Home > Consumer Reviews > Yamaha YDS-11SL Universal iPod Dock for Select Yamaha Home Theater Receivers

I cannot believe how easy it was to hookup. A very heavy duty cable with a custom multi-pin plug goes into a custom socket on the bottom of my YSP-4000. Works fine. Listened to podcasts and watched video from a 5G iPod and an original iPhone. Charges while in the cradle. The YDS-11SL came out long after the YSP-4000, but it works great.

Don't expect great video on a big TV. The resolution of the iPod video is not very high -- very grainy on my 52 inch LCD (not Yamaha's fault..). My AppleTV works much much easier and has a much better picture.

I ordered the YDS-11SL Dock for my iPhone since it said it supports the iPod Touch, gambling that I could view videos and slide shows. Sure enough, it worked and I got excellent quality on my 52" flat TV connected to my Yamaha HTR-6080 A/V receiver. When I first connected the iPhone, it said the connected device was not compatible. But I selected the iPod icon on the iPhone. I watched a video that I downloaded from iTunes into my iPhone, and also watched a slideshow of the photos downloaded from my computer to the iPhone. Very pleased with my purchase of this unit.

I recently purchased an entry level Yamaha 5.1 receiver (model RX-V363). I have been very happy with the receiver and liked the idea of integrating an Ipod dock. However, after I received the dock and spending several hours trying to troubleshoot, I stumbled on an Amazon.com review for the RX-V363 that seemed to indicate I had wasted my time. Apparently, the YDS-11 menu and video capabilities are not compatible with the RX-V363 (the other reviewer learned this after the fact from a Yamaha tech).

The RX-V363 remote operates the Ipod (I have an 80GB classic) just fine, but it is of limited use since you have to be standing within two feet to read the Ipod display. The sound of the YDS-11 is fine. However, as the other reviewer noted, you might consider the Tekkeon Navdock instead of this unit as the Tekkeon has full video and menu capabilities. Essentially, if you have a RX-V-363, you are buying a $60 charger that allows you to hide the input in the back of your receiver and leave the video/aux input on the front of the receiver free for something else or simply to leave open without unsightly cords. Not a great use of $60 as far as I am concerned.

For $60, this is a little gem. Comes with 3 little plastic inserts that you'll use depending on the type of apple ipod you have. We have the small thin nano and it fits into the docking station just great. There is one plug that fits into the back of the receiver. What's really nice about the docking station is that you simply press 'dock' on the remote and then 'display' (as long as your tv is on) and the entire ipod menu will show up on your screen (provided your tv is connected to your receiver via hdmi). As for quality (please understand I am very serious about sound) is very good, but because it's ipod music (digital and compressed) it won't be quite as perfect as a cd. I'll use a cd over the ipod when I'm looking for the crystal clear, uncompressed tunes.

My dad passed away, his iPOD full of thousands of old-time musicals, Beatles, etc... all the music he loved. Got this Yamaha adapter for a $210 dollar 5.1 receiver (100 watts per channel) replacing traditional stereo in my old craftsmen house (i.e., small).

Well, tears came to my eyes as I could listen to Pop's 'ol time favorites over my yamaha book-shelf speakers in Stereo instead of head-phones. I won't change a thing on his iPod, it'll remain plugged in and ready to play. I need to try the remote control part of this which I haven't done yet but I'll get 'round tuit. I'm getting a new speaker system (5.1) from orb audio, can't wait to play back. I'm happy with this product, but do wish it supported iPhone playback as well. Playing back an iPod thru a proper amplifier/speaker setup is pretty darn cool, changing your perception of just what an iPod is about. My 300 CD carousel is starting to look pretty lame... if I could just get off my butt to convert all the cd's :)

Thanx to Amazon for telling me the product even EXISTED, then offering a good price and the usual great delivery service. God, why does anyone drive to a mall anymore?

P.S. - bought my Samsung 52" 'touch-of-color' model 650 ... am ECSTATIC! Waited for years, pulled the trigger, Amazon came through... and I was scared about buying something like that over the internet, now if they JUST had a line of Amazon irons, drivers, hybrids, putters, and wedges ... THEN we'd be talkin' some serious nirvana.