Amazingly accurate sound reproduction with ultra clean power. Great DSP effects.

Lack of distance adjustments for all speakers but center and it could be louder at lower volume levels. I would rather have controlled unit buttons instead of that dial on the remote.

I have seen some reviews in complaining about the remote taking a long time to figure out. If an hour or so is too long, I would agree but I found it to be incredibly simple. A little cumbersome with that dial but still simple. Other reviews complained about the power being "gutless". I have Phase-Tech 9T speakers as my front main speakers and they sound amazing. I don't even need a subwoofer. I have one, but I don't need it. I replaced a Kenwood KR-V8060 which sounded beefy. This new Yamaha isn't as loud at the same volume levels but it is plenty loud enough. I mean so what... I have to turn it up a little more to match the sound level of my old Kenwood. What's more important to me is that it sounds much much cleaner than the Kenwood recievers. I would have liked to pay a little less for this piece, considering what everyone else here is claiming but what the hell, it's good for the economy right?

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-1802, Kenwood VR-507, & Kenwood VR-509

Color, Size, Clean Sound

Power, Tech Support, Remote Control

Only good for Home Theater. Very weak at low volumes. I have a 6 Speaker setup and can't listen to my favorite music very loud. Sony has much more power and Denon isn't bad either. The DSP modes are good but again only while watching DVD, I got good sound from Star Wars. But I had to purchase a different Receiver for my Musical Pleasures. I also suggest buying a active Bass if you purchase this unit.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Sony

VERY CLEAN AND ACCURATE SOUND!! FOR $400 THIS IS A GREAT BARGAIN

PROBABLY THE LOOKS, ALTHOUGH THE LAY OUT IS CLEAN

i PURCHASED THIS FOR MY HOME THEATER SETUP BACK IN JULY OF 2001. i WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING TOWARDS A DENON, WHICH MY COUSIN HYPED ABOUT. i HAVE TO SAY BOTH RECIEVERS SOUND GREAT. BUT BY MY EARS OPINION THE YAMAHA EDGED OUT THE DENON.
MOVIE SOUND REPRODUCTION IS WHERE THIS RECIEVER GETS EVERYTHING RIGHT. IN THE OPENING SCENE OF GLADIATOR, THE YAMAHA BREEZE THROUGH WITH NO PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING FROM THE CLASHING OF SWORDS, CATAPULTS GOING OFF, ARROWS THROUGH THE AIR, THIS RECIEVER DID IT ALL AND IT MADE THE SOUND THROUGH MY SPEAKERS SOUND VERY REALISTIC AND INVOLVING.
IN MUSIC THIS RECIEVER DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB TO KEEP ME SATISFIED, BUT IT'S NOT THE FAULT OF THE RECIEVER CAUSE i FEEL THAT MY HT SPEAKER SYSTEM (ENERGY ENCORES) ONLY SOUNDS GOOD WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF MUSIC, DEFINITELY NOT ROCK OR RAP. ALTHOUGH ON JAZZ, CLASSICAL, AND SOFT ROCK IT SOUNDS JUST FINE.
i WOULD HOWEVER WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE SEEN A LITTLE MORE POWER IN THIS RECIEVER. IT'S RATED AT 100W PER CHANNEL, BUT I FEEL IT'S MORE LIKE 70W OR 75W. MAYBE THAT'S WHAT SOME REVIEWERS MEAN BY "GUTLESS". ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH THAT TERM, BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OVERALL VOLUME OR HOW LOUD SOMETHING SOUNDS MANY VARIABLES COME INTO PLAY SUCH AS SPEAKER SENSITIVITY, ROOM SIZE, ETC.. BUT THIS CERTAINLY WAS NOT GUTLESS FOR ME. THE ONLY REASON WHY I WOULD HAVE WELCOMED MORE POWER IS BEACUSE I FEEL I COULD HAVE PUSHED MY SPEAKERS MORE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE EVERYTHING SET AT DOLBY REFERENCE LEVEL, I LIKE TO LISTEN TO MY MOVIES OR MUSIC LOUD!!! IT'S JUST ME!!! BUT THIS RECIEVER BEING GUTLESS, NO WAY!!!!! MY WHOLE 12X20 FOOT LOFT WAS SHOOK!!!
SO TO WRAP THIS REVIEW UP, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A CLEAN AND ACCURATE SOUNDING RECEVER THAT CAN SHAKE THINGS UP WHO HAS A SIMILAR SETUP TO MINE!!
12 X 20 FOOT ROOM
ENERGY ENCORE SYSTEM (HOME THEATER)
YAMAHA RX-V620
PIONEER ELITE 38-A DVD
SONY WEGA XBR-400 36"

AS FOR HI-FI, I HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SETUP DEDICATED ONLY FOR MUSIC!

