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CactusDawg's stats
- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes29
- First reviewFebruary 10, 2013
- Last reviewJuly 17, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
- Review comment count3
- Helpfulness votes10
- First review commentMay 31, 2011
- Last review commentJuly 25, 2013
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count3
- Helpfulness votes3
- First answerJuly 25, 2013
- Last answerJuly 25, 2013
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
CactusDawg's Reviews
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
Customer Rating
5
Good Quality Versus Price
on July 17, 2013
Posted by: CactusDawg
from Tucson, AZ
The bargain basement price of this receiver belies its quality. I imagine this receiver shares many internal components with other Sony receivers to keep the cost down.
The best thing about this receiver is that, if you lose the remote, you can still access almost all of the features needed to operate the receiver.
The unit is heavy, meaning it has a hefty power supply. The knobs and displays have a good ergonomic feel and look to them. The unit feels solid and looks good.
I did not really use the AM or FM much, but I can say the supplied FM antenna would be better replaced by the tried and true “folded dipole” of days of yore, and a balun. The FM antenna connector is a standard F connector, like on your TV or VCR.
I wondered why then tell you to disconnect the power before connecting the speakers, but modern electronics never completely shut down; they have power going to the circuits. I did follow this warning and had no problems.
I used lawn lighting 16 gauge 2 conductor wire for the speakers. The wire had a ridging for polarity. Save money; any good wire will do as well as so-called speaker wire.
What's great about it: Sounds and Looks Good
What's not so great: Nothing Yet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Ease of Use
5
Features
5
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0points
3of 6voted this as helpful.
Bose's best bookshelf speakers are updated to provide an even more spacious, natural listening experience. They're great for stereo, or as a front- or rear-channel solution for home theater.Learn more about Bose products and proprietary technologies in our Bose Store.
Customer Rating
5
Buy This One!
on July 15, 2013
Posted by: CactusDawg
from Tucson, AZ
Having been around audio since 1958, I have seen all kinds of fads come and go. The Bose line of audio equipment endures based on firm engineering principles. I first saw the Bose 901 at the 1968 Hi-Fi show in NYC Trade Show Building and I was impressed.
The loudspeaker is the part of the audio system that actually makes the sound. With current technology, it is the most important part of the system’s equation. In this area, the Bose 301 does not disappoint.
The sound is neutral; the bass is only there when called for; as opposed to an overly resonant “chesty” mid-bass. The treble is there and is not peaky or strident.
I have a very large living room and the Bose 301’s have no problem filling the room with high-quality sound. I am using a low-end Sony 2.0 channel (“Stereo” to you old timers) receiver with no problems.
The speakers are pricey… but you are getting a well-engineered product where quality rules over mass-marketing.
Dr. Bose was an inventor and scientist is the tradition of Edwin H. (Major) Armstrong, the inventor of FM radio. Dr. Bose’s work shows in these fine speakers.
What's great about it: Excellent Sound
What's not so great: Pricey
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
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+3points
5of 7voted this as helpful.
Enhance your video games and movies with this Samsung S24C570H 23.6" widescreen LED HD monitor, which features 1920 x 1080 resolution and 250 cd/m² brightness for a stunning, true-to-life picture. VGA and HDMI inputs offer flexible connectivity.
Posted by: CactusDawg
from Tucson, AZ
Having remembering Samsung from their day of making budget TV’s, I approached this monitor with prejudice. I saw the monitor in Best Buy and it was better constructed and more stable on its pedestal that the others.
The setup is very easy, the only tool you need is a small coin. I took the monitor out and assembled it with the white covering and only took it off after it was on my desk and connected – avoiding scratching the display or case.
Install the software that comes with the monitor. It will make your job much easier and quicker, especially if you are using it on a laptop.
The lack of a DVI connector is not really a big deal anymore. 99.9% of computers made in the last five years have an HDMI port; use it! The analog VGA port will not do justice to the capabilities of this monitor.
The external power supply is a very good feature. Most monitor failures occur because the power supply stopped working and fixing or replacing an internal supply can be a “tough dog” to fix.
I am very satisfied with this monitor; the Best Buy sale price even made me happier.
What's great about it: Base and Assembly
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Design
5
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
This ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 high-speed cable modem delivers 8-channel downstream data speeds up to 343.1 Mbps for fast Internet connection. The internal filter helps minimize interference for enhanced performance.
Posted by: CactusDawg
from Tucson, AZ
I use it in...:Apartment
I have used several different modems on my high-speed internet connection and this beats them all. Don’t waste your time with any other modem!
The difference is quite apparent with Net Flix, YouTube and other video services. It handles several streams at once; you can use your computer while watching Net Flix with no slow down. Previously, Net Flix would give me a “loading” message and the movie would stop. No more!
