Finally a receiver that has all of the inputs I need, and it sounds great.

It does "DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 surround decoding", but not the far more desirable "DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 decoding". Worse yet, it does DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and the similar Dolby Surround EX, but without providing a speaker output for the center rear (presumably by summing the derived rear center signal back into the left and right rear channels from which it was originally derived- which sort of defeats the purpose of deriving it in the first place.

Hey folks, John North wasn't completely wrong in his review below (although I can't say that I agree with his rating of this otherwise great receiver with only one star). I think that many of you are just not understanding what DTS ES is all about. There are two different DTS ES formats- one matrix and one discrete- and both require a center rear speaker to hear it as intended (check out the article at the DTS web site at http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/061500.html for more info). Unfortunately, this receiver only does the matrix version. And worse yet, this receiver doesn't have the sixth speaker output to reproduce it properly (see my Weaknesses" paragraph above). I'm sorry to report that those of you who were impressed by the Gladiator DVD on this receiver haven't really experienced it until you've played it on a receiver that decodes the true DTS-ES DISCRETE 6.1 version into six separate speakers, which unfortunately this receiver does not do either. If this is truly a need for you and you're on a under-$1000 budget, then I'm aware of only the Denon AVR-3801 that will do it. But in all other respects, I think the Yamaha HTR-5280 is a better receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3801

Everything

None

This receiver is lousy for 2 channel stereo?

I cannot believe that someone actually said that!

Just the other day, I received a CD of three Haydn String Quartets performed by The Lindsays. Since it was only four instruments, I did not feel that concert hall or 5 channel stereo was necessary. So I listened with the effect off. The sound was so clear and vibrant, it sounded like the four musicians were right there in my listening room.

The receiver has Top-ART ciruitry for high-end music reproduction.

Do not believe anyone who says anything negative about the 5280's music reproduction. My Infinity RS 2000.6 speakers now have a new lease on life. I was ready to give up on them the way they sounded on my Denon AVR-2600 (bright, shrill, lack of bottom end). The sound I am getting on music is absolutely terrific. The Concert Hall mode provides a very realistic ambience without thinning out or muddying the sound. And I love that 5 channel stereo for other types of music such as new age. I do not even have to use my sub for music! I set my mains to "large" and my LFE to "main".

As far as HT is concerned, the 5280 is beyond compare. For movies I have all my speakers set to "small" and the LFE set to "subwoofer". I do not feel like I am watching a movie; I feel more like I am actually in the movie. Use the different DSP modes! They really work! Gladiator was super in EX spectacle while T2 "rocked" in EX Adventure. If you are in doubt which one to use, then Enhanced is excellent (Devil's Advocate worked great in this mode).

I could go on just like in my previous review.

Have no doubt! Yamaha's what it is all about!

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-2600

nice features, lots of digital inputs, good home theater receiver

lame remote, mediocre sound quality for music with digital in

It was great job with movies but to my ears the digital in was pretty harsh sounding for music (I actually returned it because of this - my old Pioneer Elite sounds better). I'd like to see a true stereo direct mode. The graphic EQ on the center channel is nice. Overall I think it is a good unit (except the remote is a pain) but I'm hoping to find something with a better DAC for stereo music. I thought Yamaha would do a better job on the DAC but the emphasis seems to be on the sound fields. I'm trying a new Pioneer Elite (Burr Brown DACs) next...

My system includes: Speakers - Polk, Fostex and EV studio monitors, Velodyne Subs; Sony CD and DVD players; Tascam DAT

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite