Sony STR-DA3500ES AV Receiver w/HDMI

Description

The Sony STR-DA3500ES is a premium 7.1-channel A/V receiver from Sony’s highly respected Elevated Standard (ES) series, designed to deliver audiophile-quality sound alongside comprehensive home theater capabilities. Introduced in 2009 as part of Sony’s upper-tier receiver lineup, the STR-DA3500ES combined robust amplification, advanced HD audio decoding, extensive connectivity, and Sony’s refined user interface into a receiver that appealed equally to music lovers and movie enthusiasts.

Delivering 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the STR-DA3500ES offers ample power for medium- to large-sized listening rooms. Unlike many mass-market receivers of its era, the ES line emphasized superior build quality, featuring a rigid chassis, premium internal components, and carefully engineered power supplies to reduce vibration and electrical noise. The result is a receiver capable of producing clean, dynamic sound whether reproducing a two-channel music recording or a demanding multichannel movie soundtrack.

The receiver supports all of the major high-definition surround formats of its day, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio, allowing Blu-ray discs to be enjoyed with full lossless sound quality. Sony’s proprietary HD Digital Cinema Sound (HD-D.C.S.) processing further enhances movie playback by recreating the acoustics of professional dubbing stages, while the onboard Digital Signal Processor offers numerous surround modes for both movies and music.

Connectivity is another strong point. The STR-DA3500ES provides four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, supporting 1080p video switching, Deep Color, x.v.Color, and HDMI-CEC (BRAVIA Sync). Legacy components are also well served with component, composite, optical, coaxial, and multichannel analog inputs, while 7.1-channel preamp outputs allow the addition of external power amplifiers. A built-in phono input accommodates moving-magnet turntables, making the receiver an excellent centerpiece for systems that combine both modern digital and traditional analog sources.

Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) system simplifies setup by automatically measuring speaker distances, levels, and equalization using the supplied microphone. The receiver’s graphical user interface and XrossMediaBar-inspired menu system were among the most intuitive available at the time, making configuration considerably easier than many competing receivers.

Sound quality is one of the receiver’s strongest attributes. The STR-DA3500ES produces a detailed, articulate presentation with excellent dialogue clarity and precise imaging. Music playback benefits from a neutral tonal balance and impressive stereo separation, while movie soundtracks are reproduced with convincing surround effects and crisp transient response. Although some competitors offered slightly greater low-frequency authority, Sony’s presentation remains refined and engaging.

What Hi-Fi? praised the receiver’s extensive feature set, calling it a “solid performer” with a “thorough HD specification.” The review highlighted its “crisp, crunchy treble” and “decent detail,” while noting that its automatic calibration system is “fast and efficient.” The publication concluded that the STR-DA3500ES delivers a strong all-around performance despite fierce competition in its price class.

Today, the STR-DA3500ES continues to enjoy an excellent reputation among used-market buyers. Its combination of premium ES construction, reliable amplification, comprehensive connectivity, and excellent audio performance makes it an attractive choice for listeners seeking a high-quality home theater receiver that remains highly capable even years after its introduction.

Review Quotes

• “A solid performer.” — What Hi-Fi?
• “Crisp, crunchy treble.” — What Hi-Fi?
• “Decent detail.” — What Hi-Fi?
• “Fast and efficient” (describing the DCAC auto-calibration system). — What Hi-Fi?

Specifications

• Type: 7.1-channel A/V receiver
• Power Output: 100 watts per channel (8Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.09% THD)
• Amplifier Design: High-current analog ES amplifier
• Surround Formats: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIx
• Sony Processing: HD Digital Cinema Sound (HD-D.C.S.)
• Auto Calibration: Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• HDMI: 4 inputs / 1 output
• Video Support: 1080p switching and upscaling, Deep Color, x.v.Color, 24p pass-through
• HDMI Control: BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC)
• Digital Inputs: 4 optical, 3 coaxial
• Analog Inputs: Multiple stereo inputs plus 7.1-channel multichannel input
• Phono Input: Moving Magnet (MM)
• Preamp Outputs: 7.1-channel
• Digital Media Port: Yes
• Speaker Configuration: A/B/A+B with Bi-Amp capability
• Tuner: AM/FM with RDS and 60 station presets
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 157.5 × 388 mm (16.9 × 6.2 × 15.3 in.)
• Weight: Approximately 12.5 kg (27.6 lb.)