After much research and re-configuring the budget twice (Budget 1: DSP-A1, Budget 2: RX-V2095) I went with the Yamaha RX-V995. Let me just say, I've waited some months before posting this review, just trying to figure out all the quirks and guess what...I can't find any (well, I found one). This receiver is driving a set of Energy Take5's with an e:XL-S10 sub. My DVD player of choice is a Toshiba SD3109 (which recently replaced the newly firmware upgraded Panasonic A110) and I'm totally blown away by the incredible range of sound I get. I haven't had any problems with Yamaha's reputed "brightness" yet, even with the Energy set which is supposedly also very "bright". It sounds very smooth and neutral to me. I actually enjoy listening to some of my older analog Jazz (progressive/fusion) that I had forgotten about. There have been no problems with delayed auto signal selection and so far, I've never had any problems selecting another source *AFTER* I've played a DTS encoded disc. It changes automatically every time and takes lest than a second (I want to say milli-second, but I don't have anyway to back that up). I've heard no fan noise, no hum, no weird crackling noises, no audio dropouts (not even with dreaded Universal DTS/Yamaha problem), no tuner cross talk, nothing! Zero...Zilch...Nada!!!! I don't even mind the remote. I have a One For All Cinema7 Universal for everyday use so I don't even mind the limited RAM with the supplied Yamaha learning/universal remote (I'm still planning on purchasing the Philips Pronto at some point though), and I agree that the easily "soon to be broken folding door" is kinda cool.
The one problem I have found...when setting the levels, like many other receivers the level for the front L&R mains can only be changed with the balance control, not a separate level for each in the set-up mode (what's that all about!!!!!). I feel kinda cheated on that aspect and that aspect alone!!!

Otherwise, right now the Yamaha RX-V995 is the King of the Castle at Pap's Palace!!!

With skepticism I purchased the Yamaha 995. This is my 3rd Yamaha receiver. The first two had mechanical problems, and I hesitated trying my luck a 3rd time. However, I must report that I am very happy with this unit. I had some initial problems when setting the parameters. My listening area is approximately 12 x 20, and I was experiencing a lot of echo. It almost sounded like a cheap reverb unit from the 70's. After consulting with numerous sales people, we determined that the various parameters needed to be set much lower to approximate my listening environment. After doing this the sound became much clearer and more realistic.
I compared this unit to the Sony ES50 and Denon 3200 and felt for the sound quality, features and price that the Yamaha was a much better value. My only complaint is that the audio, when listening to CD's, tends to be a little on the bright side. Hopefully, this can be corrected as I learn more about the receiver settings. It seems to run quiet, and I have not noticed any excessive heat during extended periods of use.

I am currently using Polk Audio RT10's for front speakers, a Polk Audio center speaker, DP Plus rears (a fine Canadian speaker no longer being manufactured) KEF front satellites and two subs, an Audio Source in the front and a Klipsch for the rear. While there is always room for improvement, I am at the moment happy with my set up. Movies sound great, music sounds great, let's go with 4 stars. as I am sure there is something out there that I'd like better. For now I don't see how you can go wrong with the Yamaha 995 at this price point.

File this under oddest-reason-to-choose-a-receiver:
I was on the fence between the 995 and a Denon, but went with the Denon because it had a slightly lower price point, and was recommended by the salesperson.

Took it home, set it up, twiddled with it and it sounded great. In addition to my 5.1 home theater speaker setup (all Klipsch), I have two additional speakers run out to the deck outside. I hooked up the patio speakers to the B speaker outputs and spent the next several minutes feeling stupid as I stared at the front panel and remote trying to figure out how to select the B speakers.

You cant.

According to the Yamaha manual, the B outs are for bi-wiring or SIMULTANEOUS second-room use only. I was not happy.

Went back to the retailer, bitched and moaned (and reminded the salesperson a couple of times how he represented the A/B capability on the Denon) and was able to move into the 995 for a small additional price bump.

I should have went with the 995 in the first place. It's sound to my ears is noticeable better than the Denon, it has 4 toslink inputs to the Denon's 1, and I like the remote better. I actually kinda like the yet-to-be-broken-off-door.

By the way, A/B/Both speaker selection is right on the front panel, and works beautifully.

At $1000 I don't think you can find a better receiver. I've heard Denon, Marrantz, Harmon Kardon and (insert name brand here). Yamaha consistently does a great job on their receivers. This is probably the quietest receiver I've heard, even at extremely high volumes. The DTS/DD decoding is excellent, sounds clearly come from their correct locations on screen. It nearly doubled my subwoofer(Velodyne CT-150) bass response from my previous Sony receiver. Unlike many here I like the remote. It's odd but it does the job very well(yeah I might shell out for the Marrantz remote someday too for the pretty screen). So far it has impressed me very much. I don't think you can find many faults with the 995. Great job Yamaha.

