Thinking about Yamaha HTR-6250BL (RX-V565)

[HighBomber]

Hello and bear yourself,

I am looking at getting the Yamaha HTR-6250BL receiver.
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5028501
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10123062&catid=

I am in a similar situation as in this thread,
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/newthread.php?do=postthread&f=14

I have a another two weeks on a rain check for the receiver from Futureshop for $449.99CAD. What attracted me most about this receiver are the low price, 4 HDMI inputs, and the upconversion & upscaling.

My previous set-up was from a black Yamaha 5.1 home-theatre-in-a-box deal. It came with an HTR-5730 receiver, a YST-SW030 subwoofer, and NS-AP1500 speaker package. I will most likely be re-using the subwoofer and speakers. I am not sure what specifications I should post on the subwoofer and speakers, but I have the manuals still and can post them if necessary. Here is a silver version of my old set-up,
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200048&CTID=5000800

My future receiver will be connected to my Laptop and Xbox360 via HDMI and a modified original Xbox via component and optical. Since these devices are already running at 1080p (or in the case of the original Xbox, 1080i) the upconversion does not concern me. For the next year I will be using a 22” LG Monitor. The monitor is capable of 1080i but I will likely only be using it at 720p. I do plan on getting a larger Television in the next year, as well.

Since I am using a monitor, I have no TV tuner. I was thinking of using either one of my old VCR’s as a tuner or buy a new DVD/VCR combo as a tuner. I would rather buy just a tuner that has cable to composite/component/whatever, but am unsure where to start.

Concerns:

For the price, this receiver seems to have everything I want. However, some reviews are not so pleased with the upconversion,
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/yamaha-htr-6250bl/4505-6466_7-33528106.html

CNet wasn’t very easy on the upconversion. This concerns me if I am going to be using any analog signals at low resolution, like an N64, VCR, Super Nintendo, whatever. No other reviews commented on the upconversion is detail and I would like a second opinion on how it looks.

Other Receivers:

Other receivers I am considering are a refurbished Marantz SR6001 and a Pioneer VSX-1019.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6001/Marantz/SR6001-receiver-100w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10123906&catid=

I am completely unclear about the Marantz SR6001. It only has two HDMI inputs, and only upscales to 480p. After conversion rate and shipping it will come to just about the same price as the HTR-6250BL. The price is right but I don’t think there is any real advantage to it over the Yamaha.

The Pioneer VSX-1019 I thought was very nice. It has the 4 HDMI inputs, and has a newer upscaling chipset, the ABT1015. According the Anchor Bay, the ABT 1012 in the Yamaha is equal to the ABT 1015, except that the 1015 is geared towards HDMI, and offers high bit...stuff.
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/semiconductors/abt1012.php
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/semiconductors/abt1015.php

The Pioneer, however, has been criticized on these forums for lack of features from previous models.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55613

I want the HDMI functionality. I understand the lack of audio features are important, but would they make a difference for me? Regardless, the Pioneer is quite expensive ($250CAD more) and if the newer upscaling chip doesn’t make much of a difference, I will stick with the Yamaha.

In the thread I mentioned that is similar to this situation, lowpro ended up getting the Denon AVR-789. However, this receiver isn’t on Best Buys website. I think the closest one is the Denon AVR-790.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10125142&catid=20313

It has the newest upscaling chip, the ABT 1030, which may make it much better than the Yamaha as far as HDMI and upscaling are concerned.
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/semiconductors/abt1030.php

I may be willing to fork over the extra $200CAD if it is well justified. However, I have the rain check for the Yamaha at $450CAD, but it is regular $599CAD.

Questions:
1. Are my speakers sufficient? I am not expecting them to give me the best sound quality but I don’t want them be damaged.
2. Can I avoid getting a DVD/VCR combo and just purchase a TV Tuner instead? I don’t know where to start on this subject.
3. Does the Yamaha HTR-6250’s upscaling perform poorly? Is it worth getting concerned over or is the $150CAD less worth the poor upscaling?
4. The Marantz and the Pioneer just don’t seem worth it. Agree?
5. The Denon is very nice, but is there any place I can find the 789 model or the 790 model cheaper than $649CAD+shipping and will ship to Canada?
6. Am I missing any receivers? Are there any other brands that have these features and are in the $450-$600 price range?

