Music Dog

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $125.00 from Used From an Individ

Summary:
I was looking for a separate amp and tuner for my home office. Money wasn't a real issue but I wanted something that was good quality with good sound. I found this unit used and ended up paying $125 for it. The unit is about 15 years old but came with the box and original owner's manual. I swear the guy that owned it took fantastic care of it because it still looks brand new. I had some Ascend CBM-170's (Bookshelf Speakers) laying around which had never been used so I thought I would give these a try. Now I could tell you that the sonic bilateral sound stage of the unit had positive fluidity with a touch of ethereal dynamics or some meaningless load of crap like that but I won't. Something more useful is... The receiver is very quiet... no hiss, hum etc. It has plenty of power and is very easy to operate. Somewhere I heard or read that this was the last real two channel receiver Yamaha made before they moved into home theater setups. I don't remember if the original owner told me that or I read that on here somewhere. Maybe I'm wrong on that part so don't quote me on that.

At any rate, $125 for the receiver, $350 is what I paid for the Ascend CBM-170 speakers new, and a a $250 Sony DVD player that plays MP3's on CD or DVD, SACD's etc. Not bad for $725. I paid more for that for my Sony home theater receiver and it doesn't sound nearly as good. Now I did listen to a $100,000 super system the other day in some high end audio snob store. Did my system sound as good as it did? Of course not, but the high dollar setup didn't sound $99,275 better than my setup either.

As this post illustrates, buying used audio gear can really net you some nice gear for pennies on the dollar. Maybe I'll keep my eyes peeled for some used oxygen free, copper speaker wires that were cryogenically treated to enhance sonic purity or some such nonsense that some guy paid $800 for. I'll get them for $20 used and they will probably be pretty decent cables. ;)

If you are looking for a fantastic receiver for around $100, the Yamaha RX-V1070 is a great place to start.

Strengths:
Good Quality
Heavy Transformer (Good)
Good Sound
Has Learning Remote
This unit is very user friendly and has good ergonomics.

Weaknesses:
It will bring out the "poor" in poor quality or older recordings.

Similar Products Used:
I've used too many products over the years to list, much less remember.

Starcrosser

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $100.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I realize that this product is waaaay out of date as far as surround technology, so I am not even going to comment on that aspect of the receiver's performance.

This was one of the last 2-channel receivers that Yamaha made before fulling embracing the home theater market. It even says on the front panel "Natural Sound Stereo Receiver." Yes, it does offer Dolby Pro Logic Surround and Yamaha's own DSP modes, but as noted, they are completely archaic by today's standards.

As befitting Yamaha's top-of-the-line receiver, this unit is built to last, with a beautiful extruded aluminum faceplate and volume knob. The interior is amply sized, with plenty of breathing room for the extra-large transformer and h-u-g-e heavy heat sinking for the main channels. Top quality parts are used of course and there are plenty of useful features without the unneeded frills that many receivers of the era used.

Styling is Yamaha's understated and elegant look. A drop-down front panel hides the secondary controls such as tone and also the front panel A/V input. I particularly like the gorgeous orange LCD backlit display and leds to indicate function and volume. Everything about this receiver reeks of class and quality.

Sound quality is everything you'd expect in a $1300 dollar receiver. It far surpasses my newer HTR-6090. Power is more than ample, as noted by many other reviewers. It would be difficult to imagine stressing this amplifier under any reasonable listening conditions. Detail is excellent. This receiver will truly let you hear what is going on in the recording and with your source components. The tuner is also very good, pulling in stations with ease and exhibiting excellent sound quality. If you like a rich, "romantic" sound, you'll probably be turned off by the Yamaha. It is very accurate, simply giving you back what you put in it. Natural sound, indeed.

One of the advantages of buying a receiver like this is that you can devote more money towards your speakers.

In summary, if you do not need or want the latest surround features, but still want a good, inexpensive 2-channel stereo receiver with plenty of power and the classic "Yamaha Sound," you can't go wrong with this. They can be had on Ebay for a song and sound quality wise it will absolutely smoke pretty much any newer receiver under $1000.