The modem comes in white. That was the only color BB had several weeks ago. I found it funny as the technically challenged would now be able to tell the modem from the router. Tech support: “The modem is the WHITE box.”
My only gripe is that it stands vertically. I put mine horizontally with the wall mount cutouts on the bottom not to block the ventilation holes.
What's great about it: Speed, Easy to Set Up
What's not so great: Only Stands Vertically, Pricey
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Performance
5
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+17points
18of 19voted this as helpful.
CactusDawg's Review Comments
Keep your important computer components running with this 400-watt ATX power supply that features a 6-pin PCI Express connector.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great PSU
By BatDealer
from New Mexico
My old Best Buy rig I got for school had an old PSU that wouldn't support PCI-E among other things so I was stuck using the onboard video, which was horrendous. Bought this today and installed it along with my Nvidia 9800GT and things are looking much better, literally. Although the price online and the price in-store was different, I am still satisfied with this PSU. For a 400 Watt that supports numerous Sata and 1 PCI-E you can't go wrong. Just not sure why the price in store was $59.99 when it shows online as an in-store pick-up option for $49.99.
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ
Lasted a Little Under FIVE Months
May 31, 2011
Computer was fed with a good APC UPS, from a dedicated line. Awoke one AM to find computer not getting power from all rails. Worked great before it went South.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5If only it would work
By asdjfljflksadjfl
from Owings Mills, MD
This was a decent receiver while it worked, but I've had two duds now. The first one worked for less than one week and then it wouldn't turn on. Best Buy was excellent and replaced it with a new one. The replacement worked for about a month and now it, too, won't turn on. If it happened once I'd say it's an anomaly, but not twice. Just about every piece of AV equipment I have is Sony, but this is junk. Sony should be embarrassed.
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ
Try a UPS/Good Surge Protector Read Instructions
July 25, 2013
This computer has a micro processor (mini computer) that controls its function. Like a computer it can be damaged by dirty power. I have mine on a APC UPS along with my juke box computer and HDTV. No problems.
Obviously, there is something wrong with your hookup if you are blowing out two receivers.
Power is not removed from the internal circuits when the unit is off. Like the new computers, power is still applied. Unplug it and be safe BEFORE connecting speakers and inputs.
-1point
6of 13voted this comment as helpful.
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Receiver would not receive my fm station
By QCBud
from Quad cities, Il.
I took the receiver back because it would not bring in the fm station I wanted.
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ
Try a Different Antenna
July 25, 2013
A pair of rabbit ears (about $10) will beat the hunk of wire antenna that came with the receiver.
0points
3of 6voted this comment as helpful.
CactusDawg's Questions
CactusDawg has not submitted any questions.
CactusDawg's Answers
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
Can I hook up a separate control amplifier to the sony str dh130
I received some very expensive but older components as a gift. I have an amplifier and a control amplifier. I want to hook up the str dh130 to them in order to provide extra power and central control for volume, etc. Can I hook up this control amplifier to the str hd dh 130? The control amp is a Nakamichi CA SA II
Hooking anything other than a loudspeaker of the correct impedance to the speaker terminals could severely damage the receiver. The "tape outputs" of the receiver are not controlled by the bass, treble or volume control, a difficult arrangement to manage.
10 years, 9 months ago
by
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
how can I hook up an equalizer (which outputs and or inputs)
What you need to find on a receiver what used to be called the "tape monitor" switch and in and out connections for a tape deck. This configuration was used to allow a high end studio quality tape recorders with three heads the ability to monitor what was recorded downstream from the record head.
You could also put in a graphic equalizer or compander is line instead of the tape recorder. I have not seen this feature in years. Fisher in the old days would have it on all its amps and receivers.
You could place the equalizer between the source (CD player, MP 3 player etc) and the receiver using RCA cables. But, you would have to swap out cables for each device. Radio Shack used to make a switch box with three stereo inputs and one stereo output. You could use this. I am sure other manufacturers make one like it, too.
You could also put in a graphic equalizer or compander is line instead of the tape recorder. I have not seen this feature in years. Fisher in the old days would have it on all its amps and receivers.
You could place the equalizer between the source (CD player, MP 3 player etc) and the receiver using RCA cables. But, you would have to swap out cables for each device. Radio Shack used to make a switch box with three stereo inputs and one stereo output. You could use this. I am sure other manufacturers make one like it, too.
10 years, 9 months ago
by
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ
This Sony STRDH130 stereo receiver features an AM/FM radio with 60 station presets, so you can easily find and enjoy your favorite radio programming. Speaker A/B switching helps simplify operation.
Subwoofer capable?
Can a subwoofer be hooked up along with two sets of speakers?
Look at the instructions from Polk sub woofers. There are three diagrams of how to hook up a sub woofer. Your answer is YES.
10 years, 9 months ago
by
CactusDawg
Tucson, AZ