[e268]

Thanks for the correction of my wrong impression. Good to know that my RXV2400 is not obsolete yet.

 

[CraigRT]

I have a 2004 model year RX-V740 and personally I don't think it sounds quite as good as my last harman/kardon for 2 channel (music listening) but for HT, it's awesome. Overall though I do love the receiver.

 

[fleecy]

My Yamaha RX-V596 is now over 5 years old, and I only have good things to say about it. I never had a single problem with the unit, and it's on for maybe 4-6 hours a day.

The only real issue is with the input selection knob in front of the receiver; it slips and needs to be cleaned often.

 

[Lord of Langley]

Yamaha RX-V650 Audio Output

I am in a bit of a dilema. Currently have the new BEV PVR 9200 HDTV. So when I am watching a HD program through my Yamaha reciever and the audio signal automatically reads in tru " surround sound " , on certain times it switches for a second or so over to " dolby digital " and back again to tru surround. Is this due to the BEV signal? I experience this at times when watching, eg Monday Night Football and Rome. Does this happen to this particular model or other Yamaha models as well.



TV: Sony KD34XS955

 

[57]

See the Digital Home FAQ "What's available in DD5.1". Commercials are typically DD2.0 while the programme can be DD5.1. That shouldn't affect Rome though which is DD5.1. Perhaps it's just a brief signal glitch?

Be aware that some channels send improperly encoded DD5.1 signals where the sound comes out the LF & RF speakers only. This happens on City movies... Other networks also sometimes send DD5.1 "all the time". when the source (like commercials) is actually DD2.0.

I have a Yamaha receiver and have encountered occasional audio dropouts (say 1 per hour on HD channels), but the sound is typically either DD5.1 or DD2.0, not switching between the two during the actual programme (it does switch for commercials).

Hope this helps...

 

[Lord of Langley]

Yamaha RX V650 Audio output



I just received an email from Matt Hubbard, his response to my audio problem:

Hello this can be quite normal as the audio data stream can change on the fly from PCM to DD relative to the broadcast.

Mathew Hubbard
Service Manager AVIT
Yamaha Canada Music LTD
135 Milner Ave.
Scarborough, Ont

 

[dgb]

Congratulations on your new receiver!

As I mentioned at the top (and in a previous thread), the HTR and RX-V lines are essentially "spec-to-spec" identical. The only apparent difference is that the former line is intended for big-box stores while the latter is dedicated to "boutique" shops.

If you look closely I think you will find that the RX-V line will have aluminum knobs and faceplate. These will be plastic on the HTR. Other not so noticeable items might be matched resistors and capacitors on the upscale models. Gold plated jacks?

Anyone check into warrantee periods?

 

[MediaRoomManiac]

I am in a bit of a dilema. Currently have the new BEV PVR 9200 HDTV. So when I am watching a HD program through my Yamaha reciever and the audio signal automatically reads in tru " surround sound " , on certain times it switches for a second or so over to " dolby digital " and back again to tru surround. Is this due to the BEV signal? I experience this at times when watching, eg Monday Night Football and Rome. Does this happen to this particular model or other Yamaha models as well.



TV: Sony KD34XS955

This is a limitation of the STB not your Receiver. It has happened to me too and I'm using a Pio receiver with a Rogers SA 3200 box (non HD). Also, I've experienced this issue at my in-laws place on their Rogers SA3250 (HD) and Pio HTIB. It's exactly what 57 said.. changes in signal from DD5.1 to DD2.0 for commercials or inconsistencies in the delivery of the digital signal from the satellite to the receiver itself. Could be a number of things.. I highly doubts in your your receiver end.

 

[Lord of Langley]

Yamaha RX-V650 Audio signal

This is a limitation of the STB not your Receiver. It has happened to me too and I'm using a Pio receiver with a Rogers SA 3200 box (non HD). Also, I've experienced this issue at my in-laws place on their Rogers SA3250 (HD) and Pio HTIB. It's exactly what 57 said.. changes in signal from DD5.1 to DD2.0 for commercials or inconsistencies in the delivery of the digital signal from the satellite to the receiver itself. Could be a number of things.. I highly doubts in your your receiver end.

