I acquired this unit, and am blown away by the sound. In 2 channel it sounds great. Even with it being almost 20 years old, it still rivals many top end (Sony DA777es, Yamaha RX V1, A1, Denon, and Onkyo)
I couldnt believe how powerful the sound was, and how clear and distortion free it is.
If you have the chance to get one of these, do it. Although it lacks the modern technology, it has the power you can really FEEL (I tested this with Cerwin Vega 12") and man...I could feel the bass in my chest. Really suprising and powerful unit. And for the price (150-250$ On Ebay for a 1500$ receiver) its a steal.

I received this as an insurance replacement for a stolen Carver receiver in the late '90s. This receiver does not have any of the new audio tech that current receivers do. When it was released, AC-3 was new, and this receiver had an optional AC-3 decoder available as an extra add-on (which I don't own). It has only S-Video and composite as it's video inputs and outputs. I used a VCR, CD player, and a laserdisk player with it originally. Since HD became available, I have used a separate component video switcher to handle all of the video in my home theater set-up, since both my rear-projection TV and my projector are limited to component.
This receiver sounds so good, and matches my older components so well, that I would have to replace everything to get any kind of upgrade. If the receiver ever dies on me, I'll have to look at replacing everything, but until then I'm more than happy with what I have. Football, blu-ray movies, HD concerts, etc on either 55" or 92" with 7.1 surround is perfect. I have a Harmony One universal remote that controls this receiver (and everything else) without any problems.

I've had the RX-V2090 since brand new. It has always been an amazing design from Yamaha! There is ABSOLUTELY no distortion or hiss, never has been! The sound reproduction has been flawless no matter what I listen to. Even though I have a newer, more powerful Yamaha in a surround setup, this one is in my office hooked up to my computer as my MP3/CD/Bluray player! With high quality bookshelf speakers, it continues to amaze everyone that hears it!

I've had the Yamaha RXV-2090 for several years now. Its the center piece of my $4,000 dollar Hi Fi Music /Movie system. I have to say , This is the workhorse of the Yamaha High End Sound reproduction system. In its day, It was the top of the line receiver Yamaha had to offer, And what an offering it has been. This is a solid solid receiver, It delivers pure , undisturbed ,undistorsioned and flawless signal through each of its 7 discrete channels through the complete range of amplification !, and with its massive Toroidal amplifier coil Weighin in at 70+ lbs, it can only send one message to all other HI Fi equipment manufacturers, This is the Yamaha Quality , this is what all others will be judged by.. Year after year... uniterrupted ,and undegraded service for your listening pleasure , I've had my wim set on progressing to the Yamaha RV-1 someday.. as soon as I feel that the RXV2090 ceases to amaze me or no longer impresses the socks off of all my colleages.
That day might never come...

My Yamaha RXV 2090, 10 years old, and still 10 years ahead of the rest...

Onkyo and Dennon, Welcome to the neighborhood!.. I salute you..Come , sit down at the Yamaha table of QUALITY , you've earned it.

Maikgom...

Clean, powerfull sound.

Lack of digital inputs. Poor bass and LFE channel management. Why is there no input for the .1 channel?

I purchased this receiver in addition to the DDP-1 because I wanted an AC-3 system. I was not disappointed. This receiver is seven years old an still sounds great. Listening to music in two channel mode is flawless.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP-A3090

Pre outs main ins for every channel.
Very upgradeable, even to Dolby Digital. 7 Channells.

It does not have equal watts to all channels.

This receiver sounds excellent, both in stereo and in pro-
logic.I love it mainly for 2 channel srereo loud music.
I have run Advent Heritage power hungary speakers, no problem, and now I am running a better pair of JBL high power speakers and its sounds perfect. The appearance of the 2090 is very nice with its fold down panel, hiding less used controls.The back is unbelievable. Pre outs, Main ins S-video's, multiway binding posts for all speakers, no cheap spring loaders.I had a preout for a sub on my onkyo and it worked ok. The one on my 2090 is outstanding,Ihad to turn my sub amp down the signal was so strong. The 2090 is very heavy,about 40lbs.The amp specs are very solid,.015 THD,and damping factor is 200.I could go on and on, I love it.I give it 5 stars.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 525 and 727.

I bought this fine receiver earlier this year for both music and home theater and love it for both. I recently added on the ddp-1 ac-3 processor for my laserdisc player and the sound is simply amazing. If you can still pick this one up, I'd reccommend it wholeheartedly, although, if you're buying this receiver for home theatre, you might check out the AC-3 version of this receiver, the 2092.

The 2090 is simply amazing! A very powerful receiver that simply other companies producing receivers such as: Pioneer, Technics, Harman Kardon, and Denon CANNOT possibly compare. Because, I used to own these other Receivers and was whole-heartedly dissatisfied with them because of their lack of power, detail, and solid weight. I am currently using both speakers A and B to power my bi-wiring OM-14s and the sounds is breath-taking, with so much detail and solid bass and plenty of power to spare, that has made me a truly, "very happy and satisfied customer!" of YAMAHA products. No longer will I consider trading this in for another product, I've made that expensive mistake before with the other products mentioned and now learned a very valuable lesson. For beginners, don't cheap out and buy a solid piece with all the savings you've got, obviously preferrably a YAMAHA big boy!

No 3-stereo mode, but who really cares if you are a true audiophile!

No wonder, "WHAT HI-FI" and "Stereophile" magazines always rate YAMAHA products with high marks. I recommend it with 5 stars!

Everything about it is a strength. The DSP modes are pure and clean, better than the fake DSP modes most receivers have. The DD is awesome. Lots of inputs, it's sleek, the remote is good (although the buttons are to the same).

Since this is before we became Digital input heads, that all, as well as the continuous watts throughout all speakers and individual speaker adjustments, especially for the subwoffer.

This is one of the best recievers that Yamaha released, even better than some of their newer models, with the exception of the RX-V1. I have had mine for over 3 years, and have not had any problem. The speakers I use are small. JBL contours for the rears, Infinity Kappa sub, Bose 301 for Main A, and Bose Center. The speakers and Receiver work awesome with one another. The sounds are awesome. I'll be trading this in for The RX-V1, but it will become the center of attention in another room.

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon, Pioneer, Sony

the best sounding receiver i ever owned

heavy as a brick

Excellent sound for watching movies using the 70mm mode. This thing is powerful and sound quality is awesome. It is just bad that after years of using it, it broke down on me. I did not abuse it and took care of it very well. I started hearing a hum on my main speakers and then, the power automatically cuts off after a few seconds turning it on which is the same as the other reveiwers comments. When I took it to a Yamaha dealer, I was told the microprocessor needs to be replaced which costs US$400!!! If not for this major problem, this receiver will get a perfect grade.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Marantz