Excellent Receiver! I have had this unit for about a month now and am very pleased. Completely loaded for it's price. I actually make use of a lot of the dsp modes with this receiver (something I never did on my previous unit). I shopped around and researched for about a month before deciding on this unit and I am glad I did. IMHO this is the best all-round receiver out there for the money, good power, good sound, good features, DPL, DD, and DTS decoders, good back panel. What more could you need in a receiver? My other auditions were the Denon 2700/3200 and the Onkyo 655(I think that's the right model). While all of these units sounded good the Yamaha sounded just as good if not slightly better to me. With that out of the way I simply could not justify paying for the Denon or the Onkyo when for about the same price I could get the Yamaha that offers so much more. The other units have hardly any outstanding features that the Yamaha doesn't have. Yes I liked the Denon 5 channel stereo, but I also liked all the dsp modes on the Yamaha that the Denon and Onkyo didn't have. The Yamaha lacks a matrix mode (which is about the only mode I used on my previous Onkyo DPL receiver) but I quickly discovered it's disco mode which is essentially matrix (2 front, 2 rear) but has a little more reverb to it. For the heavier, bass rich type of music I listen to in this mode I actually prefer the disco over the matrix.
REMOTE CONTROL:
I must comment on the the only flaw I have found with this receiver concerning the supplied remote. I have read all of the negative remarks about the remote supplied with this unit. At first I did not think it was that bad at all. Besides being a bit on the clunky side the remote worked well, was laid out well and easy to operate. I had programmed my cd player into the cd section of the remote and all was well. I then later tried to program a couple more functions into the remote (tv, vcr) and then I found out what all the remote talk was about. It very quickly stopped receiving any more commands. I mean this thing can barely hold anything! I have the cd player section programmed and after about 4 or 5 more buttons were entered it was unable to learn any more commands. I had no macros programmed either. I wiped out the memory and reset it but it did not help. It does not even come close to being able to store all the basics for my equipment. Also it could not properly learn the ff/rwd controls of my vcr that my old onkyo universal remote learns perfectly. As a learning remote it is useless, it does not learn enough functions to even be called a "learning remote". If a learning remote is important you will have to go out and purchase one of your choice (probably would be better anyways), and not assume that it comes with the last remote you will ever need. I am assume the problem is simply lack of memory in the remote for storing commands. Hopefully Yamaha is now aware of this problem and will do something to correct it.
As a normal remote I give it 4 out of 5 stars(could be a touch smaller and not have all the learning-related buttons/switches since you cannot fully use it as a learning remote anyways. Aside from the lack of learning ability, the remote works perfectly).
As a learning remote I give it 0 out of 5 stars(as far as I am concerned it isn't one).

When looking at this receiver just consider that it is a top-notch product that comes with a decent remote just not a learning remote. This is the only flaw I can find with this unit and it dissapointed me but it really is minor. The receiver does not deserve to have it's rating flawed by a poor remote "extra" feature that really has nothing to do with the receiver or remote function anyways. With this in mind this receiver easily receives a 5 star rating from me. It simply has the most bang for the buck available. Highly recommended!

One of the best receivers out there for $1000.00. After a month of listening I am throughly satisfied. 100 watts for each channel, digital opt.- 4, inputs coax-2, analog inputs - 3 audio, 5 a/v (all with s-video), dts decoder, surround modes- 25 (5 music), 6 channel input, tri-field cinema dsp and on screen display. Need I say more. Not only is this unit loaded with features, the sound is very rewarding. However, I would tend to agree with the other reviews concerning the remote. Yamaha could have done better. It can be quite frustrating in trying to program the remote to control your entire H.T. system. In my opinon, I do not consider it a "true" universal remote.

my first reciever into the digital world was the onkyo 555, which was a solid piece for the money, i then upgraded to the onkyo 656, which also was a solid performer. i then went out and purchased the yamaha 795, which in my opinion, was not as good as the onkyo 555. it was way too bright, and the cheap speaker clips sucked. i also fealt that the rear speakers in dd were too high even after tweeking them, i did not like the sound. I then went and purchased the 995. This unit is by far the best sounding unit for a little extra. the weight difference between the 795 and the 995 are quite substantial, and weight means a lot in audio components. the sound is clean crisp, and above all natural. the thd is a low .04 in the front and .07 every where else. this however is the one area that confuses me. the 795 is rated in stores that i shopped at as being 100 watts per channel. upon opening up the unit and reading the manual, you guessed it 85 wpc. what is that all about? the thd in the 795 is a low .04 in ALL channels. the 995 however had a higher thd in the backs and center. has anyone questioned this less clean sound for a more expensive unit. I did for about three minutes, after i heard 1 song on the fleetwood mac concert on 5.1 i was convinced this was the all out best unit for the dollar. don't question your ears, they don't lie.the remote sucks, i liked the one that came with the 795,smaller i don't want a remote as big as my coffee table.

