Gauntlet Thrown: Yamaha RX V663. HDMI 1.3, Dolby True HD, DTS Master, $549.99.

[mattburk]

If I'm not mistaken, the LMC-2 has the Genessis processor, which is comparable to the Reon, so if your display doesn't upscale/downscale well, then that's something to consider. Plus, the LMC-2 will certainly sound better than this Yamaha.

We will see yamaha is hard to beat for movies, on Two channel they are not as good.

 

[Seth=L]

We will see yamaha is hard to beat for movies, on Two channel they are not as good.

I have mixed feeling about that statement.

 

[newb]

Question about HDMI repeating

I've read some threads regarding repeating and was wondering if I'm clear.
First, I don't have an HD monitor or blue ray either so this is just to avoid obsolesence later down the line, I'm getting the Marantz sr 4002 with 1.1 repeating.
I understand this will not decode full (some but not all bitrate, etc) HD audio from HD sources, correct? Does this Yamaha have 1.3 repeating as well? I haven't seen that stated anywhere and was wondering how you tell?

Would my solution then be to get a HD DVD player that decoded the higher def audio in the player and then pass it on to the receiver?

My current plan is to use component from cable box and DVD player for vid, analog sound for older stereo movies and tv shows and optical for digital sound. This seems like it will cover all the bases my system will be capable of for now.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Seth=L]

If it's not stated that it does HDMI 1.3 repeating one easy way to tell is if it can decode Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, and DTS-HD. The Yamaha RX-V663 is HDMI 1.3 repeating. the Marantz is HDMI 1.3 pass-thru and HDMI 1.1 repeating (it can decode 7.1 LPCM from an appropriate source). If you don't have a high definition TV, I don't think you can use HDMI and component at once.

 

[Dezoris]

Very impressive feature set for that price point. Should mop up in the entry level crowd.

Although I have to question the lack of a 3rd HDMI input?

 

[newb]

If this not enough

Thanks Seth, that confirms what I thought, and component is as high a quality as I can acheive for my current TV. The question is just about future upgradability.

The not enough part: The HTR 6160 adds 10 more W per channel and an HD tuner to boot for the same price.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks Seth, that confirms what I thought, and component is as high a quality as I can acheive for my current TV. The question is just about future upgradability.

The not enough part: The HTR 6160 adds 10 more W per channel and an HD tuner to boot for the same price.

The wattage is the same, as they both use the same exact amplifier (HTR series overrates a tad, they feel it must say at least 100 watts or people won't buy it). I wasn't aware the HTR-6160 added the HD tuner, that's note worthy.

Edit: I went to Yamaha's website and checked about that HD tuner. I see where you got that information (specifications), unfortunately it is a typo. If you notice there is no mention of it otherwise and the HTR-6160 and RX-V663 both lack the HD radio logo unlike the higher (but very similar) HTR-6180 and RX-V863.

 

[newb]

When is this due out?

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to return my SR 4002 and wait(not my strong suit) and buy this unit. Seems both are solid units but I might like to get HD dvd eventually....like when I hit the lottery or get a huge raise(gotta pay off the speakers at the least and an HD TV is next on the great wish list in the sky)

I did get 110.00 off the Marantz though and wont't need HDMI repeating for a while anyway.

Decisions decisions

 

[Seth=L]

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to return my SR 4002 and wait(not my strong suit) and buy this unit. Seems both are solid units but I might like to get HD dvd eventually....like when I hit the lottery or get a huge raise(gotta pay off the speakers at the least and an HD TV is next on the great wish list in the sky)

I did get 110.00 off the Marantz though and wont't need HDMI repeating for a while anyway.

Decisions decisions

Well based on half of the threads on this forum alone I would advise against getting an HD DVD player since Toshiba already announced they are killing it. Blu-ray is now 99% sure of victory, just a few more formalities and HD DVD is finished.

 

[gus6464]

Yamaha measures power output on their HTR and RX-V differently. Here is for example the HTR-6060 and RX-V661 which are exactly the same.

RX-V661
RMS Output Power (20Hz - 20kHz) 90W x 7

HTR-6060
RMS Output Power (1kHz) 105W x 7

Don't really know what's the difference though and how an amp puts out more power @ 1kHz.

 

[newb]

So it seems?

Somewhere in the future, It seems like if I want to get True HD, etc....I can get a Blue ray player that will decode the audio and my SR 4002 will play it?

 

[gus6464]

Somewhere in the future, It seems like if I want to get True HD, etc....I can get a Blue ray player that will decode the audio and my SR 4002 will play it?

Yes. Most BD players on the market do the encoding themselves. The only exception is the Panasonic BD-30 that does bitstream only. Now what varies on the player is what formats they decode as some do TrueHD whereas others do TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA.

 

[Seth=L]

Somewhere in the future, It seems like if I want to get True HD, etc....I can get a Blue ray player that will decode the audio and my SR 4002 will play it?

Yes, but they are already getting away from doing that. What happens when your Blu-ray player breaks and the only way you can get the high resolution audio is to either buy an older player that supports it or find a higher end player that supports it. It won't be long before most Blu-ray players don't have built in HD audio decoding, then you will have to upgrade somehow or another. I would recommend getting the RX-V663 based on that.

 

[newb]

Thanks

Thanks for all the input...I just took delivery of the SR 4002, and since I probably won't get any real HD equipment until the magic smoke comes out of my current stuff, I'll stick to what I have and enjoy the hell out of it.

I was just trying to think ahead and of course, just after you buy something they do it one better or at least half as good...

By the time I have the monitor and the HD(whatever format) player, prices and HDMI protocols will have changed anyway.

Thanks again, and I'm sure I'll have tons of questions once I actually hook this all up.

 

[yettitheman]

We will see yamaha is hard to beat for movies, on Two channel they are not as good.

I wouldn't say that though. My old Onkyo TX-DS787 had lackluster analog performance in my opinion (which a lot of my sources were 2 channel).

Then I picked up an old Yamaha DSP-A1000 (early 90's) and it kicked the **** out of my 787 analog wise


Every brand has a lemon. Some more than others :cough: bose :cough:

 

[andersonbc]

It looks like they pulled the two models off of their site ... I wonder why?

 

[patnshan]

It's up at J&R now for $500. Over at slickdeals, someone posted a $400 price if you call. I'd jump on it if anyone needs a great receiver. I have two great receivers, so no go on this one for me.

Pat

 

[andersonbc]

Great find Pat ... I just preordered one. The way I see it, I can cancel the preorder before it ships if I change my mind (I don't suspect I will). I wish it had more HDMI inputs, but at this price I'm not so worried about it lasting 6 years either.

Update: Google still has it cached if you want to look at the specs (I don't have enough posts to post the link).

 

[yettitheman]

Great find Pat ... I just preordered one. The way I see it, I can cancel the preorder before it ships if I change my mind (I don't suspect I will). I wish it had more HDMI inputs, but at this price I'm not so worried about it lasting 6 years either.

Update: Google still has it cached if you want to look at the specs (I don't have enough posts to post the link).

what model?

 

[andersonbc]

Yamaha RX-V663