My Exelent choise over the Onkyo TX-SR607 and the stereo betwen this amp was so diferent that i came to shell a nuewer Onkyo 7.2 and keep this little gay RX-396 rds ...Maybe i seel it too and brought just rx396 straith amp.because i never use the radio.i always listen from my creative sound blaster recon 3d from pc...

no weeknes for me

I have been familiar with Yamaha audio since the early 70s when I bought a amplifier ( I fought the model number, it was so long ago!) I used a sony tch 645 reel to reel tape deck and Advance A speakers . The speakers where a 1" dome tweeter and 6" woofer with a 8" passive radiator. Now did I get great sounds especially since I was listening to good old rock and roll and blues with some Johnny Cash and Peter Paul and Mary thrown in. I was never disappointed with the sound that Yamaha amp put. I was forced to sell it later and regretting doing so. Whatever system I was later to use never came close. Until now.
I managed to find a Yamaha RX 396 in used condition. Being used there was no refund on receiver. I hooked it up and to my surprise the great sound from it reminded me of that very first Yamaha amp I bought so long ago. The sound is just great for my small apartment. Though I have a 50" TV. there is no need to have a even a small surround system.I have been able to use it for my cable sound, even the small bookshelf speakers, Pansonic SB-PM91 I use beat the TVs speakers all the time. Since the apartments in the 1917 built building are not sound proof, the RX 396 at 50 W 2 ch sound is all I need.I doubt I will improve on upgrading beyond my RX 396. Though I might look for better speakers and find a dvd player that will work with the non AV system. AS I said the 2 ch sound from the FM and TV are good for my needs. Now to find a cd/dvd player, turntable, Ill be a happy camper. Does any one out there know of a Sony TCH 645 R2R that is available, I'd be in heaven!
Finding the RX 396 at a second hand shop in Edmonton, Alberta was the best and smartest $20. Canadian I ever spent!
patchowlett@yahoo.ca

I have no technical music knowledge but it is now May 2015 and I am still using this very satisfactory Yamaha RX-396 amp/receiver. Also have the 5-CD CD player which I think is CDCC775 model number - that's really good too although I have lost a CD that slipped back of the disc turntable - all very good and enjoyable equipment and still going strong!

I actually got this receiver on Christmas day 1997 from my brother along with a set of 4 Paradigm bookshelf speakers. 13 years later, it has broken in quite nicely, and sounds better now than when I first hooked it up. It compliments my 5-disc Yamaha cd player quite nicely too, requiring only one controller. For the money spent and the amount of use I got out of it, it was worth every penny my bro spent on it. Although it spent most of its time in small rooms, it made the transition to the living room just fine, putting out great sound from every corner of the room. I recently bought a 1979 B&O turntable, and the vinyl comes through flawlessly - very rich and warm tones. Well defined bass, great simple equipment, hope I get another 13 years out of it!

Good sound Cheap price looks good, sensitive tuner Remote control control, has phono stage easy to use.

None really. But if pressed, the volume display lacks a readout, or is difficult to see the level in the dark. remote control , buttons are small and fiddly.

Started looking for a budget, 2 channel receiver to listen to CDs and the radio in my bedroom, to replace a stolen Sony Micro system. I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I made with purchasing the micro system, I was never happy with the sound, despite the relatively high price of such products. I narrowed my choice down to the Denon DRA 455, Nad 720 BEE. THe Denon, sounded somehow strained and dry, and priced at full retail at $699 NZD didn't have a "must have" sound. THe NAD was ruled out very early, being a bit on the pricey side for a bedroom system. I didn't like the bulkyness of the unit, and it didn't have a Phono input meaning more expense (and clutter) involved in purchasing a seperate amplifier. Having seen the Yamaha receiver on special at half price, reduced from $599 to $299, the question had to be asked, how worse can this product be than the Denon, being half the price? I did not expect much from this receiver, however, from the first few bars of the demo disc, I was immediately impressed! The sound, to use the cliche is very "clear", bass is subtle and tight, there is plenty of detail in the treble and the receiver in general has a very musical, youthful energy I like. Upon getting the unit home, the receiver is simple to operate, the Black styling blends in to the background. The remote control works generally well, and I was pleased to see that it controls a Yamaha 5 disc CD player that I never had the remote for ! Im pleased that this unit has a Phono stage, which sounds OK,if not amazing. I have to point out, that this is not an AV receiver, and has been wrongly put in this category on the web site. It wont switch video. It is 2 channel audio only. The unit sounds good at all levels and the tuner is sensitive. OK- this is not the last word in Hifi quality but at this price I am very happy with the unit. A real "no brainer" if you can get one cheap enough.

Similar Products Used:

Sony micro system Nad receiver Marantz Dolby Digital AV amp.

Neutral detailed sound as long as you dont play too loud. Good loudspeaker connections. Absolute fair RIAA.

Sound harsh if you play load.

Nice neutral and detailed sound without the hard treble you can hear from other so called detailed performers. Bass is very detailed but a bit low. Other equipment is: Audio Pro Image 40 speakers. Yamaha CDX396 CD player. B&O TX2 gramophone. Sony DVD. Be carefull with loudspeaker matching. Though it is a low end product you will discover the weak links in your system. (I had to change my B&W DM600 - they were to hard on the high frequencies).

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer , Sony STR-DE135 (also good), Denon DRA285 (to hard sound).