Amazing sound on both music, and theatre. Heaps of clean smooth power.

Difficult to read orange display (Change colours Yamaha, tradition's not that important!). Not available in Light gold finish in Australia.

This is the best receiver currently on the Australian Market without a doubt. Forget the higher priced Denon's, Onkyo's, and Marantz, they don't come close. This unit provides the ultimate in music and theatre for the home enthusiast. The eight channel surround is awesome (if you can fit all the speakers in your room!) The RX-V3000 delivers in music better then any other receiver I auditioned. The standard of finish and quality is better then any other unit in its price range, and far above. If only it was available in the light gold finish, with a matching carousel cd player. Most other manufacturers are guilty of this as well, and make life hard for those who like to co-ordinate their hifi gear.
Great unit, and will impress all who hear it.

Similar Products Used:

Various Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Pioneer.

Perfect sound, high output power in 6.1 configuration + 2 extra front efect speakers, good remote

NO 6.1 CHANNEL PRE-AMP INPUT (only 5.1 - called 6 ch.input), no DTS 6.1 Discrete decoder, confusing DSP setup,

Note: This review is about an European/Asian version of RX-V3000 unit that has no AM/FM tuner built in. It has a symbol DSP-AX2. All functions and specification are the same except tuner. As far as I know, in US this model is not available, so in AudioReview listing :-(

System used:
B&W CM4 x 2 as front speakers
B&W CM2 x 2 as surround speakers
B&W CMC x 2 as front and rear center speakers
ASW 2500 sub
Sonic Link cables (300/200/RCA for sub)
YAMAHA DVD-796 player
ONKYO FR-435 CD/MD receiver/player/rec

First, things that make me angry :-(

1. No REAR CENTER pre-input (7 channel input)
Well, this really something that pisses me off! Think about it, You have almost top-of the line amplifier with full 6.1 (8.1 with front effect speakers) amplifier with NO option to use extra 3 power channels from external source. YAMAHA has only 5.1 (6 channel input). Especially there is no rear-center pre-input even. Let’s say, that if you want to connect an external DVD-player with 6.1 discrete decoder (Sherwood makes one) , you will be not able to connect “Rear-Center channel” with YAMAHA, and because YAMAHA has no “DTS Discrette” you will no be able to hear 6.1 discrete , even with digital signal from optic/coax input. Maybe this in not important think, but having an extra 3 power amps and have no possibility of using them from external decoder... is just a big, big disappointment. My friend use to say... “If you can’t explain obvious, it means that it always goes for the money”... and in this case I agree with him. It’s like Yamaha says: “Want to use an extra 7ch input ? Buy another receiver that will come out shortly...“. What a rip-off..

2. 6.1/ES Auto function.
In operating manual (page 44) there is something about “6.1ES/AUTO”. It says, that “...select ON to automatically turn on “DDigital Matrix” or “DTS ES” decoder, when identification signal is detected”
Well, I must say that this is not true. With “6.1/ES Auto” function set to ON, every damn DVD disc played is detected as 6.1 disc. This is for both: DDigital and DTS discs. Where is that “identification signal”, is it implemented at all, or Yamaha just plays around with people and treats every 5.1 DVD disk as 6.1. Note that when You set the “Rear Center” speaker to “NONE” (in speaker setup) this behavior is no longer exist. DVD discs with real 5.1 EX or DTS ES soundtrack are recognized as they should be, and other traditional 5.1 discs are recognized as 5.1 and nothing more. Personally I think that there is a misunderstanding in manual text, and Yamaha does it, because firmware is predicted to do this. Anyway, because of this “malfunction” I’m not able to check (with “rear-center” speaker set to ON) if disc is recorded in DD EX and DTS ES or not.

Some weaknesses:
1. Difficult DSP processor Setup.
Why there is no in Yamaha such parameter like “speaker distance” ? Instead of these there are some sets like: Liveness, Reverb time and delay... what a mess! I spend a lot of hours trying to set them up. But how can You set the “Room size” parameter, when there is no any guess how this parameter can be applied to the real size of listening room (in square foots, or square meters). Finally I

2. No TREBLE and BASS control from remote.
I always have these set to “0”, but sometimes when listening some “crappy” recorded CD’s, it would be nice to have this option in remote.

