Price Paid:  $850.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
Exceptionally fine product for the money, which replaced a Yamaha DSP A3090. Major improvement with the DSP sound quality over prior models as tonal balance and sound quality does not collapse or materially change when shifting in and out of DSP mode as did the 3090. I also discovered that the DSP effects were much more believable when the two additonal effects channels were added, as the main speakers then reproduce the main signal, with no effects being injected into the signal. This amp responds beautifully to tweeks, such as burn in discs, better cables and especially power conditioning. When first purchased, I was disappointed, and considered it to be a lightweight in sound quality, not any better than the 3090. This opinion radically changed as the unit was burned in over several months, and continued to provided an improvement in sound as each other element of the system improved. The internal digital processing is quite good compared to the 3090 which degraded the sound of CDs when its internal processing was used as compared to the sound of the Denon DVD5000 output. Build quality is excellent, as is its connectivity. When purchased, the remote has a range of only 2 feet, but Yamaha customer support was superb, replacing the transmitting LED of the remote for $20.00, with a turn around time of only a week, and answered all Email inquiries within 24 hrs. The dreaded channel dropout has only occured once, and was easily cured by inserting an RCA plug into the appropriate channels preamp output, and rotating.

Strengths:
Sound quality, Responds beautifully to tweeks. Great connectivity, and is superb processor if you want to add additional higher quality (tube) amps, as I have done for the front channels. Build quality is superb. Matrix center rear channel works great on all DVDs. In analogue mode with effects off, bypasses all digital processing so sound quality of source is preserved. Execptional product for the money!!!!!

Weaknesses:
No Neo 6, Dolby prologic 2, or other latest formats. However with the use of of the many DSP options, and total control over it, you won't miss it! I also question Yamaha's use of a thin power cord to the Amp, which would be more suitable for a tuner, which I plan to replace with high quality aftermarket cord. Also note, this is not a Yamaha USA product, so there no warranty if you pick one up. However the RX-V1 is the same product with a very good built in tuner.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood AV1090, Denon 3801, Yamaha DSP A3090, Yamaha DSPA-1

Price Paid:  $675.00 from Returned item from J

Summary:
This receiver is OUTSTANDING (especially considering what I paid for it). I was using the Yamaha DSP-A1 (that too is a fantastic piece of equipment) and couldn't pass up the deal on the DSP-AX1. 1st - there are LOTS of ports for any type of connection your heart desires. 2nd - Yamaha maintained it's phenomenal reputation of cinematic reproduction. This amp places you "in-the-movie"! ! !. 3rd - Yamaha produced one of the best remote controls I've seen from 'them' ;) Now for the technical, objective view(s): For those who own a DSP-A1, SAVE YOUR MONEY! ! ! The amount of upgrades you'll receive are not worth the $. (remember I only paid $675 for mine). Yamaha introduced more precise volume control. Though reported as "better," sonically, I haven't noticed any quality differences sonically. That's to say, both the DSP-A1 and DSP-AX1 are marvelous in what they were designed to do - play movies. For music lovers, Yamaha "DSP" series recievers were not designed to compete with "music only" amps. Nonetheless, only the die-hard audiophile (those who must hear eyelashes sticking together) will pick-up on the subtle lack of precision. Aesthetically, this machine is BEAUTIFUL! ! ! Physically - monstrously HEAVY! ! ! Satisfaction - immeasurable, especially when used primarily for playing movies. Beware, top notch receivers/amps, play best with equally matched speakers and DVD/CD player. I'm sure this is where those who are not pleased with this unit have fallen short. My equipment: DSP-AX1 Mitsubishi 'diamond series' 53" big screen Paradigm Reference 80's - main " " 40's - rear " " cc - center Kenwood LSX-S (?) Front effect Sony NC600 DVD player Denon DCM-560 CD player

Strengths:
Takes command of any and all movies! ! ! Once set-up :) , superb performance in music Great remote control Quality build internally/externally Can be easily "tweeked" to fit any situation it's faced with

Weaknesses:
Can be complicated/challenging to set-up initially Not very "light-in-the-britches" Very heavy! Not cheap!

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha DSP-A1 Yamaha DSP-AZ1 Yamaha RX-V1 etc

Price Paid:  $3600.00 from HiTech - Nicosia, Cy

Summary:
My Yamaha DSP-AX1 was the FIRST to be sold in Cyprus in June 2001, and after long negotiations i managed to reduce the price to the equivalent of 3100 Euro from an originally asked price of 3800 Euro. After reading several reviews in various magazines, i decided to audition the AX1. Unfortunately i only had the chance to audition the AX1 in a Movie setup. Movie effects sound exciting and the fact that all 6 channels use similar power amps helps to match tonal balance and character for all channels. Good news stop here. Listening to music in Stereo reveals all the vices of this amp. Bass is rather lightweight but at the same time lacks definition. Treble is rather brash, splashy and undetailed and at the same time rolled off. Midrange is unexpressive and vocals lack all the richness and harmonic resolution of "Real" Hifi amps. Dynamics are compressed and Transients are rounded off. Please note that the Amp sounds like this (At least with 8 and 6 Ohm Speakers) with the Speaker Impedance Selector set to 4 Ohms. It sounds a lot worse at the 8 Ohms setting where it sounds bland and loses all harmonic resolution as well. Hooking the my "Old" (1992 Model) and "Less Powerful" (2x50W RMS) Mission Cyrus Two (Via Line-In) at the Main Out connectors of the AX-1 and using it as a Power Amp (with the volume control permanently set to full) reveals all the above shortcomings of the AX1's Internal Power Amp. The Cyrus Two is not Interviewed here but i need to mention that when it is used as a power amp, sound is dynamic, fast, detailed, 3d, uncolored and expressive. Another irritating problem that started a week after i bought the AX1, is that channels drop-out continuously. After taking it several times to the Yamaha service in Nicosia Cyprus they could not find a cure. Doing a bit of research on the internet i have found that this is a problem of the Blade switches behind the Output RCA terminals shutting off the internal amps when an external amp is connected. The only solution is to spray oil-based contact cleaner at regular intervals to prevent the blade switches "sticking" to the wrong position when an RCA cable is not connected!

Strengths:
Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS ES, Good Performance for Home Theatre use, OK when used as a Stereo Pre-amp, Good DACs, Lots of Facilities, Learning Remote Control

Weaknesses:
Miserable sound in Stereo and definitely not of Audiophile quality. Sound is Dull and what treble exists is simultaneously Brash, splashy and Slow, Lightweight and simultaneously unidentified Bass, Undetailed Midrange, 2 Dimensional Stereo Image, Compressed Dynamics and Softened Transients. No Phono MC Stage. Outrageously problematic for its price. Channels Drop out continuously (Read above how to sort this), Optimistic Power Rating.

Similar Products Used:
DENON AV-1SE, YAMAHA DSP-A1, and some ONKYO A/V Amp (cannot recall model)

Price Paid:  $1700.00 from HifiCorner Antwerp

Summary:
Simply designed, a lot of power and functionalities. Driving a couple of sets JBL Control 5+ and a JBL Sub. (will be replaced within a few months, by: ProAc or Genelec or M&K) An update will follow within a few months as the new setup is active.

Strengths:
Power !!! Ideal for stereo-listening as HT !! You can crank this one, unbelievable. One of the best receivers !! (better than most Denon's)

Weaknesses:
In the beginning: channel drop-out (a certain range of this model had that problem). Fixed without any problems, good support of Yamaha) - Weight !! +/- 30 kg !! - price in Belgium rather high compared with other countries (those f*king legal taxes!!)