Great sound. Good Value. Stying.

Remote.

I bought the RX-V496 for $400 and was told by the United Audio Centers salesman that the RX line has better internals than the HTR-5240 which you see at Best Buy and Sears (who will match online prices). An email from Yamaha said otherwise - they are the exact same models. United Audio credited me $50 to match the Best Buy price.

Anyway, I love the sound from the reciever in both stereo and surround modes. And, like everyone else, I don't (and shouldn't I just learned) push the volume past 11 oclock. (I have new Klipsch SB-2, SC-1, SS-1, and KSW-10; my room/wife don't allow floorstanding mains, but the SB-2 speakers are awesome - great bass. I regress.) But I feel like I'm in the middle of the action for movies and in front of the stage for stereo music. The music surround modes are good for some music. Technically, the distortion numbers are lower than comparably priced recievers (notably sony and kenwood).

The inputs are more than adequate for my system, but there isn't an optical input labelled for "CD." I don't run my video signals through the reciever - I don't see the point of buying $100+ for AV cables when the components can be connected directly with coaxial that I already have (I actually bought them, then realized they were unnecessary, and returned all these cables).

The remote is OK, and I've programmed it to control my audio components. I use the universal cable remote for video components since the Yamaha didn't have a code for the cable box. Control is somewhat intuitive, but not completely. I originally didn't like the slim profile, but it's OK.

One thing that it doesnt do is remember different setttings for different inputs. It does remember which listening mode you last had for each input (like dolby for cable/tv and effect off for cd), but it doesn't allow you to keep different detail settings (like bass through SW vs. through mains and SW).

I'm no adiophile, but I am extremely pleased with the sound and value from this receiver. I plan on having it for a long time. Yamaha seems to be "generous" with the power ratings and geared toward audiophiles, which makes me feel good.

Finally, I think the reciever looks very cool - subtle and clean, not gimmicky, which is really a plus.

Similar Products Used:

none

Lots of power for 70 watts.Clean crisp sound. I have only one set of speakers Paridigm Monitor 11's .I plan on purchasing surround sound system soon.

No indication of volume control on system.Should have put LED on it.Very minimal weakness.

I searched two weeks for the best possible deal available to me and ended up selecting this Yamaha.What a crisp natural sound.

Similar Products Used:

Denon avr 610,Rotel

DTS, DD, power, dsp modes

tricky remote

This is my first 5-channel reciever, and I think it sounds great in 5 channel mode. Watching Gladiator in DTS was something I enjoyed far more than my neighbours, thats for sure! My center and satellite speakers are of a "low budget brand", and so are the mainspeakers, but equipped with two 10" base elements each I haven't turned the volume knob more than half way yet... It's really powerful.

But when I listen to music, in 2-channel mode, it doesn't sound as good as my (very) old Yamaha reciever. The music sounds "colder", not so "alive", if you understand what I mean.

The remote is a bit tricky, but after an evening of tweaking it controls almost any gizmo in the house...

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 2-ch reciver (2x45W) from -79...

DD and DTS for the price. DSP modes. Power is great - they powered my Klipsch SB3 with authority.Simple Controls. Remote Control controls everything from a distance.

Remote is slightly confusing but not as bad as some people make it out to be. Lack of non-digital Coax in and outs which complicated things but I was able to work around it.

This receiver is sweet. It has nice sound reproduction and power. It really makes my Klipsch SB3 speakers sing. The DSP's are great. I haven't tried it with movies yet b/c I'm getting a DVD player tomorrow. The Rock Concert and Concert Hall DSP's are amazing. The Face is simple and easy to operate - there are no compicated programs however is will do everything that they can. If your music listening revolves around the remote then don't get this receiver but if you a regular guy get this reciever - the remote is confusing but not real bad. I would definately recommend this reciever.

PS- The low end is poor at low volumes - this can be expected though if u have a Sub it should fix the problem.

Similar Products Used:

NAD

DTS and Dolby Digital, price value

well, it should have more inputs. I have a dish and a dvd , yet there isnt two S vids for that. Yet there is for vcr...just how many people have s vhs vcrs? It just made my set up a little irky.

The Yamaha equipment sounds very nice with my cds...and the dvd sound in the movies is far superior to the pro logic system I had before. The old system may have been a tad more powerfull, but the new system holds its own at a much nicer price.

I just watched "Rules of Engagement" and parts of it shook my couch beneath me. I am using Definitive Technology BP 10's up front with Paradigm adp 150's rear, and a definitive small centre speaker. The main speakers have a 6" driver. I have no sub. I was very impressed with the sound I am getting from my set up to say the least.

