Hi all. Wondering if somebody can help me out. I'm not an "audiophile" when it comes to equipment knowledge, but I am a musician, and have a pretty good ear. It's very important to me to have good, clear , realistic sound. I am looking to purchase a good receiver, and a good surround sound speaker system. I've been told that Yamaha makes great receivers, so I was thinking about buying the RX-V995. I read a couple of reviews, and am not seeing a huge difference between the features of the RX-V995, and the RX-V2095. I did some research, and found that aside from some minor specification differences, the RX-V2095 has 2 extra front effects speakers. Do these add a lot to the sound? How important are these? Also, I noticed that RX-V2095 has 2 remote controls. What's the 2nd one for? Do I need it? I like the fact that you can program macro's into the RX-V2095 remote. Can you do this with the RX-V995 as well? If somebody can point out some major reasons why the RX-V2095 is better than the RX-V995, I'd greatly apprecaite it. I don't have a problem spending the extra cash - but just want to make sure it's worth it.

Also - I recently spoke w/ a dealer who told me that both of these models are being discontinued, and replaced by the RX-V995a, and the RX-V2095a. He said that the "a" models will provide the ability to integrate with HDTV and other things. Is this true? Do I need to wait for these models? What will I be missing if I purchase one of the non "a" models?

Finally - I have a small apartment in Manhattan, and need some good speakers to go with this receiver. Size is important - I don't have a lot of room - and would prefer to put them on top of my wall unit, and mount them around the room. I was considering Bose, due to size advantages, but heard some bad things and read some bad reviews. Does anybody know of some good speakers that are small and perform surround sound well? Somebody recommended Jama and Polk. Any comments.

Oh - yeah- one more thing. Where is a good place to find a good price on a RX-V2095? And a good place to find some good speaker prices.

Any advice on the above would be much appreciated. Thanks!
-kgray

Stereo Sound, and movie reproduction with any source.

Remote control (if any)

I had been in the market for a receiver for over one month and read and listen as much as I could on the subject. I had a preference for Nakamichi because I have one since ten years ago and still sounds great, but kept an open mind and tried different brands and price ranges ($585 for the Sherwood to $3200 for the RX - V1) since money was not really an issue.

At the end I decided to keep the RX 2095 as the best of the group tested. Given that all pieces are great, I preferred the RX 2095 for it's clarity, stereo separation and price.

The first receiver that I tried was the 945 MKII (has the best remote!). It sounded realy nice but did not compare to the others when it comes to clarity and sound definition. I returned it after a couple of days. Still for under $600 is a very good piece.

Since I was disapointed with the Sherwood I decided to spend more money and purchased the Denon and the RX 2095.

The Denon is the more expensive of the two ($1600). It sounded nice but when compared to the RX 2095 the RX had better stereo sound. For movies both sounded very much the same to me.

Since I was so impressed with the Yamaha I decided to spend the big bucks and purchased the top of the line RX- V1 ($3300). This monster is really nice however when it comes to sound it is only slightly better than the RX 2095. It does however have a lot more features (which I would probaly never have used). To me, it was not worth the extra money (~$2000) difference between the two Yamahas.

In conclusion to me the 2095 is the best quality and the best value. I finnaly bought it for $ 1000 delivered. I highly recommend it for someone who is looking for an equaly good in stereo and video receiver. The sound and the built quality are excelent. If you like MANY features spend the extra money and get the RX - V1!!

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood Newcastle 945 MKII, Denon AVR 4800, Yamaha RX- V1

great natural sound

none

I have this product for over a month, so I guess I can give a fair review already. At first I was not so sure if I'm gonna like it. For years I have been listening to Onkyo receivers, So the sound for me is kinda new. Those effects (DSP's) made me upset. And the remote too. But after a while
when I learn everything (almost everything) I set it up right, Man it really sounded great, very natural and I think my ears have been healed.

Similar Products Used:

onkyo

Awesome inputs and power

Remote a tad bit confusing (but which one is not)

Until recently, I received orders to Okinawa Japan. My best friend told me to sell my low end stereo while in Korea, 'cause I was going to a Gigantic Audio Center from Hell. Well I was gonna wait until my 2 yrs was up and purchase stereo equipment. But until recent visits to friends stationed in Okinawa also, I started on this awesome fantasy. I started out with a close-out on KLF-10s for $365 pr. I bought 2 sets. Then I found the C-7 Center for $274. I purchased 2, but returned one due to overkill, or greediness. Next, I walked to the Exchange and saw a YAMAHA 2095 on the clearance rack. This was a diamond in the rough. Taking my chances, I did not see what it was returned for, really did not care. It was for $849 and I received another 25 percent off for clearance item and a 10 percent off newcomer to the island coupon. After the finally tally, I walked away with it for $551. I must say I let it sit in the living room for at least 4 days just to make sure I was not dreaming. Then after swarming over it like a vulture, I began hooking up components. I bought a 558 receiver until I could purchased the 2095. Now it is in a closet. The remarkably true sweet sound is for those who want the finer things in life and is willing to pay for it. I just need to hook my MD up and my other power amp to run seperate amps for fronts and rears. Not a lot of buttons you do not need on the front panel. Just the exact number of right buttons. I had used cheap receivers in the past so much, I did not know I can just hook the MD up to the receiver and the CD Player to their respective slots and I can record from the source that is playing (CD). I thought I had to run the MD through the CD Player and the CD Player through the receiver. Not. My setup is:

PANASONIC 320 DVD PLAYER
JVC 448 MD
YAMAHA RVX-2095 RECEIVER
KLIPSCH KLF-10s (2 pairs)
KLIPSCH C-7 CENTER CHANNEL
YAMAHA 600 STEREO INTEGRATED POWER AMP
YAMAHA 680 STEREO INTEGRATED POWER AMP
JVC 4006 VCR
PIONEER 18 DISK CD PLAYER

Similar Products Used:

JVC 558BK
KENWOOD RECEIVER

Great Sound!!! Perfect 10/10!!! Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS decoder Excellence!!!!!! Will buy RXV1 when I have bigger house!!!