3. A little too dark display (even in the highest possible to set, position)
My listening room is very sunny. Sometimes is hard to read from this display, even through a special dimmed glass. But Yamaha offers OSD, so this is not a real problem to me. Just for note to some of You.

And to say thanks for YAMAHA , here are some good things about this receiver...

More about STRENGTHS:

1. REAR CENTER CHANNEL. Well folks, it makes a real difference to have this one in your HT system. Before DSP-AX2 I used a RX-V800 receiver. And I had a problem with positioning my surround CM2’s. The rear sound field always had a gap to me, between surround speakers - right after my head. Even with DSP matrix decoder switched to “on” I felt a lack of straight back sound. The best example is when watching and listening the DVD with T2 - Ultimate Edition. This DVD shows clearly how 6.1 configuration should work. With DSP-AX2 (RX-V3000) now I have no doubt that there is a great advantage and a strong listening experience to use 6.1. With THX test (placed on that DVD-T2) I could test the Matrix and ES decoder with this amplifier, generating direct rear-center signal. By the way during this, surround speakers were totally silent - no hearable crosstalks were detected. The center rear channel signal comes right where it should come from, and watching movies recorder in this extended format is a brand new experience. Check also out the “Gladiator” (US version), it really make a difference :-)
Other DVD’s recorder in traditional 5.1, sound as good as typical 5.1 HT system, but with DSP processor switched to 6.1 mode the presence of rear center sound field corresponds with surround field , giving strong full surround background, like you never can hear with traditional 5.1 amplifier/receiver.

2. Traditional STEREO reproduction.
I listen to this with pleasure and with “Effect off” setup. With B&W CM4, Yamaha gives me my positive experiences. My over 300 CD’s collection is not the same any more. Every “crappy” recorded CD’s sounds like a “crappy” one in a few seconds of listening. But with high quality recordings , especially with jazz and classical, It really make a difference with high power output of YAMAHA. The sound is clear and sometimes gives me a feeling like I’m right in the center of jazz club (Diana Krall - “Love Scenes”).

3. REMOTE.
Well with all my a/v components I have 6 remotes in total. At last with YAMAHA remote that comes with RX-V3000 (DSP-AX2 in my case) it is possible to control all of my units just with one remote. Thanks god ! But for my wife, using these remote is still a slight problem - she still prefers to use just a TV remote, that haven’t changed since our marriage :-)

4. Many .... many.... “ins” and “outs”, especially thanks for 2 digital (optical) OUTPUTS. For some of You it may be a main reason to pick RX-V3000. In my case I have two additional elements connected, these are:
ONKYO FR-435 CD/MD receiver and PIONEER PDR-509 recorder (the 2nd one is borrowed from my friend from time to time). I prefer “fiber-optical” connection than “coax”, and thanks for 2 optical outputs in RX-V3000 I can connect both of these recorders at the same time.

Well for this price and fantastic sound quality (I paid for) this piece of hardware is a real bargain. :-)

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA RX-V800

It's Yamaha BABY!

none

I shopped online forever for the best receiver for the money! I finally found it at YourInsider.com, the Yamaha RX-V3000! I am sooooo glad I bought this one. I have since ordered some Acoustic Research speakers for the entire surround.

Clarity Of Sound , DSP Programs , Output Power , 8.1 Channels , 5 Channel Stereo , Inputs , Component Viedeo.

Lack Of Graphics equalizer on all but centre channels. Remote Control

I recently upgraded my sony STRDB930 (that i was very happy with) for the Yamaha RX-V2095 as I wanted the DSP features of the Yamaha. I was relatively happy with the 2095 except that my centre channel sounded very flat. The 2095 did not have the ability to adjust the tone on anything but the front speakers. Oddly the much cheaper Sony does have an equalizer on all the channels. My dealer agreed to do the upgrade and I had to pay in nearly $940 dollars. (we live in Africa you see). I am now very very impressed with my system. There is a distince difference between the RX-V3000 and the other systems I have used. (Even the very similar speced RX-V2095.
I have still to use the rear centre and effect speakers though.