HEY AT $400 YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!

Similar Products Used:

DENON 2801, SONY 945

Incredible sound quality in stereo (for an A/V amplifier)
DSP that sounds "natural" (not overprocessed)
Digital ToP.Art + tons of features and tuning possibilities
Component video switching.
6ch. pre-out.

Front face presentation

I already posted a review a short time after having purchased this amplifier (mine is actually a DSP-AX620). I enjoyed it for some more time now and would like to adress some of the "weak points" that have been discussed in the reviews.

Power:
For those who would not know, dB is a unit used to represent a ratio of power (current RMS output capability compared to the maximum RMS output in this case) according to the formula: Vol(dB)=10*log10(P_RMSOutCap/P_RMSOutMax) where power is expressed in W. Practically, 3dB corresponds to a factor 2, 10dB corresponds to a factor 10. Nobody could stand this amplifier using 75% of it's power (Jef, you should turn the knob until -1.5dB to reach that ;-P). Using low efficient speakers (89dB/W/m), it would deliver 110dB RMS in stereo, which is the commonly accepted limit for sound before it hurts !
Power output capability should be considered for what it is: headroom that prevents the output stage from clipping when the peak to average ratio of the signal suddenly increases. Taking into account the clear and accurate sound this amplifier delivers, at "listenable" levels, I think that the engineers made a good job here.
Sorry for the users who are more familiar with analogue volume controls. A logaritmic control much better fits the ears sensibility.

Poor quality at low volme:
This amplifier delivers a flat spectrum, whatever the volume. At low levels, the ear is more sensitive to mid frequencies which represent the most important part of language. Highs and bass should be enhanced at low volume to compensate for this effect. I agree that some people can be dissappointed because they don't tune their stereo each time they change the volume (neither do I). This piece of equipment is supposed to be used to listen to (and enjoy) music and deliver theater sound. Don't blame it to be a bit weak when delivering elevator music at ambience levels. Use a low price stereo set with depressed "loudness" selector for that.

Remote:
Except for the back light of the dial that should stay on as long as it is used and the placement of the volume control, I don't see what's wrong with the remote. Each button is easily located and recognized in the dark by it's specific shape. Since the same button is used for the same function for all devices you control, it becomes familiar very fast. If you want something better, you'll have to buy a universal LCD touch screen remote.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TXDS595

sound clarity, dsp soundfields

a little cumbersome to get speaker settings to optimum performance; No Pro Logic II

I looked around extensively for the right receiver for my relatively large home theater room. It is probably 22x15 with domed ceilings. Hence, I knew I would need a receiver with good driving power. I was very close to getting a Denon 2802, because of the Dolpy Pro Logic II feature and generally good reviews, when I saw an add for this unit at Tweeter for an incredibly low price. I had actually previously gotten this Yamaha unit from Ubid and it was DOA, so I was a little leary, but with Tweeter's product support I knew I could return and trade it as needed.

My initial reaction to this unit was mixed. On the positive side I thought the clarity of the sound was outstanding, and that continues to be its best feature to me. However, I originally thought that it was underpowered, becuase I was not getting the low frequency response that I was with an older, much cheaper AIWA unit or a Sony unit. What I did notice was that DVD with digital soundtracks would boom out the sound, but two channel sources such as cds and television would not be anything special. To enhance the low frequency effects I added a Sony WA-M40 subwoofer, and I think I have struck the right balance. Although getting the settings for the subwoofer was a made a little more difficult by having to experiment (the manual is not too helpful) with numerous on screen settings, the end result was fine, and I am more than happy with this unit now.

I was sorry not to get Dolby Pro Logic II with this receiver. That seems to be the only thing missing. However, it has something called 5 channel stereo that may be virtually the same thing. I don't know how to compare them. You don't get a choice of soundfields with the 5 channel stereo option, but I don't find them that critical anyway.

