Connections

Lack of bass

First, you could read my review few blocks down. It tells my opinion after few weeks testing. Now I would like to add few comments on some issues.

I mentioned about lack of bass which seemed to change a lot when changing my Sony to Yamaha. I tried some tricks, but only one that did really help was buying a good subwoofer. I bought 12" sub which gives the system the bass it needs.

Second I told the DD/DTS-modes didn't sound that great as I anticipated. I don't have a test-DVD, so I had the amplifier tuned with it's test-mode. I found out that this test mode was giving quite incorrect tones, and I did tuning during a movie and now movies sound at least better than DPL ones, though I wouldn't say there's a huge difference.

Ah, and the remote, although everyone complains about it. Here's the trick: When controlling the amplifier itself, you don't need more than some of the buttons: input selector, dsp selector, volume and set-ups. But you can use these options with any select on the dial. So if you e.g. use mainly TV and amplifier with the remote, then just leave the dial on the TV-selection, and you can use the amplifier commands with remote as well.

Overall, for the price, this is a bargain. With the subwoofer present, I can and will give one more star for the overall rating. But again, I suggest you to try out this before making the decision.

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Sony STR-425

Outstanding Dolby Digital / DTS receiver for < $400.00

none so far

I have been looking for a high quality dolby digital / dts receiver for less than $500.00 for a couple of months now, and finally settled on this. I am glad that I did.

Believe it or not, I took the lead from a couple of others who submitted reviews, and called Crazy Eddie's. I got it for $369.00 as did they, and it only cost $10.00 to ship it from North Jersey to Glen Mills, PA. It arrived 4 days later. (I of course tried it out at a local store before doing so.)

In my opinion, this receiver sounds every bit as good as the Yamaha 995 that my neighbor next door has except that it costs a lot less. I am not even sure why. If you go to the Yamaha web site, they list the features of each receiver, and the 995 really doesn't have that much more to offer...

I have a set of Pro Cinema 80's from Definitive Technology hooked up to it (2 front speakers, 2 rear, 1 center, and 1 sub). This speaker system combined with the Yamaha 596 sounds fantastic for both music and home theatre DVD movies.

I listened to a lot of different combinations, but the Yamaha/Def Tech combo was definetly the best in terms of sound and features for the $$$$$. The other combinations sounded great for home theatre, but not that good for music. However, I think the Pro Cinema 80s from Def Tech are the reason why. I don't think I would be as satisfied if I bought similar speaker systems from Bose, Polk, Boston Acoustics, or Mirage.

A lot of people complain about the spring clips for the rear and center channels, and also the remote, but so what!

I just can't believe that I got a receiver of this quality for such a low price.

I would recommend this for anyone who wants a high quality Dolby Digital / DTS receiver for < $500.00...

Similar Products Used:

Looked at similar products from JVC, Sony, Kenwood, Denon before buying this...

Power, Clarity and Separation, Great Tuner

No 5-Channel Stereo Option, Plastic Face Plate, No On-Screen Display

This was my first A/V Receiver purchase. I paired this receiver with Energy Encore speakers and a Toshiba SD-3205 5 carousel DVD player (using this for CD's also).
Both music and HT sound great with this receiver. After a month of use, the sound dramatically improved. Don't know if it was totally speaker break-in or if the receiver had some break-in time, also. I particularly like the Disco DSP for most music. The tuner is excellent--my favorite FM station has a weak transmission which my boom box could not pick up. On this receiver, it comes in loud and clear. The Eagles Hell Freezes Over DTS DVD sounds fabulous with this set up. Movies are impressive. I have this set up in a small living room and couldn't imagine a better sound for the money.
Some of the DSP's sound too echoey and do not interest me. If this receiver had 5 channel stereo, I would give it 5 stars overall. I held back a star for that reason. But for value, I give it a 5. Especially after comparing to the 2095.
Two weeks ago, I upgraded to an RX-V2095, ONLY because I was able to get a deal I couldn't pass up. I would NEVER have paid full price for the 2095. It sounds great, but not much better than I remember the 596 sounding. For the money, the 596 is the way to go (unless you can get a deal like I did on the 2095).

Similar Products Used:

RX-V2095

GREAT SOUND, GREAT PRICE, "RECOMMENDED"

CLIP TERMINALS FOR CENTER AND SURROUNDS

I TOOK THIS YAMAHA HOME TO TRY OUT RELUTANTLY - I ORIGINALY WANTED A DENON. HOWEVER, AFTER TWO DAYS I WAS TOTALLY ENTRANCED BY THIS UNIT AND WAS NOT ABOUT TO GIVE IT UP.
My only complaint is the clip terminals for the center and rears- they remind me of my old high school Montgomery Ward stereo. Also, I am a bit obscessive compulsive and like my center to match my main in all respects, including connections. Power was excellent at a 100 watts.
The unit sounded great in stero mode with great clarity and detail throughout. The bass was adequate (I use a independently powered B&W 1000 subwoofer),mid range had plenty of punch and the highs were warm, without the brightness and reediness that Yamaha lower end gear has been guilty of in the past. This applies even when the unit was pushed considerably. Home theater mode was perfect, with effects more startling than the most recent Abercrombie and Fitch catalog. If you are on a budget or buying any AV rec. for under $1500, take a good look at this beauty. Paired with my B&W 601s, the sound field is well defined and focused between the speakers. Yamaha is the leader in DSP modes, and even this jaded listener must admit that I find myself using them occasionally in music mode. In home theater mode, they are excellent, recreating the feel of a big theater appropriate for action and sci fi movies. While I did not have a testing board to check measurements, from the standpoint of just listening, this unit sounds like one that is considerably more expensive. The only reason I would upgrade is to get 6.1. A recommended best budget buy. The rest of my system includes: B&W 601s mains, SW1000 Sub, 301s rears, and Toshiba V51 36 inch monitor.