OK, during the commercials, it goes ito the " Pro-Logic " audio mode, however it's very annoying while watching an actual HD braodcast where there's the split-second audio signal glitch from the satellite to the reciever. Do we let BEV know of this problem?

 

[57]

It is "normal" to have one-two minor audio glitches per hour. If you have more, then yes, I'd complain.

I've typically been able to watch MOST HD programmes these days without audio glitches, unlike a few years ago when there were perhaps 4-6 per hour...

 

[speezer]

i would like to know how , or where to typically set my receiver when watching tv. I have the rxv 750 receiver from yamaha. I own a 6100 bell hd reciever. What setting do i best leave it at? right now i have it at sur.enhanced. Can someone tell me a better input to keep it at to appreciate real dd sound?

 

[newf]

auto will take the signal if its 5.1 and use it .

 

[orion456]

The RXV's meets a much stricter standard for amplifers than the HTR line.

Yamaha says: "The RX-V line has the power amplifiers rated from 20-20000 Hz. The HTR line has the power amplifiers rated at 1000 Hz."

The point is: because HTR power is only given for one frequency and not the entire range, the HTR spec probably means there is a significant power drop off at the frequency extremes when all channels are in use.

In other words, Yamaha tests the boards (or parts and assigns them accordingly) and those that meet the much stricter specifications become RXV receivers and the rest become HTRs. Just because two systems have the same parts doesn't mean that some parts don't perform better. This is the same thing Intel does with processors, all the CPUs come from the same process but some become p4 3.6 ghz and others only 2.8 ghz (which they sell for a lower price). It doesn't mean that some 2.8's can't meet the stricter standard, it just means the 3.6's definitely will.

The bottom line is when looking at power ratings, try to get a rating that covers the full audio spectrum, not just one frequency where other frequencies may lag in at high power.

Essentially you pay for the higher rated performance. Whether you can tell the difference is another question. Presumably the stricter standard is necessary to ensure high quality.

 

[Michel]

The RXV's meets a much stricter standard for amplifers than the HTR line.

Where did you read that ??? I beg to disagree....Read what Yamaha themselves say about the difference between the two lines....Pay attention to the third paragraph that states clearly that both lines are identical and then they go on to explain why the have the two lines and that is the real reason. The main (ungiven) reason they rate both lines differently is to avoid direct comparisons by the consumers in order to protect their specialised independant retailers profit margins and to have a larger market share but dealing with various types of retail operations avoiding conflicts between them...Furthermore, when you check the specs on equivalent units in the HTR line versus their RX-V line, they are identical....We are talking basecally of a marketing strategy that is quite common in many industries...

*

What Is The Difference Between The RX-V Line And The HTR Line?


There are many similarities between these two product lines. The RX-V line and the HTR line are produced in the same Yamaha factory using high quality parts throughout. The RX-V and equivalent HTR models have the same warranty periods, the same manufacturer's suggested retail price, similar features, and similar remote control units.

There is a cosmetic difference found on the front panels of these two lines. The RX-V line maintains the traditional white colored lettering normally found on most Yamaha components, while the HTR line provides a slightly different approach. Yamaha has created a new look by using gold colored lettering in selected areas on the HTR receiver series. However, both the RX-V line and the HTR line feature high quality front panel construction.

The amplifiers in the HTR and RX-V units are identical but rated differently to comply with the accepted measurement standards of their respective channels of distribution. Both ratings are FTC approved and are designed to handle the dynamics of today's audio and video sources. The RX-V line has the power amplifiers rated from 20-20000 Hz. The HTR line has the power amplifiers rated at 1000 Hz. Both lines can reproduce the full frequency response of 20-20000 Hz.

The RX-V line is typically sold through Yamaha authorized audio/video specialty retailers, and is not available for mail order sales, phone sales, or internet sales.

The HTR line is sold through mass merchants, catalog retailers, and department stores. You may also purchase the HTR line through the mail, by phone, or at authorized internet retailers.

