Yamaha RX...V1 or 2500?

[Mac Guy]

Will there be a noticeable difference in perceived sound between these two? I have read extensively that the V1 has one of the best tuner sections around...I still listen to FM.

I am looking for basic 5.1 performance.

Which will be the better buy for $1K or less?

Thanks,

Mac Guy

 

[gcmarshall]

i don't know what the V1 is. did you mean the RX-Z1? the Z1 is much more expensive than the 2500, if you can even find the Z1. i can say that the 2500 is a good performer (for me, my room, my speakers, etc.). everyone's ears are different, though. the 2500 seems to have good hardware and is generally reviewed well. if you can still find it and don't the the HDMI features on the 2600 (it's replaced by the 2600), you should be able to find the 2500 for well under $1,000. mine cost $800 back in october 2005. i believe this web site is in the process of reviewing the newer 2600, but it will cost you more than $1,000.

PS - FM reception for my 2500 is hit and miss. it could be the placement of my antenna or the trees behind my house or sometimes the weather.....but, my experience with FM reception is a mixed bag and i live in a major city with lots of powerful stations. some days it's good, some days it's bad.

 

[Mac Guy]

Thanks for the reply.

The V1 was the precursor to the Z1. It was around 3K new...big, heavy and got great reviews for its time. The Z1, its my understanding, added some surround options and a bump from 110 wpc to 130 wpc. But, according to Yamaha, the V1 did in fact have a different tuner configuration. They confirmed that the current feeling is most people do not listen to FM to any great degree so many manufactures don't put much thought or design into the FM circuitry.

I have been spoiled by my McIntosh MR78 that is phenomenal...to my ears...so I may just buy a newer version of the V1...the Z1 or even a 2600 to utilize Home Theater applications. The V1 and Z1, as well as the Z9, are big and heavy. I figure there must be a reason for all that weight that transfers to quality sound, but I've been wrong before.

 

[gcmarshall]

the Z9 definitely has some great reviews floating around (no experience with it myself). but, for its list price, you could buy a 2600 (which should be a great preamp/processor, if the 2500, its predecessor reviews are any indication) and a very good quality separate dedicated amplifier with 200 watts per channel for 5 or maybe even 7 channels. another thought is that the 2600 has XM-readiness. if you don't mind the monthly fee of satellite radio (i mind it and don't subscribe), you will probably kiss FM goodbye.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

What's the going price on a V1?

Although that unit is going on 7 years old, it's a massive flagship receiver. The 2500/2600 don't belong in the same sentence. The V1 weighs upwards of 60lbs.

Here's a bench test from Home Theater in 2000:
"Into 4 ohms, the amplifier begins clipping at 195.5 watts and reaches 0.1% distortion at 217.7 watts and 1% distortion at 235.8 watts."

If you simply want bells and whistles, and a unit to act as a prepro, look into the RXV1600.

 

[Mac Guy]

The V1...depending on physical condition...can be purchased from online auction sellers for $600-$1200 contingent on which remote is included, which finish the unit has...black or goldtone, etc. My Mac stuff has gone 31 years at this point and only needed a bulb 15 years into it for an indicator light. If its likely the Yamaha can have the same longevity, I will be inclined to buy a used unit and hope for the best.

Thanks,

 

[gcmarshall]

why not buy some more mcintosh gear?

 

[Mac Guy]

Its a matter of $$.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha V1

Just make sure the older Yamaha has dolby digital and DTS decoders and not just Dolby Prologic. You will need this to enjoy DVDs in 5.1.

 

[mardelgo]

IMO the Rx-v1 is a better reciever.Better amps and Dac`s .The sound quality of the v1 in music is aloooooooot better.For movies the dif. is smaller but the V1 still better. Go for the V1.

 

[morksbeanbag]

I've just bought the UK model of the RX-V1, here its the DSP-AX1. I got it for £435. I couldn't go back to an amp like the 2600 now.

The sound quality will flatten the 2500. The 2500 has decent sound but lots of gadgets and gizmo's, clever video section and auto setup etc.

The DSP-AX1/RX-V1 is a vastly superior amp altogether. The power supply for the pre amp and power amp is of a much higher quality as is the power amp itself. The video is switching only, i never use it anyway, there is an onscreen display which is good. Makes setup easier.

The processing is much better than that of a 2500. Its not whether it has pro logic 2x but how that is implemented thats important. The RX-V1 has very high quality K-grade burr brown dacs and twin 44 bit LSI's. Even if the 2500 has got dolby pro logic 2 and auto setup, it simply won't be able to keep up sonically with the flagship V1. The build of the RX-V1 is miles ahead of the 2600, 4600 etc. It has a very strong case that is fully copper plated for sheilding.

I've included a couple of pics of my DSP-AX1 and my old RX-V800RDS, a comparison of the two digital boards and a comparison of the power supply and power amp. The inside of a 2500 will bear more resemblance to the 800RDS than the DSP-AX1.