Yamaha RXV659 vs onkyo tx-sr805s

[majaimes]

Hello all,

thanks for all of your reviews and posts as I have learned alot in the past week.

I am in the process or building my hts. I wont claim to be an audiophile, but I enjoy music and think i have decent ears. I definitely can hear the difference between polk towers and focal towers.

Now my dilemma is which receiver to build my system around: the rxv659 versus the tx-sr805. I want to invest in the onkyo, but given the excellent review from audioholics on the Yamaha, I figure why spend the extra money. I am not huge on the video switching so I dont need the hdmi for video purposes. Or should I? Personally, I rather pipe my audio to my receiver and my video directly to the tube.

Here is what i have so far:
video:
1080p lcd (westy)
720p projection lcd (panny)

Boston acoustic
front: vr2 X2
center: vrc
rear: jbl bookshelf (cheap)
sub: none
reciever: sony dolby digital 5.1- now non fuctioning (1998 model)

Of note, I got the vr2 and the vrc at a steal and i thought they sounded great. I brought them home, and hooked them up to my sony. They truly sounded horrible. My sony receiver then proceeded to blow the A channel where now all I get is static (tried w/ multiple speakers). I am hoping a new receiver will bring the boston acoustics to life as I heard them demo'd in the store.

So question for you fine people:

1) I realize the price difference between the yammy and the onkyo. Is the 805 truly that much better. If so, I dont mind spending the extra cash as I can upgrade later and build around the receiver.

2) Any suggestion for a 150-300 sub?

3) Any thoughts on the boston acoustic vr2 and vrc?

thanks in advance-

 

[bass addict]

IMO you are comparing 2 different animals. A lot will come down to needs and personal preference but if you are looking at the 659 you would be better to compare it to the 605 (and even then I think the Onkyo is a better value). The 805 is 30 more watts per channel, HDMI 1.3, THX Ultra 2 certified, and has HDMI switching. The 805 is certainly going to be much more future proof, especially if you plan on getting into Hi Def media in the future. JMTC

 

[Seth=L]

IMO you are comparing 2 different animals. A lot will come down to needs and personal preference but if you are looking at the 659 you would be better to compare it to the 605 (and even then I think the Onkyo is a better value). The 805 is 30 more watts per channel, HDMI 1.3, THX Ultra 2 certified, and has HDMI switching. The 805 is certainly going to be much more future proof, especially if you plan on getting into Hi Def media in the future. JMTC

Yep, I agree completely.

The Yamaha is literally half the receiver the Onkyo is. Half the mass and half the features.

 

[majaimes]

Ok...thanks, I will go with the Onkyo.

Any thoughts on a good subwoofer?
Any thoughts on the vr2's/ vrc?

thanks

 

[bass addict]

If you could budget a little more I would take a serious look at either a HSU VTF1 or the SVS PB10NSD. These will set you back a little over 400 but will give you a ton better bang for the buck compared to any 300 sub at a B&M. I know audiogon has used one's rolling through from time to time for the 300 mark.

 

[Seth=L]

I like the VR series Bostons, they are a great deal for even retail IMO.

You don't necessarily need to get the Onkyo, you can save some bucks and get the Yamaha RX-V661 and still have the ability to expand if it is deemed necessary. The Bostons aren't power hungery nor a very hard load. Getting the Yamaha RX-V661 gives you HDMI 1.2, simplay cert (helps handshaking issues), and repeater, so you can process 7.1 LPCM (not necessary to have HDMI 1.3 when the HD players decode the HD audio internally), and you also get preouts in the event you need to get more power.

The Onkyo TX-SR805 is most likely, almost certainly better in respect to power and versitility, but IMO, the Yamaha would do anything you would likely need and more. By saving your money on the receiver you can focus more closely on speakers, acoustic treatments and a good solid performance subwoofer from Velodyne, HSU, or SVS.

I guess I wasn't really thinking much when I made my first post on this thread. While the Onkyo is better it isn't necessary. Premium fuel is better, but not necessary in most cases just as a comparison.

GOod luck with your decisions.

 

[rnatalli]

The Yamaha 661 is a great receiver. A lot of people use it straight and some use it as a preamp. I actually considered it as a preamp. For a sub, like Seth said, definitely look at HSU and SVS as they make some of the finest. Bostons are one of my favorite speaker brands. Not sure if that will remain the case with this whole re-inventing itself. We'll see...

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha receiver options

The new Yamaha RX-V1800 or 3800 (see CEDIA coverage) would be more comparable in price and performance to the Onkyo 805.

Also, it sounds like Boston Acoustics is phasing out the VR series in favor of their new "plastic" speakers so get some matching surrounds while they are still available.

 

[majaimes]

Great, thanks for all of your comments.
Will be doing more research now, but it is a start.