Price Paid:  $120.00 from www.buysell.com

Summary:
All I can say about this receiver is that it kicks ass. It has great sound, excellent bass, and can be cranked without the distortion. It runs my Energy towers and subs perfectly, shakes the entire house. Thanks Yamaha for makig a great performer at an unbeatable price!!

Strengths:
Can be cranked and will not blow! This receiver kicks ass!

Weaknesses:
I need more bass in my speakers!

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Denon, Yamaha

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Best Buy in KY.

Summary:
To sum it up, this is the best reciever for the money. I have never once regretted this item. It's a must hear, see, and buy. Anyone wanting to save a dollar but get the sound quality and quantity, this should be a consideration. This reciever has many options while being simple.

Strengths:
The sound quality of this unit is amazing. The consistency and precise sound is mind-blowing. Very simple to use and easy on the less educated audio person.

Weaknesses:
It does not come with DTS.

Similar Products Used:
RCA,Sony

Price Paid:  $200.00 from eBay

Summary:
I hooked this up with my pair of Bose 501 and a pair of 300W/ch party speakers as A & B. I do this because the Bose cannot pump enough bass out. When I turn the volume to about the 11 o clock position, the display started dim as the bass of the music plays. I didn't want to run it at this level for too long or i guess i will blow the amp. But honestly, that's a very very loud sound already so i doubt i will ever want to run it at that volume in the future. Overall i am really pleased that i purchased this amp.

About the remote control, it can control many of the devices at home except it doesn't do Disc Skip on my Technics 5 disc changer. They should enable the num-pads on the remote when turned into the CD position.

Strengths:
Fantastic Dolby sound modes, universial remote

Weaknesses:
NO DTS, just not quite enough power

Summary:
I did not start my journey to becoming an audiophile until I got this amp. I like to listen to my music extremely loud, but without distortion. I blew up 2 aiwa's listeneing to Van Halen then bought the Sony. I kept the sony for 2 weeks and then asked my buddy Jack what I should buy in my price range to get the most bang for my buck. Jack is an audiophile from way back.. Van Alstein Amp B&W speakers. Anyway, the choices for a $400.00 amp don't include the really good stuff, but I think the Yamaha is the best buy in this price range! I was very surprised at the great sound, low distortion, and most of all the load this unit can handle without going up in a puff of smoke.
I currently have 2 sets of main speakers (JBL cf100s, and Infinity studio monitors) as well as a JBL center channel and 2 Optimus surround speakers(I know... but they do the job nicely for back surround.. till I can afford better.)
At any rate I have cranked the volume to the 3 o'clock position without distortion. The volume at this level literally shook the entire house(I thought my large bay windows in the front room were going to shake loose.) I am very impressed with the ability of this amp. I am sure that a pair of K-horns hooked will sound great shortly.

Strengths:
Conservative rating of 75W per channel, multi digital optical inputs, ability to push 4 main speakers without blowing up!!!

Weaknesses:
volume position indicator, no coaxial digital input for dedicated DACs.

Similar Products Used:
Sony (? model number) rated @ 85W per channel, AIWA (hahaha) surroud sound system

Summary:
The unit has performed perfectly since I bought it in 1/99.The DD on DVD's is excellent.It has no problem driving my speakers which are Ohm Walsh 2's in the front and Celestion DL-4''s in the rear.The addition of a one for all remote early on made the supplied remote problem go away.

Strengths:
Power,DSP modes

Weaknesses:
Remote

Similar Products Used:
Sony,Pioneer