Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: which mid-range AV amplifier comes out on top?

Two Japanese AV titans are going head-to-head today, and more is at stake than you might think.

Sony’s TA-AN1000 AV amplifier turned our Awards list on its head in 2023, dethroning both the Denon AVR-X2800H and Denon AVC-X3800H in one fell swoop.

Ever since, Denon has been working tirelessly to reinstate its AV amplifiers as the top choice for home cinema fans – and that brings us to its most recent launch.

After almost four years of anticipation, Denon launched the AVR-X2900H earlier this year, alongside its step-up sibling, the AVC-X3900H.

The X2900H was developed as a direct response to the TA-AN1000, and Denon’s goal was to knock Sony off the top spot after spending multiple years virtually unchallenged.

So, has Denon succeeded? Or are you better off sticking with the Sony? We tested these sub-£1000 AVRs side by side to answer that very question…

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Price

Both the Denon and Sony amplifiers occupy the more affordable end of the mid-range AVR market, though the Denon technically launched at a slightly lower price.

The AVR-X2900H launched at £899 / $1349 / AU$1799 earlier this year, whereas the TA-AN1000 cost £999 (around $1240 / AU$1850) when it was released back in 2022.

However, the Sony’s age becomes an unexpected advantage, as we find that it is practically always subject to heavily discounted prices.

The TA-A1000 seems to have widely adopted the £699 price tag that was once reserved for Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, making it the cheaper of the two amplifiers.

**Winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Design

Neither of these home cinema amplifiers will make you swoon, but they’re also by no means unpleasant to look at.

We think that they both look practical and understated, which is a nice way of saying that they’re black aluminium cuboids with a smattering of buttons and knobs on the front, and a heavy helping of ports and connections on the rear.

The Sony looks almost identical to the STR-DN1080 that it replaced, which launched in 2017. It sports a split-layer design, with a row of slim buttons sitting below a slender horizontal display that runs along the width of the amplifier.

There are separate volume and input selection wheels, as well as a few front-facing ports.

The Denon, on the other hand, looks almost identical to the last decade of Denon AVRs that came before it. It sports a brushed metal finish, a row of buttons that sits below a slim horizontal screen, separate volume and input selection wheels, and a few front-facing ports.

While that might sound identical to the Sony (because it pretty much is), the Denon’s display and buttons take up only a central panel rather than the full width of the amplifier.

Denon has also kindly tweaked the on-unit controls this year, with buttons that are angled slightly upwards, making them easier to press if the AVR is sitting on a lower shelf in your media unit.

Truthfully, this is a horses-for-courses situation, and which looks better will depend on your personal taste.

**Winner: Draw**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Features

The AVR-X2900H and TA-AN1000 both feature seven channels of amplification, which can power up to 7.1 surround sound or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker system. The Denon takes the crown when it comes to power output, though, as it features a claimed 95W of power with two channels of the seven driven, whereas the Sony touts a claimed 85W with two channels driven.

Denon also beats the Sony when it comes to connectivity; both amps feature six HDMI inputs on the rear; however, three of them are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets that can handle 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz signals with VRR and ALLM on the X2900H.

The TA-AN1000, on the other hand, has just two HDMI 2.1 inputs. The X2900H also adds 1440p support for console and PC gaming, as well as AMD FreeSync for smoother gameplay.

Wireless connectivity is also solid on both. Bluetooth is featured on the Sony and Denon, and they can both handle music streaming over wi-fi, though they take different approaches.

The Sony allows for direct streaming via AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Google Chromecast, while the Denon funnels these services through its HEOS service, which also allows users to tie this amp into a multi-room system with other Denon and Marantz audio products. The Sony has a similar trick up its sleeve with its Works With Sonos feature, which means that you can link the TA-AN1000 with Sonos’ wireless multi-room speakers.

