Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is an assessment of the RX-V1500 as a stereo preamplifier, as I have little experience with multi-channel setups and, while this unit appears to do fine with surround, whether with its internal amps or with externals, it is in a stereo configuration that I have used it most. And, I must say, it's a pretty darn good stereo preamplifier.

With the Classe CA-100, Adcom GFA-545, or Adcom GFA-555 ii, it acquits itself very well indeed. Excellent definition of the source material (e.g., Bill Evans Live at the Village Vanguard, CSN [remastering in HDCD], Richard Goode's Beethoven Sonatas, et alia).

Studio recordings are rendered with their separate soundspaces intact (e.g., Karla Bonoff) while orchestral recordings (Reiner & Chicago on LP) are rendered with wide and deep soundstages. It even manages to tame the TAS Hearts of Space CD. (Speakers, BTW, are the old Sound Dynamics 300tis, connected to the amp by about 15' or #12 cord with pin connectors well-cinched. Not exactly a megabuck setup, but brother does it sound like music on a wide range of sources).

So the unit is a winner, I would say, and a value champ. I think it's an example of how far we have come since the 70s that so much excellence can be packed into a relatively inexpensive yet extremely capable package. If this unit had been available in the 70s, it would have been a wonder and a revolution, and would be part of audio lore. As it is, today it is one of many excellent units on the market.

Price Paid:  $600.00 from FOTO CONNECTIOM

Summary:
GREAT RECEVER SOUNDS GREAT LOOKS GREAT ONLY PROUBLEM DIALOG LIFT DOSENT WORK NO BIGGIE!! THIS IS THE 2ND YAMAHA RECEVER IVE HAD IM RUNNING 2 NS777 FROUNT SPEAKERS, 1 120watt YAMMIE SUB,YAMMIE CENTER $REARS I WOULD TELL ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BUY ONE, ITS MULTAPULAGREAT RECEVER!!!

Strengths:
THX- YAPO- LOT OF SOUND PROGRAMS

Weaknesses:
ITS A BIG HEAVY UNIT

Similar Products Used:
YAMAHA RX-V1400 A/V RECEVER

Price Paid:  $700.00 from OnLine Store

Summary:
I buy another yamaha because i find clear voices and linear sound and, in this case, it's ok for music like for movies
This sinto-ampli has a good tuner, much power and a very good sound: i tried many other brand (Denon 3805, Onkyo 803,...) but i retuned here were i have more clear sound, good power and.. i spent less money!
Remember also that this is ready for THX movies, Video UP and Down Conversion to video,s-video and Component, many optical and coax input (+output), you have auto-calibration of Level, EQ,.. and a simple but good remote control.
I'm really happy of my choise, also after to check it with friend's other brands! : )

Strengths:
THX, Video UP and Down Conversion, many optical and coax input, complete auto-calibration, simple but good remote control, flat and clear sound

Weaknesses:
flat sound (normally for now on this type of audio-video ampli), no hdmi

Similar Products Used:
Denon 3805, Onkyo 803, other

Price Paid:  $500.00 from ultimate electronics

Summary:
My previous review failed to mention a few things about this great receiver! When it first came out , I think it was retailed @ about $1000.00 or so. The Yamaha (SILENT CINEMA 5.1/7.1) or (surround sound headphone) system creates a 5.1/7.1 experience that I think is as good or better than (Dolby Headphone 5.1). I compared the Terminator 2 Extreme DVD (Dolby Headphone Track) to Yamaha's (Silent Cinema 5.1/7.1), playing the Terminator 2 DTS-ES Track. I found the Silent Cinema, with all of the Yamaha Cinema DSP functions much more thrilling,enveloping, open and dynamic than Dolby Headphone. With Silent Cinema, The soundscapes open up!
I noticed that the amps in this receiver sounded warmer and punchier. When I hear rain, horse hooves or thunder, I swear that I think I'm at the race track or in a storm!!! And the Pure Direct mode really shows off the musical abilities of these THX Select certified amps!!! Clear and dynamic!! Witha large and open soundstage!!!!

Strengths:
I am sure that the rxv-1600 is cut from the same cloth... as was the rxv-1400... Check out AUDIOHOLICS for their reviews of the rxv-2400,2500 and 2600... They are pretty good at pushing these receivers to their limits!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good honest reviews!!!!! AND TESTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weaknesses:
NONE!!!!!!!!!! YET...........

Similar Products Used:
DENON,OTHER YAMAHA MODELS, ONKYO,PARASOUND, VECTOR RESEARCH,BIC AMERICA,POLK,ATHENA,PHASE TECH,PSB

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Price Paid:  $500.00 from Ultimate Electronics

Summary:
I bought the last floor model of this reciver. I had to order the remote from partstore.com for only $50. I sold my old htr-5730, which was a very good reciever at the lowest line of yamaha's line. Jumping to what was the 3rd best reciever in their line , just below the rxv2500 and the rz9000 ,(I think) , was quite a sound difference. I didn't get the ypao mic either. But I prefer to tweek the systems myself!! Experiment! as it were... To many functions are being done for us nowadays. Get off your butts and have some fun. You might even do it better than the dogon machine. Well, maybe. It is fun to try. I am very satisfied with this reciever. Ultimate Elect. is an authorized Yamaha dealer, so I got my full 2 year parts & Labor warranty. And I like Black.

Strengths:
I don't use the THX mode. I prefer to hook my subs speaker level. It sounds more organic, fluid and dynamic. I don't have to turn it up as loud. It sounds really good at lower volumes as well as higher volumes.Something is lost with either preout L/R or sub out even with a crxvr bypass. I know this hookup draws more juice, but..The sound of this reciever through my Athena AS-B1//AS-C1/S.5/SUB 8 --- 7.1 system is warmer, softer and cleaner than before when I had an onkyo and the Yamaha htr-5730. All of the functions work fine. However, I accidentally pressed the thx mode and the reciever locked up. I guess I was pushing buttons too fast.
Since I don't use the thx mode, I don't really care. For those who do, The thx mode defaluts to an 80 hz cxrvr and sends the lef and low bass signals to the sub out and since i use a different sub hookup, thx is useless. Plus iI love the Pure Direct Mode and my sub/speaker level hookup allows the sub to be heard. Whereas if the sub out was used, I couldn't use it. But, thinking, I guess the Preouts L/R could be used. Well Maybe I'll try and see...

Weaknesses:
Well, I can't really see any.. ButI have only had this model for 3 months...
We'll see..

Similar Products Used:
Parasound,Onkyo,Denon, Other yamaha models,Polk,Epi ,Athena,PSB,DCM