I use a Yamaha YST-800 Subwoofer and Tannoy mercury centre , front and rear speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STRDB930 , Yamaha RX-V2095

The Yamaha RX-V3000 is an advanced 8 channel home theater receiver that produces an astounding 650 watts of power. This receiver features the newest 6-Channel formats, Dolby Digital Matrix 6.1 and DTS ES. It also features Yamaha's recognized DSP surround processing, and comes with 49 total sound-field modes, including the simulated sounds of the Roxy Theater in L.A. and the Village Gate in New York. A full complement of connections includes S-Video inputs, 5 optical digital inputs, 2 optical digital outputs, and dual-zone capabilities for future expansion.

The sound of the Yamaha RXV-3000 is very clear. The detail and depth of sound are impressive (is it the 32-bit processor?). I thought the other units I tested sounded good, until I heard this one. Vocals are much more detailed and realistic, picking up subtleties that other units missed. A turning point was a test CD of a chamber music piece. On other units, the flute was suppressed by the strings, almost in the background. With the Yamaha, the flute was right out in front, in much greater clarity and detail. The unit seems to handle the full range from lows to highs with no trouble, and sounds great over the VA speakers.

On the downside, it seems a little "bright" compared with some other receivers, maybe lacking some of the bass and "warmth" that I've heard in other units. It has a little background noise, though less than the other units I tested. Additionally, it is not the easiest unit in the world to use. There are so many different sound fields (emulating Jazz Clubs, the "Roxy", a church in Germany, etc.) that there are a lot of features I never expect to use.

Hey, it's a Yamaha, what more do I have to say?

The volume control.

Just upgraded from my RX-V795a and am very pleased with this unit with the exception of the vloume control. It seems to take forever to increase and decrease volume and maybe it's just me but this unit does not seem to have hte power the 795a had despite beint rated at 100W/channel vice 85W for the 795a but it could just be the different styles of volume control that give this illusion. On my old receiver if I had the volume halfway the neighbours were complaining now halfway is just barely louder than normal TV listening volume.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V795a

The SOUND, nobody to that price is has good. it can cope wiht the most complex music score, and still blast you away for hours and hours.

ITS TOO DAMN HEAVY "is that bad" for some it a little complex to set up, but hey its good clean fun, and you get to now your product in detail.

For me there was no before the Yamaha RXV3000RDS, its that good - its the soul reason why i spend dusin and dusin of hours every mouth, lisining to music, dvd, and dvd audio.

For all off you out there, take a while to hear the yamaha in a shop near you, before you buy something else - im not saying that its the best in the world to the price "ITS CLOUSE, but thats just my appinion"

Similar Products Used:

Denon, nad and Primare "also one of the best"

The SOUND, nobody to that price is has good. it can cope wiht the most complex music score, and still blast you away for hours and hours.

ITS TOO DAMN HEAVY "is that bad" for some it a little complex to set up, but hey its good clean fun, and you get to now your product in detail.

For me there was no before the Yamaha RXV3000RDS, its that good - its the soul reason why i spend dusin and dusin of hours every mouth, lisining to music, dvd, and dvd audio.

For all off you out there, take a while to hear the yamaha in a shop near you, before you buy something else - im not saying that its the best in the world to the price "ITS CLOUSE, but thats just my appinion"

Similar Products Used:

Denon, nad and Primare "also one of the best"

listed below

listed below

Likes: The power is amazing. This receiver has a lot more power than my old Yamaha that was rated at 70 watts/channel. This one has 100 per, and it makes me scratch my head at the notion that power in watts is exponential (meaning that 100 watts is twice as powerful as 10 watts, not 20 watts is twice as powerful as 10 watts). Anyway, for cd's I haven't even turned up the volume past 40 (digital volume) and that is extremely loud (helps that my mains have a very high sensitivity). The first thing that struck me about this receiver when listening to music, is that the bass is much more musical. It is still very full and deep, but it is no longer boomy and louder on some notes than others.

This was one of the only higher end receivers I could find that you could hook up a graphic equalizer to. Most people that are into audio swear up and down that equalizers degrade the stereo signal yadda yadda yadda, but I think a lot of people just repeat what they have heard about equalizers instead of actually hearing first hand what music sounds like when you use one. For my ears, there is no comparison. I a/b it all the time when friends are over, and I have converted them all. To me the music sounds hollow without an equalizer. However, I do prefer listening to classical in digital mostly because in the quieter moments you can hear some static if you go analog through an equalizer. I will say that this unit sounded a lot better without the equalizer than my old system did, but it still sounds better with the equalizer. Of course, I do not use the eq for HT.

