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. Sound from my Sony TV are incredible as but. But having this reciever would bring my home entertainment to an all new level. The surround sound will have me fully impressed in whatever I’m watching. All of my playstation games will get an incredible upgrade.

  2. i hate when i watch something i cant make out the dialogue, maybe i can tweak the setting with this to make it better

  3. We just moved across the country and I’m just starting to put together a new tv/stereo set up. This would be perfect to start my system.

  4. Because 2 of the inputs in the future will upscale video from 4K to 8K and will support native 8K video when it becomes a thing!

  5. Two features that are the most value for me are wireless and auto calibration settings,

  6. The two features that are the most value for me are wireless and auto calibration settings,

  7. It would be a great way to become the “brains” of my setup by being able to connect my different components and controlling it all from one remote.

  8. Would love to win this for my husband. He is retired and really loves his music. Wish me luck…

  9. I would like to have the receiver because I would be able to hook up speakers for more cinema like sound.

  10. Watching sports on television at home would be exactly one thousand times better with a good sound setup, which starts with a receiver!

  11. Better sound quality would be a definite bonus if I were fortunate enough to win this receiver. thanks Best Buy for another superb giveaway.

  12. We just got a new OLED tv from best buy and a new receiver would really make the home theatre complete!

  13. I’d like a receiver to get better sound since I am currently using the built in TV speakers

  14. My current receiver is about 15 yrs old and I would love to upgrade. I can’t imaging watching TV, movies, sports without a receiver and the great experience.

  15. I’d want to add a receiver to my home entertainment set up because my current one is over 40 years old. Thank you.

  16. I would like to add this receiver to my home because it supports Chromecast, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect

  17. I love this because I think the Sony STR-AN1000 receiver would take my home entertainment system to the next level! Thank you.

  18. Love to hook up a receiver to my entertainment unit for more powerful and immersive speaker setup. Surround sound with subwoofer.

Comments are closed.