Yamaha RX-V1700 - AV receiver - 7.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this receiver at Ultimate Electronics in Nov 06 for $1000. I absolutely love this reciever. I compared this with the denon for around the same price and both are very comparable. The only difference I saw was that the yamaha reciever was easier to switch between modes for other devices and the different sound settings that are used. I have the system hooked up with my tv using the hdmi cable and all other devices are also hooked up through the reciever. This is great because I only have to use 1 remote to control which device I am using since I don't have a universal remote. The receiver delivers 130 watts to each of my speakers and sounds great. What I like about this receiver is that their is not a million little buttons all over the place and the ones that are their actually do something. Here are some of the specs on the receiver and a link to decide for yourself whether this receiver is for you.
[...]
MAIN FEATURES
High Sound Quality
7-channel 910W powerful surround sound (130W x 7)
Digital ToP-ART with extremely high quality parts and devices used
throughout
Pure Direct for higher fidelity sound reproduction
2 in/1 out HDMI (ver. 1.2a) for handling digital signals including
Super Audio CD
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Advanced Features
iPod song titles displayed on front panel and on-screen display
Improved YPAO sound optimization
Superior zone control with additional zone remote unit
High Picture Quality
1080p compatible HDMI (2 in/1 out)
High-definition video up-conversion
De-interlacing (480i to 480p)
Wide-range component video bandwidth (100MHz -3 dB, 1080p
compatibility)
Surround Realism
CINEMA DSP with 23 DSP programs
Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES 96/24 compatibility
OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES
Audio Delay for adjusting lip-sync (0-240 ms)
Dialogue Lift for dialogue to screen center
Selectable 9-band subwoofer crossover frequencies
Subwoofer Phase Select
Night Listening Enhancer ensures can be heard clearly at low volumes
SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
iPod song titles in English language on the front panel and on-screen
display
Detachable power cable
Extended remote control codes
Remote terminal for Zone 2 or Zone 3
Dual programable +12V trigger outputs


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Pioneer Elite SC-35 - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)5star on the reciever itself and 2 star for the remote. The remote is a non issue to me since using a Harmony remote in it's place. The remote works as should but nothing spectacular.
Came from a NAD T762 that had a great sound and this Pioneer to my ears has met and maybe even exceeded it in sound quality. I am exclusively using digital inputs such as digital coax, optical and HDMI. So I have no experience with it's analog inputs. HTPC connected digital coax, Dtv box HDMI, Pan BD100 3D player HDMI, 360 and PS3 both HDMI.
HDMI experiences.
The HDMI passes 3D video to the TV as it should. When using the video enhancement it does lag the sound and require some tuning. Most of what I pass is already improved accept the standard def tv from DTV which when in enhanced mode it does improve the video a tad. No difference noted in HD content enhance on or off. So I just have the enhance turned off on all inputs.
With video gaming lag can be a problem. I have a Panasonic VT20 3D plasma that when gaming has to my experience 0 lag or damn near 0 when hooked directly to tv HDMI. I was worried I would gain lag through the pioneer. If it adds lag it is not noticed by me, of course with any enhancement turned off on the reciever and tv on game mode.
All HDMI inputs can be relabled accept the BD HDMI it can not be changed. Also if you run a HTPC as I do with HDMI video but sound via digital coax/optical it doesn't seem to work with both. It almost works but everytime I leave the OSD the sound goes away, the settings are saved cause once back into OSD the sound comes back. I think it is a HDMI copy right deal not pioneers fault. So I have the HTPC directly to TV and digital coax to reciever till I upgrade to a video card that carries sound via the HDMI also.
Self tune experience.
What can I say it is a breeze to run. Will it be perfect after running maybe maybe not for you. I am very pleased with the difference it made. I do like a bit more sub then it ended with but it allows tuning after the fact. It picked up my speakers and knew they where full range speakers.I have Paradigm studio's center and rear speakers with James LF and RF all very efficient speakers. At first they where very bright but after the self tune it was much improved and on par or even better to me then my NAD before.
I am very pleased with this reciever and highly recomend it. I was debating between this and the new Yamaha Aventage RXA2000. I can not comment on the RXA2000 for I have yet to see/hear one, but from the reviews it sounds like I couldn't go wrong with either the Pioneer I chose or the RXA2000. I am also a poor refrence for the added sounds etc since I always tend to preffer a non altered sound. I keep audio set to play what it was recorded as IE if in stereo it stays stereo and if 5.1 DTS it stays as such. I also do not use the sound altering settings either for hallway, concert hall etc. So to wrap this up this reciever delivers a great sound and performs digital switching flawlessly so far and I am very pleased with it.
Have a good one,

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