Yamaha Drops Entry Price for Feature-laden Receivers

[mike c]

if the 661 doesnt upconvert, whats the difference from the 659?

the 659 has component upconversion.

the 661 has HDMI inputs you can plug HDMI sources to and then you can switch between them, as long as you have an HDMI display connected to the output of the receiver.

 

[mikeyj92]

According to the web site and the manual, the 661 has upconversion via component PLUS the 1080p HDMI switching.

 

[mike c]

According to the web site and the manual, the 661 has upconversion via component PLUS the 1080p HDMI switching.

you're right ... the US website lists component upconversion ... the global website doesn't. I'll wait til they're out awhile before I check the specs again.

 

[mikeyj92]

you're right ... the US website lists component upconversion ... the global website doesn't. I'll wait til they're out awhile before I check the specs again.

I plan on buying it this weekend, I just can't pass up on the feature set at that price. I was determined to go for the rx-v2700, but I just can't resolve paying that much for a receiver at this point in time, when I can get the 661, a sub and possibly a PS3 for the same cost as the 2700...

I'll chime in some more on it, if and when I get it and play with it.

 

[mike c]

I am considering the 2700 as well, but if the 861 will do the same job (I have an external amp) why not ... keep us updated on your 661 please.

 

[mikeyj92]

I am considering the 2700 as well, but if the 861 will do the same job (I have an external amp) why not ... keep us updated on your 661 please.

Well...with the new accouncement from Onkyo about the new receivers coming out, I am going to wait and buy one of those.

The new TX-SR605 (HDMI 1.3a, upconversion to HDMI with Faroudja DCDi, etc..) is exactly what I'm looking for, and at $500...WOW is all I can say.

I just have to wait 5 or 6 weeks to get my hands on one I suppose...the waiting is agony.

I am just glad I saw this news BEFORE I ran out to get the 661 today, because I was heading to get it after work this afternoon.

 

[mike c]

monkey wrench on your plans

Well...with the new accouncement from Onkyo about the new receivers coming out, I am going to wait and buy one of those.

The new TX-SR605 (HDMI 1.3a, upconversion to HDMI with Faroudja DCDi, etc..) is exactly what I'm looking for, and at $500...WOW is all I can say.

I just have to wait 5 or 6 weeks to get my hands on one I suppose...the waiting is agony.

I am just glad I saw this news BEFORE I ran out to get the 661 today, because I was heading to get it after work this afternoon.

denon is going to release this year receivers with internal DTS/DOLBY-HD decoding. I'm waiting for those ...

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31190

 

[mikeyj92]

denon is going to release this year receivers with internal DTS/DOLBY-HD decoding. I'm waiting for those ...

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31190

Looks like this Onkyo 605 will have that too...

TX-SR605 MSRP $499 Shipping mid May
*Full A/V Processing via HDMI 1.3a with Upconversion (2 in 1 out)
*HDMI Deep Color Capable (36bit)
*Component Video Upconversion and HDTV-Capable (50 MHZ) Video Switching (3 in 1 out)
*WRAT/ Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry/ Non-Scaling Configuration/ A-Form Listening Mode Memory/ RI
*Faroudja DCDi
*Audyssey 2EQ Room Acoustics Correction
*7.1 Multichannel Inputs for PCM Delivery of Hi-Def Audio Sources
*DOLBY Decoder - PLIIx, DD, DD-EX, TrueHD
*DTS Decoder - DTS, ES, NEO6, 96/24, HD Master Audio
*S-Video (5 in 2 out)
*Digital Audio IN (OPT/COAX) 3/3
*Composite Video (5 in/2 out)
*Power 90W/Ch
*Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out
*Bi-Amp Capable
*XM and Sirius ports
*XM HD Surround Sound through Neural Surround

All that for only $499...wow.