I am leaning toward the Yamaha HTR-6250 for the price, but the Denon AVR-790 has the better upscaling chip. I can’t find any decent reviews of the AVR-790, though, and am unsure how it stands up audio wise. Is the Denon worth the extra $200CAD?

All advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers.

 

[HighBomber]

I found a Denon AVR-790 on eBay for $502.14CAD. I e-mailed the retailer and shipping is only $24.95CAD. So total it will cost $75 more than the Yamaha HTR-6250, and possibly tax, which I would have payed for sure with the Yamaha.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/AVR-790-DENON-7-1-AV-HOME-THEATER-RECEIVER-AVR790-NEW_W0QQitemZ220446586599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item3353a3f6e7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1215|293%3A1|294%3A50

I think I am likely going to purchase that unless any better deals come around, or anyone has any problems with the Denon AVR-790.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Future Shop in Canada carries the Denon AVR-789, and the price should be even less than the Yamaha HTR-6250BL.
Or if you can get the newer model for about the same price or so, like HighBomber just mentioned above; for the AVR-790.

I know quite a few people that went with that Denon model (AVR-789), and are extremely happy with their choice. It is more solidly built than the Yamaha model that you are considering. And it has some great features that you might very enjoy, like Audyssey MultEQ with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume. The 789 weights 25 pounds (so is the 790, or close to that).
But the Yammy 6250 only weights about 17 pounds or so.

Me, I'll get the Denon AVR-789 from Future Shop. You'll get a nice discount on it, because it is last year model.
And you can use that rain check at Future Shop, so you'll still have money left over.
Just buy some Blu-ray movies with the extra money.

That's my honest opinion.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[HighBomber]

I just got an offer from Futureshop for a Denon AVR-989 for $650. I am researching it now. What do you think?

 

[HighBomber]

I ended up getting the AVR-989. If anyone has any advice about it I would appreciate it.

I will be testing this in the next week or so because my home theater is taken apart and a new shelving unit is being put up.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I just got an offer from Futureshop for a Denon AVR-989 for $650. I am researching it now. What do you think?

Hi HighBomber,

$650 canadian dollars for the 989!!! Run, don't walk, and buy it right away.
The AVR-989 is the same equivalent of the AVR-2809ci. Wow! A true limo!

It's the cadillac of the Mid-range Denon receivers, with pre-outs for all channels. One of the very best receivers ever made, just get it. At that price, it's a no-brainer. You'll be in extreme euphoria, and you'll thank me too.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Very, very smart move.

I ended up getting the AVR-989. If anyone has any advice about it I would appreciate it.

I will be testing this in the next week or so because my home theater is taken apart and a new shelving unit is being put up.

Hi again High,

Ahhh, you got me all shook up here for a sec.

Great!!! you did the right move, even without reading my post first. You are a very smart and wise guy. You must be Canadian.

You better give me your impressions on it, soon that you're all set up and running. I'll be right here to give you directions if you need to.

* My advice for now, is to take your time on setting it up. And when you're ready to run Audyssey, use all the 8 microphone positions available. And you MUST use a camera tripod for the mic.

Here's a good link to help you setting things the right way (two links).

1. Audyssey SETUP Guide:
* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14456895#post14456895

2. Audyssey FAQ:
* http://www.audyssey.com/faq/index.html

--> Again, take your time to read these two links (very important), and follow the excellent tips very carefully. You'll be so happy that you did, that you'll never go out again.

<< BONUS >> Review of the Denon AVR-989:
* http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/3100/denon-avr-989-av-receiver.html

Bravo! & Cheers,

Bob

P.S. You know what, at that price, I just might get one for myself too.
Oh, I think that I'm gonna call my two brothers too, I'm sure they'll love me more for that.

 

[HighBomber]

The one I got was open box, that is why I got the deal. I went in to talk about the AVR-789 and I was in the right place at the right time.

I wont be able to really try it out for a week or so, but I am still wondering if my old speakers will do for the next few months. I have the manual incase you need the values for the speakers. I don't know what is important.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200048&CTID=5000800

Thanks for the help and the links. I will be sure to follow the steps to the letter once my shelves are set up.

