Inputs and outputs, plenty of them.

Lack of bass. Remote.

I used Sony Pro Logic amplifier for one year and then I decided it's time to upgrade to digital system. Almost all my friends flagged for Yamaha, and then I ended with this quite new version RX-V596, which had DD, DTS and RDS-radio.

Very first I inserted Saving Private Ryan (DD), and played some selected scenes from it. They didn't impress me with awesome sound effects you usually hear in the web when someone has bought a new DD system. I hardly could have told the difference to DPL. Explosions missed some bass though, maybe some setting vere incorrect. (They weren't, read below...)

Second choice: The Matrix. Same disappointment, no clear difference, no bass. I'm figuring that maybe people screaming DD being much better than DPL is mainly caused by their need to assure themselves why they paid for so much expensive amplifier than any DPL would have been.

Then music. I tried quite several pieces, and they sounded very nice, although bass was missing clearly. I don't have subwoofer, since with previous amplifier was well adequate giving enough bass with my speakers I didn't have need for anything more. Checked the settings and everything was as they should have been -> basses were really missing.

The DSP settings were some dissappointment, since most of them only made the music sound funny. Especially I laughed over the "Concert Hall", until I tried one orchestra playing in a concert hall. It was impressive, it sounded..... just right.

And the remote: buttons seems to be arranged in a better way than in the 595-model. Still it is funny that you can't (or at least I couldn't) recall radio stations with the numbers, eg. if you had station on memory A3, and you wanted A7, you can't use any other method than pressing the "change up" button four times. Going near the 7-button either changes the DSP into Rock Consert, or changes the input from the tuner into something else.

And other funny thing. The remote operated my *ancient* CD-player just by giving the correct manufacturer code, just like that. But my few years old TV (Finlux), for which there were directly some 20 codes, and another 20 with it's similar brands (ASA and Salora). No, nothing worked. Tried some others (by guessing). Nothing worked. I could use the remote to control the CD which came from time before remote was generally know to exist, and the TV which I bought some years ago refused to co-operate. Darn...

For a conclusion, this seems to be quite standard amplifier, with added features compared to some cheaper models. Still I got mostly disappointed on two factors, one being the lack of basses, which none other than the amplifier could be guilty, other the DD being not so impressive than everyone tried to tell me. For the latter I can't blame the amplifier though, but still maybe I should have stayed with the Sony....

Generally if you have subwoofer, and want a DD/DTS-amplifier, this is a good choice for the value anyway. I suppose I'll stick to this for many years to come until something really better comes other than this 6.1-matrix. I could recommend this to friends, but I think you should try this at home before making the decision, to get the feeling how it sounds so you wouldn't have an option to be dissappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-425

Dynamic, clean sound. 5 S-video inputs, etc...

Remote

This is an update to the review that I posted earlier. After tweaking the setting on this receiver, I must admit that I am much more impressed than I was when I first turned it on. After slightly adjusting my speaker positioning and playing with the tone controls on the receiver, I have eliminated almost all of the brightness that seemed a bit offensive at first. As I said earlier, I'm using Klipsch speakers, which are pretty bright to begin with.

After breaking the receiver in, I'm hearing things in movies and music that I've never heard before. The low-end output on this model is extremely tight and clean - in fact, the little drivers in my KG2.5s were very surprising when fed with clean power.

I must admit that I was also amazed by the KSW-12 sub in the store while I was purchasing my Yamaha receiver that I ordered one and hooked it up today. The combination is amazing.

Other than the strange remote and no light on the volume dial, I can't complain at all. Great buy!

Great sound, great price, very flexible unit with lots of inputs and outputs, natural sound, Yamaha quality.

Strange remote, no light on volume knob, no on screen display.

This unit sounds great, especially at the price that I paid -- $360 shipped from a small merchant. My DVD's sound fantastic! Some have griped about the clip terminals on the rear for the center and surrounds, but I have found them to work just fine in my sub $2000 home theater system. Sound is clear and crisp: I use Wharfedale Surrounds (se-100s) and Center coupled with an 8" Mission sub. Even at lower levels, this system puts out way more sound than my neighbors would like, no doubt. The sound quality is very good. I have no complaints in that department.

