See Review of 12/20/00

Same as above

I just returned from a corporate trip to the 2001 International CES show in Las Vegas, NV. After taking care of my corporate business, I spent some time at the Yamaha Electronics Corporation booth (Booth 341, LVCC South 3-5) on Saturday afternoon, January 6, 2001. I had previously bought an RX-V800 from a local hi-fi dealer who has been a friend of mine for many years. Nevertheless, I've always been intrigued by the purported differences (component quality, build quality, etc.) between the RX-V and HTR- lines of Yamaha A/V receivers. Since I was at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I wanted to speak to someone to get the straight and official story on this. Hopefully, this post will put an end to this speculation.

I spoke to Mr. Kenji Togawa, Marketing Planning Manager of Yamaha Electonics Corporation, on this subject. My exact question to Mr. Togawa was as follows: "Are there any differences between the RX-V line and the HTR- line of Yamaha A/V receivers?" His answer was this: "Yes, there is a difference. However, the "one and only" difference is the model numbers used on the product. Otherwise, the receivers are built in the same manufacturing facility, with the same components, and with the same quality control inspectors."

He went on to say: "When we introduced Yamaha A/V products to the mass merchandise channel, i.e. Best Buy, Sears, Internet sales sites, etc., our "Specialists" (NOTE: Mr. Togawa's term -- i.e., Authorized Yamaha Dealers) requested us to change the equivalent model numbers of the receivers distributed into the mass merchandise channel. This request was implemented to support our "Specialists," otherwise the receivers are exactly the same." He specifically pointed to the RX-V800 and said: "This model is known as the HTR-5280 in the mass merchandise channel."

That being said, however, Mr. Togawa also stated that "there currently is no HTR- equivalent in the mass merchandise channel for the RX-V1000, RX-V3000, or Yamaha's flagship A/V receiver, the RX-V1. The RX-V800 equivalent --the HTR-5280 -- is currently the top-of-the-line HTR- series available."

At the show, Yamaha introduced several new A/V receiver models, all of the RX-V line. Hopefully, these new models will show up in their HTR- line soon. The new models are positioned with a lower price point than the RX-V800.

Mr. Togawa was very forthcoming, and honest, with all of my questions. And, he consulted with one of Yamaha's chief design engineers, based in Japan, on some of my questions. He answered my questions without any hesitation, which, I found very refreshing in the world of A/V and hi-fi where "snake oil salesmen" are everywhere!

Please feel free to e-mail me on this if anyone has any further questions.

Don Allen W9CW
Urbana, IL
or

Also, I noted that the new NAD T-761 A/V receiver is manufactured in the Peoples Republic of China. Whereas, most of Yamaha's A/V manufacturing is done at their facility in Malaysia. I am not certain of the RX-V3000 and RX-V1, but all others are manufactured in Malaysia. For what it's worth . . .

Similar Products Used:

NAD, Rotel

Sound Quality - Very Quiet Amp, 7 Digital Inputs, DSPs, 5-Channel Stereo, 6.1 Phanton DD/DTS, Easy Setup

Remote takes a bit of getting used to

This is a great receiver. Yamaha has finally started adding enough S-Video and Digital Inputs to their receivers!

The sound quality of this unit is amazing. The Amps are absolutely quiet and deliver clean power all the way up to as far as I have been willing to push it.

I compared this unit to the Denon 3801, Outlaw 1050, Onkyo 787, etc. In my opinion, if you don't want 6.1 discrete, this receiver is a best buy in its price range. The DSP modes are very realistic and do not add an artificial feeling as some other receiver I have listened to.

6 of the 7 digital inputs are assignable to any input on the receiver. The 7th one is not because it is the optical input on the front, wouldn't make a lot of sense to re-assign that one. 5 optical and 2 coax digital inputs!Component video inputs (2) are also assignable to any input on the receiver. These features make this receiver extremely versatile.

The RX-V800 is EASY to set up with the simple On Screen Display. Even gives you separate tone controls (EQ) for the center speaker and headphone jack. Also allows you to dim the front display, which I haven't needed to since it is a amber color which is non-intrusive.

The 6.1 Matrix (Phantom) for DD/DTS ES is nice for those of us that want to be able to take advantage of the new encoding but do not want (or have space for) another speaker.

