Verizon Wireless
Entered CNET Catalog: 03/26/2004
SKU: 0027108918990
Manufacturer: Yamaha Corp. of America
Manufacturer description
Yamaha RX V550 is a 6.1-channel receiver that provides full Home Theater enjoyment with functions including Dolby Pro Logic IIx compatibility, 540W (90 x 6) Power, Quad Field CINEMA DSP, 29 surround programs and custom installation capability.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/29/2004
With its mercifully low button count, the slender remote is a model of restrained design, yet it still offers direct access to a bevy of surround settings and a complete DVD player control contingent.
Yamaha's simplified setup option, Basic Set-Up, streamlines the process, but it isn't much easier than the more complete routine. (If an easy, comprehensive, and accurate autosetup feature is important to you, check out Pioneer's VSX-D914-K instead.) Lacking onscreen displays, you're stuck using only the RX-V550's front panel.
Yamaha's 90-watt-per-channel receiver incorporates the brand's Digital ToP-Art and High Current Amplification circuitry. That's not just hype; the RX-V550 can safely drive lower impedance (6- or 4-ohm) speakers, a feat few receivers in this price class can equal. The receiver's 6.1-channel processing extends to the all the latest surround formats, including Dolby Pro Logic IIx, as well as 29 Yamaha-engineered surround programs.The Yamaha RX-V550's adjustable lip sync (0 to 160 milliseconds) is intended for use with digital video displays or sources whose images lag behind audio signals. The delay lets you synchronize the audio and video, which is a great feature if you're sensitive to lip-sync issues.
Connectivity is pretty good, though not exceptional. You get component-video switching for two sources; three A/V and S-Video inputs, one output; two stereo inputs; a DVD-A/SACD input; and six speaker outputs, plus B stereo connectors. The RX-V550 also offers three digital audio optical inputs and one coaxial in; there's one optical digital output. Multiroom provisions include stereo outputs, a remote jack set, and a 12-volt trigger control.
The Yamaha RX-V550 unraveled every detail on Roxy Music's Avalon multichannel SACD. The spectacularly dense surround mix was especially evident on "India," where the sound slowly sweeps from speaker to speaker, performing clockwise circles around our listening room. The spaciousness adds more dimensions to the music and sound--it's simply gorgeous.Yamaha's proprietary digital signal processing was put to the test when we played jazzman Don Byron's Ivey-Divey CD. It sounded pretty darn sweet in plain old stereo, bigger and more room filling in Dolby Pro Logic II, and even more reverberant and alive with Yamaha's Concert Hall or Jazz Club processing switched on. While it's true that most receivers offer similar effects, this Yamaha has a more refined sound.
The Kill Bill, Vol. 2 DVD's visceral stamina came to the fore in the scene where the nails were hammered into the bride's coffin (ouch!), and the soil shoveled onto her plywood prison sounded convincingly dirty. The DVD's many hard-hitting skirmishes never threatened the RX-V550's power reserves.
We finished our time with the Yamaha RX-V550 by comparing it to two similarly priced receivers: Onkyo's TX-SR502. While the RX-V550 isn't rated the most powerful of the three receivers--the Pioneer boasts 110 watts per channel, and the Onkyo rolls out 75--it was the most natural sounding. They're all good receivers, but the Yamaha was the least stressed when we ramped up the volume, and its bass was cleaner and more powerful. The Yamaha's soundstage didn't flatten when we cranked up the volume as it did with the other receivers. The RX-V550 is the audiophile contender of the group.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 User Rating: 
9/10
You gotta love the sound you get out of it!
Pros: Easy to use, wonderful value.
Cons: None, Actually....
User Rating: 9/10
If it matches your needs... get THIS!
Pros: Great sound, Yamaha DSP rules!, Easy to setup, looks sturdy, good connection options
Cons: Bulky big design. None other found!
Inputs:
XBox (Composite Audio Video, Future
ptical)Sega Dreamcast (Composite Audio Video)
TV (Composite Audio)
DVD (S-Video, Optical Audio)
Computer (S-Video/Composite Audio)
Deck (Composite Audio)
Outputs:
TV (S-Video)
Computer (S-Video/Composite Video)
Needed for now:
2 Composite Audio/Video Inputs
2 S-Video input
1 Optical Audio input
1 Composite Audio input
2 S-Video output
1 Composite Video output
For a total of 4 Sets of Audio/Video Inputs.
This saturday... i finally got the Yamaha RXV550 and 5.1 P-240 Yamaha speakers. Added stuff included the stand for surround speakers, 1 optical wire, an extra sony rear center speaker....
As for my opinion.... HELL I AM HAPPY I GOT THIS STUFF! Believe me, this thing really rocks! I knew Yamaha has the kind of DSP technology which gives it an edge over the rest and thats just what it does! The DSP chip on this receiver blows the socks out of any conventional system!
The only bad point I felt was the bulky design. But believe me it also gives it a rather sturdy look! I have seen some people complain about no on screen setup or no automatic setup. I do not find this a big problem as someone getting this kind of receiver has to be an A/V buff. Even though I have never owned a receiver before and did not even bother going through the whole manual, I set the system up within 5 to 10 minutes. I am a buff but I am not extra ordinary when it comes to techy stuff.
I have run this unit with every possible input/output i had and there was never a single glitch! I have ran it non stop for 3 days now and it is working perfect!
Again..... the sound.... is AMAZING! GET THIS!
P.S. I got mine in gold finish
User Rating: 9/10
The Best Sounding at This Mid Level
Pros: It is a goood home theater receiver, I a great deal of research.
Cons: None
User Rating: 
8/10
Can't get more punch than this for less
Pros: Powerfull, versatile, sleek looking. I was amazed`in how much better this is compared to my 4-year-old HTIB. This is the best sound i've had in my house, night cinema works nice. Only receivers for more than twice the cash is really any better than this o
Cons: For first time users it can be a bit frustrating. Not knowing how the sound fields work ( or why they do not ) may leave you ripping your hair. Instructions leave you hanging in that department too. I like it that it does not have a tv screen menu, i can