So far, maybe just the remote, claims it can learn other remotes' functions, but is very limited, A/B/C Switch, and you can only program B/C Switch, Example, DVD/LD, VCR1, and that's it! What about my CD Player? Should of made Universal remote instead.

First of all, I have to say, Yamaha is the best brand I ever owned! Yamaha RV502, Dolby Pro Logic Receiver, purchased with 5 speaker package bundle was my first purchase. I upgraded with 2 extra pairs of Main Speakers B. All Yamaha brand! Then upgraded to subwoofer, Klipsh SW12!!!! Wow!!!! Then now the RXV2095!!!!!! I think I just turned my bedroom into a SONY METREON!!!! HA HA HA!!!!!!! ANYHOW....... I JUST GOT THIS RECEIVER LAST NIGHT, THANKS TO UPS GUY WHO HELPED ME UP TO THE STAIRS!!! WEIGHTS A HEFTY 50 LBS!!!!, READ THE MENU, AND JUST SPENT ABOUT 8 HOURS TODAY TO SET UP EVERYTHING, FIRST DVD TESTED, ROMEO MUST DIE!!!! YOU GOTTA GIVE CREDITS TO DMX'S TIGHT BASS MUSIC...... AND JET LI'S FAST AND JACKIE CHAN STYLE FIGHTING!!!!! ANYHOW, RXV2095 IS THE RECEIVER I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE WHO WANTS GREAT QUALITY SOUND!!!!!! I'M GOING TO SLEEP NOW, GOING TO LISTEN TO MY CD'S..... PURE DIGITAL SOUND, YEAH, SPENT ABOUT $500 ON CABLES, OPTICAL CABLES, MONSTER SUBWOOFER CABLES!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A GREAT ONE!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RV502, Dolby Pro Logic Receiver, purchased with 5 speaker package bundle.

Great looks, DSPs, DD/DTS, Great Dolby Pro-Logic.

No 5 channel stereo, No 7.1 external inputs. Analog volume.

This is really a beautiful sounding receiver. The Dolby Pro-Logic makes television watching enjoyable. The DSPs are incredible and quite a few are actually useful. The DSP parameters are adjustable for a desired sound or room. The remote is easy to understand, but is an ergonomic nightmare. Get a good universal. DD/DTS is clean, clear and crisp. Bass management seems really good and makes my Energy Take 5 system with 10" sub really pound. I own both the 2095 and the Denon AVR-3300. Still debating which one I like better. The Denon sounds clean but the Pro-Logic stinks. It also has 5 channel stereo for room-filling audio of stereo sources. The Yamaha has analog volume with no indication other than the light on the knob. The Denon has a small number indication from -60 to +14. The Yamaha has 20bit DACs but can I tell....NO!
The Denon is newer in terms of technology w/ a 32 bit SHARC processor, 24bit DACs, 7.1 external inputs for an outboard rocessor as well as component video inputs. Which is better? I'm sure it depends on the speakers, but each is great in its own way.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300

Solid, warm sound; Features, features, features. Incredible depth and clarity

remote should be half the size and more intuitive

Incredible Machine. I like it much better than the Denon for sound in both stereo and surround modes.

There are 'easter eggs' galore with this machine. I never thought I would use the effects modes, but they are so incredible on this machine that I have to. You can make studio albums sound LIVE or Live Albums sound even better. One thing that Denon advertises is that it 'remembers' the mode you were in for each different source - so does the Yamaha, they just don't advertise the fact.

I haven't tried the 7 channel system, but the 5 channel DD is great. My biggest problem has been in finding enough new movies that i want to see just so I can listen to them.

Similar Products Used:

Denon-5800

Name it. This is one superb set. Wonderful sound, very reliable, first rate design!

Remote is poor. Note sure that the extra front speaker outputs matter all that much. Manual is poorly done.

Typical Yamaha--first rate! This receiver handles bombs and explosions going off all around you as easily as it handles Mozart. Music sounds first rate whether from CDs or DVDs. Movies sound better than they do at most theaters (but I suppose that's not saying much these days!)

I don't use the remote (replaced it with a Philips Pronto) so I don't miss the awkward way Yamaha designed it. I only use a few of the enhanced surround modes, but the ones I do use I really like.

This receiver really brought my Boston Acoustic A-120 speakers to life. They've never sounded so good.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood KR-7600

Warmth and clarity of sound in both audio and video
Ease of operation (except as noted)

Remote is difficult and confusing to program

In a nutshell, this receiver handled every possible thing I could throw at it. First, I tested it using the Friday Sountrack to see how it could handle the bass of "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" Then I threw a Telarc Classical disc at it and finally tested it with "Twister" on DVD.
I came away impressed with the balanced tonality. Also, I was impressed with the warmth in tonal quality and the overall clarity when playing music and video.
My only gripe is about the remote control. Truthfully, it makes me want to buy a Denon Actis so that I could better manage my components. The buttons are way too small and I know some IBM PCs that are easier to program than this remote is.

Test Unit comprised of:
Yamaha RX-V2095 Receiver
Sony DVP-S7700 DVD player
B&W DM604-II
B&W CC-6
Solid HCM-1
Audioquest Cabling

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300
Sony
Onkyo

Clear, high power A/V amp. Good compression ratio and low distortion rate.

Remote control... has to be reviewed, but useable anyway.

Very happy with this buy. As mentionned, you need good quality speaker to really enjoy all the "crisp" from the amp.