Similar Products Used:

Replaced Sony Pro-Logic Receiver

Powerfull clean sound, good build, heavy 15 kg - 30 pounds and this means that they didn't make some cheap thing, nice design

Pre-out for rear centre chanell is missing (6.1), remote is clumsy

Yamaha did it very well this time. Bravo Yamaha for all new seria!
Quality made A/V receiver with big improvment for correct price. Digital potenciometer for volume, closing panel,increased number of optical I/O -puts. Everything is changed from mechanical to logical buttons (for selecting front speakers and some other things).
Sound is clean without heavy pumped bass and Yamaha is giving bass when bass must come on scene. Here is important also what kind of speakers we have. Some of them they could sound to bright in partnership with Yamaha. That's a fact, but in this case we can't say that amp is guilty.This can be maybe corrected with cables in case that we don't want to change amp or speakers.

Weight is telling me a lot. They were not cheap with material and this is very important.
Pre-out for rear centre chanell (6.1) is missing , this is something what they could add without big costs.I don't miss it now but it would be nice to have for future.
It's true that some how they resolved 6.1 with SW I mean with DSP but they could add pre-out for 6.1 anyway.
Otherwise excellent and the best value for 500$.

P.S. John we believe you that you don't like the product and that's OK. But please don't repeat your review without good reasons because you will not achieve anything new.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-609, VSX-709 8,5 kg, Onkyo TX 575x 11,2 kg. And other A/V receivers in similar price rang

Smooth natural sound reproduction (no attenuation or emphasis on any particular range), solid built chasis, discrete transistors (delivers clean crisp power all the way up to max ouput), large heatsinks, well built power amp, very well developed dsp programs, OSD, dsp galore, 5-channel stereo!!!, future-proof

poorly designed remote, menus are tedious to navigate without OSD, no major weaknesses, no regrets whatsoever

Best receiver I know of in the $800 range, but can be had for less than $550 if you shop around. Yamaha maintains it's title as topdog of the receiver industry with Denon and NAD trailing close behind. In my opinion, this model is a worthwhile step up from the 596, and a better value than the 1000. Produces clean, natural, un-colorized, un-adulterated sound with plenty of power and endless number of options and features. Provides all the necessities: S-vid, optic, coax, component vid, 6-channel input, support for 6.1 DTS-ES and DD-EX, nifty Processor Direct function, OSD, speaker A/B, grounding cable, universal learning remote, and more. Could use a RS-232 flash port as added "icing on the cake" but that's asking a bit much from this price range. 5-channel stereo is heaven-sent! Excellent external build, display is a nice soft orange color as opposed to the more popular bright, energetic displays of other receivers, which tend to distract you from the presentation. Also provides true RMS power ratings unlike Denon's half-truth ratings. Note how other similar receivers fall very dependent on marketing strategy to hold par with the Yamahas (ie: meaningless THX certifications, featured reviews from the same magazines that have ad contracts with the product vendor, and unreal power ratings that are actually peak power readings under ideal conditions), whereas Yamaha doesn't stoop so low to unload their products. This can reveal a lot about what you're buying. So after much auditioning and evaluating of a large variety of receivers, the 800 stands out with best overall performance, fidelity, build, and features. My pick out of similarly priced Denon 2801, HK 500/510, NAD 750, Onkyo 575x, Sony 333es, and Marantz 770 receivers.

NOTE: generally not a good idea to toggle with impedance switching, bass extension, or tone settings on this or any receiver unless you're sure of what you're doing.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 2801, NAD T-750, HK 510, HK 500, Sony V333ES, Onkyo TX-DS575X, Marantz SR-770

DTS, great sound Dolby Digital,Variety of Sound Formats

If I was to be fussy backlighting of the Buttons on the remote

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their reviews on this Product.
I've been using this receiver for 3 weeks now and I am overwhelmed by its capabilities. I was originally concerned about the remote control because of so many bad reviews, but with a little practice you will be a master in a week. Every device is now controlled by this remote control including cable TV. It will even learn from another remote if you need more fuctionality. The On Screen Display is great and saves you from having to squint over to the Receiver to confirm the buttons you have pressed.

I have not got a sub yet but cannot wait to complete the set up.

Running JBLs front (LX 2003) center (2000C) and back (LX2001) make for a great listening experience especially when watching Gladiator in DTS format and comparing it to 5.1

If you are hesitant about this receiver don't be you will not be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

This is my first attempt

DD, DTS and all the connections

2 channel Stero

I think this reciver is an excellent piece of equipment when it comes to Home Cinema. People who are in to 2 channel stereo mainly shouldn´t buy this but if you´r gonna use it for DVD movies it is a sure thing.