It's a great asset to have not to mention the superiority of the sound that nothing else can MEASURE not even the DENON (3200) sounds like a LEMON aid which is just better for drinking aspect!!! THIS IS THE BEST BUY OF ALL TIME.

This sucker rules. I bought it somewhat based on the reviews this site gave (dont know where they all went, there were about 100). Was able to talk my local dealer down to $850. The dsp modes in this, which I thought I wouldnt use, sound brilliant. The only grudge is in the remote, as it doesnt offer buttons to learn. It is big, mean and silver though. Looks nice on the coffee table!
Part of the real reason that I bought this was the full set of 6ch preamp ins AND outs. and about 6 digital inputs (mix of coax and optical). Get this thing if it's in your price range! It will last you a lonnng time!

Overall, I am pleased with my selection of the Yamaha 995. I am no expert, but I felt it was much more crisp than the Denon 3200 when I listened to them side-by-side. This of course is a personal preference, as the Denon 3200 had very nice sound also, I just thought the sound was brighter and more accurately reproduced. The salesman was just that, a salesman. I told him, after listening to the Yamaha for 30 minutes, that I wanted to hear the Denon. We listened to one track from a CD I brought to the store and I told him I really liked the Denon better, even though I didn't. I wanted to hear what he was going to say. He couldn't agree with me more - definately a better product. This after listening to the Yamaha for 30 minutes and never a mention that I might want to listen to the comparably priced Denon receiver.
On the negative side. When I hooked everything up, It had noticable hum. Called this astute salesman and he said try disconnect the Cable from my VCR. Sure enough, the hum went away. Told him that was unacceptable, he says, come on back in and he can sell me $200 worth of equipment that will eliminate the hum. I'm thinking - I just spent $900 - you can have it back. Instead, I played with it all day and ultimately discovered the hum was really originating from my sub-woofer. Read the trouble-shooting guide for the sub, and it said this can happen, just redure the Electrical cord from a three-prong to a two prong. 0.96 cents later (and a day) - problem solved. It is super-quiet now.

I know a lot of people have complained about the remote. I was prepared to give the Remote an "It's alright" rating, but after using it more, I've changed my mind. I programed it to turn on my TV and VCR, to change the TV volume, change stations, pause and play my DVD. The buttons I had to use were not the most logical - but hey - it was working - or so I thought. After more use - sometimes when I press the mute button - the TV turns off. The back-lighting is inadequate, and most of the buttons I really need to press are behind a door, and in a dark room - you can't read them either.

I am a casual listener - I like to listen to all kinds of music, and I enjoy home theater. I read the manual thouroughly and feel I understood the best way to set everything up. I am very happy with the sound, and have heard things I never heard before. The Digital is really impressive. I really like the fact that I can adjust the sound level for each rear speaker independantly, and that the receiver has the power to adequatley drive them.

I am happy with this purchase as I believe it should last a long time, and it's ready to handle new sound formats yet to be discovered. I was a little disappointed in the time it took me to get everything set up, as I had a bunch of problems with the hum and getting all my components to work together, especially the TV, VCR, DVD and Receiver. But now that it is functioning properly - I give it 4, mainly because I think the remote should be redesigned. My wife hates it just for the color!

I just upgraded from a Pioneer VSX 608. Dont misunderstand, the Pioneer isa great budget receiver. I bought the rxv 995 to compare and see if it was REALLY worth the extra $. All I can say is WOWWW!! THe bass response is
louder and deeper. It goes louder much more cleaner than the Pioneer.
No hum, static, TV interference or anything. A big knock on the Pioneer is
that you cant set your fronts to "large" and get output from your sub w/o
using one of its DSP's. The DSP's on the Pioneer pale in comparison to the
995.(for twice the price I guess they should!!) Anyway, I sold the Pioneer
and kept the 995. To me at least, IT IS THAT MUCH BETTER.

It's so nice to have. The theater like at you own home with the DSP theaterselection & feel the ambiance of the sound like the latest theater in the country. I love it!!!!!!!!!

FYI: For anyone trying to decide between a Yamaha or Denon.
Denon just posted information on the upcoming AVR 3300. It looks like it is going to be targeted at the RX-995. Althought,looking at the features, it may be priced a bit higher. A few improvements from the AVR 3200 are dual suround speaker switching for seperate movie and music speaker setups, 105 wpc, and 8 channel pre-amp out.

For more info: http://www.del.denon.com/catalog/products.asp?l=1&c=2