100 watts per channel, subwoofer hook up, and phono hook up.

An attached equalizer may not function properly.

The Yamaha rx 797 stereo receiver is advertised as being equalizer compatible via hook up through the coupler jacks. What Yamaha fails to mention is that your EQ will not function properly because of the incompatible amount of power being supplied to the EQ through the jacks. I've attached two different equalizers to the rx 797 with negative results such as loud buzz and loud hiss. I talked to a Yamaha representative who said not all equalizers are compatible with the rx 797 because of the incompatible amount of power fed to the EQ. He was unable to suggest an equalizer that is compatible for use with the rx 797. Consequently, I am unaware of any equalizer that will work properly with the Yamaha receiver. If you're like me, and prefer a stereo receiver made for equalizers, then I would think twice before buying the rx 797. The receiver's overall sound without an equalizer is debatable, and probably more an issue of personal taste. I did notice a different (not necessarily better) listening experience with this receiver when compared to my older Pioneer, Sansui, and Onkyo stereo receivers. Finally, I think my Yamaha rx 797 stereo receiver is going to collect dust.

Customer Service

Yamaha representative was courteous, but took a long time to finally admit that the rx-797 really isn't designed for an equalizer. Seemed to dismiss inaccurate product claim by saying external equalizers are old technology.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Sansui, and Onkyo stereo receivers.

Fair Price
Quality Product
XM READY(Try satellite radio before the large corporations destroy it)

NONE

Yamaha RX-797 Stereo Receiver ***UPDATE***
Since writing the review of the Yamaha RX-797, I decided to give XM satellite radio a try. As previously stated, the 797 is “XM Ready”. For $9.99 (after rebate) I purchased an Audiovox Connect and Play tuner-antenna. The unit is slightly larger then a computer mouse. It has about a 20 foot cord that plugs directly into the back of the Yamaha 797. I paid a $9.99 activation fee and for $12.95 per month I have satellite radio in my house. This, by the way , was all accomplished online. Not to sound like a commercial for satellite radio, but it is way cool. Lots of choices from music to sports to news to political talk, and the sound is good ---not CD quality, but good.
Anyway, using the Yamaha RX-797 Receiver with XM satellite radio changes my overall view of the unit. It was designed for use with XM radio. My criticism of the display panel is no longer valid. The elongated display now scrolls the ‘Song Title’ and “Artist Name’. It works really well. The absence of a radio signal strength meter is also gone. It measures the satellite signal which is usually between 70 and 100% inside the house. Considering that many satellite radio listeners use FM modulators to hear XM in their homes, the Yamaha RX-797 is a wonderful alternative. It offers superior sound quality.
Satellite radio mixed with great AM/FM reception, lots of clean power and a host of audio options under one roof makes this receiver a 5 out of 5!!! Who cares about the color of the display?

Versatility
Power
Convenience

Still looking for them.

Over the last thirty years I have been trying to capture the right sound. Every year I buy more expensive and sometimes esoteric equipment to no avail; I am never satisfied. I have tried everything from integrateds to separates and even the multi multi-box separates from Naim but I could never seem to catch that comfortable combination of detail, power and smoothness. When the best recorded CDs sounded great, the old recordings sounded brittle and sterile. Until now. I've gone from twelve thousand dollars worth of amplification to a 500.00 receiver from Yamaha and I truly cannot be happier. If i did not experience this sound I wouldn't believe it myself.

Frankly, I have been missing tone controls. Furthermore, this unit goes further with a continuously variable loudness control that allows me to listen to lower levels and still capture the full range of music. Bad recording? Tweak the dials.

Over the weekend I listened for many hours ( never suffering from listening fatigue, mind you ) trying to convince myself that such wonderful sound could not possibly come from such inexpensive gear. Wrong. And don't let anybody tell you that tone controls taint the signal. I like tainted signal.

If you are starting out buy this. If you are convinced I'm crazy take this gear home and have a listen.

One more thing. I still have my Naim Cd 3 with its outboard amp and a pair of very wonderful Phase Technology 9.1 speakers. Is it perfect pairing of components? I don't know. Maybe. Nevertheless, happy am I.

Quality product at a fair price.

Yamaha could have done a better job with the display panel.

Yamaha RX-797 Natural Sound Stereo Receiver February 2006 When the time came to replace my Yamaha RX-595 Stereo Receiver I started looking at new two channel stereo receivers. It is striking how limited the choices are. The market is flooded with multi-channel home theater unites, but I was only interest in stereo. I was looking to spend in the neighborhood of $500.00. Here are the choices I considered: NAD, Marantz, Onkyo , Rotel (which I could not find anywhere) and Yamaha. Harman-Kardon, Denon, Sony and Sherwood also make stereo receivers in that price range. Admittedly, I am partial to Yamaha receivers having had a wonderful experience with the RX-595. Suffice it to say I settled on the Yamaha RX-797. Right off the bat, I was not seduced by the way the unit looks. The elongated display, yellow in color, (without a radio signal strength indicator) did little for me visually. The fact that it supports XM Radio may have something to do with the way the display is configured. The seduction did not start until I turned the unit on and started to listen. The tuner is marvelous! On the FM side, all the stations normally listen to are crystal clear and I don’t have to touch the antenna. On the AM band, I’m pulling in stations from Cleveland, New York and Boston in the afternoon without even trying (I live in the Philadelphia area). I don’t believe my old tuner could do this. The tuning section is very strong. The first CD I played was by Dr. John, not the highest of quality CD in my collection, but it sounded ok. I then pushed the CD DIRECT button and to my surprise the entire display evaporated and went dark but the music keep playing. I eventually figured out that unit shuts down everything between the CD player , the amp and the speakers. A gimmick? Perhaps, but it’s pretty cool. I’ve read a lot about new receivers lacking ‘warmth’. I think I know what that means. With this receiver I have experienced warmth and lack there of. Some CD s sound very warm and others sound somewhat harsh (I’m playing it all through a pair of $500 Klipschs) I attribute the difference to the quality of the CD. I really don’t know for sure. Overall, I paid $450.00, this is a quality receiver for the money. It is built like a brick bathroom. It has lots of power -100 watts per channel, a great tuner, it’s XM radio ready (if you’re so inclined), supports two listening zones with two remotes including a sleep timer. This stereo receiver is an oasis in a waist land of Home Theater gluttony. If it had purple lights, instead of the yellow, it would be even be better.

Best build, best performance, best sound of all new units under $1500-$2000.

todays best still has awful tone quality. Yamaha is closer to nice tone than other big makers, Just go a little farther. Better power supply and better output circuts, bring back the great tone you had in the late 70's.

I own the 777, bought to use in a new room. Thought I could get decent sound at this price. Better tone and performance than anything else under 2k, but not even close to the warm tone of my my 1975 pioneer SX 838. Low distortion is a selling point? I have never heard distortion on any receiver in my 40 years of listening. Dont be conned by salesman. Fine unit if you like cold sterile sound. Go ahead and just get the home theater stuff. Same sound quality. alright for movies or dialog. Not for music lovers.