After about a months research I finally decided on this receiver and I couldn't be happier. As stated above, I'm a casual listener, therefore I wasn't willing to spend a fortune on a receiver when I wouldn't really appreciate the differences. I think this receiver was a great compromise. First the good: Sounds great! I listend to a Sony 935 and a Kenwood in the same price range all hooked up to the same speaker set and while it was difficult for an untrained ear such as mine to tell a huge difference, the Yamaha just seemed to be a bit more precise or clearer, or something. The bad: could use a few more connections. An Svideo port or two would have been nice. No DTS, but then none of the DVD's I own even support it, so I guess that's no real loss. nevertheless it would have been nice to have had it for future proofing. It does have inputs for an external decoder though. For myself, this is a perfect choice. A great sounding, high quality system for a decent price.

Correction...in my last review, I said that I purchased a pioneer...I ment to type "Yamaha 905". Anyways, the reciever has opened up a little on the bass since it was first turned on. I kept the reciever running for 40 hours straight to break in the amplifiers. I also placed caulking material inside the reciever on the metal case to reduce vibrations and resonance. If any of you know about this, then you also know that dampening out the vibrations might also lead to cleaner audio output. The remote is NOT AS HARD TO USE, UNLIKE OTHER CRITICS' CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT USER FRIENDLY. I STILL LIKE MY YAMAHA!

I recently purchased the very last pioneer rv905 reciecer from onecall.com and what a great steal this was. For only 350 dollars, I purchased the display model which had not even been turned on or checked out. My brother has the rxv795, and that reciever sounds wonderful. My father has the rxv1105 and that one sounds just as good. Since all of Yamaha's DD recievers are built the same way and include the same decoding and DSP chips( power wattage and input/output controls are another story, I am looking foward to testing this reciever out. I can't imagine why Yamaha would change the name from the rv905 to the rxv595...mabye to increase the price and make more money on the same product. Lets not forget common sense here...but once again..that's another story. I am excited about uprading to DD and I can't wait to use my Yamaha rv905.

- Discrete power transistors rather than IC chips
- 6-CHANNEL INPUTS FOR EXTERNAL DECODER
- LINEAR DAMPING FACTOR CIRCUIT
- LOW IMPEDANCE DRIVE CAPABILITY

- NONE

Review on the Yamaha R-V905 (identical twin to the Yamaha Model RX-V595 - Only Difference besides Model Number is the R-V905 has Gold Lettering on the Front Panel and the RX-V595 uses the Traditional White Lettering)

Ordered: $406 / Tues - 02/16/99 - 2:30pm PST (OneCall.com WebStore)
Received: Thurs - 02-/18/99 - 11:30am PST (Double Boxed & 2days as promised)
Install start/complete: Thurs - 9:50pm / 10:30pm
DVD DD-5.1 Sampled: Fri - 02-19-99 - 6:10am PST

First of all, setup was uneventful, . . . I spent time reviewing the excellent 64 page Yamaha manual and then the R-V905 back panel, . . .basically getting acquainted with the input/output arrangement vs. my Technics SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo. After 40 mins., I'm ready to calibrate my HT speakers to 75 dB REF Level using the Yamaha's internal signal pink noise generator (85 dB for LFE - used Video Essentials DVD - signal not included in the Yamaha).

Final results:
Volume Control: #-28 dB* @ REF = 75 dB using Video Essentials DVD
(*Yamaha uses dB increment scale markings)
Center: +1
L SUR: +2
R SUR: +2
LFE: -5

Yamaha's Remote took a while to figure out (without the manual). I figured out 80% of the Silver Remote in 15 mins, not bad considering all the multi-function buttons on board. I reviewed the manual and handy reference Remote card (included) for the other 20%. I was glad to see that Yamaha allows you to adjust the Speaker Level / Delay / LFE adjustments anytime with the Remote! To adjust the Dolby Pro Logic (DPL) on the Technic's SA-TX30, you had to access the test tones!

The next day I programmed the Yamaha's Remote functions for TV (Toshiba 35"), VCR (Panasonic) and DVD (RCA RC5500P) in 5-7 mins, trying at the most 2 codes for each (1 code only for the RCA DVD player) before they worked. Later I'll try the other codes to see if I get more functions vs what's available now.
====

Now, I'm ready to sample some Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround DVD Movies.

1st DVD: "Star Trek VI - Undiscovered Country"

The Yamaha's Dolby Digital tracking and surround blend is as accurate and impressive as the Technics External SH-AC300P Processor. (I choose "Dolby Digital - Normal" setting for the review)

The differences I heard from the Yamaha R-V905 vs the Technics SA-TX30 AV Receiver can be expressed with 'alittle more, but obvious, detail & presence". Not to say that it was missing, because, it was present before with the SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo, but now, . . . .it's more prominent in all its Dolby Digital 5.1 glory! The SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo was very good, but the Yamaha's implementation is Great!! :)

Back to the movie, the detail & presence that was exhibited by the Yamaha's Dolby Digital Surround mode, made you feel like you were part of Sulu's bridge crew during the opening sequence of the movie. Contributing factor for more realistic presence and ambience is due to the brilliant presentation that Yamaha's Discrete Amps delivery of the high, crystal-clear, distortion-free, super sonic frequencies!! - yes!

