Price Paid:  $299.00 from SoundTrack

Summary:
I was looking for a Yamaha to replace a natural sound amp from the 80s. Mostly use the system for music, but thought I'd get the whole 5.1 capability in case I decided to go in that direction. Turns out, the rx-v496 works great with movies with just the two speakers attached. For music, it's great too. Planning to add a sub this month and gradually get up to 5.1. Not a huge fan of the different fields, mainly b/c the music sounds great w/o the gimmicks. And I must say, I actually like the remote a lot.

Strengths:
Plenty of power, clean sound, the remote (I might be the only one who likes it), great price.

Weaknesses:
No 5.1 stereo for music.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from I think at ubid for

Summary:
My pervious digital receiver was a Kenwood which I used for about 2 or 3 years. The Kenwood is fine but it lacks DSP, S-video input, and DTS decoding.
So, I brought a Yamaha to replace the Kenwood. Overall, I feel the Yamaha is much better than the Kenwood (or Pioneer). The sound quality is more natural. DSPs are good. The set up menu, despite not on-screen, is simple and easy to use. For the pirce I paid (clearance due to old model), I'm very happy.

Overall, for around $200 budget, it is a good deal for the money. Yamaha makes good receiver.

Strengths:
(1) Price to sound quality.
(2) Front input.
(3) Easy to setup.

Weaknesses:
(1) Digital inputs/ouputs.
(2) DTS decoding. Not working on some DVD.
(3) Bad remote. To thin and too small to for guys. Kids or woman (small hand) okay.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood, Pioneer (low end stuff)

Price Paid:  $467.00 from The Power Barn, Mori

Summary:
My first ever foray into the world of Home Theatre, with the decision made after reading the many good reviews on this site. Set it up fairly easily, after a few trips for more rca cables, an it absolutely rocks!! Should have done this ages ago. The AUD $469.00 (after reduction from marked price of $599.00)would translate to about $235.00 US.

Strengths:
Great quality sound. Relatively easy to use.

Weaknesses:
None found so far.

Similar Products Used:
Also picked up a Sony SAVE525 speaker package at the same time for AUD $679.00 (120w X 5 + 120w sub-woofer), and connected to an existing sony Stereo VCR & Omni DTS DVD Player. Now I'm Smiling !!

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
First of all, if you are looking for a heart to a decent home theatre system, Yamaha represents good value. There are many systems out there today at a much lower price, providing you with a home theatre in a box (Sony, anything sold at Costco), but the quality is terrible. If you really enjoy home theatre this is as low as you want to go. The surround decoding is adequate, the amps are ok, and there is a lot of flexibility. This receiver however is not designed for music! I have tried using equipment from my audio-only system with this receiver and the sound is unbearable, being flat and lifeless. For home theatre however, it seems to be able to pull it off. If it's within your budget, give it a try. If you can afford better...get it.
Associated equipment:
KEF Q series main and centre speakers
Mission surrounds
JVC XV 721 DVD Audio/Video player
Toshiba 6-head VCR

Strengths:
Price, convenience, good remote, flexibility

Weaknesses:
Sound Quality, no pre-outputs, crappy speaker cable connectors

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, Denon, Arcam, older Yamaha

Price Paid:  $560.00 from Audio Center

Summary:
In hind site, I should have bought the 596.

Strengths:
Lots of inputs

Weaknesses:
No 5 channel stereo, but then again I've only seen that on Marantz.