Very clean sound. Good use of DSP modes. Under rated power output

remote control at first but it grew on me.

Well after buying a Denon 3801 to replace a Sony that was very un-clean sounding. The Denon started to over heat so I returned it. Decided to go with a less expensive model - choose the Yamaha HTR-5250. I thought it would sound cleaner then the old Sony, but would be less powerfull then the Denon.

Boy was I wrong and in for a shock (a nice shock). This Yamaha kicked the Sony's but and the Denon's. I think I even like the DSP modes that Yamaha is known for (I can hear why) if you have the money to spend buy this unit.

I bought it from an Authrized Yamaha (for that matter Denon too) on line retailer -- they even shipped it overnight with no shipping charge what thing this on-line shopping is :-)

Well back to the Yamaha -- it is nice looking and sounds better. I just watched Airforce One for the 8th time - but it sounded like the 1st time with "true" surround sound its NICE!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Sony and Denon 3801

ease of use, lots of power, lots of settings to tweek for perfect listening, tons of input/output plugs in the back: 2x coaxial, 3x optical, 5x s-video, a ton of l/r audio plugs as well.

could use a light on the volume knob so you could see the level from a distance. cant turn off rear speaker output if you dont have any.

this is a great receiver. i had the 1103 for less than a week when i decided to return it for a newer model. i'm very satisfied with the output. there are so many plugs in the back, you can attach every piece of a home system imaginable. i spent a lot of time researching around before i got this. i think you'll be very happy w/ it.

Similar Products Used:

htr-1103

DSP modes, little to no hiss, 0.06% THD, clear sound even at high volume, makes O.K. speakers sound like elite speakers.

Remote(like most people have found) but after a little practice it becomes easy.

I got this awsome receiver at $299.00 from ABT Electronics (it's a long story how I got it that cheap brand new). So for me it is a great value for what it performs as. Yamaha is a good receiver for movies and music, which I like to listen to movie soundtracks. I read the reviews in here for the HTR-5250 before I bought this receiver so I had a good idea that this was going to be a real treat for me. I don't think I will ever need to upgrade this receiver for a longggggg time, (unless I want to upgrade to THX). That probably won't happen though. Overall, I'm a happy camper!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V596

Pure power,ease of use,excellent sound.

None so far

Cannot beat the sound quality,DSP has some nice effects.
I cannot believe the difference between 5.1 and DTS, DTS
sounds absolutely amazing.controls are kept simple.
As I said before, Pure Power and Clean sound.

Similar Products Used:

10 year old Carver

The sound is incredible and it is very clean power. DTS sounds so much like the theatre that I may just wait until the movies come out on DVD. It is also very versatile with the many preamp inputs and outputs.

I have only found one weakness so far, I need more audio inputs. I like to listen to audio sources including a cd player, a tape player, a mini disc player, a turntable, and my computer, while I am playing video games so I need the extra audio inputs.

I think this receiver is excellent choice for someone who wants great sound and power from the get go. It delivers a substantial amount of clean power that anyone can be happy with. The versitality of it is one of the best features because you can add any audio or video source, double it up with another amplifer with the 5.1 inputs and outputs, and get great sound.

Similar Products Used:

I have not used any similar products but I tested the Sony 945 and I was not as pleased with it as I was with the Yamaha.

The best quality sound money can buy.
alot of power 110x5=550 watts total

the remote is hard to use till you get used to it

Had every thing i needed except they sould have made a output for console games and computer out.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha htr-5150

Excellent sound quality, intelligent use of DSP in combination with DD and DTS decoder, pre-amp out on all 5 channels.

Control design (on panel and remote) is very poor in my opinion.

System description: Mid-range system. Toshiba SD3205 DVD changer connected optically to Yamaha HTR5250 Receiver, KEF 104.2 main speakers, various rear channel speakers (still searching), Hafler DH220 power amp on mains, plus other ancilliary equipment.

As mid-range receivers go, this unit is very impressive for sound quality. Nice to have preamp out on all channels. I use Hafler PA for front 2 channels, but operate rear from this receiver's power amp. I tried this unit's power amp on the front and was very satisfied, but I just like the other 3dB headroom with the Hafler. Ability to configure frequency tailoring for large or small rear and center channels is nice, as is ability to choose pre-selected delays in DSP mode in combination with DD and DTS decoding. Delays can be adjusted to expand apparent environment even more.

Although I can be a pretty serious audio purist (I've dropped the big bucks on Mac, Threshold, Mark Levinson, etc. over the years), I am having a lot of fun with DTS and DD. True there are occasional spurious signals generated in decoding, and the soundfield isn't as "real" in lots of ways, but anyone who thinks their stereo field reproduction was close to real anyway is a sucker for the marketing crap that has permeated this industry since the '50s. DD and DTS are just plain FUN, and they don't give up that much in total sound quality either.

Back to the unit...the control layout is as unimpressive as the sound is impressive. As I get more used to it, it gets better but it will never be good. All main buttons on the remote have up to 3 functions, and you have to punch a selector key before making your choice in 2 of the 3 cases. The front panel isn't all that great either. Simple, but not very well thought-out IMO. If this thing had better front panel and remote design, I'd have to give it a 5-star rating overall. Due to the controls, I'll have to give it 4-stars on overall. Due to sound quality, I'd give it 5-stars on value. For $500, its a steal.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSD-601

Hi all. I heard the 5250 is part of Yamaha's lower end. Some of the upscale stores in my area don't sell it cause they claim there are cheaper parts in it. Any truth to that? They said that the ones sold at Best Buy have cheap parts in them. So far I'm happy with it. But I'll take it back if it's not a "true" Yamaha.

Plenty of s-video inputs.

None

I bought this unit at Sears on a price match for 369.00. I returned it to purchase a cheaper model, the 5240. I went back a week later and it was on the clearance table for 299.00. I repurchased this one and brought back the 5240. A fantastic reciever, plenty of inputs, and crisp clear sound. I was on a budget and purchased the Sony SAV-E315 speaker set. Sounds pretty good all around.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, JVC

Great Sound, Clean

None

Great receiver I have'nt had any problems with it.

A comment for the last guy who posted a one star rating -until he uses it after christmas, why don't you wait and post your review after you review it and not mess up the rating scale, duh,,,,

Similar Products Used:

None