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LUXMAN

Excellent clarity a detail; 100 watts per channel; Bargain price, "RECOMMENDED"

CLIP TERMINALS FOR CENTER AND SURROUNDS

Following are additionally remarks to my previous full review on th 596 (see three reviews below):

After looking at reviews of comparatively or more expensively priced a/v receivers, I noticed a frequent complaint about other units getting two hot. Yes, amplifiers do generate heat, some of the best in fact get quite hot. Another outstanding feature of this unit, I have been happy to discover, has been that it does not overheat. Curious as to why, I called Yamaha support. I figured they would know more than the salesman. Apparently Yamaha actually manufactures their own LSI semiconductor chips, rather than buying pre fabbed chips from an outside vendor. This, I was told, allows the system to run more efficiently and with less excess heat generation. This is nice because it means I can crank my unit up for extended periods and not have to worry about a China Syndrome type meltdown situation occuring in my apartment. Also, I mention it here because it may be a partial explanation for why this unit is so good and ahead of the receiver pack.

I should also mention Yamaha service and support has been outstanding, better than any other major company with which I've worked (B&W for instance). They get a "10" on support.

While the unit does not overheat, it does generate adequate power at 100 watts per channel. Yamaha is generally considered to be more strenuous in their testing than some other companies we know, so we can be confident that from them 100 watts means just that (or more), a rarity.

I mention this because I am using the 596 to drive my B&W 601s mains. Since B&W is an advocate of bi-wiring, I am considering bi-wiring the 601s and the B&W center channel. I feel confident the Yamaha could handle this powerwise, since bi-wiring, while improving bass and treble separation, also increases impedance. This makes since if you think about it - twice as much cable equals twice the resistance. I'll update this after I bi-wire and let you know how the Yamaha performs.

Finally, I alluded in my previous review of the 596 that I had a concern about brightness in the higher frequencies. The Yamaha did well in this regard, but I should mention that a speaker upgrade had a huge impact in this regard. After detecting a bit of thiness and reediness on some vocals, I exchanged my B&W 302s for the B&W 601s. As you know the 601s are the beneficiaries of the famed Nautilus tweeter. The change was huge, and the Yamaha was clear and warm in the high ranges, with clear definition and none of the reediness I had previously noted. If you would like, please see my review under B&W 601s (to be posted in the next several days) for more on this. Thanks!

Similar Products Used:

LUXMAN, YAMAHA

Great sound and features for casual listener and Audio Enthusiast. Solidly build, easy setup (Manuals have clear illustrations). Great price.

Poor remote control designs.

This is a great unit for anyone who's just starting to build their own home theatre system. To start with, the sound produced by this receiver is very close to on par with most high-end receivers out there that cost twice the amount of money.

The construction of this receiver is excellent, given that Yamaha always had a reputation for solidly build receivers, i was not surprised by how well this unit is in terms of construction wise. (Volume knob is always a good place to start for me when determining whether a unit is build good or bad)

Setting up this unit with my Energy Take 5.2 Speaker system was very easy. The instruction manual is very clear and concise, it also provides different ways of setting up the unit and trying out new combinations to suit your need. For the price you are paying for this unit, it really is a great deal.

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Pioneer Elite, Denon, Marantz.

Yamaha did a great job with their digital processor. Crystal clear. Bass is tight and not washed out. I gave up a Carver A760x/380wx380w power amp, and matching pre-amp to upgrade to this Yamaha unit. I don't miss the Carver at all, seeing as how there is only about an 8db difference.
The yamaha 100w x5 seems very conservative, and it has plenty of reserve, as I am running Ohm Walsh 5XO's in the front and Ohm Walsh 4XO's in the rear, With a Paradigm center speaker. The Walshes take a good chunk of power to operate at ther utmost. But this receiver has no problem with them. Yamaha did a good job making 4 omni-directional speakers surround you in a deep rich theater experience

The remote has a lot to be desired. switching modes give you about 3 secs,to make a choice. you need to be quick. and the amber display is hard to focus on from a distance, you pretty much have to be right next to it to be sure you are doing what you think you are doing. But it is Black. And that is what really matters

the only product out of those that I tested that even came close to the Yamaha Receiver was Sonic Frontiers,but the price difference was remarkable

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tested Sony,Denon,JVC,and sunfire,Sonic Frontiers

sounds great with cd's killer sound with high's and mid's

good but not great with movies, does not sound as loud as cd's. very clear though.

starting my home theater collection. using polk rt 55i
for fronts . my t.v. is my center for now a hitaichi 53 inch
ultravision great t.v.

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first system purchase building slowly.

Cheap plastics, low quality stereo sound, poor remote,
expensive... worth 150.00

When you play music on this receiver the sound is terrible.
O.k. for cinema but still the center channel is poor... it seems like people are talking trought a tin can!!!
Forget about the name Yamaha, try them all before you buy this crap!!!

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Marantz, Denon, Sony ES, H.K.

High Quality Receiver, tons of outputs/inputs, dts, dolby 5.1, dsp settings

it HAS optical inputs...but no optical outputs for md or cd-r...you'll have to get the yamaha rx-v800 for that...

this receiver is great...has everything you could want...tons of outputs/inputs, dts, dolby 5.1, dsp settings...i can output all channels to an external amp...love it...you should get it.

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