The LFE low effects blended-in very nicely with the other 5-Channels. The Yamaha handled (speakers [main/center/surrounds] set to = Small) all the routed LFE signals magnificently. The effects were deep, more solid then before and provided the subsonic impact as required when the sonic wave from the exploded Klingnon moon Praxes hit Sulu's Star Ship the Excelsior. - wow!

Yeah, I'm impressed and happy that I've upgraded my Main Home HT AV Receiver to the Yamaha R-V905! ;) Also, the next visit to my vacation house in the Sierra Mountains (45 mins from the Kirkwood Ski Resort), I'll be enjoying Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD movies after I setup my Technics SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo.

After much research with cost vs performance in mind, I choose the R-V905 with these known 3 limitations/differences (important too me only):

1) No SVGA input/outputs
* * * (SA-TX30 had 2 each - but I never used them - so no big deal)
2) Level Setting Memory - 1 set for either the DPL, DD-5.1 or 5 DSP Modes (1 memory each for LFE & Subwoofer settings)
* * * (SA-TX30 has Memory for DPL, DD-5.1 & 7 DSP Modes each - nice!)
3) No DTS - but does have 6CH inputs for future surround format
* * * Limited DTS DVD's available
* * * DTS Music CD's High costs (70+ DTS titles @ an AVG price of $25+ . . . no thank you!)

=====
A) What made me upgrade?

1) Price for Yamaha Quality, w/built-in DD-5.1 & 6CH inputs (upgradability)

Other reasons I rationalize on was:
** Conservative power ratings by Yamaha: 70w x 5 @ 8 ohms, 20 to 20kHz, 0.04% THD
>>>>> (I've achieved SPL 'fast' peaks* of 106+ dB easily so 70 clean watts plenty!)
>>>>> (*essentially, REF Level)
** Discrete Power Transistors (AMPS) for each of the 5 channels
** Signal-to-Noise Ratio......96 dB (DVD)
** Tuner Specifications (Stereo Review rates it above average)

b) Why didn't I get the identical Yamaha RX-V595 version?
** Mailordering RX-V595 is not Authorized by Yamaha and they won't honor the 2 year warranty. (Any RX-V line for that matter!!)
** If I did order an RX-V595 thru an UnAuthorized dealer, . . . . . . .the Yamaha Customer Service said it could be "B", Refurbished, etc. - who knows? Unit from Asia/Taiwan thru blackmarket sources. . . . . . . that's why they don't warranty those units
** Couldn't get the low price (unit cost + CA tax) locally! (Lowest $415 + CA tax = $449.24)
=====
(Note: One Call Is an Authorized Yamaha Dealer - I've talked to Yamaha's Service Center!)
=====

I highly recommend the Yamaha R-V905 Receiver.

Rating: 5 Stars

Similar Products Used:

Technic's SA-TX30 & SH-AC300P DD Processor Combo

Amazing...the best there is! You will get your money's worth. You can't ask for a better reciever!

First Impressions/Review on the: Yamaha R-V905 $376 + $30 S/H-FedEx 2-day(identical twin to the Yamaha Model RX-V595 - Only Difference besides Model Number = Traditional White lettering - Front Panel)

Ordered: Tues - 02/16/99 - 2:30pm PST (One Call Webstore)
Received: Thurs - 02-/18/99 - 11:30am PST (Double Boxed)
Install start/complete: Thurs - 9:50pm / 10:30pm
DVD DD-5.1 Sampled: Fri - 02-19-99 - 6:10am PST
=====
First of all, setup was uneventful, . . . I spent time reviewing the excellent 64 page Yamaha manual and then the R-V905 back panel, . . .basically getting aquatinted with the input/output locations vs my Technics SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo (eventually going to my vacation house). After 40 mins., I'm ready to calibrate my HT speakers to 75 dB REF Level using the Yamaha's internal signal pink noise generator (85 dB for LFE - used Video Essentials DVD).

Final results:
Volume Control: 28 (REFERENCE = 75 dB)
Center: +7
L SUR: +7
R SUR: +7
LFE: -2

Yamaha's Remote took a while to figure out (without the manual). I figured out 80% of the Silver Remote in 15 mins, not bad considering all the multi-function buttons on board. I reviewed the manual and handy reference Remote card (included) for the other 20%.

