Asellus

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Harvey Norman

Summary:
Started looking for a budget, 2 channel receiver to listen to CDs and the radio in my bedroom, to replace a stolen Sony Micro system. I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I made with purchasing the micro system, I was never happy with the sound, despite the relatively high price of such products. I narrowed my choice down to the Denon DRA 455, Nad 720 BEE. THe Denon, sounded somehow strained and dry, and priced at full retail at $699 NZD didn't have a "must have" sound. THe NAD was ruled out very early, being a bit on the pricey side for a bedroom system. I didn't like the bulkyness of the unit, and it didn't have a Phono input meaning more expense (and clutter) involved in purchasing a seperate amplifier. Having seen the Yamaha receiver on special at half price, reduced from $599 to $299, the question had to be asked, how worse can this product be than the Denon, being half the price? I did not expect much from this receiver, however, from the first few bars of the demo disc, I was immediately impressed! The sound, to use the cliche is very "clear", bass is subtle and tight, there is plenty of detail in the treble and the receiver in general has a very musical, youthful energy I like. Upon getting the unit home, the receiver is simple to operate, the Black styling blends in to the background. The remote control works generally well, and I was pleased to see that it controls a Yamaha 5 disc CD player that I never had the remote for ! Im pleased that this unit has a Phono stage, which sounds OK,if not amazing. I have to point out, that this is not an AV receiver, and has been wrongly put in this category on the web site. It wont switch video. It is 2 channel audio only. The unit sounds good at all levels and the tuner is sensitive. OK- this is not the last word in Hifi quality but at this price I am very happy with the unit. A real "no brainer" if you can get one cheap enough.

Strengths:
Good sound Cheap price looks good, sensitive tuner Remote control control, has phono stage easy to use.

Weaknesses:
None really. But if pressed, the volume display lacks a readout, or is difficult to see the level in the dark. remote control , buttons are small and fiddly.

Similar Products Used:
Sony micro system Nad receiver Marantz Dolby Digital AV amp.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Never having owned any Yamaha audio equipment before, I did not know entirely what to expect when I bought this amplifier. I bought it only for my DVD/VCR/TV setup as I could not handle the absolutely horrible sound I was getting out of those 3 in 1 units you see in every department store. Yes! The dime a dozen ones you don't fix when they stop working, you throw them away and buy another. As soon A I got the AX-396 up and running, I sat back and listened and was pleasantly surprised at its, what I would call, neutral sound at low to normal volume. It was decidedly better than what I had before and I immediately took a liking to it. One thing I am sure of is that its audio output sound is only as good as the device plugged into it is. I have now got a DVD, a VCR, a TV, a tuner plugged into this amp and I can honestly say that the audio quality differs with each component. That's because the other devices are not all equal in output quality. What does that all mean? It means that the AX-396 is a very versatile audio amp and tends to neutrally amplify exactly what goes into it, whereas some amplifiers tend to get boomy and/or sound like someone scratching a blackboard with their fingernails. The bass and treble seem adequate but not excessive. If you think the bass is a bit conservative, just wait until the volume is turned up a little or you can adjust the Loudness control. You soon begin to see that this is not the case. It is "spot-on" and I think the speakers which are used on it, will reproduce all sounds differently from brand to brand. On my 12" speakers, there is plenty of bass and it's not just boom boom bass either, though it can be if you want it to be but it can also be very good quality bass for much slower beat music or even orchestral music, reproducing those really deep notes with ease. The one extra piece of equipment to compliment the AX-396 and most likely all other amplifiers, is a graphic equalizer. Once I added this unit, the AX-396 was beyond words. You can find your own magic settings and sit back to enjoy superb sounds. The EQ has perfectly complimented the AX-396. As for the apparently modest 60 watts per channel @ 8 ohms, all I can add here is that it's amazing what 60 or less watts can do when put to good use. Quality not quantity.

Strengths:
Very neutral sound at low to moderate volume levels. Looks nice and feels solid. Love the front flip up/down cover. The Loudness adjustment can compensate for personal bass boom levels, which is a good addition.

Weaknesses:
Headphone socket could have been outside the flip down cover instead of inside it. Bass, Treble, Balance & Loudness knobs could have been slightly larger.

Price Paid:  $325.00 from Siba Sweden

Summary:
Nice neutral and detailed sound without the hard treble you can hear from other so called detailed performers. Bass is very detailed but a bit low. Other equipment is: Audio Pro Image 40 speakers. Yamaha CDX396 CD player. B&O TX2 gramophone. Sony DVD. Be carefull with loudspeaker matching. Though it is a low end product you will discover the weak links in your system. (I had to change my B&W DM600 - they were to hard on the high frequencies).

Strengths:
Neutral detailed sound as long as you dont play too loud. Good loudspeaker connections. Absolute fair RIAA.

Weaknesses:
Sound harsh if you play load.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer , Sony STR-DE135 (also good), Denon DRA285 (to hard sound).