Advice sought re Yamaha RX-V473 vs RX-V673

[Highlander]

Hello folks,

I hope you can provide me with advice regarding a choice between purchasing last years' Yamaha AV Receiver RX-V473 and RX-V673. The receiver is not for me - I still own and cherish my Z9 - but for my parents. Their living room is approximately 5m x 5m in plan.

With my help (and yours!) my parents wish to put together a Hi-Fi/Home Theatre. At this time they are looking at a 3.1 setup, with the option of adding surrounds for a 5.1 setup in future. Obviously both receivers noted above satisfy this criteria.

As far as I can tell, the principal feature that may be of use between the two receivers is the increased power section in the RX-V673 compared to the RX-V473 (90W vs 80W for two channels driven). I am not sure if, for the size of my parents living room, this difference is worthwhile paying extra for. When I take into account that a crossover frequency of 80Hz for the sub is likely, hence relieving the receiver of the load that would most push it, I am even less sure if the additional power on offer from the RX-V673 is worthwhile.

Having said that, I would be lying if I said I didn't feel an urge to go for the RX-V673 simply because of its larger power section. However, it is not my money being spent here, but that of my parents, and hence I would be very grateful if you will provide me with your own thoughts on the matter.

Cheers

 

[Adam]

Hi, Robbie. Great to hear from you again!

I just went to Yamaha's website and looked at the comparison table between those two models. I'm guessing that you've done that already, but if not, it's an easy way to see some of the features side-by-side between the two.

Regarding the power, I wouldn't pick one over the other just based on the spec numbers. 90W versus 80W isn't that huge. Rather, I'd look at some of the features. For example, the 673 is 7.2 (mono sub outs, though) versus 5.1 on the 473. The 673 will also convert analog video inputs to HDMI out, which might come in handy depending on their equipment.

 

[husky55]

I have a Yamaha RX-V671. Your parents cannot go wrong with either choice. Since they want to start out 3.1 and then 5.1, I think the 473 would be adequate. The loudness would not be significantly different based on power rating.

 

[Highlander]

Hello Adam,

It's great to hear from you too. It's been a long time since I frequented the forum but I still pop by from time to time.

I just went to Yamaha's website and looked at the comparison table between those two models. I'm guessing that you've done that already, but if not, it's an easy way to see some of the features side-by-side between the two.

Regarding the power, I wouldn't pick one over the other just based on the spec numbers. 90W versus 80W isn't that huge. Rather, I'd look at some of the features. For example, the 673 is 7.2 (mono sub outs, though) versus 5.1 on the 473. The 673 will also convert analog video inputs to HDMI out, which might come in handy depending on their equipment.

Yes, I have compared the specification for all RX-Vx73 models and came to the following conclusions (relevant to my parents situation/my personal preferences):

The '373 has the least power, spring clip speaker terminals and does not support control of the reciver via iPad (only iPod/iPhone) so that has been ruled out.

The '573 offers the same power as the '473 but into seven channels. My parents will never setup surround backs - they may not even setup surround channels (deterred by too many speakers in the room/cables running around the room) hence my previous mention of a 3.1 setup. So the '573 has been ruled out.

The '773 offers only marginally more power than the '673 and in my view would unquestionably be overkill for my parents, given the increased cost over the '673. Hence that has been ruled out.

Hence the choice between the '473 and '673. I should also state that the speakers will be reasonably sensitive (85dB/W/m or greater), so I don't expect those to tax the receiver, regardless of the relieving effect of a future sub.

I am aware of the '673 having dual sub terminals but, as you say, they are mono. My understanding is that there is negligible difference between this and splitting a single sub terminal into two - my Z9 has dual sub terminals (can't remember if they are mono or stereo) and I intend to use a splitter for each in order to send content to four (in order to help control room acoustics) subs.

Upconversion of analogue is not a feature my parents are likely to require - they recently purchased a plasma TV and will replace their DVD player with a Blu-Ray player within the year, so signal transfer will take place over HDMI. The DVD/Blu-Ray player will be used as the CD player and transfer over coaxial/optical SPDIF (so that my parents can select Blu-Ray/CD input separately on the receiver), so again, exclusively digital transfer of information.

