YYEEAAHH

I have owned this reciever for about a week now, and overall I am very pleased. I almost bought a Kenwood VR-209, but to get Yamaha sound for only $100 more seemed like a good buy. It sounds much better in Pro-Logic than my old JVC, and having just experienced my first DVD movie with 5.1 channel sound (Blade) I can truly say I was blown away. I was the first time I felt like I was in the movie, not just watching it. Of course, a lot of that has to do with my new sub, Def-Tech's PF-15TL. My only complain is a very slight bleed through of sound from the FM tuner when I turn the volume all the way up and put my ear right by the tweeter. It was not apparent with the volume at normal levels though - 12 o'clock and less, and did not show up when the receiver input was set to Dolby Pro-Logic or Digital.
I like the remote, although the buttons are a bit small. The features are good, but I don't know if I will use the DSP modes much - it sounds too "processed". Overall, an excellent receiver for $500, and I can recommend it to any one looking for a AC-3 receiver under $1000.

A good all round reciever. You cant do better for the price !!

I recently purchased a RX-V595 as an upgrade to a prologic unit - a RX-V590. The units have similar features but I was looking for Dolby Digital. I came across a demo unit for $349 and couldn't resist the deal.
The power output between the two units is comparable. I've got my home theater set up in the family room which measures about 20'x25'. The room is broken up by furnishings, however, so that the HT viewing area is only about 12'x15'. The RX-V595 seems to have plenty of clean power to drive the HT in that space. I haven't had to turn it up beyond 10:30 yet, and I usually drive the rest of the family out of the room when its set that loud.

In terms of features, the 595 is pretty basic ... no S-video but I just go directly from my DVD to the TV, so I don't worry about that. The remote is ugly as sin ... I haven't used it so can't comment on the features. The RX-V590 has a great remote, however. I've found it works pretty much the same for the 595 as it does the 590. Since its a learning remote I've decided to keep the 590 (probably couldn't get more then $100 for it anyway) and continue to use the old remote.

Overall, the best unit around for the price (especially if you can find a demo unit), and contains all you need for a basic HT. I'd recommend it to anyone trying to set up a HT on a budget.

The rest of the setup:
Toshiba 3108 DVD
Mitsubishi 32" TV
M&K V75 subwoofer
Boston VR10 center
Boston CR6 surrounds
Advent 2002 fronts (very old speakers)

I just purchased the 595 as part of a 'package' deal, I got it for about $550 Canadian, and I'm extremely happy with it. I hooked it up to Energy surround speakers, and a 10" sub...Excellent quality. I looked all over for something to fit my budget, and almost settled for a JVC. I was able to get this for the same price, and it blew the JVC away...Excellent receiver for someone looking for good quality at a reasonable price.

I had purchased the Technics SA-X720 and the SCH-500D only to realize upon visiting a local Yamaha dealer that for the same price I could have Yamaha quality. And quality is what I got. After hooking up my speakers and SONY DVP-S500D DVD and SLV-778HF VCR, I noticed a remarkable improvement in sound clarity and presence. While the unit could be a little more powerful (only 70W x 5), I have never found myself wanting more. The unique remote takes a little getting used to, but I like its personality. The only way I could be more pleased with this receiver would be to have more I/O, but that is what you get when you are starving for cash.
Based on the fairly low cost and outstanding performance, I strongly believe that this receiver is EXCELLENT. Five Stars.

After months and months and months and months (ok you get the point!)of auditioning receivers (yamaha, sony, kenwood, Denon, Harmon Kardon) I decided to go with the yamaha RX-V595. Reason(s) why I am a happy camper: Price - Purchased mine from Soundtrack for $450.00, 50 bucks off original price but would have paid original price!)

Sound -(music) (5) speaker rating, lots of attention to details/nuances that were missed by my aging Sony. Classical (High Art) music: I could actually hear the tapping of the keys on a flute, details not usually heard fromthe bow on the various stringed instruments.
World International: Micky Hart, planet drum stuff is AMAZING, could hear the sound of hands brushing across drumheads. Sounded like the drum was right there.
Rock ensembles: Bass guitar is now separated and is no longer just bleeding in w/ the drums, mids on rhythm, lead guitar and vocals crystal clear and smoothe, very delicious indeed.
The DSP effects are OK, I am a musician w/ a home studio and and thus am used to working with professional reverbs, delays etc.(I might have a more scrutinizing ear than most!)
Even though this receiver boasts a measily 70watts per channel and no outs for extra preamplification (if you want this go w/ the RX-V795)it holds it's own just fine. The secret is how these guys in the yamaha labs work some engineering voodoo when routing the signal to discrete power transitors within the amp. On the specs the Dynamic power has a rating of up to 100 watts per channel (into 8ohm speakers), this means that during certain passages of sound the amp does put out quite a clean and loud kick. The power transistors are located away from certain parts of the receiver that tend to heat up and so you get very clean sound (acoustic ensembles practically sounds as if the band is performing live in my basement!). My listening area is 30'X 30' and yes I am into the Home Theater thing and here is where I am little bit disappointed.

(In regards to the next section I am seeking any enlightenment)
Since this receiver only puts out 70 watts per channel it lacks bass when playing Dolby Surround (DPL) movies from my VCR. The woofers on my tower speakers are passive and so I am thinking that if I purchase a powered subwoofer this might resolve my complaint. The bass during music perfomance is just fine but then again I am not into rap or speed metal so this might not be the case for other people. The stereofield from all sources (CD,VCR,TAPE,) is most impressive, very expansive, wide, wide, wide. Eventually when I trust the DVD market I will purchase a stand alone DVD player (hopefully burner as well) when the time is right.

The lightsaber, oooopps! I mean remote control feels pretty cheap and is an
ergonomical nightmare. However this could be a contributing factor to the low price and so I am not going to bring this factor into my review.

For the buck a good clean receiver for very little moola and pretty simple to setup and operate. I have used Yamaha pro audio products for years and have had no problems whatsoever. (And no I am not brainwashed nor do I work for Yamaha!)
A big THANKS to the personnel that have created this website as I have found it to be an excellent resource for oodles and oodles of information.

Have a good Day! (or don't if you don't want to)

I am finally able to put to rest my old Kenwood shelf system with a new RX-V595, and the difference is incredible. Everything sounds great, instead of the mushy sound I am used to getting with the Kenwood. While I did upgrade speakers as well (Polk RM-7300), running them on the Kenwood did not produce the same quality of sound that the Yamaha has. The Dolby Digital rocks, I could not believe I was watching the same movie! All sounds were much cleaner and sharp. My CDs actually sound like CDs, instead of LPs now. Overall I am very impressed with Yamahas RX-V595, and did not break the bank either.

Great value for money. I was looking for a AC-3 receiver with pre-outs.
Had to choose between the Yamaha RX-v795 and 595 and the Denon AVR1700.

Altough the Denon was better for music, the 250$ difference between the 595 and the denon was too big. I use a Rotel 972pre amp and a 981 power amp to drive
the main channels by using the pre-out of the yamaha. The 595 does centre and rear channels.

AC-3 and pro-logic both sound very good, DSP effects are excellent.

An excellent receiver for its price (479.99 at Circuit City) I know it's not the cheapest price you can get for it but it was worth it. Clean sound, but it lacks significant bass for rap/R&b music. The dolby digital is just as good as any HK that is about 300-400 dollars more. I would not have bought anything else with my $500.