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Final Choice - Yam RX-V661 or Onk TX-SR605?

4223 Views 61 Replies 23 Participants Last post by JayWill, May 30, 2007

JayWill

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2007

Thanks in advance for helping me make a final choice for my new AVR. I'm setting up a new mid-level home theater / general music system for my new home, but I'm really new to all of this. I've spent the past week or so educating myself on these forums, and I'm looking for some advice to push me over the edge and make a decision. Thanks to everyone here who shares their knowledge/experience every day and helps educate us "noobs".

After scouring over both receivers it seems to boil down to the following differences when comparing the two:

Yamaha RX-V661:

Pluses:

* YPAO sound optimization - I'm basically a acoustics dummy so I assume this would be good for me

* Available now! Also, grabbing one at Best Buy means I'll get a little no-interest financing time.

Minuses:

No OSD over HDMI - I'm not all that thrilled about changing inputs to view the OSD, but for those that own one, is it a big deal for you?

Onkyo TX-SR605:

Pluses:

* HDMI 1.3a - It doesn't sound like this is that big of a deal ... yet.

* True HD and HD Master Audio - I don't have a HD DvD or BlueRay player, and probably won't move to one for a few years. I'd imagine that I'd want to upgrade my AVR by that time anyways.

* OSD over HDMI (I assume .. I didn't read otherwise)

* Deinterlacing 480i to 480p - I can't think of any reason this would matter to me, but it does it while I don't think the V661 does (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

Minuses:

None that I can find, other than the fact that everything said about it thus far is on paper, with no "hands on" reviews. There could be some problems with it that no one expected (to a certain extent I kind of doubt it though).

I currently have a year old 50" Samsung DLP that maxes at 1080i, a Sony DvD player that can upscale to 1080i, and a HD/DVR combo through Cox cable. I don't have an XBox 360 or PS3, and don't plan to buy either.

So what do you guys think? Is it just going to boil down to which one sounds good to my ear? Is there anything in my analysis I'm missing that you feel like pointing out? They're both in the same MSRP ballpark, so it would seem to give the nod to the Onkyo, but for some reason the Yamaha keeps whispering "buy me!"

Any advice you guys can give to help me decide is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

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1 - 20 of 62 Posts

ky22

· #2 · May 22, 2007

Hear for yourself if you can. The Yamaha is a fine receiver I believe. As you said before changing input to view the OSD is kind of annoying but you can always cheat and use PIP. (My TV doesn't allow that though)

As said before just try it out maybe the sound would persuade you to either choices. Good luck!!

ckhusker

· #3 · May 22, 2007

I bought the 661 tonight after considering the same items you considered. Three things swayed me:

(1) I have no patience (thus, I didn't wait for the 605)

(2) The 661 has a little time under it's belt. I didn't want to be one of the first to get the 605 to find that it had some unexpected issue (e.g. MCPCM, LFE boost, etc.). I'm not saying there will necessarily be any issues, but I didn't want to take the risk.

(3) I wanted a pure "pass through" configuration for HDMI video. I'm assuming that either my source component or my display will do a better job deinterlacing than the receiver.

That said, I don't think you can go wrong either way.

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S.Cane

· #4 · May 22, 2007

I'd go for the 661 if I were you, if for no other reason (and there's alot of other reasons, many mentioned already) then the simple fact that the 661 as preouts where as the 605 does not.

This could be a very important issue, because if for whatever reason you feel it's lacking a little in power, with the 661 you can do something about it by adding an external amp. That's not the case with the 605, it'd be either live with it or sell or for something else.

ckhusker

· #5 · May 22, 2007

Good point s.cane

S.Cane

· #6 · May 22, 2007

3

Quote:
Originally Posted by ckhusker /forum/post/0

Good point s.cane

Thanks bud, and congrats on your 661 purchase!

I pick up mine this week and I must say I'm really looking forward to this purchase.

It's funny in a way, because it's the first receiver I'll be buying that doesn't sport a $1200+ price tag. However, we've reached an age where you're getting a whole lot more for your money then ever before.

I've got a few friends who already have the 661 and they love the thing. It does all you'd need/want it to do, especially if you're and HD-DVD/BD owner.

If you or anybody else hasn't read it yet, check out the latest review in June issue of S&V .

