Yamaha RX-v663 vs. RX-v665

[Bdog]

I have been reading specs on new 665. It has more HDMI connections than the 663, and 1080 passthrough. It is also listed at 18 lbs. vs. 28 lbs. for the 663. This concerns me a bit. Is the passthrough feature that important? I can live with the connectivity of the 663. Just wondering if anyone has any info on any of this? I am back in the receiver market after 10 plus years and trying to make sense of this and to weed out features that I don't need. This will be connected to a Samsung LN-52A630, and a blue ray player in the future. Thanks!

 

[Pyrrho]

Between those two, if they are the same price, I would go with the older RX-V663. You can compare some of the differences by looking at:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=5028057&compitem3=567571&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&B_compare.x=23&B_compare.y=4&comp_items=5028057&comp_items=567571

If you had any S-video sources, it would be extremely important to get the RX-V663 instead of the RX-V665, because the RX-V665 has no S-Video inputs at all. However, given that you don't seem to have any, that would not be missed in your case. The RX-V663 has more power, one more optical digital input (on the front panel), one more component video input, an extra pair of speaker connections, and two convenience outlets on the back (for plugging in power cords from things like CD players and such). Yamaha seems to be cutting corners on this model change.


If I am not mistaken, HDMI pass-through means that it can act just as a passive switcher without doing anything to the signal. Frankly, I don't see much point in that, as you will probably want to extract the audio from it, in which case you will not be using it as pass-through.

 

[Bdog]

Thanks, Pyrro. Info was very helpful. One other question, is the HTR6160 identical to the RX-v663? They seem to be $20-$30 less than the 663.

 

[pzaur]

If I am not mistaken, HDMI pass-through means that it can act just as a passive switcher without doing anything to the signal. Frankly, I don't see much point in that, as you will probably want to extract the audio from it, in which case you will not be using it as pass-through.

The HDMI pass-through simply means the video portion of the signal is not altered by the internals of the receiver. Audio can still be handled by the receiver.

The 663 will pass a video signal from s-video, composite, component to the HDMI connection. It does not "improve" or "convert" signal in doing so. Also, only specific video formats are passed into the HDMI. Not all of them. The common video formats are handled with no problem. It's the old video game formats that pose problems.

I believe the newer version of the 663 is actually the 765. The 663 is a fine piece of equipment.

I've attached the manual page with a short synopsis on it.

-pat

 

[Pyrrho]

Thanks, Pyrro. Info was very helpful. One other question, is the HTR6160 identical to the RX-v663? They seem to be $20-$30 less than the 663.

I do not know of any difference at all between them, other than the model numbers. However, I have not made a careful study of the matter. You might want to download the owner's manuals for each from Yamaha. I believe they now require registration for downloading manuals, but it is free.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567571&CTID=5000300&RLTID=1505&DETYP=RELATION

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567572&CTID=5000400&RLTID=1505&DETYP=RELATION

Most likely, the cheaper one will be a better value, but, again, I am not certain whether or not there are any differences beyond the model numbers on them.

It used to be that there was a slight stylistic difference between the HTR series and the RX-V series, but that does not seem to be the case anymore, or at least I did not notice such a difference when looking at online pictures of the two you mention.