After spending several days testing the Sony TA-AN1000 in my home cinema setup, pushing it through movies, gaming sessions and multi-channel music, I can confidently say this is Sony’s best mid-range AVR in over a decade. With excellent HDMI 2.1 reliability, clean and detailed audio performance, and some genuinely impressive spatial processing, it’s clear Sony designed this amplifier for the modern living room, especially for PS5 owners.
This review includes sourced manufacturer data where relevant.
Design & Build Quality
The TA-AN1000 follows Sony’s modern, understated design language. It has a clean front panel with a central display and a simple control layout that doesn’t overwhelm. Build quality feels solid, and the chassis weight immediately suggests a stable power supply and decent internal engineering.
It’s attractive, compact for a 7.2 AVR and blends into a living-room setup easier than many Denon or Onkyo models.
Setup & Calibration (D.C.A.C IX)
Sony’s setup assistant is one of the most user-friendly in this price tier. Calibration with D.C.A.C IX takes roughly 5–7 minutes and measures:
- Speaker distance
- EQ
- Phase
- Vertical positioning
- Reflections for 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
The results widened my soundstage noticeably. Dialogue became more focused, and surround movement had more precision.
This calibration system isn’t as granular as Dirac Live or Audyssey XT32, but it outperforms Yamaha’s YPAO R.S.C and Denon’s lower-tier Audyssey XT in my experience.
Performance
Movie Performance (Dolby Atmos / DTS:X)
The TA-AN1000 excels with films. During my testing with Blade Runner 2049, Oppenheimer, Top Gun: Maverick, and various Disney+ Atmos titles, I heard:
- Excellent dialogue clarity
- Smooth panning with precise spatial cues
- Detailed overhead effects
- Strong dynamic punch without distortion
- Tight, controlled bass
The amplifier supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced, all confirmed via Sony’s official specifications:
Sony TA-AN1000 specifications
Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping impressed me more than expected. It generated convincing phantom speakers that extended width and height beyond my physical speaker layout. This is not a gimmick—it genuinely adds immersion.
Music Performance (Stereo & Multi-Channel)
Sony’s signature sound is clean, neutral and highly detailed. Listening to acoustic tracks, vocals felt forward and airy, with excellent instrument separation. Electronic and bass-heavy music remained tight and controlled.
The amp doesn’t add artificial warmth—if you prefer a richer analogue presentation, Denon still has the edge. But for transparency and detail, the TA-AN1000 performs exceptionally well for its price.
Gaming Performance (PS5 & Xbox Series X)
Sony clearly built this receiver with gaming in mind.
I tested 4K/120Hz gaming with both PS5 and Xbox Series X, and the performance was flawless:
- Zero HDMI dropouts
- Instant VRR switching
- ALLM activation worked every time
- No black screens
- Low processing latency
- Perfect Auto HDR Tone Mapping with PS5
Sony officially confirms support for 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz passthrough on multiple HDMI 2.1 ports:
Sony TA-AN1000 HDMI capabilities
In real-world use, this AVR is one of the most stable I’ve ever tested for high-bandwidth gaming.
Connectivity & HDMI Stability
The TA-AN1000 includes:
- 6 HDMI inputs
- 2 HDMI outputs
- eARC support
- AirPlay 2
- Chromecast built-in
- Spotify Connect
- Integration with Google Home
- “Works with SONOS” certification
- IMAX Enhanced video certification
Source:
Sony TA-AN1000 product page
Across hours of testing with a PS5, Xbox Series X, an RTX PC, and a 4K Blu-ray player, I didn’t experience a single HDMI handshake issue. That alone puts this unit ahead of most Denon and Yamaha models in this range.
Drawbacks
- No pre-outs, limiting external amplifier expansion
- App experience is basic compared to Denon/Marantz
- Room correction is good, but not on the level of Dirac Live or XT32
- Sound signature is neutral—those wanting warmth may prefer Denon or Marantz
Final Verdict
The Sony TA-AN1000 is one of the strongest mid-range AV amplifiers available in 2025. It’s reliable, modern, powerful, and remarkably stable with HDMI 2.1 sources. If you want a stress-free home cinema and gaming setup—especially with a PS5—this is one of the best options you can buy.
My Score: 9.1 / 10
Short Buying-Guide Summary
Buy the TA-AN1000 if you want:
- Rock-solid HDMI 2.1 performance
- Excellent movies + gaming support
- Crisp, detailed sound
- True 4K120 and 8K passthrough
- Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
- Easy setup and great dialogue clarity
Avoid it if:
- You need pre-outs
- You prefer warm, analogue sound
- You require Dirac-level room correction
Verdict: A top-tier mid-range AVR that’s ideal for modern home cinema and gaming.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best HDMI 2.1 stability in the class
- Works perfectly with PS5 features
- Excellent movie performance
- Detailed, neutral audio
- 360 Spatial Sound Mapping is genuinely effective
- Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG & IMAX Enhanced
- Very clean dialogue handling
- Easy setup with D.C.A.C IX
Cons
- No pre-outs
- Sony app is basic
- Room correction not as advanced as Dirac
- Neutral sound won’t suit every listener
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Sony TA-AN1000 | Denon AVR-X2800H | Yamaha RX-A2A | Onkyo TX-NR7100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 165W (6Ω, 1ch) | 95W (8Ω, 2ch) | 100W (8Ω, 2ch) | 100W (8Ω, 2ch) |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports | Multiple (40Gbps) | Limited | 3 × 24Gbps | Full suite (40Gbps) |
| 8K / 4K120 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Room Correction | D.C.A.C IX | Audyssey XT | YPAO R.S.C | Dirac Live (optional) |
| Gaming Features | Excellent (PS5) | Good | Good | Good |
| Pre-Outs | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Movies + Gaming | Warm music sound | Natural tone | Enthusiast setups |
FAQ
Does the Sony TA-AN1000 support 8K and 4K/120Hz?
Yes. Sony officially confirms support for 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz passthrough.
Source: Sony TA-AN1000 specifications
What HDR formats does it support?
The TA-AN1000 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG and IMAX Enhanced.
Source: Sony TA-AN1000 specifications
Does it support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
Yes, it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
Source: Sony TA-AN1000 product page
How many HDMI ports does it have?
The TA-AN1000 has 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs, including eARC support.
Source: Sony TA-AN1000 product page
What streaming options are built in?
It features AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect and “Works with SONOS”.
Source: Sony TA-AN1000 product page
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