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sanjeevnuts

· #7 · May 22, 2007

Please post the make/model of speakers and sub you are using with 661

S.Cane

· #8 · May 22, 2007

I posted this in another thread, but here's some of a post that a friend of mine posted regarding the 661, that I thought might also help you.

Quote:
The RX-V661 does an amazing job with multi channel PMC. I bought it as a back-up receiver to use while my Marantz 8001 is out for service. I've had it for about three days now and I may just keep it and get rid of the Marantz. This little Yamaha does things very few HDMI receivers will.

1) It will matrix up to 96 kHz, 5.1 Uncompressed PCM audio via HDMI into 7.1 via PLIIx (the poster saying it doesn't was wrong, or had a bad unit)

2) It will recognize and play back discrete 6.1 and 7.1 channel Uncompressed PCM audio via HMDI. I have verified this with my PS3 and Blue Ray Movies Decent, Crank and the PS3 game Resistance, Fall of Man.

3) It will play all Discrete 6.1 channel DD and DTS tracks as discrete tracks.

4) It will play 24 bit / 94 kHz multi channel audio sources without down mixing. (SACD for example)

5) It has no LFE issues that other HMDI receivers have. I calibrate my system with a meter and the LFE is spot on.

6) It has room equalization. Not quite as good as Audysey, but good nonetheless.

7) It will pass 1080P / 24 and 60 fps video without ANY molestation of that signal.

8) Direct and Pure direct stereo which sounds VERY good.

9) Compressed Music enhancement for those I-pod lovers.

10) I-pod and XM radio ready.

11) Pre-outs so that you can use it as a pre / pro (an option I am contemplating for my 4 ohm speakers)

ckhusker

· #9 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by S.Cane /forum/post/0

I posted this in another thread, but here's some of a post that a friend of mine posted regarding the 661, that I thought might also help you.

Too funny...it was after reading that exact post that I stood up, told my wife I'd be back in a while, and headed down to BB and bought the 661...

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JayWill

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 22, 2007

Oh one other thing. I read that the Yamaha doesn't upconvert any non-HDMI connections to HDMI like the Onkyo will. Is that a major disadvantage? Both my cable box and DvD player have HDMI outs, and for now those are the only components I'll be running through the receiver. So I can't see how this would be a negative for me, but maybe there's some future connections I may make that I just don't have the foresight to see. Like a Nintendo Wii maybe? (my wife wants one heh)

Thanks guys.

hearrean

· #11 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayWill /forum/post/0

Thanks in advance for helping me make a final choice for my new AVR. I'm setting up a new mid-level home theater / general music system for my new home, but I'm really new to all of this. I've spent the past week or so educating myself on these forums, and I'm looking for some advice to push me over the edge and make a decision. Thanks to everyone here who shares their knowledge/experience every day and helps educate us "noobs".

After scouring over both receivers it seems to boil down to the following differences when comparing the two:

Yamaha RX-V661:

Pluses:

* YPAO sound optimization - I'm basically a acoustics dummy so I assume this would be good for me

* Available now! Also, grabbing one at Best Buy means I'll get a little no-interest financing time.

Minuses:

No OSD over HDMI - I'm not all that thrilled about changing inputs to view the OSD, but for those that own one, is it a big deal for you?

Onkyo TX-SR605:

Pluses:

* HDMI 1.3a - It doesn't sound like this is that big of a deal ... yet.

* True HD and HD Master Audio - I don't have a HD DvD or BlueRay player, and probably won't move to one for a few years. I'd imagine that I'd want to upgrade my AVR by that time anyways.

* OSD over HDMI (I assume .. I didn't read otherwise)

* Deinterlacing 480i to 480p - I can't think of any reason this would matter to me, but it does it while I don't think the V661 does (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

Minuses:

None that I can find, other than the fact that everything said about it thus far is on paper, with no "hands on" reviews. There could be some problems with it that no one expected (to a certain extent I kind of doubt it though).

I currently have a year old 50" Samsung DLP that maxes at 1080i, a Sony DvD player that can upscale to 1080i, and a HD/DVR combo through Cox cable. I don't have an XBox 360 or PS3, and don't plan to buy either.

So what do you guys think? Is it just going to boil down to which one sounds good to my ear? Is there anything in my analysis I'm missing that you feel like pointing out? They're both in the same MSRP ballpark, so it would seem to give the nod to the Onkyo, but for some reason the Yamaha keeps whispering "buy me!"