My gut tells me that the '473 will be fine, but I have no feel for the power capability of an 80W receiver - my Z9 has more than double/almost double the power of the '473/'673 respectively. I actually am surprised at just how little power the flagship '773 has by comparison, which serves to remind me just how astonishingly good the Z9 is (okay it's not a fair comparison given the price differential, but still).

I've hooked up my Z9 to my parents speakers (Monitor Audio GR10 bookshelfs) in order to test them (purchased second hand in order to maximise the quality of equipment they get for, by my standards, a very limited budget) but of course the Z9 drives them effortlessly (the GR10's are really lovely sounding by the way), so there is little to be gleaned from that.

Any other thoughts are very welcome

 

[Highlander]

Husky55,

I have a Yamaha RX-V671. Your parents cannot go wrong with either choice. Since they want to start out 3.1 and then 5.1, I think the 473 would be adequate. The loudness would not be significantly different based on power rating.

Thank you, but is is not so much the loudness I am concerned about as the ability of the receiver to not be driven too close to its limits. As you might expect, it will be when watching DVD/Blu-Ray content that the greatest demand will be imposed on the receiver, in terms of multiple audio channels and loudness from each of them.

Do you still stand by your previous post?

 

[Adam]

Hi, Robbie. Sorry...I didn't notice the 3.1/5.1 comment until later. I'll blame it on a lack of coffee.

How loud do your parents like to listen? I don't listen very loudly, and "loud" to me during a movie still wouldn't tax an 80W receiver.

One other thought - you could snag the 673 and either pay the difference yourself or split it with them. So, you could feel good about the power, but not feel bad that you spent more of their money.

 

[Highlander]

Adam,

How loud do your parents like to listen? I don't listen very loudly, and "loud" to me during a movie still wouldn't tax an 80W receiver.

One other thought - you could snag the 673 and either pay the difference yourself or split it with them. So, you could feel good about the power, but not feel bad that you spent more of their money.

I already offered to pay the difference in cost between the '473 and '673 but my father (unsurprisingly this setup is more for him than my mother) has stated that he would like to purchase the equipment without 'help'. I will respect his wish, but have something 'up my sleeve' as it were, with regard to the speakers I will source for him. It will be a nice surprise for him in due course.

Re loudness, for day to day use, e.g. terrestrial TV etc., not loud. When it comes to watching films, significantly louder (without going to extremes). Since starting this thread I have become more and more convinced that the '473 is the way to go. I'm thinking I'll plump for that.

 

[PENG]

Since starting this thread I have become more and more convinced that the '473 is the way to go. I'm thinking I'll plump for that.

Base on everything I read so far, going with the 473 would be a good decision. The power difference between it and the 7.2 673 on a per channel basis is so negligible that it won't even be noticeable.

 

[Highlander]

Thanks Peng.

RX-V473 in Titanium finish (my father prefers the silver look) has now been ordered. Thank you all very much for your reassurance.

Kind regards,

 

[Highlander]

New question

Folks,

My 'search for speakers' for my father is now complete - photos will be posted tonight when I return from work. My father loves his 3.1 system. I, on the other hand, am more demanding.

Over the weekend I intend to use ETF to optimally integrate the sub with the mains. Then, I will run YPAO and scrutinise the results to confirm I am happy with them. Before all of this, however, I have a question:

The sub requires a certain input level (dB) from the receiver to 'activate', even though the sub is physically switched on (conversely, if it is 'activated' but does not receive a minimum input level for a certain time period it will go into 'standby' mode until it does). In order to encourage the sub to 'activate', I normally increase the level for the sub in the receiver settings but counter this by reducing the volume dial on the rear of the sub. Hence, the sub receives a greater signal but outputs the same volume.

My question relates to how much I can do this safely. The RX-V473 Level setting for the sub has an allowable range of -10dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments. At present I have the setting at +5dB.

Is there any reason I should not set this at +10dB? I am sure such a setting will make no difference to the receiver (otherwise it would not be available), but what about the sub? Is there a risk that too high an input from the receiver will have an adverse effect on it?

Cheers,