I purchased it online at $525 (including shipping) a week ago. It's a great receiver. The remote control can handle my VCR, DVD and TV after setting manufacture codes into the remote control. However, RV1105 doesn't provide S-Vidoe input for DVD player (only has VCR in/out S-video). Unfortunately, my TV only provides one RF video input and one video set input (either S-video or composite video). I would rate RV1105 4 stars for this reason. If you concern it seriously, you'd better choose HTR-5150 which adds s-video input for DVD.

DSP modes, fairly inexpensive, DTS decoder, 6 channel input

remote isn't good for programing other units, no CENTER CHANNEL bannana jacks :(
S-video is unuable with digital inputs:(

This Yamaha is a "derivative" unit of the 795. While not a terrible piece it is one that needs some work. Yamaha's rxv1105 is best ran with bookshelves or less demanding satelite speakers. If ran with "real speakers", thats where it faulters quite a bit.

The sound integrity is compromised a bit with brightness and almost insufficient lower end mid-range. You kinda get the feeling this unit is under powered.
I do however like the DSP effects on the unit which work quite well under MOVIE circumstances (sci- fi, adventure, ENHANCED, etc.).
But then on the movie side of this unit there's another problem. While the "only 2 S video" complaints are warranted, the problem goes even deeper. ALL OF THOSE S-VIDEO INPUTS ON THE 1105 CAN NOT BE USED WITH A DIGITAL INPUT. So basically if you want to watch your DVD movie in DOLBY DIGITAL OR DTS and run it through its S video.................YOUR OUT OF LUCK..........SORRY. I really would reccomend the RXV995 if you like yamaha its is $999.99 from a certified dealer but the extra money is worth it.

By the way I just wanted to say if you buy from the internet beware because if the price is almost too good to be true.........like the saying goes..........it probably is. If the dealer is not a certified or AUTHORIZED DEALER of the said product, you will lose all benefits, privileges, and waranty. Yamaha is also a vendor whom does not recognize any dealer who advertises below their M.S.R.P. on a regular basis. So please......buyers beware.

Similar Products Used:

DENON AVR2800, SONY STRDA333ES

awsome sound

none

I have been useing the decoder built into my sony dvd ,until i got this reciever ,I hooked up with a coiax cable and let the yamaha do the decoding and what a difference WOW ! the rear speakers have really come alive. It`s hard to beat this unit at this price point.will report back after a month.

Cheap price for DTS, and clear Dolby Digital decoding.

No S-Video switching. But At this price one can use external switch(4) which cost 30$ or so. The power level is bit low (85 Watts) if you are using low efficiency speakers. With 90db sensitivity speakers and above, and non reactive load
it shoud not be a problem.
Remote control takes little getting used to.
Casule users will have problem setting this receiver
correctly with all its DSP features.

The sound is bit forward, and bright.
There is virtually no noise from the DSP chip.
Some of the DSP setting are actually useful.
Using Dolby Digital is world apart from using
only prologic (very good value for money).

If you are using this amp for home audio only
it is sufficient I believe. I have separate
audio set for serious 2 channel listening.

Not recommended for any serious music listening
(nor was it intended for such).

Overall a good solid value for its cost.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood (much poor in DSP)

Good DSP, DD and DTS sound very good

Remote control, Sound too bright for music

This receiver has very nice dsps mode which sound very good for movies. For music listening, I feel that this receiver sound a little bit too bright. But I can't blame this receiver alone. Part of the reason might come from my speaker (Klipsch) which tend to give a bright sound.

four star for good DSP and HT sound

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-87, Sherwood newcastle R-925

Excellent Sound,DSP, and versatility.

Remote, and S-video input

Ill tell you right now i am very dissatisfied with the remote control, and if it wasnt for that i woulda given it a 5. For the price, Yamaha could have put a small light in this thing. Only a few buttons glow in the dark, and you still cant see what component your switching to.
Ok, now, I love this receiver, its pretty darn good for the buck. The DSP modes are trully wonderful. Dont let the 85 watts (continuous) fool you, this thing can really set your ears on fire. I'm using a nice set of timbre matched Yamaha Speakers for Digital 5.1 and it sounds terrific.
Its true Yamaha could have thrown in a couple more S imputs, but oh well :(
Its got a 5.1 imput for other future formats, and also Preamp outputs for all 5 speakers (nice), oh, it DOES have a built in fan :)

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Sony, Technics, Onkyo

Dobly Digital and DTS decoding, low price, handles speakers with low ohms

Very complicated to use, cheap spring-clip speaker rear & center speaker terminals,

Spend the extra $100 and buy the Harmon Kardon AVR65 before you buy this Yamaha. This Yamaha requires you to keep the owner's manual nearby at all time. It is a very complicated piece of equipment with some low quality speaker terminals. The design is inferior and the remote control is cumbersome to use. It does sound better than a JVC or Sony but not as good as a HK. If you ever receive recommendations from friends about Yamaha receivers, ask them if they ever owned any HK receiver before taking their advice.

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon AVR25

Good power,lots of S-video jacks,great DAC's

none

Very good reciver,lots o power.Do not know what the hell you all aree talking about not having enough s-video inputs.tHe msrp is wrong on this website and there is a s-video jack even on the front and for all video inputs.Also 3 optical ins and one out.Plenty of hook ups by anyones standards.Binding posts are on the front channels and the clip connectors are not cheap.Either you are not not using the right reciever or you dont know your ass from an rca jack.It also has very little audible distortiont even at high volumes.