The next day I programmed the Yamaha's Remote functions for TV (Toshiba 35"), VCR (Panasonic) and DVD (RCA RC5500P) in 5-7 mins, trying at the most 2 codes for each (1 code only for the RCA DVD player) before they worked. Later I'll try the other codes to see if I get more functions vs what's available now.
=====
Now, I'm ready to sample some Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround DVD Movies.

1st DVD: "Star Trek VI - Undiscovered Country"

The Yamaha's Dolby Digital tracking and surround blend is as accurate and impressive as the Technics External SH-AC300P Processor. (I choose "Dolby Digital - Normal" setting for the review)

The differences I heard from the Yamaha R-V905 vs the Technics SA-TX30 AV Receiver can be expressed with 'alittle more, but obvious, detail & presence". Not to say that is was missing, because it was present before with the SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo, but now, . . . .it's more prominent in all its Dolby Digital 5.1 glory! The SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo was very good, but the Yamaha's implementation is Great!! :-D

Back to the movie, the detail & presence that was exhibited by the Yamaha's Dolby Digital Surround mode, made you feel like, you were part of Sulu's bridge crew during the opening sequence of the movie.

The LFE low effects blended-in very nicely with the other 5-Channels. The Yamaha handled (all speakers = Small) all the routed LFE signals magnificently. The effects were deep, more solid then before and provided the subsonic impact as required when the sonic wave from the exploded Klingnon moon Praxes hit Sulu's Star Ship the Excelsior. - wow!

Yeah, I'm impressed and happy that I've upgraded my Main Home HT AV Receiver to the Yamaha R-V905! ;) Also, the next visit to my vacation house in the Sierra Mountains (45 mins from the Kirkwood Ski Resort), I'll be enjoying Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD movies after I setup my Technics SA-TX30/SH-AC300P Combo.

After much research with cost vs performance in mind, I choose the R-V905 with these known 2 limitations/differences (important too me only):

1) No SVGA input/outputs
* * * (SA-TX30 had 2 each - but I never used them - so no big deal)
2) Level Setting Memory - 1 set for either the DPL, DD-5.1 or 5 DSP Modes
* * * (SA-TX30 has Memory for DPL, DD-5.1 & 7 DSP Modes each - nice!)

=====
What made me upgrade?

1) Price for a Yamaha w/built-in DD-5.1 & 6CH inputs (upgradability)

Other reasons I rationalize on was:
** Conservative power ratings by Yamaha: 70w x 5 @ 8 ohms, 20 to 20kHz, 0.04% THD
* * (I've acheived SPL 'fast' peaks of 105+ dB easily so 70 clean watts plenty!)
** Discrete AMPS for each of the 5 channels
** Signal-to-Noise Ratio......96 dB (DVD)
** Tuner Specifications (Stereo Review rates it above average)

=====
I highly recommended the Yamaha R-V905 Receiver.

RATE: 5 Stars :-)

Excellent...i was really skeptical at first regarding the watts.I never thought 70 watts would be enough.Boy was i wrong.I couldn't push it past 11 o'clock without the walls rumbling. The sound was not only clean and crisp, but it had a nice warm feel to it.
The only thing that i felt slighted a bit was the fact that when i hooked up my cd player using coxial, which meant i couldnt hook my dvd(optical) to the optical dvd outlet unless the cd coxial was out....But no worry, i just used the tv/dbs optical outlet for the dvd and its fine..I still can't get over the ooomph i get with my subwoofer.Especially watching The replacement killers on dvd(are you sure it wasn't filmed in my living room)
If you are looking for a great receiver in an affordable price range..this is a must!You really can't get must better than this.A 5 star all the way. I'm truly now a yamaha fan!!

Power,DSP modes

Remote

The unit has performed perfectly since I bought it in 1/99.The DD on DVD's is excellent.It has no problem driving my speakers which are Ohm Walsh 2's in the front and Celestion DL-4''s in the rear.The addition of a one for all remote early on made the supplied remote problem go away.

Similar Products Used:

Sony,Pioneer

I purchased this receiver 8 months ago and couldn't be happier. It is powering NHT 2.9s in front with an SA3 sub amp for the bottom end, an NHT audio center and NHT Super Ones for the surrounds. GREAT sound quality! Not too big on the soundfields, but overall I am very pleased. Can't give it the top rating because NO receiver in this price range is that good. But this is one of the best in its class.

I have owned the R-V905 for 6mnths now and every time I fire it up im impressed this reciever is very natural and very powerful dont let the 70 watts per ch fool you. I have paradigm 7seMk3's for my mains paradigm cc-300 for center paradigm atoms for surrounds and a paradigm ps-1200 sub this is a fairly large system and the R-V905 pushes it effortlessly this is one excellant reciver my second yamaha reciever I have owned first one RXV-590 upgraded to R-V905 for DD and DTS upgrade I would have to rate this reciver with 5 stars definately the best bang for the buck reciver.