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

  2. This would be a fantastic upgrade to my system as my current unit is probably 20 years old.

  5. I’d like this receiver so that I could have my gaming consoles and computer all going through one sound system. Plus being able to use Apple play would be amazing!

  7. My “theatre” system now is from the pre-HDMI era, so nothing uses HDMI connectors, luckily all I have is a ps3 so everything works direct to tv or optical cable. This unit would finally bring me to the 21st century.

  12. Having a receiver would be great to help facilitate using all my media in a single place

  14. This receiver would work well with my TV especially since I’m hard of hearing,

  15. I need a new receiver to replace my old one. The volume knob turns but either does nothing or goes down when it should go up and v.v. Frustrating!

  20. I would love to control my tv and devices, along with my record player, all in one place

  23. Could use one to replace my 20 year old receiver, 6 hdmi and 7.2 surround sound what could be better

  25. i like the feature of this as that it has six HDMI inputs so i can connect a TV, projector, or gaming console as well as my audio peripherals and enjoy low latency HD video from any input i choose!.

  26. Ddnt have an interest or need in getting one, as have had a great sound system surround sound before, never used it, but if got one, that’s free. Who knows.

  27. I already have a receiver, 14 years old, today’s receiver are more dynamic, as such, I need an update, I’m missing that realistic experience in today’s technology.

  28. I would have to say that the better sound would make a better experience with listening to music videos/concerts as well as movies.

  29. present time don’t have a television would be nice to have a receiver so that I could get a tv

  32. My husband is over 80 and spends a great number of hours a day watching TV. This would be a wonderful addition to his experience when he can’t be out in the garden.

  34. Our current receiver is over 30 years old; definitely could use a new one with all the perks to give a better television experience!

  46. I have always been a believer in having – and always had – a receiver as the center of our home entertainment set up (as modest as it is…we try with the parts we have). We would absolutely love to add this receiver to our home entertainment set up as we just had to replace our old TV (the old one died – but we are very excited to have a new one!)… unfortunately, our receiver is also old and cannot provide/pass through the signals that the new TVs require to look and function at their best. We are trying to create a setup that the kids and their friends can hang out and enjoy (and stay out of trouble 🙂 ).

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