yamaha rx757 for home theatre?

[newtothis12]

Hi, everyone--

I am VERY new to all of this and have some questions that a couple of hours of frustrating time on the web have not answered. I figure you guys can help?

If I buy the yamaha rx757 (or the htr or whatever version of it-- which !?-- why two versions if they are the same thing?) then is there anything I'm missing from a home theatre standpoint? In particular, as things progress and high-def dvds are more available and tv's have really great resolution (like the high-end ones do now), is there something I'll need from a receiver that the 757 doesn't have? I notice most folks here are discussing the more high end one-- the V1500. Why? I have read the specs and heck if I can tell how they differ.

Is that THX thing important? What else is, for good video and audio in a home theatre?

Thanks, everyone. Sorry I'm such a newbie.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hi, everyone--

I am VERY new to all of this and have some questions that a couple of hours of frustrating time on the web have not answered. I figure you guys can help?

If I buy the yamaha rx757 (or the htr or whatever version of it-- which !?-- why two versions if they are the same thing?) then is there anything I'm missing from a home theatre standpoint? In particular, as things progress and high-def dvds are more available and tv's have really great resolution (like the high-end ones do now), is there something I'll need from a receiver that the 757 doesn't have? I notice most folks here are discussing the more high end one-- the V1500. Why? I have read the specs and heck if I can tell how they differ.

Is that THX thing important? What else is, for good video and audio in a home theatre?

Thanks, everyone. Sorry I'm such a newbie.

Welcome to the forum. This is a great site to learn all about the ropes of A/V. Your choice is a good one. You need to set a reasonable budget, then progress from there.

Your unit has an MSRP of $650. What have you found this unit running for locally (or via internet?) Also, where do you live. We may be able to find something a little better for the same price. HMDI is the big thing now. Only the pricier units offer it. In a year or two, most will offer it. What else does your setup consist of?

 

[newtothis12]

more info

Thanks for offering to help.

The only other components I have bought right now are the speakers-- Harman Kardon HKTS. They retail for about 640 but I only paid about 350 for them (is retail really true with stereo equipment? Everything seems easily gotten cheaper.)

I could get the Yamaha online for about 430. I'd be willing to spend more if there was a good reason to (e.g., the hdmi, which seems like a good idea, right? Won't the newer tv's want that?).

Do you think that HDMI is going to be a standard feature in the future? And if so, what is the lowest-price way to get it in a receiver?

I also like the satelite radio on the Yamaha, but it's not a deal-breaker for me.

Eventually I will get a fancy tv (I will get a Sharp Aquos if they ever come down from the heavens in price) and whatever dvd player makes sense-- I guess if they decide what is the standard for digital dvd's then I'll get something with that. Everything seems in flux now! For now I have an entry-level dvd player and a silly tv. I'm waiting until the other stuff comes down in price and/or they settle on the technology. But I want to buy for what I have later, not for what I have now, which is likely to break/be replaced soon.

 

[jaxvon]

Well, the cheapest receiver I know of with HDMI is the Yamaha RX-V4600, which is $1800 MSRP. Not exactly in your price range. Component video is still awesome quality.

I would be leery buying from an unauthorized dealer, at least for a big electronics purchase like a receiver. You're going to want a warranty on that. I'm also in the same budget class as you. I'm deciding between the Pioneer VSX-1015TX and the Yamaha RX-V657. I can get the Yammie for $450 locally, out the door. But then again, I think my dealer can cut some nice deals. The Pioneer is $430 online at J&R (an authorized dealer) and Best Buy should price match that, or something close.

As far as features and power rating, the Pioneer wins. It has goodies out the butt. The Yamaha is more sparse, and has less power. That said, Yamaha is known for their preamp outputs, which means that when you want to add an amp later on, you won't have any sound quality issues. The Yamaha also has lip sync delay.

I'm kinda leaning toward the Yamaha personally, due to the good price I can get on it (from an authorized dealer), as well as the fact that my dealer has been really good with me so far, so I kinda want to buy stuff from his store. I know there are many satisfied 1015 users though (Spiffyfast for one).

