Yamaha HTR-5550 vs. Onkyo TX-SR500

[nvfreerider]

<font color='#000000'>Have done a lot of research and come to my short-list of either the Yammy HTR-5550 ($222-new-etronics) or the Onkyo TX-SR500 ($216-fact recon-J&amp;R) here in NYC.  Personally its a toss-up for me at this point and am wondering if there's something i've left out of my research.  Am pairing this with inexpensive set of Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble IV HT (passive, crossover sub) for my small (read: tiny) NY apt.  Using it 80% for DVD/digital Time Warner and 20% music (have an mp3 player for personal tunes).
Each one has it's ads/cons but am wondering what you think.
Have looked at cleanness of power, inputs (optical dvd, digcoax timewarner box, mp3 player rca), front rca (not on yammy), price point, etc.  Had a great demo sony STR-DE1075 but DVD optical/coax busted - had to return it.
Thanks for your input!
Cheers</font>

 

[Yamahaluver]

<font color='#0000FF'>I generaly prefer Yamaha's sound over Onkyo although both are good construction wise. For CSW speakers however I would recommend the Onkyo.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Price drop at J&amp;R in NYC ($150USD) has prompted an immediate buy of the Onkyo. &nbsp;Deals don't get better than this folks!</font>

 

[MusicWarrior]

<font color='#000000'>I have the Yamaha HTR 5560 in exchange of the 5550, IF you can spare the extra cost it's well worth it. The Silent Cinema DSP is also useful.
&nbsp;Yamahaluver WILL guide right!....his advice has helped me tremendously. The Price is certain to be much less now due to it being replaced by the HTR 5660, last look it went from $427 to $299.
&nbsp; &nbsp;Music Warrior</font>

 

[Yamahaluver]

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MusicWarrior : <font color='#000000'>I have the Yamaha HTR 5560 in exchange of the 5550, IF you can spare the extra cost it's well worth it. The Silent Cinema DSP is also useful.
&nbsp;Yamahaluver WILL guide right!....his advice has helped me tremendously. The Price is certain to be much less now due to it being replaced by the HTR 5660, last look it went from $427 to $299.
&nbsp; &nbsp;Music Warrior</font>

<font color='#0000FF'>Many thanks for the plug Chris. There are persons in this forum far more knowledgable than I am and also quite helpful. The Silent Cinema is great if you have a closed circumaural good quality headphones. Virtual Cinema is another feature in Yamaha receivers which gets little mention.

With Virtual Cinema, you get to use the front speakeres as surround almost like the Hughes SRS but more effectively. This is for persons who dont have rear surround and center speakers. Give it a try.

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