DSP fields, inputs, build quality, sound quality

remote control

For the money, this product delivered the most bang for the buck. And as it was introduced in the fall of 2000, it is dropping in price right now. I have been using it for just over a year now and really do not have any complaints (ok the remote is painful to use). Yamaha included features that previously would only be found in their high end units. It uses a 32bit DSP processor and has 39 DSP programs. I haven't used all of them having found my favourites already. The DTS decoding is superb (try the Eagle's Hell Freezes Over!) As other users have said the power of this high current amp is great. When watching DVD's, you can use a higher volume setting without distortion and pickup subtle nuances in the soundtrack possibly because of the receiver's low total harmonic distortion (THD 0.06%)? I'm not an expert and can only go by my ears. All in all this receiver rocks.

My system
Hitachi 27" Ultrablack analogue TV
HTR-5280 A/V receiver
Pioneer DV-333
Cerwin Vega AT-8 fronts
JBL MR centre
JBL Northridge N24 rears
JBL powered 10" sub-woofer

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood pro-logic

Lots of inputs, flexibility, sound quality, excellent DSP modes, especially for movies.

Remote is kind of slim and doesn't have enough buttons or LCD screen.

Well, this is a really sweet sounding amp. I was considering Denon AVR-2801, Harman Kardon AVR 310 or Yamaha RX-V800/HTR-5280 and choose Yamaha HTR-5280 based on price, sound quality, reputation and DSP modes. None of the other amps offered nearly enough sound adjustments. In my opinion this amp offers best features for the best possible price.

I agree with James that RX-V800 and HTR-5280 are the same models except for the lettering and price. I actually prefer the yellow labels. Besides, this is beyond the point.

The unit has a lot of inputs, and unless you have way too much equipment you are not going to run out of the connections. The amp has a lot of power and plays really loud without distorting. The sound is very clean, with no hiss and excellent channel separation.

The DSP modes are excellent, although I use them mainly for movies. DTS decoding is superb, especially with little bit of help from Yamaha DSP. Sound adjustment possibilities (such as reverberation, room size, sound delays etc) and amp customization is almost excessive. Playing with the setting will allow you to get the most of your room acoustics.

My two problems with this unit is no bass management for 5.1 input (true for all products) and the remote control. I cannot program all functions for my DVD, VCR, CD, and TV, so I am left with five different remotes – insanity… Not to mention the wife factor… But wait; there is hope – I will get a universal, programmable and backlit remote control. Check the reviews on www.remotecentral.com. Internet is just amazing, is it not ;-).

My system:
Sony 27" Wega
Yamaha HTR-5280
Yamaha CDC-906 CD player
Toshiba SD-3109 DVD player
Toshiba M735 VCR
Miarage AVS-500 speaker system
Mirage FRx-8 sub

Similar Products Used:

Old Technics Pro-logic system.

Lots of inputs, flexibility, sound quality, excellent DSP modes, especially for movies.

Remote is kind of slim and doesn't have enough buttons or LCD screen.

Well, this is a really sweet sounding amp. I was considering Denon AVR-2801, Harman Kardon AVR 310 or Yamaha RX-V800/HTR-5280 and choose Yamaha HTR-5280 based on price, sound quality, reputation and DSP modes. None of the other amps offered nearly enough sound adjustments. In my opinion this amp offers best features for the best possible price.

I agree with James that RX-V800 and HTR-5280 are the same models except for the lettering and price. I actually prefer the yellow labels. Besides, this is beyond the point.

The unit has a lot of inputs, and unless you have way too much equipment you are not going to run out of the connections. The amp has a lot of power and plays really loud without distorting. The sound is very clean, with no hiss and excellent channel separation.

The DSP modes are excellent, although I use them mainly for movies. DTS decoding is superb, especially with little bit of help from Yamaha DSP. Sound adjustment possibilities (such as reverberation, room size, sound delays etc) and amp customization is almost excessive. Playing with the setting will allow you to get the most of your room acoustics.

My two problems with this unit is no bass management for 5.1 input (true for all products) and the remote control. I cannot program all functions for my DVD, VCR, CD, and TV, so I am left with five different remotes – insanity… Not to mention the wife factor… But wait; there is hope – I will get a universal, programmable and backlit remote control. Check the reviews on www.remotecentral.com. Internet is just amazing, is it not ;-).

