Yamaha RX-V663

[Crypter]

I posted this in another thread but I thought I would give it it's own thread. This is a nce receiver for 500 and I think it is a better option than the Onkyo 605 (obviously it is a little more). It decodes DTS-MA, DD+, and D TrueHD

$499 with free shipping from:

http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/....html?id=16253

This is a nice entry level Next Gen Receiver.

[crazzeto]

I don't see nearly as many reviews and data online for this particular receiver as there are for the 605 (which I just finished installing). Do you have any links to any such reviews or any such thing? I'm always curious to read up on new products and see hwo they compare to what I have installed in my HT set up.

As for the 605, well... Not every product is for everyone I suppose, all I can write about here is what I know from my personal expereince. So far I've had no real issues with my unit and the audio quality is amazing (even with my current speaker set up). Video quality seems fine, though most of what I've watched has been with bluray and HD DVD. The only one continuing issue I have with reception of multichannel PCM from my HDA2, I'm not entirely convinced tha this is the receiver's fault as of right now. I've got an A30 on order and I'll re-evaluate when it comes in.

Edit:
OK, you can officially scratch the last major issue I had off the list. I looked in the UM (I know, guy's aren't supposed to do that!) and did a bit of digging. First of all, I figured out how to get the unit to tell me what audio format was coming in, PCM 5.1.. Well, that obsolves the A2 (still don't regret my A30 purchase though!). So then I basically started pushing the various multi-channel buttons lol. Eventually the rears kicked in and the audio quality is supburb.

[Crypter]

Sorry man, I don't mean to sound as though I am putting down the 605. I do not think it is a BAD receiver. It is merely my opinion that I would prefer to spend a little more for a company with a great reputation for high quality receivers. Yamaha and Denon have been really good for a long time and that is why I personally push those 2 companies. That is not to say that for budget conscious shoppers the Onkyo is not a great deal. On the contrary, I think it is the best BANG for the BUCK receiver you can get.

In the end all that matter is that you like and are happy with what you have. So I am glad you are enjoying your setup.

[KBock69]

Here is the link to Yamaha and the 663

This is going to be a hot item. Just wish it had 3 HDMI ins. I'll have one of the first ones shipped.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...00&VNM=WORKING

[crazzeto]

Sorry man, I don't mean to sound as though I am putting down the 605. I do not think it is a BAD receiver. It is merely my opinion that I would prefer to spend a little more for a company with a great reputation for high quality receivers. Yamaha and Denon have been really good for a long time and that is why I personally push those 2 companies. That is not to say that for budget conscious shoppers the Onkyo is not a great deal. On the contrary, I think it is the best BANG for the BUCK receiver you can get.

In the end all that matter is that you like and are happy with what you have. So I am glad you are enjoying your setup.

I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood what I was trying to type (I realize some times I can go on, even a little OT some times). I was being seriouse, if you do have links and such I really would like to read up on it. Again, I always like to try and read up on alternatives and possible upgrades to what I have in my HT (even if I'm not even remotely in a position to be even thinking about buying new hardware). It's how I learn about all this HT stuff. Again, sorry for the wrong impression in my last post.

Edit For KBock69:
Nice find on the Yamaha product page, I read up on it a bit and it seems like a really solid product, at least to my untrained eye lol. Honestly I'd love to see a show down between this and a 605, really makes me wish there was a website sort of like Anandtech (for computers, www.anandtech.com) only reviewing HT stuff. You know, have show downs between all the latest video/audio prodcuts and such. Of course it'd probably be harder to do this at the same quality comparing all the products people could ever be interested in with in the HT space than it is with in the Computer space. So many fewer actual unique products in the world of computers!

[KBock69]

Edit For KBock69:
Nice find on the Yamaha product page, I read up on it a bit and it seems like a really solid product, at least to my untrained eye lol. Honestly I'd love to see a show down between this and a 605, really makes me wish there was a website sort of like Anandtech (for computers, www.anandtech.com) only reviewing HT stuff. You know, have show downs between all the latest video/audio prodcuts and such. Of course it'd probably be harder to do this at the same quality comparing all the products people could ever be interested in with in the HT space than it is with in the Computer space. So many fewer actual unique products in the world of computers!

I am sure there will be plenty of comparisons once a few of these get out there. I think the comparisons will be between the 663 and the 705's or the 805's, however. I could be wrong. Do you think this might knock down the prices of Onkyos a bit?.