The X2900H beats the AN1000 when it comes to HDR support too. Both amplifiers can pass through HDR10, HLG and Dolby Atmos video, but the AVR-X2900H adds HDR10+ support, which is missing on the Sony. Both amplifiers support a wide array of Dolby and DTS audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Both amplifiers also have comprehensive room calibration systems built in, with the required microphones included in the box. The Sony uses its own proprietary system, which requires a little bit of manual labour – including taking measurements of your ceiling height, screen height, and distance to your listening position – though it rattles through the calibration process at speed afterwards.

The Denon features Audyssey’s MultEQ XT, which allows users to take measurements from multiple positions to determine the best speaker distances and levels for your space.

If that doesn’t float your boat, then Dirac Live Room Correction is also supported, though it requires additional paid software and accessories to complete.

While the Sony is a well-equipped amplifier by general standards, there’s no denying that the Denon steals the spotlight with better connectivity, HDR support and calibration options.

**Winner: Denon AVR-X2900H**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Sound

Here is where the winner of this battle is truly decided. Sound performance is everything, and as the star ratings for these amplifiers may give away, there is a clear winner in this regard.

We’ll start with the AVR-X2900H, as there is plenty to like here. Denon’s signature sound is on full display here, as there is a rich, weighty and broad sense to the sound that this amplifier produces.

This ensures that the Denon is in its element with large-scale action set pieces, as the big, powerful sound sweeps us up in its cinematic presentation.

While it may sound like this amplifier is all muscle, that’s far from the case; sonic subtleties are handled with care, meaning distinct background sounds are preserved to ensure immersion.

That is paired with an excellent sense of sonic cohesion, as the Denon is a dab hand at passing sound effects – big and small – around the surround sound channels without noticeable gaps or distractions.

The Denon’s richer and more powerful sound makes it talented for music. The smooth, inviting sound makes stereo recordings a joy to listen to, and with that level of detail that we mentioned earlier coming into play here with vocals and instruments. We find that the Denon is talented for AV and hi-fi tasks alike.

That said, the Sony also delivers detail in droves, and it too delivers an impressive surround sound showcase. It also introduces a much-needed sense of energy and agility to the sound, which highlights the Denon’s tendency to veer into sounding somewhat over-indulgent and slightly lethargic.

Furthermore, the Sony dominates when it comes to dynamic control. Immediate jumps in volume (think explosions and car crashes) are punchy, powerful and engaging, and there’s also much more care given to low-level dynamics too.

Paired with the crisper and snappier nature of the Sony, we find that dialogue sounds much more lifelike through this amplifier compared to the Denon too.

What really seals the Denon’s fate, however, is how it handles bass. While this amplifier can pump out a truly impressive amount of bass (certainly more than the Sony), it often feels disappointingly ill-defined and mushy, with surprisingly little tonal variation on display here.

The Sony, on the other hand, dials back the bass depth slightly, but in doing so it makes low frequencies sound much more intentional, with more dynamic, textured and expressive low end.

**Winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Verdict

Denon’s mission to knock Sony down a peg and reclaim its spot as the champion of mid-range AVRs may not have succeeded this time, but that doesn't mean there isn't lots to like with the X2900H.

It delivers a warm, rich and powerful sound that will appeal to and delight many, and it's talented for movies and music alike. If you want grandeur, scale, and a surround sound experience that envelops you in every aspect, then the Denon could be ideal for you; however, the Sony once again reminds us why it's earned its praise and accolades once we fire it up for comparison.

Truthfully, we wanted the Denon AVR-X2900H to give the Sony TA-AN1000 a serious fight. The Sony has sat too comfortably on our annual Awards list, shooting down any competition that comes its way thanks to its superb handling of dynamics and detailed sound.

It may not be as well equipped as the Denon, but given the price drops that can be forgiven for now. And once we immerse ourselves in the agile, dynamic and crisp sound it produces, it begins to highlight some of the Denon’s inherent flaws.

We can't fault Denon’s grit and determination to deliver an AVR that beats this three-time Product of the Year Award-winner, but it needs to rethink its approach to dynamics and bass performance if it truly wants to knock Sony off the podium.

**Overall winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

MORE:

Read our full Sony TA-AN1000 review

And our Denon AVR-X2900H review

Check out our list of the best AV receivers