Reciever questions

[ropey man]

OK. I have a few questions, so please bear with me. I am still looking for a new reciever. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 3 potential options. Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K, or the Yamaha RX-V765 or RX-V665. Anyone have any experience with any of these? The only difference between the 2 Yamahas (other than $100) is taht the V756 is rated 95x7 (20hz-20Khz) while the V665 is rated 90x7 (1Khz). The Pioneer just has some inflated numbers, so I am not really going to be going by that. Also, the Yamahas are 7.2 as opposed to 7.1. Not that it makes too much a difference. If i want a second sub, i can just use the pre-out on the sub amp to go to the next amp. Price wise they are all not too far off. The unit is probably going to be used for about 65% music and 35% home theater if that helps any.

Also, would it be a bad idea for lack of a better phrase, to purchase one of these recievers to use as a full reciever now, and then purchase additional amplifiers at a later time to possible have individual amps for each of the channels. That is one thing that all of these do have, is additional pre-outs for each channel. Am I nuts for thinking that this is a viable option?

[LoveDoctor]

My two bits, I have a lower level Yamaha 7.2 receiver (HTR-6160), and I can't say I'm terribly impressed. It was dirt cheap and is satisfactory for the time being and Yamaha is a solid and reliable brand (AFAIK), but I'd probably recommend an Onkyo at the same price point you are looking at. The Audessey based auto-EQ is far better than Yamaha's YPAO.

As for power ratings, anything 90W or more is probably more than enough unless you are really cranking, and the difference between 90 and 95W isn't worth it unless the higher model also has additional features, although I just noticed the 90 watts is "at 1khz" which means the true RMS is probably a bit lower. Adding on seperate amps in certainly do-able, but in most circumstances may not really be needed.

[brianpowers27]

The only difference between the 2 Yamahas (other than $100) is taht the V756 is rated 95x7 (20hz-20Khz) while the V665 is rated 90x7 (1Khz).

That power claim is highly suspect. The 100$ is proabbly money well spent in terms of total output. Odds are the amp does about half of the 90 watts when run full range with all channels powered.

I wouldn't consider any receiver without 7 channel preouts + pre-ins.

[tf1216]

I own the Yamaha V661. Mine actually had two problems with it. I do like the unit though. I did my research and it seemed the best bang for the buck receiver with the options I needed.

I never used the receiver for music listening. I went directly from my source, to preamp to amplifier for this purpose. I did have to change the speakers connections each time.

[Dirk]

My two bits, I have a lower level Yamaha 7.2 receiver (HTR-6160), and I can't say I'm terribly impressed. It was dirt cheap and is satisfactory for the time being and Yamaha is a solid and reliable brand (AFAIK), but I'd probably recommend an Onkyo at the same price point you are looking at. The Audessey based auto-EQ is far better than Yamaha's YPAO.


Yamaha pioneered the mic calibration process. Since then, YPAO has gotten eclipsed by the other systems. I'm a huge Yammy fanboy (my only failures have been induced by mother-nature), but plain & simple, Audessey ROCKS for improvements to the sound quality of the home theater experience. It's the one thing I wish was better in my Yamaha.

[nick29498141]

Audessey ROCKS for improvements to the sound quality of the home theater experience. It's the one thing I wish was better in my Yamaha.

Well, if you buy the chipset, I'll do the programming... :D

I have Audessey at home in a Denon receiver, and I can say that it's the only good function of the receiver... The power amp is unimpressive.. But I'm a separates guy now. :cool:

[dwigle]

No experience with the pioneer 1018 but I have it's predecessors the 1015 and 1016. Other than the face plate they are identical to an Elite model for $150 less. Both are good values. The MACC auto calibrate system works surprisingly well. The amps are very good for the price point. I run the 1015 with Acoustat 3 electrostatics that draw 2 ohms.

