Yamaha RX-V1800 vs. RX-V863

[yamahapaiste]

Always been a big Yamaha fan. I currently have a RX-V1500 and love it. I am looking to upgrade (again) to one of the choices listed above (1800 or 863) I love the classic lines of the 1800 but want to make sure I am not going to regret not going with the 863. This unit will be primarily used as a pre-pro since the next set of speakers I am going to purchase (Axiom M80 v2) are 4 ohm.
so
1). Any notable difference between the 2 Yamaha offerings?
2). Will either comfortably drive a 4 ohm load?

many thanks!

 

[mike c]

im thinking the 1800 will have a beefier amp - wild guess on my part though.

 

[Nomo]

I recently upgraded from the 1500 to an 1800.

The biggest advantage in the upgrade to either of the new Yamahas is the addition of HDMI and the new HD audio codecs.

The first question that comes to mind is do you have a need for HDMI?
If not there is no reason, IMO, to upgrade. Yet.

Furthermore,
Reportedly, the new 1900 has the ability to pass HDMI thru the receiver without the need for the receiver being powered up. To me, should this be true, is huge. As this allows the ability to hear TV thru the TV's speakers at times when dynamic sound is not wanted. For example the 5AM news.

Sorry to side step your question but hopefully; something to consider.

The 1800 will drive speakers equally as well as the 1500. Not any better or worse. Not sure about the 863.

 

[yamahapaiste]

thanks nomo and mike c

Any reason for HDMI...ummmmm...less cables? Good question. Running component video and optical audio from Hi Def Cable box and DVI/HDMI (early Oppo DVD player, DVI only) and optical audio.

So I guess I ask is there any reason to worry about HDMI at this point? And the 1500 won't fry at 4ohms?

 

[Nomo]

Upgrading for HDMI is a matter of personal choice. To me it's simply not the end-all solution.

In general, receivers do not handle 4 ohm speakers exceptionally well. Provided you don't play them real loud any of the Yamahas mentioned will work. There is also the option of a two channel external amp to handle the front speakers.

If your reason to upgrade is simply more power, The 1800, 863, or even the 1900 will not give you much more of that.

 

[yamahapaiste]

Upgrading for HDMI is a matter of personal choice. To me it's simply not the end-all solution.

In general, receivers do not handle 4 ohm speakers exceptionally well. Provided you don't play them real loud any of the Yamahas mentioned will work. There is also the option of a two channel external amp to handle the front speakers.

If your reason to upgrade is simply more power, The 1800, 863, or even the 1900 will not give you much more of that.

The reason for a different receiver was strictly HDMI and any support for additional processing the 1800 would give me. I just wanted to plan my upgrade path which you have me decide on. I'll keep the 1500, get the m80's and then an Emotiva amp.

thanks for you help

 

[GlocksRock]

The 1800 has 4 HDMI inputs, whereas the 863 only has 3, and the 1800 has a much better amp section. Sound and vision recently reviewed the 863 and it's amp wasn't that powerful, and their review of the 1800 showed a much stronger amp. Both will upscale as well, so really it comes down to preference and price. I would personally go with the 1800, plus it looks a whole lot better.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Take a look at this http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=567570&compitem3=558291&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&comp_items=558291&comp_items=567570&B_compare.x=29&B_compare.y=8, compare the two and then go get a 1900!

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha receiver

FYI,
I think either Yamaha receiver will be fine with a pair of 4 ohm speakers. My low end Yamaha was driving 4 ohm mains for a while and the Axioms have a much higher sensitivity.

If you are not taking advantage of receiver power then consider the RX-V663 that has most of the features of the higher models.

 

[yettitheman]

FYI,
I think either Yamaha receiver will be fine with a pair of 4 ohm speakers. My low end Yamaha was driving 4 ohm mains for a while and the Axioms have a much higher sensitivity.

If you are not taking advantage of receiver power then consider the RX-V663 that has most of the features of the higher models.

It's also the lowest model that has pre-outs.. nothing wrong with that though.
I want (in certain ways) a 663 just as a pre-out for my main 2 channels; let my 2201 throw the real power.

So....this:

and this:

equals