All transactions must be done through the authorized Yamaha dealer network. Any purchase made from an unauthorized dealer/retailer voids the Yamaha manufacturer's warranty.

 

[e268]

If I buy the HTR line, I will always wonder what I am missing out since the amps are rated at 1000Hz only. On the other hand, if they are built with same quality parts, would we not expect them to have same performance? Unlike cpu's, these parts operated in audio frequency range, hence should not have the exact rating issues of the cpu's. But, why would Yamaha put out units with the same guts, but different face plate and sell for less? Why would Yamaha not make a few extra dollars by lowering the standard a bit to pass at 1000Hz? If one does not care about the rating, then HTR is a good buy, but if one is a true hi-fi enthuist, then RX-V line will put their mind to rest.

 

[mrhooie]

call me a Yamaha snob, but I've only ever bought the RX-V line (and before that the Natural Sound line)

 

[Michel]

If I buy the HTR line, I will always wonder what I am missing out since the amps are rated at 1000Hz only. On the other hand, if they are built with same quality parts, would we not expect them to have same performance?

Where did you see a serious direct comparison test that said it did not have the same performance ???

But, why would Yamaha put out units with the same guts, but different face plate and sell for less? Why would Yamaha not make a few extra dollars by lowering the standard a bit to pass at 1000Hz? If one does not care about the rating, then HTR is a good buy, but if one is a true hi-fi enthuist, then RX-V line will put their mind to rest.

The answer is quite simple if you read in between the lines of what Yamaha themselves say about the differences between the two lines. The reason they do this is to avoid direct comparisons by consumers between the two lines to protect their specialized small independant retailer's network profit wise...
since their volume of sales is far less than large chains such as BestBuy or FS.... The lower price of the HTR line is due to minor cosmetic differences and mainly because of the higher volume they get from large chain retailers. I do not think that they lower the standard to pass at 1000hz...Again, they only do it to avoid direct comparisons by consumers...They do not lie in the specs, they just present it in a different way for that purpose....It is a marketing strategy used by many industries...in order to gain the largest market share as possible without creating conflicts between the various types of distribution channels, different types of retailers....I know, I worked in the photographic industry for 30 years and we did this all the time to be able to sell at the same time to people such as Henry's, Aden's, McBain, London Drugs and Costco, Sears, Walmart etc....We even had different model numbers depending on the country to avoid "grey imports"....In fact, the cameras were exactly the same gut wise with minor cosmetic differences. The funniest part was when we were seeing test reports that showed differences perpetuating the idea to people such as you that they were getting lower quality by buying at large retailers... If it gives you security of mind to pay extra to get the same receiver with a different name, then go for it.....

 

[Michel]

One more thing as Steve Jobs would say

Sometimes, we even saw articles that went as far as saying that we were using the "rejected" parts of the "alleged" higher quality cameras to build the lower quality line to sell to chain stores....Other articles were saying that the internal gut were the same but with lower quality standards. They were saying that those parts were outsourced to companies in China rather than made in Japan with stricter quality control....There is nothing we didn't see to explain the price difference and all of those speculations were simply false....It is to be noted that we didn't do this with the full line, but only with models that had selling potential in larger chains....products directed at mass market...
There was no point in doing this with professional equipment...All we did sometimes with higher end professional equipment is to have a different model number to avoid "grey imports"....but the very same cosmetics....and of course, the very same components... Even then, some articles insisted in finding differences in performance... Just hilarious...(for us)... It,s all about marketing strategy and market share....but if you are convinced that you are getting better because you are paying more, if it gives you peace of mind....well, peace of mind has a price, just like insurance....

 

[HT gearhead]

It would seem that the marketing strategy works since people are being fooled into believing they are getting a premium product at a premium price despite the fact that the quality is no better than the "walmart" stuff. Funny indeed. Now I don't feel so bad buying some of my gear at FS instead of Chez Henri's electroniques boutique.

 

[jvillain]

The only place where there is over lap in the 2 lines is between the top model in the HTR line and the very bottom model in the RX-V line. There is nothing comparable to the RX-V3800 and the 11.1 monster in the HTR line.