The remote unit is not great, but if you read reviews of other receivers, no one ever seems satisfied with a remote. On the plus side, you can go directly to any input source or sound field without having to cycle through others. I also like the on screen display, which you can modify as to the amount of information displayed, and the size of the display. Modifying settings on the surround speakers is also easy to accomplish from the remote. Over all, this is an excellent receiver. Not the top of the line, but a very good value.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Aiwa

Incredible sound quality in stereo (for an A/V amplifier)
DSP that sounds "natural" (not overprocessed)
Digital ToP.Art + tons of features and tuning possibilities
Component video switching.
6ch. pre-out.

Look (not hidden connections on the front pannel).

My amplifier is actually a DSP-AX620, which is basically the same as the RXV-620 without the tuner and with a better supply module.

Since I'm using my amplifier for both music and HT (50/50), the performance in stereo was very important for me (I never use any effect when listening to music, not even "5ch stereo"). That is really the point that made the difference with other similar amplifiers. This amplifier perfectly matches my speakers and fullfill my greater expectations on a very large range of musics (from Portishead's "Roseland live" to Clapton's "Unplugged" via Barry White classics or J.K.Jewel's early vocals).

It's difficult for me to evaluate the HT performance since I'm not familiar with it yet. Although, the performance when playing back soundtracks that contains a lot of music ambiance and themes ot "natural sounds" (waterfalls, horses, voices,...) is really astonnishing. The sound is very detailed and you live the movie like if it happened to you.

This amplifier never dissappointed me by missing bass, unaccurate trebles, boomy or overprocessed sound. You should listen to it with your favorite CD's and compare it with similar amplifiers... If you never listen to music, there could be better choices. But if you have a 2 in 1 system (music + HT), you may only love it.

My full system is made of
Yamaha DSP-AX620 A/V amplifier
Yamaha DVD-S520 DVD player
Marrantz (old) CD player
Tannoy MX3*2+MX2*2+MXC*1

Similar Products Used:

ONKYO TXDS-595

Surround and Stereo, Phono quality, remote

No Dolby EX

I purchased the Yamaha RX-V620RDS to replace an ailing Sony Pro-Logic system and get a better stereo quality than my old Midi-system.

What can I say? It's GREAT!!!

Audio quality is superb when used with my Pro-Ject turntable and when watching Star Wars on DVD. You can tell where every laser blast is going.

The system was quite difficult to set up at first (it does not tell you to take off the covers on the speaker terminals to fit banana plugs) it gets much easier afterwards. The remote is quite good compared to most of my others, although I still use my DVD remote.

I find the system powerful enough for quite a large room although I am going to add a subwoofer soon just for the rumble effect on films.

I don't know if Dolby EX would make any difference but watching Star Wars with the lights off was almost as good as the cinema experience.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, Sony

WoW!! one of the best!
greate soung! amazing DD!

power.....( i think it's half from the rx-v420.....)

what a greate sound!
i had the rx-v420 and it was so POOR for music....
the rx-v620 has really greate sound for music and home cinema,it has Phono output (my father can't get out from my room :-)) ),and the silent cinema is amazing.
i think when someone want to buy Good reciver he SHUOLD
buy THiS reciver.
it seems that the power is little low...
when u compare it to the rx-v420 it seems that the rx-v420 has double(!) power.
but who cares!
i also use the tannoy mx set (good!)

Similar Products Used:

rx-v420,denon 1801

clearnes

superb quality for nice price. Can beat most denon, marantz receivers.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Marantz

Sound, components, power supply out to other hifi components.

Power

While others tend to say it has a lack of low-end, I think it has a natural, but crystal-clear sound. I think a amplifier should not define a sound, but it has to be able to project a neutral sound. It's up to the listener to define or re-adjust his or her sound. And this is possible with the RX-620, you can re-adjust your low-end or hi-end.
Personally I tend to switch on the "bass-enhancer", but that's because of my taste and my choice of speakers.
If you use a good sub, I don't think you need to turn up your low-end.(certainly at high volume levels!)

What I do sense is a lack of power, I have to play at 75% of the amp's power to get a good sound.
But then, it sounds great!!!
You must also compare with the price and other models of the same price...

Conclusion: great amp for the pricerange, good and clear,neutral sound.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Philips