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Specifications
Tuning range: FM, MW
Power output: 90 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Surround output: 90W (front), 90W (center), 90W (rear)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 70kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.09%
Input sensitivity: 500mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 96dB (line)
Output: 500mV (line)
Speaker load impedance: 8Ω to 16Ω
Digital inputs: coaxial, optical
Video Connections: component, composite
Dimensions: 430 x 157.5 x 312mm
Weight: 8kg
Accessories: RM-U306B remote control
Year: 2004
Repair:
No Remote
Cleaned and Serviced
DN4-110125
At USD299, this STR-DE597 is ambitiously priced for a 2004-era 6.1 receiver—typical used market value lands in the USD100-200 range for clean examples, depending on cosmetics and functionality. It's a solid mid-tier Sony with 90W/ch stereo punch, Dolby Digital EX/DTS-ES decoding, and component switching, but age and tech obsolescence keep it from commanding more unless it's pristine with all bits.
Buyers should verify the power supply caps aren't bulging or leaking—common failure on these after 20 years—and test all digital inputs (coaxial/optical) plus the 5.1 analog for noise-free operation. Insist on the RM-U306B remote and manual; missing them drops value fast. Probe usage history to dodge abused smoker units.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
See all Sony listings on RADAR.