This is one of the best audio secrets out there. Get one and you will be very, very satisfied.

Strengths:
Great build quality. Solid aluminum front panel and volume knob. Overbuilt power amplifier with heavy duty heat sinking. Beautiful and elegant styling with attractive LCD display. Makes a great 2-channel amplifier at a bargain price. Typical Yamaha "Natural Sound." Very reliable. Made in 1993, the only thing I've had to repair on my unit is the LCD bulb, which can be bought for $5 at www.partstore.com. For the money, you cannot go wrong with this unit.

Weaknesses:
None to speak of. If you can live without the latest surround modes, there is absolutely nothing to criticize about this receiver.

Similar Products Used:
I owned an RX-V870 before this, which is basically the same unit with slightly less power, 80 watts per channel verses 110. No flip down panel on the front, but still has all the features of the 1070. It is also a stellar bargain.

Florida Sound

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $125.00 from Ebay

Summary:
This is one powerful unit. I've been completely satisfied with it's performance for years but since I changed to DCM TF-600 speakers, I seen it's full potential. I'd call this an excellent match as they seem to complement each other extremely well. The quality of sound amplification will expose other component weaknesses but not over emphasize them to annoying levels. However, will drive you to upgrade to compatible gear. Till then, the controls easily and adequately compensate. With a quality CD player and recording, you get very near concert quality sound including decibel levels. The DCM's are 6 OHM so the shear power (at 6 OHM -135w+135w MINIMUM RMS.) while completely undistorted (0.015%THD) give clear, full range auto from soft listening, all the way through to "Rock the Block" levels. We used it for a block party and folks from adjoining neibor hoods stated they wanted to come over to "check out the band" and others said "Can we join you, we love live music" Enough said? I like many kinds of music and these components bring out the best in all the styles. But this setup has given me a new found respect and love for classical music. From piano concertos of Sibelius to full orchestras, with eyes closed, you are there! And "The Beetles" Recordings! Almost unbelievable! Eric Clapton, Little Feat, Blues Traveler, The Outlaws, California Guitar Trio, Pink Floyd, Dr.Didg. It's like a whole new Auto world! One problem I've encountered is that at high levels, it tends to shake breakable objects off shelves. (My wife's not impressed). And as others have pointed out, It's also limited to no: Dolby Digital, Digital Theater Sound or Component switching. So I use it for my mains and have a cheap second receiver for my 5.1 surround DVD's At the prices it can be found for now ($150 -- $300) on places like Ebay or pawn shops, It's about the best value for a real "Music" lover.

Strengths:
POWER, Build quality. Versatile inputs, Great remote LED on volume Knob

Weaknesses:
No Base/Treble control on remote (not many do) No Dolby Digital, Digital Theater Sound or Component switching

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha RX-V870 Yamaha RX-V590 Yamaha RX-V595A Keenwood VR-6060

Price Paid:  $40.00 from private

Summary:
I love this reciver i bought it for and oustanding 40$and i got a denon amplifer wit it.I be banging these pioneer subs. i love bass and good sound.This reciver gives me the loudess bass i think out of all reciver i have ever heard.I keep the block up at night when I play my music. Shout outs to all my dudes and ladys peace out.

Strengths:
bass,love all the hook ups,gives out good sound

Weaknesses:
no digital sound,or dobly

Similar Products Used:
denon,harman kardon,jvc,kenwood,sony,pioneer

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from progressive audio

Summary:
even though i bought this in sept. 1993 i wouldn't sell it for less than 4 or 500 now even though it lacks dolby digital, dts surround, and component video switching.
i'm thinking about getting one of the cheaper yamaha receivers. 80 watts is plenty for me now that i'm not in college anymore.

Strengths:
clean power, sturdy construction, lots of inputs,
looks good, sounds great. s-video switching is nice touch

Weaknesses:
no; dolby digital, dts, component video switching.

Similar Products Used:
pioneer vsx receiver