My system:
Sony 27" Wega
Yamaha HTR-5280
Yamaha CDC-906 CD player
Toshiba SD-3109 DVD player
Toshiba M735 VCR
Miarage AVS-500 speaker system
Mirage FRx-8 sub

Similar Products Used:

Old Technics Pro-logic system.

Power, DSP, Clean crisp sound, Matrix "Phantom" ES EX.

Like everyone else... the remote

Well, after craving more power to my rear speakers, DTS, and a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, I finally gave up my trusty R-V902. I must say the HTR-5280 is one sweet amp. My old amp was kind of bright with my old Klipsch Tangent500's, but now they sound better than any of the newer speakers I have sold. I really like the DSP's better than the old amp too, and I loved those to begin with. The adjustablity of the speakers is a godsend too because my mains were overpowering my Polk centers and rears. I added a Polk subwoofer with my amp purchase. It wasn't really needed with the Klipsch I had, but some dvd's only send the bulk of the bass to the sub out.

I must say I didn't believe that the remote could be as bad as everyone says. It's worse.

I have sold specialty store Yamaha's, and before that the mass market ones. They are the exact same thing and don't let anyone tell you different. I can tell any consumer to go for the best deal available, whether it's a 5280 or an 800. Take the best price and support unless you want white letters so you can be a tad elitist. ;)

All in all, a very good amp.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha D-V902, every amp I ever sold - Kenwood, Pioneer (Elite), Technics, Sony, etc.

GREAT sound, tons of inputs, DSP modes actually sound good for once

Remote is kind of fruity, but just takes some getting used to, manual kind of fuzzy sometimes

I was prompted to write this review after reading the completely ignorant rantings of Mark the Sales Associate below. Sounds like someone bought a Technics (aka Panasonic) receiver, and decided to tell the entire world how great he thinks it is via the internet and product bashing. If the Technics is so fantastic, and with your wealth of expertise as a Sales Associate (whatever that is), why didn't you just buy the Technics outright instead of the Yamaha? Hmmmm.....

Anyway, I actually own the RX-V800, which is the exact same receiver as the HTR-5280, except for some cosmetics on the front panel (gold lettering on the HTR vs. the traditional Yamaha white on the RX). The build is very solid, and the unit dwarfs my old Sony Pro-Logic receiver in size. The first time you look at the remote, you kind of scratch your head and wonder what the hell Yamaha was thinking, but it works, it can learn, and after some getting used to, is actually pretty decent. YOU WILL NEVER RUN OUT OF INPUTS WITH THIS RECEIVER. NEVER. Go to Yamaha's website and look at the back panel pictures of this thing. Sweeeeeeeeet. I also really liked the amber display. With so many other receivers I looked at giving you a fireworks display on their front panel, the Yamaha is very reserved, and not distracting at all when watching movies or listening to music in the dark.

As far as the sound goes, I think the guy who wrote the review before me is smoking crack. It's fantastic! Very, very clean sounding, even at tremendous volume levels. Bass is tight and punchy (unlike many Sony's I've come across), and the highs are crisp and clear, bordering on bright, but I wouldn't go that far. I listen almost exclusively to classical music, which I have found to be the greatest chanllenge for any receiver/speaker combination to produce acurately. This receiver handles it all very well. Very nice balance overall. Movies are spectactular, and I really like the Matrixed 6.1 surround sound featured on this receiver. If you are thinking about buying this receiver, or maybe own it, do yourself a favor and audition the opening battle scene on Gladiator in DTS ES. Loud. YOU WILL PEE YOUR PANTS. OK, maybe not really, but it sounds incredible, with the Yamaha handling all of the sudden changes in dynamics like a champion. Overall, I am very pleased with this receiver. So far, it has gone above and beyond my expectations. Here's my set up, by the way:

Yamaha RX-V800 A/V receiver (see above)
Home Theater Direct Level III speaker system (badass)
Toshiba 4109x DVD Player (P.O.S.)
Panasonic PV-4451 VCR (older than granny)
JVC TD-R461 Tape Deck (cool, for a tape deck)
Onkyo CP-1400a Turntable (what's a turntable?)
PS2, Dish Network setup, and way too many classical music CD's (1000+)

Hope this review was a little more helpful than Marky Mark's below.

Similar Products Used:

Older Sony surround receiver

Not on your life!!!

A Yamaha 5280 IS a weakness!