I am not a big fan of somethings that this unit is lacking however. There is no light on the volume knob, which I like for dark rooms etc (not a big deal), inability to adjust bass and treble levels with the remote, system setup is fairly simple which makes it hard to tweak to perfection, the remote for this unit is very unintuitive, but if you use a universal, this shouldn't be a problem.

On the other hand, the positive aspects of this receiver outweigh the negatives I have to say. This unit can be found for great prices, I have not experienced the high operating temperatures some have complained of, the unit is heavy, which is indicative a good heat sink as I recall, has many inputs and outputs to support all but the most advanced setups (would do fine for 99% of people out there). Check out the 596's back panel at:

http://www.yamahayst.com/YEC/products/backpanels/RXV596/bRXV596.htm

I also really like the receiver's ability to select the most advanced sound track available from an input source -- for example, the system will play in DD if it can, then will go down to ProLogic etc if DD is not availible -- I don't have to do anything. Overall, a great value, I made the right choice for the price in this range of units. Recommended.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Plenty of feaures! Great sound, plenty of power, overall I am quite impressed with it so far.

Not so much a weakness as me whining, the remote is merely ok.

This is my first full size stereo that I have purchased, I did a ton of research and looking around before buying, I looked for a receiver that had the features I wanted at a price point I could afford (Im going into my first year of college this year) I purchased this with a pair of Paradigm Monitor 7s and attached an M&K powered sub that was given to me by my uncle(YEAH!) This does everything I ask of it and more, with all the features I was looking for, except for an optical out in the back. I listen to ALOT of electronic music (techno, trance, jungle, hardcore, etc.) at high volumes so it takes quite the load and keeps on going without getting ridiculusly hot. But I also enjoy classical and blues quite a bit and those styles also sound beautiful to my ears on it. I would definetly reccomend this without hesitation (at this time) to someone looking for an introductory level receiver with digital / DTS and more. I couldn't be happier with my purchase :)

Sound, DSP Modes, S-Video output

Remote is only marginal

I originally bought a Kenwood VR-307 to upgrade my home theater from Pro-Logic to Dolby Digital. After reading this board and talking to some people who evidently know what they're talking about I traded the Kenwood in on this gem.

Although the Yamaha is 2.5 times the cost of the Kenwood ($200 vs. $500) you get what you pay for and the Yamaha represents a much better VALUE.

The Yamaha's sound is incredibly detailed and crisp, even with my junk speakers. The DD Processor lets me hear things on the surrond channels I've never heard before.

I would recommend this receiver as a first step away from the mass market low-fi junk they grew up with.

All in all a very satisfied customer.

Now I just need some speakers worthy of this fine receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR-307

NONE

EVERYTHING

BECAUSE I AM A BIG DR. WHO FAN, I BOUGHT THIS MODEL FOR MY KLIPSCH FORTE MONSTER SPEAKERS. I THOUGHT MY VHS COPIES OF THE SERIES WOULD SOUND ELITE WITH THIS RECEIVER. BOY, WAS I WRONG! THIS OUTPUTS A VERY BRIGHT, TINNY SOUND THAT IS INTOLERABLE WITH MY FULLY LOADED HORN SPEAKERS. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELITE SUCH AS THE DENON 3300. I KNOW SOME OF YOU ENJOY YAMAHA RECEIVERS, BUT THEY ARE TOO BRIGHT FOR MY LIKING. EVEN MASTERS HAMMER AND MAYHEM ARE BARELY LISTENABLE WITH MY RECEIVER SPEAKER COMBINATION. GORGUTS OBSCURA SOUNDS A LITTLE BETTER, BECAUSE OF ITS JAZZ FUSION INFLUENCES, BUT STILL NOT AS GOOD AS MY OLD H/K AMP DID.

Similar Products Used:

HARMON KARDON AND SOME OLD TUBE AMPS

Great sound, connections, and PRICE!

Maybe the remote

Man this thing sounds good for an entry level receiver!! It manages to have the excellent dynamics that the other Yamaha's exhibit(and the upper end models of other manufacturers).

