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"YamahaAwesome" on by Kev Tech
Pros: HDMI video up conversion, auto setup, 2 year warranty, affordable.
Cons: I guess if I had to say something only 2 HDMI in and no upscaling.
Summary: I was in the market for a New Home Theater Receiver with HDMI up conversion and roughly 100 watts per channel. I checked out Onkyo TX-SR605, Sony STR-DG910 and Yamaha RX-V663. All with MSRP between $500 and $600. I ruled out the Onkyo’s they run too HOT, I know because I was replacing my Onkyo HT-R520 frying pan. I ruled out the Sony because it has no Svideo inputs on it and mixed reviews.
The Yamaha RX-V663 is awesome receiver it sounds great, (hooked up to my Klipsch speakers), looks massive and is built very well. The auto Calibration with YPAO was quick about 3 minutes and simple. I am somewhat of an audiophile and could have done it myself manually but thought I’d see how the YPAO did and it worked great. I really needed HDMI out with up conversion since my Panasonic LCD TV only has 1 HDMI in on it.
I have a the following equipment hooked up; Dish HD DVR via HDMI, Sony PS3/BluRay via HDMI, Sony DVDR (with an VCR and DVD hooked into it) via Component video with optical cable. True the Yamaha only has 2 HDMI in and 1 HDMI out but that’s all I needed since the DVDR uses Component out. So it gets up converted thru the HDMI and it looks great even better then when the Component out went straight to the TV. I did not feel the need to spend twice as much to be able to upscale video since my main sources do (PS3 and Dish HD). When I view regular DVD’s I just pop them in the PS3, upscale done. The Yamaha RX-V663 is truly a great piece of equipment for the money. Plus the Yamaha receiver is the only 1 of the 3 I looked at with a 2 year parts and labor warranty standard, (just in case). No need to buy and extended guarantee, (however if want to extend the warranty Yamaha offers 3 years for $39.99, 4 for $49.99 and 5 for $59.99, available after you Register your equipment). I ordered from Butterflyphoto.com for only $379 with FREE shipping and it was shipped FEDEX 2 day ground. I recommend both the Yamaha RX-V663 and Butterflyphoto.com strongly. -
"Best Bang for the Buck to get to Dolby TrueHD/DTS HD-MA" on by sonnyinseattle
Pros: Two HDMI ports, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-MA, pre-outs, two subwoofer pre-outs, component video->HDMI conversion, iPod and XM expandability, low cost, powerful, auto-equalizing function, onscreen signal info, included microphone for eq
Cons: No more than two HDMI ports, wish it had a learning/backlit remote.
Summary: I could hardly believe I could enter the Dolby TrueHD / DTS HD-MA arena at such a low price. I don't miss having more than two HDMI ports since only my PS3 outputs 1080p. I can handle my PS3, Directv HR20, XBox360, Wii, and PC/Laptop's HDMI output all very nicely using the two HDMI ports and three component video inputs. Since the HR20, XBox360, nor Wii put out 1080p natively, I don't feel as though I'm missing out on anything as my Plasma/Projector will upconvert to 1080p just fine.
To add HDMI inputs, I have successfully used Monoprice HDMI switches without a problem, but with a bit of a delay when switching HDMI devices. This had reduced the number of cables that needed to be run, but wasn't necessary.
I installed two surround left and two surround right speakers and used the preouts to an older Denon amp in order to drive both with independent amplifiers. This allows me to use inwall speakers and simulate a real theater (with an array of side speakers on each side). -
"Best Receiver for the price" on by cryosin
Pros: Amazing sound quality. From MP3's to Dolby True-HD i am getting studio quality sound with my Definite Technology Pro800 monitors.
Lots of features, True-HD compatible, lots of inputs.
For the price, you wont find anything close.Cons: Instructions are 800 pages of nothing. You're better off learning how to fly a space shuttle. Took me almost 7 months to get it to sound right.
Ugly looks.
Video quality is poor. Running HDMI straight to monitor gets better results.Summary: After months of tinkering, here is the best settings for the right sound:
The best setting for all listening settings(stereo and surround) is "Straight". Use Pro Logic only if your output supports it, and even then i still think straight might sound better. If you're outputting any surround codec, leave it on straight. The surround codec mode does something to the dynamic range and causes it to shrink(mentioned below), straight does not and you still get surround sound with straight mode. Do not use the mic, just leave all EQ's and speaker levels at default. Set all your speakers to small, even with bigger speakers. I havent tried any high-end speakers though, so im sure some speakers are probably good sounding with the "Large" setting. I did try a 12" PA speaker set, and that still sounded better with the small setting. So im not too sure what the "large" setting was designed for.
Make sure Sound Menu > D-Range > SP is set to MAX. For some reason the receiver sets the default dynamic range to "minimum", probably for lower end speakers. For all purposes, you want more dynamic range always. This is not to be confused with "dynamic range control", which you should leave off.
That should get you off to a good start. Now, for the bass:
Bass is pretty easy. you can do it multiple ways, but this is how i setup my bass: Just turn the knobs on the pass all the way up and turn the yamaha's crossover to 200 mhz. Then, slowly turn the bass knobs down until it sounds right. After you do that, start lowering/raising the yamaha's crossover to what you feel sounds right.
The bigger your speakers, the lower the crossover you want to use. Its not really that bad if your Bass overpowers your speakers, but if your speakers are really big then it might cause some clipping and bouncing sound that is not ideal.
I personally did not like the video quality of the receiver as mentioned above. It created some kind of grainy effect on the screen and gave me a huge headache after prolonged use. I think it has something to do with the refresh rate, but im still not sure.
When i first got the receiver, i honestly thought it was not very good. But, i knew i had no idea what i was doing yet so i gave myself some time to play with the settings. After tinkering and tinkering and tinkering, i finally got it to sound right.
Let me tell you, right now i am listening to songs that i've listened to hundreds of times before, and its like i never heard them before. I was so engulfed in some of the music i almost cried(and this is coming from someone who broke his arm and didnt cry even when they "bent it" back in place).
This wont give you that instant gratification a set like a "Bose" will, but if you have a LOT of patience, you will be rewarded. -
"Easily one of the better A/V Receivers I've ever owned." on by 8IronBob
Pros: Great sound modes for both 5.1 and 7.1/7.2 hookups, plenty of connectivity for my needs, and easy decoding features. HDMI works great with my cable box and PS3.
Cons: Could have had better front panel connectivity for quick in/out hookups, an RCA/S-Video connection in front is good, but would have preferred HDMI and/or component for a laptop or high-def camcorder.
Summary: I actually own the HTR-6160 equivalent to this receiver, but considering that it is a rebadged RX-V663, I can vouch for both versions of this. Having had a 7.2 (5.1 initially) JBL Cinema Series speaker system hooked up to this, the sound has been unrivaled to my ears. Even a good Bose system could not duplicate the quality that the Yamaha and JBL combination have provided. I have considered other brands, but since I have owned an older Yamaha receiver before picking up this one, I really don't see any reason to go to anything else as of this moment. Nice going, and kudos to this overall great home theater speaker package.
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"I am very satisfied with the performance for past year" on by suyog_gadgil
Pros: Mainly use it with my comcast receiver and PS3 as inputs and Panasonic 42" Plasma TV for Video Out & Polk for Audio.
1. Very easy to setup & connect.
2. Useful for multiple HDMI sources
3. Excellent sound quality
4. Good value for moneyCons: 1. A little bulky but probably true for all the recevers with similar configuration
Summary: Excellent value for money.
Yamaha RX-V663 user reviews
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