I am employed by an electronics retailer. I just want to let everyone know that this thing is a pathetic piece of garbage! The distortion level should be 50% @ 50 watts per channel!!! This thing has NO power in any mode, as soon as you think it is having a powerful moment it distorts all over the place!!! I thought by purchasing a Yamaha product I would be receiving world renowned sound. You don't always get what you pay for, and this thing is living proof. When you run this thing @ 4 ohms it's supposed to run just under 200 watts per channel. Ha Ha Ha Ha! The TECHNICS sadx1050 blows this overpriced bark and no bite garbage out of the water!

Similar Products Used:

A TECHNICS blow a Yamaha away. Take it from a sales associate..........YES IT DOES!!!!

Power, Clarity, Features (DD 5.1, DTS & ES suppport)

@!#$* Remote

Well my first A/V was the Sherwood RVD-8090R which I thought was adequate enough for my apartment. Unfortunately it made my Klipsch sound "out of tune". So when I got my house I upgraded to the Yamaha. What a difference!!!! For a great quality intro-mid level A/V system this is the one to get. I love the clarity & power it gives. Now my Klipsch are singing beautifully. Watch the intro action sequence on True Lies....AWESOME!!! For the price I paid & for the quality I got, you can't beat that anywhere. My only complaint, just like everyone else, is the remote. I'm only going to repeat everything that's already been written so why waste time. All I can say is if you're new to HT & looking for a new A/V or upgrading...GET IT!!! I love my current setup but I will be upgrading my fronts to Klipsch RF-3 to match the center.

RCA 31" (can't remember model #)
Pioneer 401 DVD
Yamaha HTR-5280
Klipsch RC-3 (center)
Klipsch KSB 2.1 (fronts)
Klipsch Quintet (rears)
Velodyne 10" (can't remember model #)

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood RVD-8090R, Pioneer

excellent sound processing, clean and undistorted sound

if you took out the sound processor, it would be weak on highs and lows,and would'nt compare to a power amp or integrated amp.

It does what it claims to do! It does an excellent job of processing sound fields. It handles the power it gives, beautifully, without distortion. I found it to be somewhat weak on bass(even with the bass extender) and the highs dont really kick in till you crank it some.I however, piggybacked my Sansui with it, and because it handles power so cleanly, it is now a KILLER!So, you could say i'm a happy camper.I am currently using the Klipsh Quintet speakers.

Similar Products Used:

sansui integrated amplifier AUD-11 with a fosgate sound processor

good dsp.lots of connections

the same as everyone else

It's a good machine.I was happy with my 1103 but needed more hook-ups.The dsp's are real nice.A lot better than my 1103.It's nice having the 24 bit dac for movies.I go into anolog for my cd player because it has a better dac.(its a cambridge500se with crystal 24 bit dac)The same dac used in the new sacd machines.It's taken awhile for my cd player to stop sounding harsh in this unit but it's coming around.I'm poweing the some magnapan 12's with it.Magie center channel & nht for my rears.Velodyne servo 12 for sub.You could say it kicks butt.At least thats what my friends say.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha r-v 1103,r-v901

Loads of power with clear crisp sound, tons of inputs (including optical), DSP's that are worth hearing, great for surround sound, stable amp, little heat generatation.

Remote is not ergonomically friendly (but is able to control all my equipment). Cant believe where they put the volume level.

The prior reviews pretty much capture my feelings toward this receiver. Great sound with no distortion that I can detect (even at high levels), unbelievable for movies (scares my greyhound off the sofa when things explode). You feel like the Shelby Mustang is tearing through your living room in Gone in 60 seconds.

I like the center equalizer option too. I have Polk all around except for my main speakers. You can match the tones.

The remote is good once you learn how to use it. I question some of the placement of buttons and the "feel" of the long skinny design. Put some money in R&D Yamaha. For a receiver in this price range it be "cosmetically" better. Not engineering, just design.

The unit looks sharp and feels solid. Yamaha makes the most stable amps and is you listen to this reciever in a showroom you too will be sold. Cant be beat for the money. Unbelievable with Polk speakers. Also, I found that optical cables sound better (and were cheaper surprisingly).

My set up:

DVD - Panasonic R30
Receiver - Yamaha 5280
VCR - Panasonic
Speakers - Polk 400(ci) center, Onkyo mains, Polk 350 sub (highly recommended), and Polk 30 surrounds with Monster all around.
TV - GE 61 inch.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Sony, HK (I was biased towards Onkyo going in)