 

[newtothis12]

what about HDTV? I have the hardest time reading the Yamaha website-- they don't have equivalent spec listings for the receivers that would make it easy to tell what is going on.

Does the 657 support HDTV? That seems like a minimum requirement. And it's really hard to tell from the website. I'll check out Pioneer's website and see if it is any more helpful.

I guess I'll give up on HDMI and just trade up when they get more affordable. Unless anyone has any better ideas? I have read all of the threads on it but it seems things change so fast (and a lot of models come out in the summer).

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

what about HDTV? I have the hardest time reading the Yamaha website-- they don't have equivalent spec listings for the receivers that would make it easy to tell what is going on.

Does the 657 support HDTV? That seems like a minimum requirement. And it's really hard to tell from the website. I'll check out Pioneer's website and see if it is any more helpful.

I guess I'll give up on HDMI and just trade up when they get more affordable. Unless anyone has any better ideas? I have read all of the threads on it but it seems things change so fast (and a lot of models come out in the summer).

By supporting HDTV, do you mean will it take a high definition signal and run it through your receiver for switching capability? Absolutely. You can use acomponent hook up from your digital cable box to the receiver, then from the receiver to your tv's component input. It won't take an HDMI cable, but you can always run the HDMI from the cable box to directly to the tv set. The only issue with that is you'll need two remotes. For $1200, use two remotes. I was checking into your speakers. If you plan on keeping those for awhile, you really don't need to go much higher than the Yamaha you are looking into, as well as the Pioneer Jax has mentioned. You'll get more bang for your buck with the Pioneer, but the Yamaha will work fine.

Have you considered the HK receivers? You can probably pick up a 235 or 335 in your price range from Harman Kardon Direct off ebay with a full warranty. Those would be a nice match with your speakers. Here's an older, 32lb HK that will sell for a song and a dance. If you don't need all the bells and whistes, and can tolerate a 5.1 setup, it may be a steal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMAN-KARDON-AVR-310-5-1-250W-SURROUND-SOUND-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ5792962505QQcategoryZ39794QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[newtothis12]

This is very helpful. So, you're saying that the speakers aren't going to be high-end enough to take advantage of anything fancier than those two receivers?

And, is there a reason to match speaker brand to receiver brand? When you say "a nice match" is that what you mean? It seems HK doesn't get as good reviews as the other two receivers, but maybe that doesn't matter at this price point?

Also, since you are being so helpful do you think that there is a reason to get a receiver that is satelite radio friendly? I am interested in satelite radio, but perhaps all receivers can pick it up? Is this really a benefit for the Yamaha, in other words? They make a big deal about it on their website, but I have no idea if it is a big deal.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

This is very helpful. So, you're saying that the speakers aren't going to be high-end enough to take advantage of anything fancier than those two receivers?

In a manner of speaking, but I'd still like to see you get a nice receiver that will grow with you. These things tend to stay in the family for many years.

And, is there a reason to match speaker brand to receiver brand? When you say "a nice match" is that what you mean? It seems HK doesn't get as good reviews as the other two receivers, but maybe that doesn't matter at this price point?

HK is an excellent brand. Most members here will tell you they are very underrated, especially their specifications. Their flagship AVR7300, which sells for under $1000 at Harman Direct, is one of the best buys, period, in the sub $1500 range. And yes, the HK receivers will match up better to your speakers than the other two IMO.

Also, since you are being so helpful do you think that there is a reason to get a receiver that is satelite radio friendly? I am interested in satelite radio, but perhaps all receivers can pick it up? Is this really a benefit for the Yamaha, in other words? They make a big deal about it on their website, but I have no idea if it is a big deal.

It sounds like you are an big satellite fan, so I would definitely get a unit that can pick up satellite signals. No, the other brands cannot pick up these signals yet, but I've heard through the grapevine that the new Denon models will be able to. I'm surprised the new Pioneers aren't doing it yet. You'll still have to pay for the satellite service, but won't need a separate receiver.

