Price Paid:  $400.00 from On-Line

Summary:
The 596 is an excellent product, I have owned this amp for about 3 months and am consistently amazed at the high power, low distortion and really fine sound that this little powerhouse provides. The 100 wpc rating is conservative, the sound is crystal clear and distortion free even at high volume. More importantly the amp allows me to hear nuances in music that I had not been able to pick up on other amps. The Yamaha sound is really quite good. Tight Bass, excellent mids and precise highs complement this amp. For a mid priced amp this is the best I have heard in years. I am a retired DJ and have a need for precise and high quality sound and the Yamaha AX596 provides it for me.But this amp and you won't be disapointed.

Strengths:
High power, low distortion, great clear highs and mids and powerful tight bass

Weaknesses:
No Mute function

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
This is a very nice receiver for music listeners, its simple and straight to the point.

Strengths:
AB switching, duarbility,

Weaknesses:
none yet

Similar Products Used:
klipsch, jbl, denon, wharfedale, b&o, pioneer.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from ?

Summary:
i have the yamaha 596 and it has been awsome. It does lack a little power, and features. But its awsome! It powers my cerwin vega ls-15's real good! I read on a review that someone had to take back there receiver 3 times to get fixed. One of my buddies owns a stereo shop and not in 5 years the shop has been up that a yamaha amp has every been messed up. That person must have gotten a second hand receiver because yamaha is great!

Strengths:
Clear sound.

Weaknesses:
Not enough power if your powering big speakers.

Similar Products Used:
dunno?

Price Paid:  $450.00 from crazyeddie.com

Summary:
I have this receiver set up in a small home theater with infinity dcs-10 surround sound speakers (including powered sub woofer). It creates a better than movie theater sound when I watch DVD's using the toslink optical for the 5.1 channel surround. The switching between input sources and setting the bass / treble etc.. for each input source is tedious and you need light to be able to read the remote (which is not always available in a home theater). Good receiver, Yamaha always seems to have a super clean sound, visitors are always impressed.:)

Strengths:
Great sound, number of inputs

Weaknesses:
Eq settings lacking for each mode

Price Paid:  $1200.00

Summary:
GOOD