[johnastockman]

OK. I have a few questions, so please bear with me. I am still looking for a new reciever. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 3 potential options. Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K, or the Yamaha RX-V765 or RX-V665. Anyone have any experience with any of these? The only difference between the 2 Yamahas (other than $100) is taht the V756 is rated 95x7 (20hz-20Khz) while the V665 is rated 90x7 (1Khz). The Pioneer just has some inflated numbers, so I am not really going to be going by that. Also, the Yamahas are 7.2 as opposed to 7.1. Not that it makes too much a difference. If i want a second sub, i can just use the pre-out on the sub amp to go to the next amp. Price wise they are all not too far off. The unit is probably going to be used for about 65% music and 35% home theater if that helps any.

Also, would it be a bad idea for lack of a better phrase, to purchase one of these recievers to use as a full reciever now, and then purchase additional amplifiers at a later time to possible have individual amps for each of the channels. That is one thing that all of these do have, is additional pre-outs for each channel. Am I nuts for thinking that this is a viable option?


IME as an audio retailer, Yamaha is one of the reliable brands, along with Onkyo. If you're looking at the Yammie, the 756 would be my choice. Check out the Onkyo's. Great performance (pre-outs on some models), reliable and it does have the edge with the measuring/set-up functions. I have Yamaha equipment that I bought in the mid 70's and I've never had any trouble with any of it. Of course, back then, Yamaha was less of a mass-market retailer than they are now, but you're still getting a good value for your $$. My Yamaha receiver that I bought in '77 cost me $450...it always garners many compliments about the SQ from folks that show up here to listen & compare. I prefer its SQ for music over my current Yamaha HT receiver, but it doesn't have the power output compared to the HT unit. I figure I'm getting a good 65 watts/channel RMS from the HT (which I use for music only...yeah, I know!), as opposed to 25 watts/channel from the old receiver.

John A.

[KeithL]

I have sold both brands in a previous life and was not impressed with either brand, especially for music. I don't know what you are looking to spend but I would recommend Onkyo in the lower price range. If you can afford and don't want to have to upgrade in the near future look at NAD or Rotel, both are going to be much warmer sounding for music.

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

the onkyo 606 is a very nice player. one must realize that every manufacture used a little different standards. if you look at some of the highend units, they might claim 50 or 60 watts per channel. they mean all or most channels driven. the more popular brands claim 90 or 110 watts per channel but with only 2 channels driven. a bit decieving ey? get the onkyo and down the road you can get a 2 channel to jam out.:D

[ropey man]

This is exactly why i asked. Well I have heard Onkyo thrown around a bit as well. Basically I am looking for a reciever in the $350-500 range that is 7.1 and has pre-outs. Everything else is just a bonus. I could sit online and compare print on the screen, but we all know that until you play with it, you never truely know....Kind of like going to a dealership and saying that car looks nice, and buying it just for its looks and the price sheet. Dealer doesn't tell you the car handles for s**t!
So basically, I appreciate everyone's help here. Any other input or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[brianpowers27]

This is exactly why i asked. Well I have heard Onkyo thrown around a bit as well. Basically I am looking for a reciever in the $350-500 range that is 7.1 and has pre-outs. ...

I bought the HK AVR247 refurbed for $250. It has what you need. I actually own 2 of them due to a stroke of luck!:cool:

Most people agree that the poweramp section sounds nice... Don't let the watt rating decive you, it is quite capable. Rated power 55x7 20khz-20khz rms. Stereo 65x2 rms. THey don't state the peak power, they say "sufficient."

[Green Machine Mowing]

I bought the HK AVR247 refurbed for $250. It has what you need. I actually own 2 of them due to a stroke of luck!:cool:

Most people agree that the poweramp section sounds nice... Don't let the watt rating decive you, it is quite capable. Rated power 55x7 20khz-20khz rms. Stereo 65x2 rms. THey don't state the peak power, they say "sufficient."

I agree, ive had good luck with my fefurbed H/K and have never heard any bad things about them.

this one has a full set of pre in's and outs
http://harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20247-Z&status=

dont let their power ratings scare you off, they are much more realistic then most brands