Yamaha Receiver

[jbutcher]

Yamaha 6.1 Channel Dolby Digital Receiver (HTR5850B)

Does anyone have any info about this unit. Is this all I need to run a decent home theatre. Its pretty cheap at 549 or so. I can get it for a lot less.

Should I spend more do I need more?

I am thinking of running it with a Polk Audio speaker system. 6 channels

I will use it for moslty watching tv and some movies and listening to music as well but I live in a townhouse so its not like I can blow the roof of the place.

Its connecting to a panasonic plasma if that matters

[supervij]

Just a thought: you might want to invest in a 7.1 receiver, just in case you decide to upgrade someday. Otherwise, the 5850 is not a bad receiver. 90 Watts per channel is probably plenty, considering you won't be blasting the volume anyway. It's got all the features that you need, except possibly for HDMI, but you won't find HDMI in any receivers at this price.

Bear in mind this unit doesn't have YPAO, which automatically calibrates the receiver for the acoustics of the room and all of the speakers being used. If you plan on using an SPL meter and doing it yourself, then you don't need this feature. I like having YPAO (I've got an RX-V750) cos it comes pretty close to the exact settings I need. Going the next step up, to the 5860, will give you YPAO, if you want it.

The 5850 has good stuff, though: component video up-conversion, a whole bunch of crossover selections for your subwoofer, it can handle hi-res audio, it's got lip sync delay. And it's got inputs for seven components, which is probably all you need.

Personally, I think it's good unit, but consider going with a 7.1 receiver, just in case -- that's what I did. But only you know exactly what you need, so do as much research as you can.

Good luck!

cheers,
supervij

[jbutcher]

thanks for your reply. you make good points. i think ther is a 7.1 version of that same receiver for a little bit more money. I will take a look at it.

it seems that this unit or the 7.1 will serve me well.

i looked at some of the HK stuff and it seems to be a lot more $$$ for similar stuff. I have always liked Yamaha stuff as well.

[supervij]

The 5860 is the one you're talking about? It's a 7.1 receiver that has YPAO. You may want to consider that one instead, if you want to stick with Yamaha. I agree, by the way -- great brand.

I'm in sort of the same boat as you: I live in a condo apartment building, so I can't blast the volume either. I could have gone for the RX-V1500, but I'm not sure I'd even use all those special features. The 750 was, and still is, enough for me. You don't have to buy the biggest and the best; buy what is good for you, while keeping in mind the things you may want down the road. I think the 7.1 definitely qualifies, but like I said, only you can determine what those other things are.

cheers,
supervij

[lubmar]

I did get the HTR5750B almost a year ago for $299 at the BestBay(pre boxing sale). No problem so far, no need for any aditional future or better model. I do recomend this one.

Dolby corp. just got a new formats "dolby+" and a "tru dolby" so paying $1000 or more today for a model without those formats ... I would wait or buy something cheaper for now, but that is my opinion.

[Neilcamp]

I'm in the market for one of these receivers and was considering the 5860 because right now they are only $100 apart at FS ($449 and $549). I thought the YPAO might be nice but I have a sound level meter and used it on my other Yamaha receiver. I don't need 7.1 (only have 5.1 for now) with no plans to upgrade to even 6.1.

However, I was just at the Brick and they have the 5850 for $349 and the 5860 for $528. At this price difference, I'm about to grab the 5850, unless I'm missing something.

I can't get the comparison chart to come up at the Yamaha site but it appears the differences on the 5860 are basically:

- 7.1 vs 6.1
- YPAO (parametric equalizer?)
- Dialogue lift (is this really any use?)
- Pure Direct listening mode
- slightly more power

Anybody got a good reason (worth $178 plus tax) to jump to the 5860?

Thanks for any advice.

[Neilcamp]

Well, as I suspected, it was too good to be true.

I went to the Brick to pick up the 5850. The salesman checked and said they had three in Burnaby. I then asked if the price was $349, the same as on the big "limited time offer" sign for the 5850 that was sitting out by the Yamaha equipment. He made a funny noise and said he would have to check with the manager because the price was different on the computer.

When he came back he picked up the two signs (there was one for the 5890 for $788) and said the signs were supposed to come down on December 24th. Yamaha had "kicked in" for the promotion and it was no longer valid. The price was now back up to $468 and he couldn't give it to me for less. It was late, he looked really uncomfortable and I didn't feel like arguing so I left it at that.

Oh well, perhaps it's a good sign that the receiver has been that low. Perhaps it will head that way again. The salesman did try to make me feel better by saying that Yamaha often does another promotion near the end of January. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it's something!

I guess my cheap Athena Micra 6 system from FS will have to sit in the box for a while when it shows up until I can get a receiver.

I'd still be interested in what people think about the difference between the 5850 and 5860.

Thanks.

[Michel]

Originally Posted by Neilcamp

I'd still be interested in what people think about the difference between the 5850 and 5860.Thanks.

I have the 5850 and I'm returning it today to exchange it for the 5860. I thinks the $100 difference is well worthed, especially for the YPAO, abit more power and a few extra features...I say $100 because I paid $500 for it (the price is still $500 at FS) and the 5860 is $600 at both FS & BB....

Now, If the difference would exceed $100, I'd have second thoughts...I'll check the Brick for sure

[houseley]

You guys should look at Onkyo TXSR505

Onkyo.ca

HDMI switching
1080P
Audessy microphone calibration
7.1
Spkr B for patio

Smokes the Yamaha at only C$499

Better yet

Onkyo TXSR605
All the above plus
HDMI upconversion from all video sources
zone 2
TrueHD surround for Blueray and HD DVD
HDMI version 1.3A...Yamaha is only 1.2 Only 1.3A works with SOny PS3 and has deeper color and faster video motion processing.

C$749

[supervij]

Well, to be fair, the original post is two years old. Not a whole lot of HDMI receivers at that time.

cheers,
supervij