Yamaha RX-V661BL 7.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver
From Yamaha
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1 new or used available from $299.00
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Customer Reviews
Bits and pieces
I primarily bought this unit for 1. The close out price. 2. For the two hdmi inputs with one hdmi output and 3. For the phonograph connectors (I have a few albums:) Older models don’t have hdmi and many newer models don’t have phonograph connectors. (But I believe their manuals, available online, might suggest how to connect. So if that is a concern with other models, you might check for a manual.)
I agree with others about this remote. It is not… comfortable. And the issue that “Power” turns it on. “Stand by” turns it off. So yeah, even your universal remote is going to need one button to power on and another to power it off.
As for finding a comfortable remote… I was used to the Time Warner remotes like the URSU-8700L. After looking at many, including the Harmony models online (Which are surely easier to program.) I bought the Universal WR7 at Walmart for under near the price of a blu-ray movie. It has four buttons across the bottom just like the 4 Yamaha scene buttons. Under Sat/Cab, these 4 can function for the A, B, C, D of the Time Warner remote. The Menu, Guide, Info and Exit mimic the Time Warner also.
The DVR or DVD play section work for the Tuner presets with head to head teaching. Chapter advance (+-) for A-E group and fast forward and rewind (>>,<<) to cycle the 8 presets on each of the groups. I’m still tweaking, but very happy with it for this Yamaha, Time Warner DVR and blu-ray/DVD. (Search for “WR7 remote” at wally world.)
Suggestion: Program TV and SAT/CAB buttons both to the code for Time Warner box. Then on TV, customize the few needed individual buttons like power on and off to the TV remote in head to head learning. That way if TV or SAT/CAB is last button hit, they both do the same thing for all but the few things you really need on the TV.
And the Yamaha power on and power off is solved by using AUD to turn it on and AUX to turn it off. (Teach one in head to head learning) That way all other keys TV, DVD, Sat/Cab, CD and VCR could be used for those devices if you have them.
I don’t know if a photo showing Yamaha RX-V661 remote, Time Warner remote, and Universal WR7 remote will fly, but I might try it.
Yamaha is a good bet
I bought Yamaha products many years ago and was very pleased with quality and performance. I think that holds true this time too.
Had some shipping issues to Alaska and the unit appeared to have taken some “hits” as there is a small (barely noticeable) crease in the bezel where some ape dropped it. The unit functions flawlessly so it is pretty tough.
The sound quality is excellent. I only have it hooked up as a 3.1 system so far since I hate running wires across the floor and as yet I’m too lazy to wire the floors/walls.
The auto sensor is easy to use and does a passable job. The built-in sound functions are too numerous IMO and are more a sales gimmick than anything. I use about 3 or 4 modes: standard and enhanced stereo in either 2 channel or 7 channel, the dolby II and often the virtual surround which is really good for some cable TV movies and DVDs.
I noticed a volume decrease when I hooked up the center channel speaker but that may be the speaker not the unit. I had plenty of “room” on the amp to adjust for this draw so just commenting…
My system is hooked to Bose 301 bookshelf R/L that date from about 1982 (the stereo shop guy said there wasn’t much out there better for my small living room although I had considered a Yamaha sound bar). I have a Yamaha subwoofer and center channel. I primarily intended to upgrade my old 1980 Pioneer SX-6 because it had too few I/O and I decided on an AVR to get the video conversions. A wise idea.
I am not using the HDMI channel since it is not down scalable: I use the component video and the optical audio which are a formidable pair and this AVR will upscale just about every signal for output on these channels. (Not sure what if any quality is to be gained using HDMI just one less cable?) I may hook up the HDMI when I get a blue ray down the road but then again I have heard others who ran into problems with older components and compatibilty.
All in all a great box for the money. I also considered the Onkyo machines as these were cheaper for the features but after surfing the net (and contacting Onkyo) I decided that they have a higher rate of “issues” and seemingly a higher failure rate (YGWYPF) There were also several internet gripes about Onkyo’s warranty repair system. I live off the beaten path and don’t have a repair center to take things to, so while it was a close choice, I paid a couple more bucks for the Yamaha.
Nice reciever, but complex
Very nice receiver, but the operation of it requires almost a degree in engineering (which I have, but still had to study the manual - which of course engineers don’t like to do). The sound is great and it has more features than you can imagine once you figure them out.
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