Clean Sound. Decent Tuner.

Remote not universal. No front main pre-outs. No volume display and LED on the volume knob.

Originally purchased to produce better TV and video
tape sound. I think it is the same as RX-V 395. Bought at Best Buy for about $250 NIB. No problems so far from a year's heavy use. Placed in my crowded AV cabinet, it can get pretty warm if played for a long while.

The power it produces is very clean and punchy, at least
in normal volume levels. Huge step up from my old junky
Scott amp. Especially after I purchased
Panasonic DVD player and nice PSB Image 2B speakers,
I can say this receiver is truly clean-sounded, maybe
towards a little bright. I don't have a AC3 decoder yet,
the 2-channel music and effect it produces in movies like is indeed breathtaking.

It has a bunch of surround effects, including Pro Logic and
Enhanced Pro Logic and some other hall effects. They are
just ok to play with, nothing really interesting. I think
the Pro Logic effect is pretty weak and there is slight
sound degradation of the fronts if you pay attention, but
that maybe the case for other receivers as well.

The tuner performs well, even FM classical music programs
sound real. Well, the station is in my backyard. Maybe that
helped.

The remote sucks, with small buttons and only controls
Yamaha CD and tape decks. But mine doesn't have the problem
the previous reviewer described. The other thing I don't like is that it does not have LED on the volume knob only a white mark, and there is no volume level in the front display.

For the money, I have to say the sound quality is high.
Because it is only a Dolby Digital ready receiver, it
fits folks who have a decoder or DD decoder integrated
DVD player already.

Similar Products Used:

Old Scott Integrated-Amp

Good power reserves,better tuner than most,great surround modes

No volume indication, small number of inputs, remote not universal

I shall leave the price I paid for this receiver undisclosed. I've always been a fan of Yamaha's DSP processsing. I don't like the "tunnel sound" most DSP chips have to offer but this budget receiver is classic Yamaha. I have it hooked up to a Hi-Fi VCR and it absolutely sounds great on videos in Pro-logic and Disco and Rock concert make most CD's come "alive". The 20 watts per channel in the rear effects is underrated. Don't let the specs fool you. Just kick back, relax, and let your ears be the judge.

Similar Products Used:

Denon,JVC,Yamaha,Pioneer

Yamahas famous Natural Sound. Price, features

none

I've owned this receiver for two years now. It is my third yamaha receiver sense 1984. It's also the BEST one of the three. What makes it the best is it has all the latest technology, and the others from the 80's lacked it. I fell in love with the Yamaha sound years ago, and this receiver delivers it very well. I would highly recomend this unit to others. It has given me trouble free pleasure, I'm sure it will for you as well.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha ax700 amp on bedroom system

So far I really like this reciever. I upgraded from a POS Pioneer reciever and there is a world of difference.
Pros:
I paid 240 at BestBuy NIB :) :: Sound quality is excellent... much, MUCH better than equivilents in this price range :: Good for expanding (I'm a poor college student and the low price now and the ability to add a DD decoder and external amps as I have the cash is a big plus) ::

Cons:
Overheats with higher volumes using the surround processor. (I use a fan) :: No front channel pre-outs(has sub,rear L&R, center so why not include front!!). :: The remote's volume is junk (You have to repress the volume while pointing it at right spot. Every other remote volume I've seen allows you to hold the volume down and move the remote until you hit the right spot. It's a pain). :: Only 2 composite video inputs and you loose one if you add a DD decoder.