1.2 layout.
How we reached this conclusion
Its manual documents seven main amplified channels with 7.1 or 5.1.2 wiring and separately describes a perceived 7.1.2 effect.
A wireless rear plan still has a setup requirement
Compatible Sony rears must be connected for the receiver's auto calibration before using the spatial-mapping feature.
How we reached this conclusion
Sony documents SA-RS3S and SA-RS5 support and requires calibration with connected speakers for 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
Plan your receiver connectionsPlan my setup
Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.
Sony STR-AN1000
Supports your setup
Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz.
Denon AVR-S770H
Supports your setup
Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz.
A powered subwoofer is separate from the speaker-channel count. This checks one main room. Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments need another manual check. Allow ventilation space and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before installing.
Choice A
Sony, STR-AN1000
STR-AN1000
Seven amplifier channels support 7.1 or 5.1.2, with Sony wireless rear-speaker compatibility and two HDMI display outputs. Two of its six HDMI inputs handle 4K120.
- Best matched use
- A Sony wireless-rear 5.1.2 system
Checked facts
- 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
- 6 HDMI inputs, including 2 supporting 4K120 video
- 2 HDMI outputs
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX room setup
- 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
Choice B
Denon, AVR-S770H
AVR-S770H
Seven amplifiers cover either 7.1 surround or 5.1.2 with two heights. Six HDMI inputs and HEOS suit a mixed movie, game and music system.
- Best matched use
- A first 5.1.2 system with several sources
Checked facts
- 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
- 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
- 1 HDMI output
- Audyssey MultEQ room setup
- 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
- 6-inch chassis height with antennas horizontal, before ventilation space
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Sony STR-AN1000 | Denon AVR-S770H | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K120-capable HDMI inputs | 2 | 3 | The Denon fits a third fast source directly. |
| HDMI display outputs | 2 | 1 | Sony keeps both a TV and projector connected. |
| Dedicated MM phono input | No | Yes | Sony needs a separate phono stage for a phono-only turntable. |
| Room calibration | Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX | Audyssey MultEQ | The calibration workflows and processing features differ. |
| Documented rear-speaker route | Sony SA-RS3S and SA-RS5 wireless compatibility | Wired speaker-terminal layouts | Sony provides a specifically documented wireless-rear option. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Sony STR-AN1000
- No dedicated phono input.
If you choose Denon AVR-S770H
- No Sony wireless-rear compatibility documented in this receiver's setup record.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Sony SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 wireless rears are planned
Choose Sony STR-AN1000. It supports the specified Sony wireless rear models after the required setup and calibration.
Three 4K120 sources need receiver inputs
Choose Denon AVR-S770H. Its three designated 4K120 inputs accommodate all three sources.
Four physical height speakers need receiver amplification
Choose neither. The documented processing or internal-amplifier layouts do not cover this requirement. Choose a receiver with the required physical configuration.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Pick the wiring advantage you will actually use
Sony's compatible wireless rears can solve a specific rear-speaker connection problem. They are separate products and still need their own power arrangement. The Denon comparison record documents conventional wired layouts. Both receivers support five ear-level speakers plus two heights, so the Sony spatial-mapping terminology should not be used to count extra physical amplifier channels.
Count high-frame-rate inputs and screen outputs separately
Sony offers six HDMI inputs with two supporting 4K120, while the Denon offers six with three supporting it. Sony also has two HDMI outputs against one on Denon. A third gaming source points toward S770H, whereas a TV-and-projector room points toward AN1000. Using a TV input with eARC can change the wiring, but that adds a TV compatibility check.
Include the music sources and calibration work
S770H has an MM phono input and HEOS streaming. AN1000 requires a separate phono stage for a phono-only turntable and uses its own network music paths. Sony also requires auto calibration before its spatial-mapping feature can be used as intended. Choose around the equipment and setup process the household will use rather than treating a processing name as a sound-quality ranking.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Virtual or phantom channels are excluded from the physical-speaker planner. No listening comparison was performed.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current AV receivers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
18 of 34 models checked match every need here: “Add two height speakers”, “Use a TV and projector”, and “Connect an MM turntable directly”.
18 matching models from 34 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Add two height speakers”, “Use a TV and projector”, and “Connect an MM turntable directly”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony STR-AN1000 |
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| Denon AVR-S770H |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sony STR-AN1000
Sony SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 wireless rears are planned
See price & reviews on AmazonDenon AVR-S770H
Three 4K120 sources need receiver inputs
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