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 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.

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619 COMMENTS

  4. I’d love to add a receiver to my home theatre setup to get a more theatre like sound experience at home

  7. Although this is no longer the 1970’s where you could buy a receiver and you were pretty much assured you’d be future proofed for the next 20 years or maybe a bit more, this receiver does feel very future proofed. Certainly for me it does as I’m 58 years old so I’m thinking this should do everything I want and need for quite some time.

  8. My kids gave me a really nice, quality record player for Christmas and this would be a great addition.

  10. Our movie collection includes releases that aren’t exercised in the current system we are using,

  11. I would really like to win these ear buds. I could listen to music from my computer without interferring with others in the room!

  12. I would love to upgrade my old receiver that only works part of the time and be able to listen to all my records again

  13. I really appreciate good audio and video quality. I am an avid movie watcher and am currently only able to listen to audio directly from the TV. I have been planning on building up a surround sound system that will significantly improve my movie-watching experience.

    I love that there are so many varied inputs that futureproof the device (in the future I plan to add a projector, newer gaming systems, and a 4K bluray player), but it also allows my to connect my current and classic devices (I would love to use my quality speakers to listen to my records on my classic record player). I also appreciate the ability to add wireless speakers and to cast music and audio wirelessly.

  14. Sony is my favorite brand I own a 200 watts amp. for over 7years and would love to add this 7.2 surround to my basement for movies and I DJ for my personal pleasure.

  15. My current receiver is from the early 90’s. Enough said? Lol. But seriously we have these speakers in the ceiling of the house we moved in to and need some power to use them. We were told we need a stronger receiver!

  18. Love this to replace my 25yr Yamaha that doesnt have HDMI inputs. Yup I’m still living in the past. but this would really simplify my set up fo the family to use.

  19. I’d love to add a receiver to my home theatre setup to get a more theatre like sound experience at home

  25. A receiver would help us connect ‘vintage’ technology with new. Our TV and turntable, the Bluray, and the soundbar.

  31. It has higher resolution and framerate video, Also more and more streaming options.

  36. I’ve always used a soundbar, this would be a huge improvement for my home theatre set-up. I am a gamer and avid movie lover, so the 8k passthrough would definetly benefit my single player gaming experience and the overall movie experience. I also really like that it supports streaming services for music which would be really good for when family and friends come over.

  37. I’d want to add a receiver to my entertainment since I have a set of speakers and nothing to hook them up to yet.

  38. Wow it’s awesome. Two greatest features for me are: The Streaming services: AirPlay2, Roon Tested, Works with Sonos, Chrome Cast, Spotify Connect And high resolution wireless audio. When sound is better, all is better.

  39. I have not had a receiver in 35 years. To have beautiful sound fill my home would be a welcome change.
    Six HDMI inputs with a wire-free amp. It looks to be a very fine audio device, they have come a long way since the 70s.

  40. My husband is a cochlear implant recipient. He often struggles to hear dialogue on movies and TV shows. This would be a vast improvement to our TV’s audio quality and clarity and should really help him.

  41. The reason I have for adding this receiver is that it adds bluetooth connectivity to my system. Two features that I want are connectivity to streaming services (Spotify and Chromcast particularly) and video upscale.

  42. Being partially deaf I find hearing my regular television a real strain, this would greatly improve my quality of life

  43. My current receiver is a very old pioneer (bought it in 2000) with five speakers; the receiver connections only power 2 speakers now, and there is a low buzz. It would be great to have proper sound for a change.

  44. The last receiver I had died many years ago and have not had the opportunity to replace it so listening to sounds out of the TV speakers … would definitely like to change this. The 2 features of most interest are the wire free capability of the amp and 7.2.

  49. This would be a fantastic upgrade to my system as my current unit is probably 25 years old.

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