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Sony STR-AN1000 vs STR-AZ1000ES
Sony's consumer line vs its ES line — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Sony STR-AZ1000ES if you're paying for documentation and headroom in the digital domain — a stated 48 Gbps bandwidth and ten processing channels the AN1000's sheet lacks. Buy the STR-AN1000 knowing it's the only one of the two whose amplifier is rated at all, and that its stated 6–16Ω floor excludes low-dipping speakers.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Sony STR-AN1000 states 4 HDMI 2.1 ports; the Sony STR-AZ1000ES states 4. How we verify this data → Sony's two seven-channel receivers, and a peculiar comparison: each sheet states almost exactly what the other leaves blank.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Sony STR-AN1000 | Sony STR-AZ1000ES |
|---|
| Price | $1,148 | $1,498 |
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| Brand | Sony | Sony |
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| Channel Config | 7.2 | not stated |
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| Main Channels | 7 | 7 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 2 |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Zone 3 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | 165 | not stated |
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| THD Percent | 0.9 | not stated |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | one channel driven | not stated |
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| Impedance Range | 6ohms-16ohms | not stated |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | 6 | not stated |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | 16 | not stated |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | Sony DCAC IX | not stated |
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| Measurement Mic Included | Yes | Yes |
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| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 6 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 2 | 2 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 40 | 48 |
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| HDMI 21 Port Count | 4 | 4 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 30 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect | Spotify Connect |
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| Form Factor | full size | not stated |
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| Width Inches | 16.9 | not stated |
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| Height Inches | 6.1 | not stated |
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| Depth Inches | 13 | not stated |
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| Weight Lbs | 20.7 | not stated |
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| Power Consumption W | 240 | not stated |
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| Processing Channels | not stated | 10 |
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| Phono Input | not stated | No |
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| Ip Control | not stated | Yes |
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Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
The AN1000 is the only one with a power figure at all: 165W into 6Ω, one channel driven, 0.9% THD — the generous test on every axis, but at least a stated number. The AZ1000ES publishes NO power figure in our data; we flag that instead of guessing. The disclosure inverts on digital plumbing: the AZ1000ES states 48 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, ten processing channels, and an eARC port; the AN1000's processing count is unstated and its curated bandwidth is 40 Gbps. Both state four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and the same D.C.A.C. IX calibration. One pairing fact that carries over: the AN1000 states a 6–16Ω impedance range — by its own sheet not rated for 4Ω-class speakers; the AZ1000ES's range is unstated.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Sony STR-AN1000 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Sony STR-AN1000 states a 6Ω-minimum rating, and the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum — well below that floor. By its own published spec this receiver is not rated for a load like this.
Can the Sony STR-AZ1000ES drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Sony STR-AZ1000ES publishes no rated impedance range, so the pairing with the KEF LS50 Meta (which dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum) can't be verified from its spec sheet — we treat that as "can't check", not a pass.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Check either one against your own build →Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
How many HDMI 2.1 ports do the Sony STR-AN1000 and Sony STR-AZ1000ES have?
Sony STR-AN1000 states 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports; Sony STR-AZ1000ES states 4. Full-bandwidth ports are the ones that carry 4K/120 and VRR — the count that matters for wiring multiple current-gen consoles.
Can the Sony STR-AN1000 and Sony STR-AZ1000ES pass 4K/120 through?
The Sony STR-AN1000 states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Sony STR-AZ1000ES states 48 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Sony STR-AZ1000ES if you're paying for documentation and headroom in the digital domain — a stated 48 Gbps bandwidth and ten processing channels the AN1000's sheet lacks. Buy the STR-AN1000 knowing it's the only one of the two whose amplifier is rated at all, and that its stated 6–16Ω floor excludes low-dipping speakers.
Stated digital spec (bandwidth, processing)Sony STR-AZ1000ES — 48 Gbps and 10 processing channels stated; both are blank or curated-lower on the AN1000.
Any amplifier rating at allSony STR-AN1000 — 165W at 6Ω/1ch/0.9% is a generous test, but the AZ1000ES states no power figure whatsoever in our data.
Gaming portsEither — Both state four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- The power disclosure is one-sided: the AN1000 states 165W (6Ω/1ch/0.9% THD — generous on every axis); the AZ1000ES states NO power figure in our data, and we say so rather than fill the blank.
- The ES sheet answers the digital questions: 48 Gbps stated bandwidth and 10 stated processing channels vs a curated 40 Gbps and an unstated count on the AN1000.
- Both state four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and D.C.A.C. IX room calibration — the shared Sony core.
- The AN1000 states a 6–16Ω impedance range — 4Ω-class speakers sit outside its own rating; the AZ1000ES's range is unstated.
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