clear sound, solid built casing, fully discrete in 5.1 channel

no digital rca input for rca cable

It's great! All of the lineup reciever are being knockdown with the quality & everything with this Yam rxv995 in all aspect such concert,action,sci fi,adventure & the DSP is no non sence with the capability feature of this gadget. Sure a winner
My personal top 5 DVD title favorite are
1. AIR FORCE ONE
2. GODZILA
3. NEGOTIATOR
4. CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER
5. DAYS OF THUNDER
SEE THIS ONE & YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.....
Good luck God bless us all! Happy listening/viewing

Similar Products Used:

sheerwood,sony

I just finished my review/selection of A/V Receivers. I currently own a Carver (the original stuff) M-500T amp and C-1 Pre amp, KEF 104/2 (best speakers ever made IMHO), and other supporting stuff. I decided it was time to move up in the world to a digital receiver and replace the aging C-1. After extensive searching, I narrowed my decision down to the Yamaha RX-V995 or the Denon AVR-3200. After listening to both and looking at the features, I decided to go with the Yamaha for 1 main reason: the DACs on the Yamaha. I plan on keeping the M-550T it is a GREAT amp and goes great with the 104's, so a good pre-amp is a must. The 995 uses a 20bit (over 1 million samples) DAC sampling at 64khZ. The 3200 uses a 16 bit (65k samples) DAC sampling at 48khZ or lower (the Denon expert didn't know). Right now the best DACs are using 24bit/96khZ (and are freekin expensive!). The Yamaha DAC is the best I've seen in this price range.
Other deciding factors:

Yamaha 995: Denon 3200:
Power 100 watts 85 Watts
DTS Yes No Not a critical factor, but a plus
DAC 20bit/64khZ 16bit/48khZ

After listening to both of these systems I was blown away by the Yamaha sound. The differences between the two are audible and the Yamaha takes the prize. I listen to classical/blues/rock music. I use a digital recording of Beethovens 5th (2nd movement) by the Berlin Philharmonic to "test" a system (This is a truly great test. When the horns kick in about 30 seconds into the 2nd movement a lesser system and speakers will sound like crap, even harsh and painful), the Yamaha passed with flying colors. So the Yamaha it is...

I recently got the bug for a true home stereo/theater system. I looked at the Denon 2700/3200 units and was almost sold on it until I heard about the Yamaha 995 which had similar features with the added bonus of more power and DTS. I went looking for this unit and it seems every Yamaha authorized dealer has this thing priced for $999 or so. But with some calling and travelling I was able to get a better price and listen to it actually. I saw this unit and noticed it's built very nicely and the sound was clear, especially compared to my old Pioneer RSXV-9005 (I am recalling that part number from memory) which seemed to get louder quicker but also distorted far quicker (and of course it was rated 125 a channel also). The connections for the 995 are simple and though the manual explains everything it could do better at "Custom Configuration ideas". Hooking up the unit was a breeze and once I turned it on, things went smoothly. I am not going to comment on the sound blowing me away yet since my Boston Acoustic front/center channel speakers are still on order but my old crappy Technic speakers and the MK sub seem to do a great job already. I also just for kicks hooked up the BA VRS side/rear Speakers and thought the DSP modes did work and was noteciable without sounding (lack of a better word) cheesy.
I must say for the features/the price/the quality that anyone looking at a A/V receiver in the $800-1200 dollar price range should consider this unit. I know it's all personal preferences but this unit is worth a serious look! The Denon sounded nice also but for that kind of money I felt DTS (which I have a nagging feeling will become a major standard) and more power made the choice for me.

Now on to the remote control. What an utter dissapointment! I mean seriously it's way too long to hold comfortably, feels el cheapo and the ergonomics/design just leave me wondering how a $89 dollar Sony boom box with remote can be so far superiror in feel/ease of use. I called Yamaha's service center and was told "Yamaha of Japan is aware of the problem and in a month or so should be addressing the problem". Here's hoping that they either replace the unit with something of better material/design or give us all coupons to purchase any remote we want.