I've listen to the other entry level receivers, and with direct comparison, they leave a lot to be desired. The Yamaha on the other hand, doesn't! It seems to deliver high dynamics even at this low price. Other's just don't have the circuitry to provide uncolored, realistic, dynamic sound. Hence is why they sound more blah or less energetic. They can't fill the highest dynamic peaks as this bargain receiver can.

It's not as smooth or detailed as the upper Yamaha models, but it delivers in the realism department, that other competeing models just lack. Like the RX-V795a, if other manufactures could just reproduce the level of detail and realism that this receiver reveals(that so many others lack with frequencies either rolled off or saturated), the gap would close between the upper end models.

Yamaha has always been a leader in the field with their receivers being handed, Receiver of the Year, and other such awards for their high performance within a bargain price.

I guess when I hear their performance and see the features/connections compared to others, it's no wonder why the others follow. Onkyo and Denon being the closest with my ears, but those brands seem to lack in the lower price units. The upper price units are more competitive with Yamaha in my opinion.

Again, an excellent product!!

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Onkyo, Denon, HK, Pioneer Elite

good overall value

remote control, no onscreen display

shopped for a long time...looked at the onkyo 575, the denon 1801, and pioneer elite 21tx. liked them all but when i encountered the yamaha, i felt it was a great deal and packed many features. the denon has a softer more gentle sound, but the yamaha realy brings out my home theatre setup. im very happy. wish they had a better remote, though. at under 500 dollars, i dont think you can go wrong with the yamaha, its powerful, has good crisp sound, and makes my dvd's sound great.

Good power, DTS, 2 S-Video outs

Poor remote, no optical out, no easy "Midnight" mode, can't assign the SUB output with each Input device.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 596. The power is plentiful and clean. I'm driving a set of Paradigm Monitor 7's for the mains, an LCR-350 center, Atom surrounds, and a PDR12 subwoofer.

The setup instructions were easy to read and follow. I had the system up and running with my VCR and DVD player in less than an hour.

The remote is a pain and unintuitive. I was hoping to replace my VCR and DVD remote with this one, unfortunately it is certainly not up to par with the receiver it controls.

The front panel controls are easy to use and understand. I showed the kids how to use the front panel instead of performing some sort of 3day class for the remote.

I was hoping to be able to setup the system so that the SUB output would only be used for the input sources that you choose.

Value rating = 4 The Kenwood VR-410 has a digital output and an RF/IR remote, but a higher distortion level. If the RX-V596 would have had either or both of those features I would have given a 5.

Overall rating = 4 The hard to use remote kept it from a 5.

It's a great receiver for the $$(499.00US$). I would buy it again, and possibly a new remote as well.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR-410

This receiver is a high frequency, high current amp with significant power especially for running inefficient speakers. The cost is less than $500 and the unit will provide crystal clear stereo sound as well as provide digital/DTS surround for movies.

I really haven't found many weaknesses for this piece of equipment. Many people complain about the remote but surprise...at the end of the manual, the codes are in fact included for other aduio-visual equipment so i've set up my remote to use for my DVD and TV. I can't complatin about the remote because that really has no bearing on the performance of this receiver.

I've done a lot of research prior to purchasing this unit. I was looking for enough clear, high current power to supply for a pair of Magnepan Magneplanars. For thsoe of you who aren't aware, they're electrostatic, bi-polar, similar to that of the Martin Logan series. In addition, i wanted the luxury of watching DVD movies in Dts surround through my stereo and the 596 allowed for both high power (clear) stereo, and clear surround sound. I can't afford a seperate pre-amp/ amp setup to provide the ultimate supply of power.
To put this in perspective, i brought my speakers into a store a year earlier and hooked up to a technics receiver (low/mid range, .07 THD, 100W blah blah blah, nothing special, sub $300 range, the receiver needed to be cranked up to max volume just to get a comforable level of sound. Take if from me, this rx-v596 from Yamaha is high quality, clear sound, numerous features, for less than $500. You won't be disatisfied. If skeptical, i highly recommend the Onkyo 575X, beautiful piece, high quality, less than $500, high current power, only 70watts....DEFINITELY A RECEIVER WORTH COMPARING TO.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 575X,DENON 1300,SONY 845 (junk),TECHNICS DA-8, Technics DA-10