Any advice you guys can give to help me decide is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

You may want to read Anthony1's posts about 1/2 & again 3/4 of the way down in the following thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&page=16&pp=30

Ken

JayWill

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by hearrean /forum/post/0

You may want to read Anthony1's posts about 1/2 & again 3/4 of the way down in the following thread:

Ken

Thanks for that reference but it doesn't sound like it would affect me. My home theater room will be a 5.1, and the two remaining channels will be used on zone 2 to run two ceiling speakers in the master bedroom. Also, I don't plan to move to one of the HD DvD formats for a few years.

phisch

· #13 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
You may want to read Anthony1's posts about 1/2 & again 3/4 of the way down in the following thread:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1

Looking at the manual, on pages 62 to 67, it appears that this unit cannot apply Dolby Pro-Logic IIx to a 5.1 LPCM source to make it 7.1. This is terribly dissapointing for people like me with 7.1 setups. Our back speakers will be completely silent during 99 percent of the HD-DVD and Blu Ray movies that we watch, considering 99 percent of it is 5.1 LPCM.

So, it appears that the onkyo won't apply PLxII to the rears surrounds of a 7.1 system, but what about the Yamaha?

S.Cane

· #14 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by phisch /forum/post/0

So, it appears that the onkyo won't apply PLxII to the rears surrounds of a 7.1 system, but what about the Yamaha?

Yes, the Yamaha does. Scroll up to post #8

phisch

· #15 · May 22, 2007

Missed that, thanks.

palermo22

· #16 · May 22, 2007

I am wondering with all of this matching the of the Yamaha 661 against the Onkyo 605 ---- how does the Yamaha 861 match-up against the Onkyo 805? I am contemplating the purchase of the 861 and wondering if I should wait for the 805.

samsurd2

· #17 · May 22, 2007

As of today, the Yamaha RX-V661 was added to the list of Level 6 AVRs in Post #1 of the "Future Proof" receiver thread ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738511 ).

JayWill

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 22, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by samsurd2 /forum/post/0

As of today, the Yamaha RX-V661 was added to the list of Level 6 AVRs in Post #1 of the "Future Proof" receiver thread

Nice.

Thanks to Sutter, Ckhusker and the others who gave their input here. I found a nice price from an online retailer on the RX-V661 and pulled the trigger today. I'm sure the Onkyo 605 will be a fine receiver, but all of the excellent reviews of the Yamaha swayed me. The fact that its predecessor was highly acclaimed helped my decision as well.

I think the only hang up I still have is the no OSD through HDMI issue, but hopefully I'll figure out a nice way to work it out with my TV's PIP, or it'll motivate me to finally buy a Harmony universal remote and figure out how to macro it like I read another forum poster did.

Thanks again for the input guys .. it really helped.

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S.Cane

· #19 · May 23, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayWill /forum/post/0

Nice.

Thanks to Sutter, Ckhusker and the others who gave their input here. I found a nice price from an online retailer on the RX-V661 and pulled the trigger today. I'm sure the Onkyo 605 will be a fine receiver, but all of the excellent reviews of the Yamaha swayed me. The fact that its predecessor was highly acclaimed helped my decision as well.

I think the only hang up I still have is the no OSD through HDMI issue, but hopefully I'll figure out a nice way to work it out with my TV's PIP, or it'll motivate me to finally buy a Harmony universal remote and figure out how to macro it like I read another forum poster did.

Thanks again for the input guys .. it really helped.

JayWill -

Not a problem, glad to have been a part in helping you out. Question though! Do you have a pic of your theater room that you could show. I might have a few idea's for you regarding the OSD issue, but would hate to suggest them if none of them would work out for you. Believe me though, it's really not as big of an issue as you might think. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather keep it private.

palermo22

· #20 · May 23, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by palermo22 /forum/post/0

I am wondering with all of this matching the of the Yamaha 661 against the Onkyo 605 ---- how does the Yamaha 861 match-up against the Onkyo 805? I am contemplating the purchase of the 861 and wondering if I should wait for the 805.

Hello - don't mean to impose but you seem very knowledgeable - I was wondering if you could answer this question.

Thanks

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