Check out the RX-V863 also, looks very impressive but a pretty big step up in price (999 MSRP). On their site both are listed as 7.2 Channel?

I can't wait to see what the RX-V1800's replacement looks like. USB computer networking perhaps? Should be an amazing piece when/if it happens.

RX-V863 (HD Radio)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...00&VNM=WORKING

[Arkadin]

this is great news!!!
I have been recommending the 605 forever, but no more now that Yamaha has its own "budget" hdmi 1.3 receiver.
I have no doubt whatsoever that these 3 new Yamaha 1.3 receivers will be reviewed as superior to the Onkyo set.
Considering that Onkyo isn't even the top of the line brand by the same company (Integra), I would say anyone looking for a 'budget" priced 1.3 receiver should absolutely go with one of these new Yamaha receivers.

[dkongzoom]

I don't see nearly as many reviews and data online for this particular receiver as there are for the 605 (which I just finished installing). Do you have any links to any such reviews or any such thing? I'm always curious to read up on new products and see hwo they compare to what I have installed in my HT set up.

As for the 605, well... Not every product is for everyone I suppose, all I can write about here is what I know from my personal expereince. So far I've had no real issues with my unit and the audio quality is amazing (even with my current speaker set up). Video quality seems fine, though most of what I've watched has been with bluray and HD DVD. The only one continuing issue I have with reception of multichannel PCM from my HDA2, I'm not entirely convinced tha this is the receiver's fault as of right now. I've got an A30 on order and I'll re-evaluate when it comes in.

Edit:
OK, you can officially scratch the last major issue I had off the list. I looked in the UM (I know, guy's aren't supposed to do that!) and did a bit of digging. First of all, I figured out how to get the unit to tell me what audio format was coming in, PCM 5.1.. Well, that obsolves the A2 (still don't regret my A30 purchase though!). So then I basically started pushing the various multi-channel buttons lol. Eventually the rears kicked in and the audio quality is supburb.

To verify, are you able to see what kind of audio is being sent to your receiver from the A2? For example, you can see if it's passing Dolby Tru-HD or DTS-HD Master Audio? I thought the combination of the Onkyo 605 and Toshiba HD-A2 = this would not work?

[crazzeto]

To verify, are you able to see what kind of audio is being sent to your receiver from the A2? For example, you can see if it's passing Dolby Tru-HD or DTS-HD Master Audio? I thought the combination of the Onkyo 605 and Toshiba HD-A2 = this would not work?

I posted an edit you might not have seen, some fiddling the the 605 got it working. Now I just wish it would bitstream lol. Oh well, the PCM is good. I'm temporarly HD DVD less as I've donated the A2 to a friend any how, my A30 got experienced a delivery address screw up that (of course) wasn't caught until the UPS driver decided he couldnt' figure out where I lived. I had to call Amazon and have them pay for an intercept. It'll be here monday. But, quite honestly I have to stress test my BD player anyway, so I guess this is just added insurance that I won't be playing red discs till monday evening.

[cavu]

$499 with free shipping

It is $399 with free shipping if you PHONE your order into jr.com and specifically ask for Larone.

[Crypter]

It is $399 with free shipping if you PHONE your order into jr.com and specifically ask for Larone.

WOW......great deal.

Why would ANYONE buy an Onkyo SR605 at this point. This Yamaha is the way to go for low budget people..... With all the issues I have been hearing with the 605 I would bet on Yamaha products any day.

For the record I do not currently own a Yamaha (but I have in the past) so this is not a biased opinion.

[nelll]

this is great news!!!
I have been recommending the 605 forever, but no more now that Yamaha has its own "budget" hdmi 1.3 receiver.
I have no doubt whatsoever that these 3 new Yamaha 1.3 receivers will be reviewed as superior to the Onkyo set.
Considering that Onkyo isn't even the top of the line brand by the same company (Integra), I would say anyone looking for a 'budget" priced 1.3 receiver should absolutely go with one of these new Yamaha receivers.

All I have to do it's take a few weeks out of the HT forum and you are recommending Onkyo? Shame on you.

[Arkadin]

well I had been recommending the Onkyo as the "budget" choice forever. and it still will probably be the cheapest 1.3 available. But I'll be mentioning both for sure from now on.

[nelll]

well I had been recommending the Onkyo as the "budget" choice forever. and it still will probably be the cheapest 1.3 available. But I'll be mentioning both for sure from now on.

you better. (just kidding)

[themiz69]

does anyone know if u can still order over the phone even though it says temporarily out of stock?(jr.com)