This machine is built to give an extrordinary experience when it comes to serious "Movie Watching"...

It´s kind of wrong (I think) to review it as an high end stereo equipment and compare it as such. It is for Home Cinema...

Similar Products Used:

Onkya, Yammaha (earlier Models)

DD, DTS, lots of feature, big names.

Stereo sound quality for music

I agree with Budi for stereo mode sounds very bad even cheap Integrated Amplifier can sounds better. Lots of input but most we don’t use.

Ease of use. Bass & treble constant thru all settings. Clean power.

None yet. Just had to take the time to read directions

I have been a Sony fan and user for 7 years now and went and puchased the 555 es and set it up in my house completely. I used it for 2 nights, read the directions and everything but just did not care for it. The remote and sound fields had to much going on with it, not to mention that even at a flat setting it sounded a bit bright to me and lacked some umph. I then went internet and local shopping around and figured I would buy something easier to use with basic sound and setting functions and ended up with the Yamaha. It sounds great easy to use, including the remote, once you read the directions. It was priced right and the way things get outdated lately I can upgrade in a couple years and not feel ripped off. I was in the sound room for hours at the store listening to the comparable sony's and denon's and yamaha had the best and cleanest sound to my ears in all models high and low end. At that time I decided to buy midgrade and opted for the 800 with absolutley no remorse, it is a great machine at a good price. Next time I do step up I will listen to all of them again but will probably end up with the yamaha again and maybe step up a little bit when technology slows down.

For info on my system here it is Klipsch 5.1 front and matching center center. New Klipsch rear wide dispersion speakers. 2 M&K V75 II subs @ level 3 with 65-75 crossover setting. Yamaha C-996 5 disc dvd player(bought at same time as reciever) and a Sony 4 head with shuttle vcr.(love the sony vcr)

Thanks, Jamie

Similar Products Used:

Sony es including the new 555 es

Great home theater sound, excellent music reproduction, 32 bit processor, top ac receiver for a reasonable price

None

I originally had planned on a Denon 2801, but went with the Yamaha 596. I immediately be became a fan of the 596 because of it's great sound on movies, and good sound on music. I thought if Yamaha could make a component this good for $450, what could they do for about double that, so I upgraded to the RX-V800.
The 800 is an awesome piece, in the same family as the flagship RX-V1, with a 32 bit LSI processer. Movie sound is great, perhaps more full and warm than the 596, and there is a significant improvement on two channel music, it also being more full, spacious and detailed, with excellent clarity. Power is very adequate. The remote control is fine, don't listen to the gripes about this. The important issue is sound and build quality, and Yamaha delivers with the RX-V800.
If your looking for a top receiver and wnat to pay under a $1000, I recommend this piece. The only way I would consider something else was if I going all out on a high end system, which I am not sure that I want, or need to do.
The RX-V800 is a great receiver, I give it my highest recommendation.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 596 (I owned this for about 2 months before upgrading to the 800)

See my first review at the bottom...

See my first review at the bottom...

Once in a while I revisit this page to see what others think about the 800. My only disappointment is that you guys are overpaying for this unit! Despite the fact that MSRP is set at $799.95USD, if you live inside the continental United States, it can be delivered to your front door for a total of $583.35 ($35 s/h). Purchase at this site: [ http://crazyeddie.store.com/ ]. I was quite skeptical of buying such an expensive piece of equipment online at first, but upon delivery, I realized how safe (at least this vendor) is. And for under $600, I must say, this puts the RX-V800 WELL above all others.

I've had this unit for about half a year now and still I have yet to find a single problem with it. The longer you own this receiver, the more functional it becomes as you are constantly becoming more familiarized with its hundreds of functions, settings, and options. It is very flexible and easy to manipulate and adapt to your system/needs. Under the heaviest, most demanding loads, this unit performs solidly, reliably, and is extremely cool running (compared to competing brands i've used). I'm trying very hard to think of something wrong with this unit so that I don't seem too heavily biased, but no luck.

One correction for another poster, the HTR and RX series receivers ARE different from the RX-V series. The RX-V is the best, newest, and most well built receiver Yamaha has to offer, particularly in the power amp section. The RX I believe is a stereo receiver, and the HTR is a lower-grade version of the RX-V. So don't be fooled into getting an HTR from Best Buy!

My 5 stars are affirmed!

Similar Products Used:

See my first review at the bottom...