We’ve given away a handful of receivers over the years through contests. And we have plenty of articles on the blog focused on reviewing, advising, and educating on receivers. Yet, even as an editor familiar with this content, I still don’t know enough about what something like the Sony STR-AN1000 receiver, which we’re giving away, actually does. So, do you, like me, wonder what a receiver is and why you should have one in your home theatre set up? Then, read on to learn what one can do for you and enter for a chance to win!

What’s a receiver?

A receiver is a device that manages and transmits audio and video signals to connected devices. It both receives and sends signals through devices connected as inputs and outputs. For example, a receiver can efficiently facilitate 7.2 channel surround sound audio by receiving audio from a movie or a song (from your TV or record player) and sending it to the 7 connected speakers and 2 connected subwoofers in your audio system.

Before the early 2000s, receivers were certainly more common in home theatre setups. But then the technological landscape changed. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi actually became commonly used methods of wireless transmission. Portable speakers and streaming media from the world wide web meant that consumers didn’t have to have an old-fashioned bulky box with a mess of wires coming out of it in their living rooms. High quality sound bars, TVs with decent standalone audio, tablets, phones, and headphones are so convenient for watching and listening to media that we don’t really see the need for a product that centralizes these devices for us. So why does your home theatre need a receiver?

Modern receivers are designed for modern technology

You may think a receiver is an old-fashioned thing to have but, now that we have endless devices to enjoy media with, they’re more relevant than ever. For instance, the Sony STR-AN1000 is a modern receiver that supports Chromecast, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect so you can wireless play all your media no matter what device it’s on. It has six HDMI inputs so you can connect a TV, projector, or gaming console as well as your audio peripherals and enjoy low latency HD video from any input you choose. Two of the inputs will even upscale video from 4K to 8K and will support native 8K video when Ultra HD becomes more commonplace. In other words, the receiver futureproofs for you!

Jason, our resident film and audio expert, reviewed the STR-AN1000 and found that it could easily handle challenging music while still delivering nuance and volume. It will also support a full 7.2 speaker set up, and additional wireless speakers too, so you can enjoy cinema-worthy audio. With these excellent features (and you can read the full review to find out even more!) you can be assured that your media set up is in good hands. With more and more devices becoming part of our daily world, receivers are designed for managing a growing network so that you can enjoy audio and video in excellent quality and with more convenience.

How to enter

Entering this contest is easy and you can enter in two different ways.

  1. In a comment below, tell us one reason why you’d want to add a receiver to your home entertainment set up.
  2. In a comment below Jason’s review of the Sony STR-AN1000 receiver, tell us two of its features you believe provide the most value for you.

What you can win

At the end of this contest we will randomly select one winner from all eligible entries. The winner will receive the Sony STR-AN1000 receiver that was used for a review on the blog.

This contest runs from May 31st to June 14th.

Remember, you can enter this contest in two different ways. Receivers can take the experience of home entertainment to movie theatre levels so make sure to share this contest with anyone you think would enjoy some elevated media in their life.

Good luck!

Sony Receiver Contest Rules and Regulations

Mahima Bhagwat
Mahima is an editor at Best Buy Canada. She likes to watch sci-fi, supernatural, horror, and comedy TV shows and movies, and plays video games in her free time. When not avidly consuming content, she pursues her passion for storytelling by editing books and short stories, specializing in speculative fiction.

619 COMMENTS

  1. I would love to have a receiver to improve audio quality while watching movies and sports games.

  2. I would love a receiver so that I can get the best audio quality when watching my favourite movies and shows with my family and friends!

  3. I would love a receiver so that I can get the best audio quality when watching my favorite movies.

  4. This would be great to have because I’d be able to have the bluetooth system for my entertainment purposes plus it would be great to have the convenience of this machine

  5. I run 2 TVs via my PC. But I also run a VCR and various other electronics with all audio running through a cheap, sub $40 Portable Soundbar. I even had to order up an external auto switching device, just so all the disperat tech would play nice together. I can honestly say that a Receiver would be a much better solution.

  6. I would use it for gaming. I like the HDR, network and Dolby TrueHD features from review

  7. I would love a receiver so that I can get the best audio quality when watching my favourite movies.

  8. I would love to have a receiver to improve audio quality while watching movies and sports games.

  9. My 11 year old receiver is the weakest link in my setup, and really needs to be upgraded. This Sony would more than foot that bill.

  10. My old Technics receiver, which I bought while I was in university, has recently died.
    I’ve never had an AV receiver.

  11. I love listening to music. This receiver would allow me to enjoy “cinema-worthy audio”.

  12. Our home theatre’s audio and video could both benefit from an upgrade and a receiver like this that would better connect our various devices. Our current setup has been cobbled together over the past 20+ years. We are currently trying to make it all work with cables, adapters, switches and splitters. Its functional but far from ideal and nowhere near 7.2 channel surround sound nor 4k/8k.

  13. I actually was thinking about getting this receiver but decided that I can’t afford it, so winning it would actually be amazing!

  14. I would love to get my hands on the Sony Receiver to complement my current 5.1 speaker system.

  15. I would love a receiver so I can enjoy a great quality audio and video from Sony. This will make watching TV more memorable.

  16. I want to add this receiver to my home theatre because my current one is 14 years old and needs a big upgrade. I need arc ports for my new Sony 4k TV I bought to use for my PS5

  17. We spent money on a good tv, and we have be wondering if we go sound bar or receiver and speakers. This receiver is clearly a better choice than any soundbar!

  18. ajouter un récepteur à ma configuration de mon téléviseur afin avoir un audio optimisé pour une soirée cinéma parfaite avec un excellent popcorn!!!

  19. We just have a tv, no additional speakers. Adding this receiver would allow us to really enjoy our movie nights.

  20. I want to add a received to my home entertainment set up because I don’t even have one! 😉

  21. My old system died would love a new receiver as right now I am just using my TV speakers

  22. I need a TV upgrade so it would mean an upgrade at the receiver position as well. UHD capability and enhanced sound would be most beneficial

  23. I want to add a receiver to my home entertainment setup so I can take movie night to the next level.

  24. I want a receiver to get better quality audio – it’s time to upgrade the whole setup.

  25. I would love a receiver so I can enjoy audio and video in great quality with my family.

  26. Would add that extra bit of theatre to the home. All the pings and tings that make you immersed in your movie or game.

Comments are closed.