Cheers,

 

[Lordoftherings]

The one I got was open box, that is why I got the deal. I went in to talk about the AVR-789 and I was in the right place at the right time.

I wont be able to really try it out for a week or so, but I am still wondering if my old speakers will do for the next few months. I have the manual incase you need the values for the speakers. I don't know what is important.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200048&CTID=5000800

Thanks for the help and the links. I will be sure to follow the steps to the letter once my shelves are set up.

Cheers,

Well, soon that I finish typing my post, I call two of my closest Future Shop, and found out that there was no such deal for me.
My two brothers are going to hate me now.

You are indeed very lucky, your timing was dead on.

Your speakers are Yamahas; which model (#) are they?
I'm pretty sure that the'll do just fine for now. But if you need better speakers, just get some nice Canadian home made Paradigm speakers.
Just tell me your approximate budget for a pair (if it still just a pair you want for now), and I will let you know right away. I use Paradigm speakers myself in my own setup, and love them. I know exactly which ones sound best with Denon receivers.

And YES, do use my bery valuable links that I just gave you. Read them with care.

I'll be right here for futher analysis.

* Oups!!! I just have a look to your Yamaha link! Is it the system that you have right now???
Can you sell it, quick?
I think you need some serious guidance.

Bob

 

[HighBomber]

I have been using that Yamaha system for the last 4 Years. I was a home theater in a box deal. I know it isn't great, but I really hope I can at least continue using the old speakers and subwoofer. I will post all the values:

NS-AP1500

Center Speaker
1-Way Acoustic Suspension
Dual 2 1/2" Pulp cone and cloth surround
Frequency Range: 100Hz-20kHz (-10dB)
Impedance: 6 ohms
Nominal Input: 30w
Maximum Input: 100w
Sensitivity(dB/2.38. 1m): 83dB
Magnetic Shielding: Yes

Satillite Speaker
1-Way Acoustic Suspension
Dual 2 1/2" Pulp cone and cloth surround
Frequency Range: 100Hz-20kHz (-10dB)
Impedance: 6 ohms
Nominal Input: 30w
Maximum Input: 100w
Sensitivity(dB/2.38. 1m): 79dB
Magnetic Shielding: Yes

YST-SW030

Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology
Driver: 20cm (8") cone woofer Magnetically shielded type
Output Power: 75W
Dynamic Power: 130W, 5ohms
Input Impedance: 12kohms
Frequency Response: 28Hz-200Hz
Input Sensitivity: 70mV(50Hz, 75W/5ohms)
Power Supply: AC 120V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption: 70W

I really hope I can use this set-up, I am too broke to buy any new speakers for atleast a few months.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi HighBomber,

No sweat, you can still use your actual speakers with your new Denon receiver.
And Audyssey MultEQ XT will be a tremendous help, even with your Yamaha speakers.

But for your next big step (when funds are available), I highly recommend a new multichannel set of speakers (like Paradigm for example, they have some great models that are very affordable).
That would be a major improvement.

For now, enjoy your present speakers with your great new Denon receiver.
And keep in touch.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[HighBomber]

I will be moving into my new house for school on Monday. So far I have only tried the Denon AVR-989 with stereo sound. When I move in I will be hooking up the 5.1 setup. I will post pictures and a little reveiw.

Now I had one incident yesturday. I happened to be shopping around some local stores and stopped in on a local home theater small business. I went in and asked if they had any advice on the Denon receivers. They asked me where I bought it and after I said Futureshop they politely told me they refused to help one of their competitors customers.

As ridiculous as that may be, it isn't what bothered me. On my way out they mentioned that they don't even carry Denon receivers any more because Denon itself was purchased by D&M Holdings, a Mitt Romney Corporation. They said Denon just wasn't Denon anymore.

I was just wondering what anyone else thought about this. It isn't like I am going to return my receiver, but if that really makes a difference I may re-think about purchasing Denon products down the road.

Let me know what you think.

 

[AVRat]

That's just bunk! Denon still produces high quality, leading edge products!

 

[Adam]

This short AH thread here might give a bit of background on Denon's new ownership. Doesn't seem like a bad thing that they got purchased. I'm sure that there's much more out there about this on the internet.