Bottom line , I could have had the hearalded NAD 760 reciever that also got good reviews here too, but for the same money I got a nice yamaha reciever and a nice yamaha dvd player to match it.

I am in no means a true audiophile expert, but I believe most people are'nt. I do not miss the NAD even though I could stand without some of the gimmiky attributes of the Yamaha reciever line in general. I am sure I'll figure out all the buttons sooner or later.

Similar Products Used:

I sold my 6 yr old NAD pro logic pre amp, and my matching bridged amps as well as my matching cdplayer for this set up. I boght this reciever and the matching DVD player for under 100 more than what I got for selling the used NAD stuff.

Fine price, Dolby digital is great with this receiver , Avarage DTS.

NO 5 channel stereo !!! , No RDS in my model , only 65W x 5.
no On Screen Display. Can't connect 2 pairs of front speakers with 8 ohm

Much better then my old Kenwwod AC3 receiver but not strong enough.
for an avarage listener. I should have nought RX-V 420.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood KRF8010

Lots of Power, DTS

Remote

At 70 watts this system provides a lot of power. I love the DTS feature, the price was great for all the options this system provides.

Downfall is the remote. I like the size of it, but I am unable to get the codes to work for all of my things. Currently I can only get the VCR to work with it.
It was also a little confusing setting it up, but it had fairly good directions which helped.

I have friends that have the RX-V995(100 watts and twice the price). But the RX-V496 seems to offer most of the same benefits,has a lot of power and I can't hear a difference. It is a great system over all at a lower price. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

none

Overall It the DTS that makes it a really good buy @ that price. I uess 10 for value.

Bad Remote, not enough power.

The 496 goes real easy on the pocket has all the features of the 596 execpt for the s video socket in the front but who ever uses that anyway.
I used my 496 for 6 months and sold it away c'os I did not quite get the oomph from the system. I have upgraded to the 800 which is has so far been fansatic. The 496 has the norma Yahama signatures Cinema DSP etc..etc..etc.. and my brand loyalty will always be Yamaha.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

DTS, Yamaha's famous DSP Effects

Distortion past the 3/4 mark on volume dial

I spent a few weeks looking at different receivers, and I finally settled on the V496. I auditioned it with small bookshelf PSB Alphas at A&B Sound, and needless to say I was less than impressed. I compared this model with several others (some Yamaha, some Onkyo, some Denon), and I found that all sounded nearly the same on the PSB's (the Denon models sounding a little warmer). But I digress..
I suspected that the PSB's on display were inadequate, and the salesman offered to let me take the receiver home for a month and audition it on my home system. Needless to say, I was EXTREMELY impressed. My Nuance Advantage M1's (they're bookshelf speakers similar to Paradigm Titans) had nice tight bass, and full imaging. The soundstaging seems to be weaker than some combinations of receiver/speakers, but I blame that mostly on my room dimensions and the speakers themselves. CD's sound excellent, with no hint of distortion past levels which make my ears rattle. However, there IS distortion past the 3/4 mark. I honestly will never EVER use my receiver to this level because past the halfway mark this receiver could cause hearing damage.
The DSP Effects simulate a real theatre experience like I've never seen before.. usually I like to turn them off, but I found that the "70 MM Adventure" DSP setting works excellent for movies with soundtracks similar to Gladiator.
My old Kenwood receiver is sitting on the floor now, and if I knew I couldn't get $100 for it from someone, I'd probably take a sledge hammer to it.
The RX-V496 is an excellent value, and gives unsurpassed audio quality for its price range. You probably won't find a better deal than this folks.. at least I haven't in a month of searching.

ps: for anyone buying this model from an online dealer, be sure to inquire about the warranty service from Yamaha if the dealer is NOT an official Yamaha dealer.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR-208

Great Sound,

None

While I was shopping for a new receiver, I read a lot of reviews about this receiver. Most of the reviews mentioned the only weaknesses were the lack of a LED on the Volume Control and the remote was difficult to figure out.

I did not find this to be the case. First of all, who cares where the LED light is, you adjust sound based on how loud is or the lack thereof. In the event of the remote control, I had my TV, VCR, DVD, CD and RECEIVER all using the Yamaha remote in about an hour. Very easy if you just follow some directions.

Now to the strengths. This receiver puts out a lot of punch for only 70 watts per channel. Since I live in an apartment building, I have not rocked my neighbors yet. And even though I have some pretty old speakers, it sound awesome. New speakers come next, then watch out.

In the end, this is a GREAT receiver to get you started in the Home Theater.

Similar Products Used:

None