Homecoming delight: the standout Sony item that the creator admits is the first to be activated upon return
In the world of audiovisual technology, few names are as synonymous with innovation and quality as Sony. Over the past four decades, the Japanese tech giant has made its mark with a series of groundbreaking products, from the MiniDisc and SACD formats to the GV-8E 'video Walkman', La Scala Two mini system, SS-176E floorstanders, and the launch of the PlayStation. Among these successes, one product stands out for Eric Kingdon, Sony's "ears," as a symbol of the company's commitment to high-fidelity sound and advanced home theater technology: the STR-DN1080.
Kingdon, who began his career at Sony in the mid-'80s, recalls the trolley loads of transformers he listened to, each with slightly different specifications for acoustic testing. It was during this time that he played a crucial role in developing, designing, and tuning many of Sony's Award-winning hi-fi and home cinema products.
The STR-DN1080, released in 2017, is a 7.2-channel AV home theater receiver that offers features such as Dolby Atmos support, 4K HDR passthrough, Hi-Res Audio compatibility, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, and dual HDMI outputs. These features deliver immersive, high-quality audio and video performance suitable for modern home cinema setups.
For Kingdon, the STR-DN1080 represents a milestone in Sony’s commitment to high-fidelity sound and advanced home theater technology. He values the receiver for its balance of powerful amplification, flexible speaker configurations, and cutting-edge audio processing, which together create an exceptional listening experience praised by audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
The receiver stands out for its 7.2 channel discrete amplification that supports varied speaker arrangements, compatibility with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound, seamless multi-room playback, and modern wireless connectivity options, and support for Hi-Res Audio enabling detail-rich sound reproduction.
Kingdon's love for music and movies was fostered by his film fanatic mother and piano playing at the age of nine. His first encounter with a stereo system was at his dad's friend's house, consisting of a Garrard SP25 turntable, Armstrong 521 amplifier, and Wharfedale Denton speakers. Today, Kingdon owns a variety of systems, including high-end and vintage, to enjoy music and movies at home.
The STR-DN1080 is the first thing Kingdon switches on when he's home. He still has an STR-DN1080 in his 'den' that he uses almost daily. The receiver was praised for its high cost-performance ratio, lasting dominance, and emotional response in listeners. In fact, it was inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining only 47 other special products released since 1976 (Sony's birth year).
Kingdon admits there is nothing he would've changed about the STR-DN1080's development. For him, it's not just a receiver; it's a piece of history that brings back memories and helps make new ones. He regrets that his old boss in Japan, Kanai-san, is no longer with him, but he cherishes the time they spent working together on groundbreaking audio products.
As for the successor to the STR-DN1080, the TA-AN1000, was released in 2023, continuing Sony's legacy of high-quality home theater receivers. While the STR-DN1080 may no longer be in production, its impact on the audiovisual industry and Eric Kingdon's career will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
- In the realm of audiovisual technology, the STR-DN1080, a 7.2-channel AV home theater receiver by Sony, symbolizes the company's dedication to high-fidelity sound and advanced home theater technology.
- Eric Kingdon, known as Sony's "ears," played a significant role in the development, design, and tuning of many of Sony's Award-winning hi-fi and home cinema products, including the STR-DN1080.
- Among the STR-DN1080's features are Dolby Atmos support, 4K HDR passthrough, Hi-Res Audio compatibility, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, and dual HDMI outputs, providing immersive, high-quality audio and video performance.
- Kingdon's first experience with a stereo system included a Garrard SP25 turntable, Armstrong 521 amplifier, and Wharfedale Denton speakers, sparking his lifelong passion for music and movies.
- The STR-DN1080 was praised for its high cost-performance ratio, lasting dominance, and emotional response in listeners, and it was even inducted into the Hall of Fame.
- Kingdon cherishes the time he spent working with his old boss, Kanai-san, on groundbreaking audio products at Sony.
- The TA-AN1000, the successor to the STR-DN1080, was released in 2023, carrying on Sony's legacy of high-quality home theater receivers.
