When setting up a home audio system, one of the biggest decisions is whether to optimize for music listening or create a complete home theater experience. The Yamaha R-N602 ($649) and Sony STR-DH790 ($448) represent these two distinct approaches, each excelling in their intended use while offering different value propositions.
Today's audio receivers do much more than just amplify sound - they're digital entertainment hubs that can stream music, switch video sources, and process various audio formats. While both these receivers can handle basic audio duties, their core strengths lie in different areas.
The Yamaha R-N602, released in 2015, represents a high-end approach to stereo music reproduction. It uses premium components like a Burr-Brown DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) that can handle high-resolution audio files up to 192kHz/24-bit. This means it can reproduce audio with more detail than CD quality, which tops out at 44.1kHz/16-bit.
The Sony STR-DH790, launched in 2018, takes a more modern home theater approach. It supports the latest surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which add height channels to create a more immersive experience. It can also handle 4K HDR video switching, making it a true AV (Audio/Video) hub.
The R-N602 shines in music reproduction thanks to several key features:
In practice, this translates to music that sounds more detailed, with better separation between instruments and a more accurate soundstage (the perceived location of instruments in space). The R-N602's analog section is particularly impressive, making it an excellent choice for vinyl enthusiasts.
The STR-DH790 handles music differently:
While the Sony can certainly play music well, it's designed to prioritize movie soundtracks and gaming audio. The sound quality is good but lacks the refinement and pure musical focus of the Yamaha.
This is where the products truly diverge. The STR-DH790 offers:
In a home theater setting, these features create a much more immersive experience. When watching movies with Atmos soundtracks, you'll hear sounds moving above and around you in three-dimensional space. The auto-calibration feature helps optimize the sound for your specific room and speaker setup.
The R-N602, being stereo-only, can still work with TV audio but won't provide the same immersive experience. It's limited to 2.1 channels (left, right, and optional subwoofer), though it does this exceptionally well.
Modern receivers need to handle various digital sources, and each unit approaches this differently:
The R-N602 offers:
The STR-DH790 focuses on:
The Yamaha includes a high-quality phono preamp for turntables, multiple line-level inputs, and robust speaker terminals. The Sony offers basic analog inputs but focuses more on digital connections.
After setting up and using both receivers, some key differences become apparent. The R-N602 excels at creating an engaging music listening experience. Its interface and controls are oriented toward music playback, with direct source selection buttons and a large volume knob that feels precise and substantial.
The STR-DH790 shines in a home theater setting. Its auto-calibration makes setup much easier, and the ability to switch between multiple HDMI sources while maintaining high video quality is valuable for modern entertainment systems.
Consider your primary use case:
Choose the R-N602 if:
Choose the STR-DH790 if:
While both receivers are capable devices, they serve different purposes and user needs. The Yamaha offers superior music playback and build quality at a higher price, while the Sony provides modern home theater features at a more accessible price point. Your choice should align with how you'll primarily use the system and what aspects of audio performance matter most to you.
| Yamaha R-N602 | Sony STR-DH790 |
|---|---|
| Primary Design Purpose - Determines core capabilities | |
| 2-channel stereo optimized for music | 7.2 channel home theater focused |
| Power Output - Affects speaker compatibility and room size | |
| 80W per channel (8 ohms, 2 channels) | 90W per channel (6 ohms, 2 channels driven) |
| Audio Processing - Impacts sound quality and format support | |
| High-end Burr-Brown DAC, 192kHz/24-bit, Pure Direct mode | Basic DAC, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X support |
| Digital Connectivity - Determines streaming and source options | |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, MusicCast, Network streaming | Bluetooth only, 4K HDMI switching (4 in, 1 out) |
| Analog Features - Important for legacy sources | |
| High-quality phono preamp, multiple line inputs | Basic analog inputs, no phono stage |
| Video Capabilities - Critical for home theater use | |
| None - audio only | 4K/60Hz HDR passthrough, Dolby Vision |
| Multi-room Capabilities - Enables whole-home audio | |
| MusicCast wireless multi-room audio | None |
| Price and Value Proposition | |
| $649 - Premium stereo performance | $448 - Affordable home theater solution |
| Room Calibration - Helps optimize sound for your space | |
| Manual tone controls only | Advanced D.C.A.C. auto-calibration |
| Build Quality - Affects longevity and performance | |
| Premium components, dual power supplies | Standard build quality, single power supply |
| Audio Format Support - Determines content compatibility | |
| DSD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF up to 192kHz/24-bit | Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
The Yamaha R-N602 is specifically designed for music playback with superior stereo performance and high-end audio components. While the Sony STR-DH790 can play music well, it's optimized for movie surround sound rather than pure music reproduction.
The Sony STR-DH790 is clearly better for movies, offering 7.2 channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. The R-N602 is limited to stereo sound only.
The Yamaha R-N602 costs $649, while the Sony STR-DH790 is more affordable at $448, representing about a $200 difference.
The Yamaha R-N602 has a high-quality phono preamp built-in for turntables. The Sony STR-DH790 does not have a phono input, so you'd need an external phono preamp to connect a turntable.
The Sony STR-DH790 supports 4K HDR video switching with HDMI connections. The Yamaha R-N602 doesn't handle video signals at all - it's audio-only.
The Sony STR-DH790 has automatic room calibration making it easier to set up multiple speakers. The R-N602 has a simpler stereo setup but requires manual adjustment.
The Yamaha R-N602 supports two speakers (stereo) plus a subwoofer. The Sony STR-DH790 can handle up to 7 speakers plus 2 subwoofers (7.2 channels).
The Yamaha R-N602 has superior build quality with premium components and dual power supplies. The Sony STR-DH790 has standard build quality typical of its price point.
The Sony STR-DH790 is excellent for gaming with surround sound support and HDMI connectivity. The Yamaha R-N602 can work for gaming but only in stereo.
For a small apartment, either could work well. Choose the Yamaha R-N602 if you primarily listen to music, or the Sony STR-DH790 if you want a home theater experience in your small space.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: theaudiophileman.com - crutchfield.com - forums.whathifi.com - usa.yamaha.com - youtube.com - hifiengine.com - yamaha.com - adorama.com - parts-express.com - usa.yamaha.com - audiosciencereview.com - bestbuy.com - ynetnews.com - walts.com - sony.ca - walmart.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - abcwarehouse.com - crutchfield.com - sony.co.uk - sony.ie - youtube.com