I love the movie theatre dsp modes, especially once I turned down the reverb a little. DVD's sound incredible in both dts and dd in both matrix and especially es. The theatre dsp's also use the two effect speakers which means I have 8 speakers going during movies. Star Wars had such incredible dynamic power that I had to set the angle on minimum (I live in an apartment) and it still sounded great. The receiver sounds more real to me than my old one, I swear there were tigers in my living room during Gladiator. The sound field also sounds much bigger and open than my old reciever, and this one sends a noticable power difference to my rears.

8 channel stereo also sounds impressive for music, as long as you don't have the 3 rear speakers turned up to loud. When you get it just right, you won't ever want to turn it off. Depending on my mood, two channel stereo as well as pro-logic sound good for music too. I also like the tv theatre sports dsp for football games, which sounds great for rear crowd noise as long as the cable signal remains in stereo.

I also love the remote. I have never used a remote before that could really do away with all of my others. Before I had 5, now I have 1. You can program any function from any remote into the Yamaha. For example, I even programmed the digital cable remote into the Yamaha - it can scroll through the guide and info, and everything else. Also it has a macro function which sets up a seqence of commands at the touch of one button; with this I can turn on the receiver, equalizer, tv, cable, vcr, cd player, cd recorder. It takes a few seconds because you have to wait for the domino effect, but soon enough they are all on.

I also like the amount of inputs both digital and analog that are on the back, as well as 7 s video inputs. Most of them are interchangeable (I'm not sure why that matters) and they are all renamable (I can change the screen to say equalizer instead of tape/md). All 8 speakers can use bannana plugs, even the front effect speakers. You can plug three components into the back which also makes turning on compnents at the touch of one button easy.

Dislikes:

No pro-logic II, no dts neo (though I don't even know what that is), supposedly it doesn't have subwoofer volume control. It says this in the manual, but it looks like it would control the volume from the looks of the diplay. I don't have my sub hooked up yet because my neighbors will hate me. If it doesn't have volume control I will be very dissapointed because my old Yamaha had this and I used it all the time when I lived in a house. I wish the display was brighter, I sit about 15 feet from the receiver, and unless it's dark it can be hard to see. I don't like the fact that if I am switching sources while using the equalizer I have to get up and switch it on the receiver itself - this isn't possible on the remote - however, none of the other receivers I looked at even had the eq possibility, and the only two sources I use the eq on are tuner and cd.


All in all, this receiver was my only clear choice. I wanted dd, dts, matrix on both, es on both, all channel stereo, the ability to hook it up to an equalizer, and at least 100 watts per channel. It would be nice to have DPLII, but it wasn't worth it to me to trade that for the equalizer. So far this receiver has been everything I hoped it would and more. I hope to be using this for years to come (my wife hopes so too).

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha rx-v595, I auditioned Denon 3801 and 3802.

Clean Power, Lots of inputs/outputs, good heat dissipation (not like the Sony!), Looks great in Gold, powers 8 Channels

No Neo

Wow - this thing rocks! It takes a while to set-up but once its done it sounds great. I have noticed that a lot of people comment on how many DSP modes there are but I like them. This receiver is built like a brick sh_t house you could run it all day if you wanted to and it wouldn't bother it. I am also pleasantly surprise @ how good the remote is as my old Yamaha remoted sucked! I have to say the only thing I find annoying is the digitally controled volume control - man you gotta turn it forever to play it loud. My old receiver only had to be turned to 1/3 volume.
All in all this is a great receiver. While looking for a new receiver I looked @ Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, NAD and even Sony but I came back to a product that I have used for over 20 years. Nobody and I mean Nobody would go wrong by buying a Yamaha receiver.
My System
TV - Sony 53 Projection
DVD - Sony DVPNS500
A/V Controler - Yamaha RX-V3000GL
Front Main Speakers - PSB Image 6T
Front Effect Speakers - Energy ESAT
Front Centre - PSB Image 9C
Front Subwoofer - Energy
Rear Surround - Mirage
Rear Sub - Yamaha YST-320
Rear Centre - JBL

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha R-1000 (1st receiver), Yamaha RX-800 (2nd receiver)