Yamaha vs. Panasonic

[Cotizi]

I recently came across an extra $200 so i figured that i would spend it unwisely and upgrade my current receiver. Im looking currently at nothing more than $300 which leaves me debating between a Panasonic XR-55 and a Yamaha 5850 or 5840, the Yamaha's being the only receivers i can get from best buy at employee price. Any ideas which one is the better buy from people who have these pieces of equipment?

The big reason for this is to get at least an 80hz crossover to the PB10, which is currently crossed at 100hz. Since i have a small room, i can really hear those upper "mid-bass" frequencies in the sub which i would prefer get tossed to the mains. My xr25 cant cross at under 100hz. Thanks again for your input everyone.

 

[GlocksRock]

I would get the Yamaha.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha HTR-5860

Can you get the 5860 for about $300? It has pre-amp outputs for upgradability, more power, auto setup, and PEQ.

Also, I've heard that you guys can get the Pioneer 1015 for just over $300. These would give you a lot more power and features than the low end Yamahas.

 

[ruadmaa]

Which Receiver

I recently came across an extra $200 so i figured that i would spend it unwisely and upgrade my current receiver. Im looking currently at nothing more than $300 which leaves me debating between a Panasonic XR-55 and a Yamaha 5850 or 5840, the Yamaha's being the only receivers i can get from best buy at employee price. Any ideas which one is the better buy from people who have these pieces of equipment?

The big reason for this is to get at least an 80hz crossover to the PB10, which is currently crossed at 100hz. Since i have a small room, i can really hear those upper "mid-bass" frequencies in the sub which i would prefer get tossed to the mains. My xr25 cant cross at under 100hz. Thanks again for your input everyone.

Many people are raving about the Panasonic XR55 all DIGITAL receivers. Panasonic has always offered very good receivers at reasonable prices.

For those of you who turn your noses up at Panasonic, chances are no matter what receiver you are using it has electrical parts in it made by Panasonic’s parent company M a t s u s h i t a.

 

[3db]

Many people are raving about the Panasonic XR55 all DIGITAL receivers. Panasonic has always offered very good receivers at reasonable prices.

For those of you who turn your noses up at Panasonic, chances are no matter what receiver you are using it has electrical parts in it made by Panasonic’s parent company M a t s u s h i t a.

As present ower of a Panasonic DX-940 receiver, I cannot agree with you on this. I purchased a complete technics package when I 1st ventured into the hobby but I'm seeing the limits of the reciever now. Its not bad with 2 channel music but when pressed hard, the sound gets compressed. I fault the reciever on this as the speakers I own now and had previously both exhibited this behaviour. The other thing is one of the DSP modes distorts like crazy and i"m suspecting, a component failure. In Home Theater mode, I find the receiver's dynamics sluggish, struggleing to keep up with the film's sondtrack.

I cannot comment on the digital amps as I've not heard them personally. have read lots of reviews on them and the jury is hung on it. I would definately choose the Yamaha over Panasonic any day. Its a non contest.

 

[Tomorrow]

I have owned both Panasonic and Yamaha receivers and have had zero problems with either. Panasonic is a very good machine for the money (tho' I'm going to upgrade out of mine, simply because of it's limited bass management features).

I think you can rely on either Rx. Just choose the one with the features you require at the best price. My .02

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha.(Bias)

 

[ruadmaa]

What is your complaint???

As present ower of a Panasonic DX-940 receiver, I cannot agree with you on this. I purchased a complete technics package when I 1st ventured into the hobby but I'm seeing the limits of the reciever now. Its not bad with 2 channel music but when pressed hard, the sound gets compressed. I fault the reciever on this as the speakers I own now and had previously both exhibited this behaviour. The other thing is one of the DSP modes distorts like crazy and i"m suspecting, a component failure. In Home Theater mode, I find the receiver's dynamics sluggish, struggleing to keep up with the film's sondtrack.

I cannot comment on the digital amps as I've not heard them personally. have read lots of reviews on them and the jury is hung on it. I would definately choose the Yamaha over Panasonic any day. Its a non contest.

You apparently bought a receiver that did not have enought power for what you wanted to do. Not exactly Panasonic's fault now is it???

As for component failure, there isn't a company out there including the very best that don't have failures at times. With the thousands of electronic parts that comprise a receiver it's amazing that there aren't far more failures.

 

[3db]

You apparently bought a receiver that did not have enought power for what you wanted to do. Not exactly Panasonic's fault now is it???

As for component failure, there isn't a company out there including the very best that don't have failures at times. With the thousands of electronic parts that comprise a receiver it's amazing that there aren't far more failures.

Well they did claim 100x5 and it certainly doesn't sound as dynamic asYamaha's 5830. My PSBs are very efficient and do get loud with the Panny but its still not as punchy as the Yamaha. I agree with you that even the best may have component failure. But the chasis feels flimsy, the speaker terminals are of the spring wire type as opposed to proper bind posat. Lots of short cuts to keep the price down.

Its been dependable save for that DSP mode going south. I know now what to listen for in a receiver and to pay atttention to its build.

 

[ruadmaa]

You want a $300 receiver built like a tank???

Well they did claim 100x5 and it certainly doesn't sound as dynamic asYamaha's 5830. My PSBs are very efficient and do get loud with the Panny but its still not as punchy as the Yamaha. I agree with you that even the best may have component failure. But the chasis feels flimsy, the speaker terminals are of the spring wire type as opposed to proper bind posat. Lots of short cuts to keep the price down.

Its been dependable save for that DSP mode going south. I know now what to listen for in a receiver and to pay atttention to its build.

I reiterate: Panasonic offers a very decent quality receiver for a very reasonable price. If you want heavy build quality, you are going to have to pay for it.

The XR55 at just slightly over $200.00 is an exceptional value.

Is it better than a $1,000.00 receiver, probably not. It all depends on how much money you want to spend.

 

[Matt34]

I'd say go with the Panasonic for the simple fact you won't piss off ruadmaa.

 

[ruadmaa]

Your post is insulting.

I'd say go with the Panasonic for the simple fact you won't piss off ruadmaa.

I have no special affinity for Panasonic. I simply stated that they are a very good value. I have owned both Yamaha and Panasonic receivers in the past and have had no trouble with either.

 

[Matt34]

I have no special affinity for Panasonic. I simply stated that they are a very good value. I have owned both Yamaha and Panasonic receivers in the past and have had no trouble with either.

Just messin with ya.

 

[Hi Ho]

I currently own a Panasonic receiver (SA-HE100). It sounds OK but the D/A converters aren't too hot (as was proven when I connected my Audigy sound card via analog) and the bass management, or lack thereof, is terrible. I will be going with a Yamaha HTR-5860.

 

[chikoo]

hook them up in the sound room to the same set of speakers and let your ear decide.