Sony STRDH190.CEK 2 Channel Amplifier with Phone Input and Bluetooth - Black

Set up was quick and connected to turntable so I could play my old LPs. Sounds fantastic. Powerful good quality audio, brilliant controls and even used the radio :).

I purchased this amplifier to replace an AKAI AM-U22 unit that had started to malfunction after 37 years service. I needed a full set of RCA sockets on the new unit in order to connect with my other equipment in the studio, and the Sony STRDH190.CEK has ample. I have connected my original pair of Goodmans Quartet speakers, plus a feed to two YAMAHA HS8 studio monitors, and the sound is excellent, and very powerful. I have also plugged my computer soundcard into the Sony via a jackplug to RCA adapter lead and that also matches up with no distortion or loss of sound quality. The components used in the manufacture of the amplifier are all heavy duty and the unit oozes quality in all respects, a mid -range price for a top-range product. The stereo receiver is an added bonus and was easy to set up and find channels, and I can now listen to the radio in full theatre quality surround sound. I have not tried the Bluetooth circuit or the 'portable audio device' socket, but feel sure they would work perfectly if required. Would definitely recommend.

I’m thrilled to bits with my purchase. I had been looking vaguely for an amplifier to replace my Pioneer A10, but which would enable me to play my Hi-res Walkman player through it without having to use a separate BlueTooth receiver. I had tried that but the sound quality was not great - a bit tinny and lacking in depth.This Sony unit is the answer to my prayers. The sound quality is really great - I use a pair of (rather elderly but superb) TannoyMercury M3 speakers - and is definitely superior to my Pioneer amp. The remote control is just right, allowing access to all the functions you need without any difficulty. The BlueTooth input is a dream, connecting instantly with my WalkMan and producing a sound clarity that exceeds what I would have believed possible having regard to the limitations inherent in the BlueTooth process. I presume that the fact that I’m linking two Sony products may have something to do with this.Do I have any reservations at all? No - except perhaps that I didn’t buy this sooner! The build quality and value for money are just unbelievable.

This Sony is a rare beast: a stereo receiver of the sort that most people once owned, but are now vanishingly rare. Even better, it looks the part, making it a perfect match for retro audio equipment as well, which is why I'm using it. It avoids the complexity of modern equipment: there are lots of inputs (strictly analogue), a big volume knob, another knob for input selection and, er, that's about it. Excellent. The remote control provides additional features, such as bass and treble, input selection and radio presets, and is a custom design rather than a generic handset pressed into service.There are many nice touches. For instance, all the inputs can be named onscreen, so instead of having Input 1, Input 2 etc you can have 'Cassette', 'Minidisc' and so on. There are built-in inputs for Bluetooth (basic but functional), a mobile device (connected with a 3.5mm lead) and Phono. With the latter, you can adjust the gain by up to 6db, which is a great help as the output from most magnetic cartridges is very low. There is no direct provision for connecting a sub-woofer but there are a couple of workarounds i.e. connect it to the Line Out but keep an eye on the volume control of the sub-woofer, or connect it to the second set of loudspeaker outputs if your sub-woofer can handle that level of signal.Overall, sound quality and performance is good, especially for the price. It would be nice if Sony produced an updated version, with a DAB radio in place of FM and a proper sub-woofer output, but Sony know what they are doing. Or do they? Here's the main problem with this unit - it buzzes. Noticeably. It's a combination of the power supply's relatively cheap transformer and resonance from the top of the case. The workaround is to have something sitting on top of the unit, such as a CD player or MiniDisc deck, to help dampen it. That works, although it's not great practice as the receiver needs to disseminate heat. But as long as the unit in top has feet to provide clearance and you use the receiver at normal listening levels then it seems to suffice. Rather ironically, the Sony features a 'direct sound' mode to switch off extraneous noise from the electronics and give a 'pure' sound. Great sense of humour, guys.Overall, this is a nice unit but note the above points about buzzing.

Great sound, used with 4 speakers. Plenty of options to set up. The remote is useful. I used cable with proper plug ends but you can use bare wire, but why would you if you paid this much for an amplifier. Instructions are good.

A nice peice if kit easy set up good sound quality for the price im proper happy would defo buy again and a decent price

The media could not be loaded. I have been a fan of Sony quality products all my life, had many items over the years, including my current TV, can't believe I can only give this amp 2 stars. That is due to after just two weeks of using, it has an incessant hum that is not acceptable. Looking online, other people have had the same issue with this model. It's gone back to Amazon for repair, I sort of hope it can't be, so I can get a refund and buy another make. Had several HiFi amps and never had one him like this, my last Marantz was silent, as was the Rotel before that. Very odd for a Sony item. The amp is very good functionally and great sound connected to my Systemdek turntable or Bluetooth to my phone, even more of a shame it has such a flaw!Update 27 Jan 25: Amp returned from Amazon repair after 3 weeks, no fault found, still hums like a good one!! Amazon have refunded, I've bought a similar, slightly more expensive Denon amp and it is 100% silent. I can only conclude the Sony receiver/amplifier has an inherent design fault, which I find unacceptable in 2025, it should not be like the mid 80's and reminiscent of a scene out of Back to the Future!!!