 

[newtothis12]

great deal on the htr5860 at B&H

Ok, with the help of folks here I settled on my receiver, and the good news is I found it for cheap! At B&H which is an authorized dealer (and who have always been easy to deal with, for me).

Instead of the 757 I am getting the htr5860, because it's the same thing (a little more powerful, actually). It is on sale for 350! That is a great deal-- everywhere else has it at 599.99.

Thanks everyone for your help. It is tough to make these decisions because the technology is changing so quickly. Also, it takes awhile to learn what all these terms mean. I think this is a good choice for me, and I'll let you know how it turns out.

cheers

 

[jaxvon]

Great to hear! Yamaha really makes some quality units, I think you'll be quite satisfied with your new piece. What kind of speakers will you be using with it, just out of curiousity.

 

[newtothis12]

speakers

I just bought the Harmon Kardan HKTS speakers, haven't set them up yet because my receiver croaked. I may have bought something different if I had asked you guys! You've been really knowledgeable. But the speakers got good reviews lots of places and (I thought) were going to just be hooked up to my really old receiver, so weren't too pricey, so... Of course now there is the temptation to go more fancy since I got myself that nice receiver now. But I think that this new system will be a HUGE step up from what I had before and the next step up I will probably make is the DVD player and tv.

I dunno. If you guys think that those speakers are just not fancy enough to be satisfying over any period of time, I'll consider sending them back. I don't want to throw money away if I'll replace them soon. On the other hand, for the last year I have had one pair of speakers, and they were back speakers, because the front ones broke. I inherited the whole system and it was from 1994 or something. I've been watching movies with only those-- sort of gives an interesting spin to the movie when what you hear best are the background noises! I could hear the rain but not the dialogue. And I lived with that fine. It's always difficult to know whether to educate your taste, you know? Once I started driving nicer cars I couldn't go back. Should I do that with my A/V system? Hmmm...

 

[newtothis12]

speakers

oh, sorry it's hkts-14. Didn't realize there were different ones...

 

[jaxvon]

Ah. Well, depending on how much you paid, you could do better. If you got a huge discount off the MSRP of $650, then you might be okay for awhile. One thing's for sure though, that sub won't go low and really rumble the couch.

How much did you pay for the H/K speakers? You can get a killer budget system for the same price that will put those speakers to shame. Dig:

2 pair BIC DV62SIB Bookshelves (mains and surrounds): $250.98 shipped
1 BIC DV62CLR Center: $110.49 shipped
1 Cadence XSub: $229 shipped

This comes to a grand total of $589.47 to your front door. The only other things you need to furnish are speaker stands (easy and cheap to make yourself) and some speaker wire (also fairly cheap).

 

[newtothis12]

I only paid 380.00 for them. I sometimes wonder if these "retail prices" for electronics are real. I got mine at J&R, hardly a cheap internet place, and it was easy to find them for that cheap.

Anyway, for the price are they ok? I am not sure I need to rumble my couch. At least not with my stereo. (sorry).

We'll see how they do. I guess they were cheap enough I could put them in another room or sell them used or something if I find they aren't enough for me.

Next time I will research a little more...

 

[jaxvon]

Well, if you hook them up and like them, then that's what counts. Eventually you'll get upgraditis, but for now, they should do okay.

With the MSRP thing, a lot of places do charge MSRP (like Best Buy). J&R often does have a lot of good deals.

 

[bobwood]

The JVC RX-D702 (B=Black, S=Silver)
What’s so good about it? I don’t know where to start. A LOT.

It’s smaller than you’ll expect. Part of the reason is it uses new digital amps which require a lot less internal space. 7 channels of Digital Hybrid Amplifiers totaling 1050 watts. You can feed it music wirelessly from your computer. (USB transmitter provided.) It has an HDMI output and two HDMI inputs. Converts Composite, S-Video or Component to HDMI with HDCP. IMPRESSIVE!

Best regards!

Bob Wood
www.GreatHomeTheater.com