Yamaha RX-V661BL 7.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver
See it at Amazon.com for $199.12Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(3 out of 5)Disappointing receiver.
I bought this receiver for two reasons: the excellent reputation of Yamaha, and the special features it offers. The quality of the audio is excellent; I have no complaints there. However, I have been hugely disappointed with the special features. First, the YPAO auto-equalizer feature sounded so great! In use, it produced the worst sound I've ever had from my very high quality speakers. With four full size speakers and a sub-woofer it had no bass! Naturally I tried everything to make it work, to no avail. I had to turn it off ( not easy! ). Next, the famous Yamaha surround sound fields. I really like surround sound and looked forward to this. Aaargh! They all have the same flaw: they do not remove the built-in reverb on the recording. This results in making the musicians sound too far away in front. By comparison, Dolby Pro Logic routes the built-in reverb to the back speakers for a natural sound. I hardly use the surround modes. The HDMI switching works but is very limited. Only the HDMI inputs are routed to the HDMI output; no conversion of other inputs. Even the system video display is not run through the HDMI! You must use another output. Lastly, the remote control is clumsy to use: it requires you to use a slide switch as well as buttons. It also has the weakest signal of any of my six remotes!
In conclusion, if you want the special features, be sure you investigate beforehand.
(2 out of 5)Shady seller
Immediately after ordering this product via Amazon, I became suspicious that the product was not "new" as represented. I contacted the seller and asked if this was new stock, and not "B stock". I was assured the product was brand new and was not "B stock".
The receiver arrived. There was no bill of sale (so how to return easily?) and the Yamaha warranty card included clearly states "B Stock" and a restricted warranty applies. In addition, there is a sticker on the rear of the receiver clearly stating "B Stock".
The seller misrepresented the product. I am not happy and advise readers to avoid this seller.
(5 out of 5)Great value for the money
I bought this receiver to upgrade my old Yamaha because I needed HDMI input to connect to my PS3. The PS3 doesn't have full 5.1 analog outputs, so I needed to upgrade.
This receiver has excellent sound quality, and enough features for this price range. It works flawlessly with my Sony TV and my PS3.
I tried the Onkyo 604 before this one but I had to return it as it made some weird and loud switching noises when the HDMI source changed codecs or just went on/off.
The settings menu is not output via HDMI (just analog), but you don't use often (just during initial setup) and you can also follow the small built in screen. I guess they made this compromise to keep the price low (which is a good thing). The Onkyo was the same.
If you just need a basic inexpensive receiver with HDMI inputs (x2) and great sound this is the one.
(5 out of 5)Powerful, versatile, convenient
I fantasized a long time about having a home theater system that would sound like the ones in the audio salons, which can be superior to most real theaters. With this piece of equipment and a set of 7 Yamaha speakers costing less than $400 I have realized this fantasy. The sound is truly breathtaking, big and perfectly defined, and comes largely from the ability of the receiver to evaluate its own performance and adjust itself, all in the space of about 3 minutes after hooking it up. Before buying the Yamaha speakers I owned a set of Altec-Lansing Voice-of-the-theater speakers with 15" acoustic suspension woofers and multi-sectoral horn tweeters. I have the Altecs simultaneously hooked up to the RX-V661 and can easily compare them with the Yamahas. The Yamahas make a superior system. The remote control has an amazing array of powers, including choice of ambiance from rock concert to concert hall.
(5 out of 5)Absolutely fantastic
I was looking at receivers for months trying to make sense of it all. I was set on one of the similarly priced Onkyos when an AV friend of mine came out of nowhere and recommended this Yamaha V661.
I love it. Everything was very easy to use and setup, and there are tons of customization options. I couple this with some Klipsch Quintet IIIs and a custom sub, sound is fantastic. I love the fact that I was able to program my own customized input names. I have each input labeled "Wii" "Xbox" "PS2" "Cable Box" etc accordingly. Furthermore, with the use of the buttons on the bottom of the remote (can't remember the name but they let you preprogram inputs/settings for devices) you can program full names like "Nintendo Wii" or my other longer one "Xbox Media Center."
The auto setup was a dream, and the sound quality is fantastic. I love the amount of inputs, it even includes HDMI. What more could I ask for!?!?!?
Highly recommended.