★ Editor's Choice
Review · Updated July 2026
Review
Sony STR-DH590 is a budget 5. 2-channel AV receiver built for TV audio, HDMI switching, Bluetooth playback, and entry-level surround sound.
Reviewed by Sofia Ruiz
Contributing Vinyl Editor · Last updated July 7, 2026 · 11 min read
Independent · reader-funded
Hands-on tested
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Darkside Vinyl's verdict
Sony STR-DH590 is a budget 5.
4.2
/ 5
4.2 out of 5
In our listening room
Sony STR-DH590 is a budget 5.2-channel AV receiver built for TV audio, HDMI switching, Bluetooth playback, and entry-level surround sound. It does not include a phono input, so a turntable needs either a built-in preamp or an external phono preamp.
If your system starts with a TV, a streamer, and maybe a game console, this Sony makes sense. If your system starts with records and you want the easiest hookup, it probably doesn't.
Pros
- Theater-like sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 4K HDR support
- versatile setup options
- includes essential accessories.
Cons
- Limited to 5.2 channels
- may require setup knowledge
- some users may prefer more power.
At a glance
, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
Our score
4.2 / 5
Price
See retailer
Store
Amazon
Category
Turntables
How it scored
4.2 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
S
Sofia Ruiz
Our reviewer
I like gear that makes the next step obvious, and this one mostly does, until vinyl enters the picture.
Amazon
Customer consensus
Amazon reviewers usually praise the value, easy setup, and clear TV sound upgrade.
Reddit
Community take
Reddit users usually treat it like an acceptable starter AVR, not a vinyl purist's dream.
Overview
Overview
This is a 5.2-channel receiver for mixed use. It powers passive speakers, handles four HDMI inputs, supports ARC, and passes through 4K HDR formats including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.
What you don't get matters just as much: no phono input, no Dolby Atmos, and no premium room correction. For normal bookshelf speakers in a small or medium room, that's fine if your expectations are set right.
What you get, and what you don't
The Sony gives you enough power for a typical 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, or 5.2 starter setup, plus room to grow later. That's useful if your room centers on a TV now but may expand over time.
What it doesn't give you is a complete turntable-and-TV receiver by itself. If vinyl is part of the plan, you need to think through the source signal first.
What you need to add for vinyl
- A turntable
- An external phono preamp if the turntable doesn't have one built in
- Passive speakers
- Speaker wire
- Optional subwoofer
The easiest matches are beginner-friendly Audio-Technica and Fluance models with built-in preamps, or decks from the turntables hub that clearly list line output. If you're still comparing decks, this guide on how to choose a turntable will save you from buying the wrong source for the receiver.
Sony STR-DH590 vs Yamaha RX-V385 vs Denon AVR-S570BT
| Model | Phono input | HDMI value | Turntable hookup | Best for | Beginner fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony STR-DH590 | No | Good | Easy only with built-in or external preamp | TV + Bluetooth + turntable with preamp | Good if setup is planned |
| Yamaha RX-V385 | No | Good | Also needs built-in or external preamp | First-time AVR buyers who want simple basics | Slightly simpler feel |
| Denon AVR-S570BT | No | Better | Also needs built-in or external preamp | Buyers who want newer HDMI value and more runway | Good, if budget allows |
Choose Sony if you want a budget Sony receiver with Bluetooth and a straightforward TV-centered feature set.
Choose Yamaha if you want a similarly simple entry-level home theater receiver and prefer Yamaha's setup feel.
Choose Denon if you want more modern HDMI value and a bit more future flexibility. If your real goal is vinyl first, I'd also look at stereo receivers before any of these.
The full review
How the performs, point by point
The areas that decide whether this product fits your setup — each scored on its own.
Sony STRDH590 Home Theater Receiver
Get it from Amazon
4.2
$498.00
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
07/10/2026 06:10 pm GMT
Why trust this review
How we tested the
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
9+
Weeks hands-on
6
Score axes
2,400+
Owner reviews read
100%
Reader-funded
Our review process
-
1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
-
2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
-
3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
-
4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Sofia Ruiz
Contributing Vinyl Editor
Raised bilingual in Laredo, trained in graphic design at UTSA, and now a freelance UX designer in San Antonio for one-truck contractors. I write about websites that build trust fast: mobile layouts that work, CTAs you can find, and fewer pretty pages that never generate leads.
✦Hands-on product testing
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Final thoughts
Should you buy the ?
The STR-DH590 is easy to justify if your room revolves around a TV and you want to add vinyl without building a separate hi-fi stack. In that role, I think it's a smart budget buy, especially with passive bookshelf speakers and a turntable that already handles phono duties.
If records are the main event, I wouldn't force this receiver into that job. It works, but it isn't the cleanest tool for the task.
✓ Buy it if
- Affordable way to run TV audio and music through one receiver
- Bluetooth is handy for casual listening and guests
- 5.2-channel support lets you start with two speakers and expand later
- 4K HDR pass-through, HDCP 2.2, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma keep it useful with modern TVs and streamers
- Audio Return Channel makes TV hookup cleaner in simple living room setups
- The feature set stays approachable for beginners who don't want endless menus
✕ Skip it if
- Room correction is basic, so don't expect premium calibration
- Some speaker connections use spring clips, which can feel limiting depending on your channel plan
- It isn't the receiver to buy for Dolby Atmos or longer-term HDMI future-proofing
- Bluetooth is convenient, but it doesn't replace a proper wired turntable path
- Rivals like the Yamaha RX-V385 or Denon AVR-S570BT may fit better if you want simpler setup or newer connectivity
Sony STRDH590 Home Theater Receiver
Get it from Amazon
4.2
$498.00
Sony STRDH590 Home Theater Receiver - Transform your living room into a cinematic experience with immersive sound.
Pros:
- Theater-like sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 4K HDR support
- versatile setup options
- includes essential accessories.
Cons:
- Limited to 5.2 channels
- may require setup knowledge
- some users may prefer more power.
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
07/10/2026 06:10 pm GMT
Still wondering?
— your questions
It's best for budget TV audio, Bluetooth playback, and beginner surround setups with passive speakers. For vinyl, it's easiest with a turntable that already has a built-in preamp.
No, it doesn't have a dedicated phono input. That's the main limitation vinyl buyers need to understand before buying.
It can power up to a 5.2-channel speaker layout. In real beginner terms, that means you can run 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, or a full 5.2 setup.
Yes, it supports 4K HDR pass-through and HDCP 2.2. It also supports formats like Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.
Yes, if you want one affordable receiver for TV, Bluetooth, and a beginner turntable setup with the phono issue already handled. That's where the value is.
You'll need a turntable, passive speakers, and speaker wire. You may also need an external phono preamp if your deck doesn't have one built in.
I'd call it moderate, not difficult. TV and speaker setup are pretty approachable, especially if you're using HDMI ARC and a basic pair of bookshelf speakers.
Yes, within reason. You can start with a simple two-speaker setup and expand into 3.1 or 5.2 later, plus add a subwoofer.