Similar Products Used:

JVC R-554VBK,HK AVR65,SONY TR-DE945,PIONEER ELITE,YAMAHA AV-35

If you look in the Sony reviews, I'm a defector from the very defective STRDE915, with the front channels taking a vacation after about six months' use.
The Yamaha seems to be a very capable receiver. I don't know about audiophile specs, however, in terms of listening the Yamaha has provided great hours of listening - both for conventional stereo playing Lp's and CD's and for neighbors-be-damned Dolby Digital DVD movies. Both are superb. The sound is somehow - er - better (sorry I don't know how to say this) - perhaps it has lower distortion that results in less fatigue while listening. I'm really impressed by the quality of the center and left and right rear channels; they seem clearer, fatter than they were on the Sony.

Cosmetically the unit is good-looking and the display very clear and the information well presented. Sony's had the two nagging "selector bars" for audio and video uses with lame indicator lights to show where you were... not so good.

Every mode change on the Sony evoked loud relay clicks and muting that lasted entirely too long. The Yamaha handles switching cleanly and quietly.

One feature that might not be trumpeted is the fact that the mode sticks to your last usage - that is, if I listen to a CD with no effects (no Dolby anything, just plain 2 channel stereo) then go to a DVD which would be set for auto detect, then go back to CD - I will not have to deselect effects for plain 2-channel. The receiver remembers the mode I used last in that input. Very very nice. The Sony required constant switching of modes; it did have an oversized button (I called it the get-me-out-of-multichannel panic button) to turn off effects, but the Yamaha approach makes the problem of inapropriate modes for different inputs disappear.

The Yamaha runs cool; it get just a bit warmer in a loud DVD. The Sony was hot to the touch doing nothing. Big design difference, I guess, but at least I don't expect the Yamaha to self-destruct. It also has a fan! Yes, a small diameter fan about 1/3 from the left center of the chassis. I was worried because I didn't hear it; I expected it to be temperature controlled, but the owners manual states that you will hear it start up whenever powering up the receiver. Finally I got a flashlight and looked at the tiny blades and sure enough, they do spin up briefly at turn on, silently.

I emailed Yamaha about the fan and got an IMMEDIATE RESPONSE from their tech support that this behavior was normal, and that the fan might never run under normal use. How's that for customer service? Anyone ever get a response to a straight question, email, phone, snailmail, that quickly from Sony (if at all?)

The Pro-Logic decoder does a great job, and combining it with one of the DSP modes sounds very good for videotapes/TV. The DSP modes are, to me, very useful, musical, smooth, and actually useable contrasted to the Sony's harsh effects. Dolby Digital sounds great, is easy to balance and set up speakers, and this receiver has DTS decoding as well, though I don't know if I'll ever see that light up (!)

The remote is a blessing and a curse. I don't like the squarish feel of it, or the teeny tiny buttons - but I have to say the Yamaha remote did not have to be "trained" do do ANYTHING. The receiver came with a very comprehensive list of codes for other equipment, and THEY WORK. I can control a 9-year old Phillips CD player, Sony DVD, Sony TV, Hitachi VCR without a second thought, and no training. That's great! One slight downer here, is the "rotary" dial to select function at the top of the control. We're in a pushbutton world; give me easier pushbutton controls. Backlighting would be nice for all buttons using LED's. This control has the luminiscent buttons that have to be "charged" with a bright light source. Better than nothing but not quite as good as LED's that could light all buttons, anytime.

This is a nice receiver for those of us who can't afford the high-octane spread.

I have had the R-V1105 for about 2 weeks now. I moved my JVC RX-709V (one of the best $100 I have ever spent!)into the bedroom so I could FINALLY get 5.1 Home Theater. Now I can sleep to music too!!!
Anyways, the 1105 has keep me mesmerized on my local jazz station for hours at a time without me even knowing it! Such a musical amp with a very decent tuner that picks up even that problematic jazz station (30 miles away). The DSP modes are good for me IF I turn down the parameters to minimal settings. I personally think that the ROCK DSP should have even levels on the surrounds even if the room did have a dead spot. If we want dead spots, we should control it via DSP settings. So instead I use the DISCO DSP alot for music on all 4 speakers. The JAZZ DSP is also a nice one for front stage music output. I am thinking about setting up 2 more rear speakers just for music with NO DSP or JAZZ. The EQ is a bit bright but it can be tamed.

On DD 5.1 this amp excels. I hear each speaker very well with NO SETUP hassles. This is the #1 reason for buying an amp....SOUND. I do have a problem with a loud pop that occurs when I start a DVD with DD encoding. I don't know if anyone else has this problem. I just turn the amp down until I see DOLBY DIGITAL on the amp and then turn it up. I am using OPTICAL for the bitstream. I may call Yamaha on this one.

Overall this receiver is one of the best I have heard...for around $650 it can't be touched. I think it does music just fine (check your speakers and/or cables if you think it sucks). I run Kimber 4PR cable on the fronts/center and they kick Monster 12 gauge cable's ass for hi-fidelity. For home theater again this unit is VERY VERY good. Very neutral sound without much coloration.

I personally like to have an EQ with presets..although knobs are cool you can't change EQ from your lazy-boy. For me the general setting is Bass EQ at 1 o'clock and the Treble flat. For this reason I give it 4 stars.