Yamaha RX-V667

Pros: + Easy set up
+ Sound quality is excellent
+ Remote is functional
+ Good clean power
+ Does not degrade video signal

Cons: - No USB port
- No free ipod dock

Summary: Got this unit to replace a sony ES2400 that the HDMI board went out on..(initially I tried the new Onkyo TX-NR609..that unit had problems..you can see my review on this site for that item)

The RX-V667 is a great unit.

My home set up for this review: Toshiba 55SV670U LED TV fed by Directv H20 HD receiver and Sony PS3 into Energy Take Classic 5.1 Surround...all via HDMI connection. (I won't review the zone 2 or HDradio/internet/Ipod connect functions as I currently do not use that stuff)

Setup: Easy..if you have any familiarity with Home Theater gear in general..hooking up the wires is pretty straightforward..you can let the YPAO do it's thing or set up manually..YPAO detected speaker config/size/distance correctly..Sounded good..I tweaked the crossover on sub and bumped up volume a couple db to my taste on the surrounds..The on screen GUI is very easy to use and will insure you are able to dial up whatever you may need.

Sound Quality: Overall very good..I'd say superior to the Sony ES and Onkyo I went through before this unit. Seems to have a bit more "detail" in the sound field...little things in movies or PS3 games like room ambience..echoes...voice quality seem to have more presence in the sound than the other recievers I've used..The sound quality of this unit really shines but you don't really "hear" it until you kick the volume up a bit...low/normal volume sound is okay but not spectacular...at a bit higher volume (you don't have to rail it just bring it up to about +4-5db) the sound really opens up and becomes more defined..power is not an issue for this unit...still clean and well defined even at upper volume settings...really works the sub well...nice defined low end without being overbearing...This unit's sound seems to be a bit more refined and nuanced than the Sony ES which had a more "in your face" sound...it also seems to have a bit more "girth" in the sound than the Onkyo had.

I can say the Audessey sound settings on other units were a bit more varied than the Yamaha's...with that said, the RXV667's sound presets are more than adequate..you may scroll thru them easily with the remote and dial up what sounds bests for your particular movie/game. Just letting it go "straight decode" isn't a bad choice either...

Video Quality: Excellent..with one complaint...It does seem to clean up and refine the picture...BUT..***this unit DOES NOT upconvert anything 720P or above coming in*** as the description leads you to believe. Page 115 in the manual tells you this and you would find that out anyway in setting it up. It only upconverts to 1080P any video signal >below< 720P coming in via hdmi..but it does upconvert anything coming in from the analog inputs....**it only upconverts 576 or below resolutions**..720P/1080i/1080P resolutions are just "passed through".

I know this from working with it..and I confirmed it with Yamaha tech support. If you want an upconverted 1080P signal from this unit output to your TV you'll have to scale down your HD signal from cable/directv box to output 480P or 480i. That seems pointless to me, but when I did try that it still put out a great picture. I see no degrading of the video signal either way.

My main reason for buying a new A/V receiver (other than the previous unit's malfunction) was for the upconversion processing..Other brand units (and Yamaha Aventage 2000 series and above) upscale everything coming in regardless of connection/resolution and output 1080P. I've read that the new chips for this (Anchor Bay/Qedo etc..) do a great job of processing video and enhancing the picture to your HDTV. This unit does put out/pass through a good signal so do not discount that..it just doesn't do what I thought it would based on the product description.

I am not returning it as I can't complain about the picture (doesn't make it any worse) I see on my TV and the sound quality is top notch. (P.S. If you will buy the Yamaha RX-V667 I suggest you have to check for best deal before you decide at: Hometheatersystemsuggestion.blogspot.com/2011/11/yamaha-rx-v667.html )

Hope this help!