Took me less than a week to get my receiver from Uncle Stereo. It was double-boxed, same as with the speakers. I was skeptical about ordering the receiver from them but I figured what the hell, I'll try my luck. Well my luck paid off, $370 in my favor too ;)
Apparently the minimum wage employees at Uncle Stereo's warehouse are a bunch of morons, or they did me an incredible favor. When I ordered my PSB Stratus Silver-i, Stratus Minis, and Stratus C6 Center speakers I ordered the "Black Ash" finish. Well, they sent me the "High Gloss Black" finish - an extra $370 for the 5 speakers in that finish! Well, I'm a happy camper now.

I took the receiver out of the package, flipped a box upsidedown and threw the receiver on top of it. I had to use both hands and feet to pull just one of the front speakers out of the super-double-boxed boxes (impressive packing). In a matter of an hour I had hooked up the fronts to the RX-V995 and was cranking away.

The terminals on the back were fine. I agree with some of the comments regarding the remote - but I would NEVER pass on this receiver simply because of that. The remote is quite satisfactory to me personally though, but I can understand why some anal people would be upset.

I hooked up the rears and center, and played some Star Wars in "Rock Concert" DSP mode. Felt like I was back in the theater. (more on that in my PSB Silver review).

Granted, I haven't yet cranked the system yet. I've only used it on a few DSP modes, and haven't even touched the tone controls, but that's because I don't need to. The system sounds beautiful w/o it.

There really isn't much to say about the receiver. I just turn it on and listen, what more do I want? Sounds incredible; no problems yet. I can't hear hiss until I crank it 1/2 way up ( on DSP modes).

The connections are well marked and simple to use. Even the newest of newbies can hook their gear up efficiently and easily.

The Yamaha 995 is one great receiver!!! Have had it for a few days now. I returned the Denon 3600dts. Felt it did not have the sound quality that was worth the $1400 I spent on it.
The Yamaha I felt was much better and $600 dollars cheaper!! I picked mine up for $799 in Pasadena.

Feel free to E-Mail if you would like the store's name.

I've owned the 995 for a little over a month after upgrading from a Denon AVR2700 DD receiver. The added power, DTS, and 6-channel input, were my main reason for switching to the 995. My initial reactions to the sound quality of the unit were that on stereo music cd's, the 995 is very clean and transparent, however it lacked the warmth and sweetness of the Denon. Upon further listening, i have now grown to like the sound of the 995 upon its own merits. The bass response of the 995 is very good, although i find the sub-response varies from input source to input source. The DD and DTS decoding is first rate as is plain old DPL decoding. There are plenty of inputs and outputs to satisfy all but the most sophisticated home theaters with multiple source requirements.
I'm very impressed with the performance of the internal DAC'S in this unit. I own what i considered at the time of purchase,and still do consider, a higher end CD player(Sony CDPC801ES). I compared the performance of its DAC'S to the 995's DAC's. The cd player was connected to the receiver using MONSTER REFERENCE AUDIO INTERCONNECTS and also with a MONSTER Toslink Optical cable. I toggled the input switch on the receiver between "auto pcm" and "analog" on the receiver and the 995's internal Dac's produced a more open and detailed sound quality than those in my thousand dollar cd player!!!!!
As for the remote, i don't use it at all. instead i use a Sony RMAV2000 universal remote that i owned prior to owning the 995. However, i don't think the remote is that bad anyway. Yes, its big and has that door waiting to be broken off and doesn't have the memory capacity of a shoe, but so what...it controls the receiver perfectly, so would everyone please stop being so anal and complaining about it, the horse is dead and beat to pulp for pete's sake!!!!

It took a month for me to get my 995. I got it from Uncles Stereo. They have been on allocation. Jimmy is the best. GREAT price. I previously had a Sony ST-505 Dolby Pro-Logic reciever. I am a little bit disappointed in that the Yamaha does not give me the Subwoofer output that the Sony did in Pro-logic mode. In DD mode, LOOK OUT. This is where this receiver comes ALIVE. The DSP sound fields are super ! Great power. I have heard complaints about the remote, but I think it is fine. Would have been nice to back-light it. I have had it hooked up only 2 days now. Still learning about all the features. I give it 5 stars for the great price/value.