Yamaha RX-V657/757 vs Denon AVR-2601

[dmcknight]

I need help..

I am looking to build my first home theater / stereo setup.

I have decided upon the following speaker setup:
RTi8's fronts ; CSi5 center , RTi4 surrounds, martin logan dynamo sub.

I have gone to Tweeter five times within the last two weeks trying to figure out which receiver to buy with my setup; each time having the room configured with the above setup and constantly switching back and forth between the Yamaha (RX-V657) and Denon (AVR-2601).

I originally was going to setting for the Denon, but they on my third trip back to Tweeter a diff. sales guy suggested I try out the Yamaha. He mentioned that the Polks tend to favor the mids more and the Yamaha might provide a little more clarity and brightness to the Polk setup. He then explained that Denon receiver’s (at least the one I was looking at) have a mid bump in processing.

After listening to each of these recievers, over and over with the same music/movie each time I was then moving towards liking the Yamaha better. The sound, to me, was cleaner; but only marginally, but it is 100 bucks less.

Then we played one final movie. During this scene there were a lot of explosions and a lot of higher range sound movement throughout the entire scene.

The highs were at time so high it made me want to turn the volume way down; but at the same time the mids/voice/lows were in many ways too quite.

Replaying the same scene with the Denon dropped a majority of harsh highs that occurred through the Yamaha but sounded overall a little less clear.

I guess this is my long winded, confused, and frustrated way of asking;

Have any of you experienced a similar situation? I am still leaning towards the Yamaha with the intentions of EQ'ing the highs down a bit. I am guessing it would then be almost directly comparable to the sound of the Denon only slightly clearer and crisp.

(If it helps, I would be using this for 50/50 movies/music and listen to more alternative, accustics,electronic/techno/trance)

My concern is the harsh highs and if I would be loosing any major feature sets of the Denon.

I welcome anyone's feedback.

Thanks.

[tdogroeder]

I own the Yamaha RX-V757 and I am completely happy with. Altho it is my first real receiever and I recently got into home theater in the last 6 months. I guess it will come down to specs and what pleases your ears.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

Hi. I Have a Yamaha RXV-657 and sounds great. I don't try the Denon AVR-2601, but i compare my Yamaha with Denon AVR-1906 and 2106. For me (and most people) The RXV-657 is very superior (in sound and features) than AVR-1906 and same quality (a bit best Yammie) to AVR 2106.

All is about your EARS, when you name Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Harman Kardon...you name THE BEST A/V Receiver brands in the whole world :). You decide for your ears. I like Yamaha sound with Polk's (clean, bright, loud) ... But Try Yourself !!! ;)

[*Seby*-Polk-]

AHHHH I forgot....All Sony's, Kenwood's, Pioneer's, Teac, etc. Is in major a real junk. Seriously, is other level. Bye :D

[Willow]

AHHHH I forgot....All Sony's, Kenwood's, Pioneer's, Teac, etc. Is in major a real junk. Seriously, is other level. Bye :D


SHIT........here we go again :(

[cfrizz]

Hi Dmcknight, welcome to the Club!

Both are good receivers, although I have heard that Yammies tend to sound too bright & harsh with Polk RTI's. You have obviously heard the difference yourself.

If you can handle the brightness & harshness then get the Yammie. If not get a Denon.

One thing I think you really should do no matter which receiver you get, is to make sure that it has pre-outs in back, so that if you choose sometime in the future to add more amplification power you will be able to.

Good luck with your decision & let us know what you end up getting.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

SHIT........here we go again :(
Ha Ha Willow !!!

OK...i must say...Except premium models like ELITE (Pioneer) or ES (Sony), this brands have lower quality than others !!!! OK ??? ;)

[Willow]

Ha Ha Willow !!!

OK...i must say...Except premium models like ELITE (Pioneer) or ES (Sony), this brands have lower quality than others !!!! OK ??? ;)

;) :D

[*Seby*-Polk-]

Hey Willow...one question....

What DVD player recommend ??? You tried the Pioneer DV588A-S ???

Bye :)

[Willow]

I quite enjoy my marantz, the only problem it's not prog scan. So it will be retired to strictly a cd player in the very near future.
I have not used that one. The one I am going to get is the all talked about Oppo. It seems to fit the bill for what I am looking for without breaking the bank.
If I had more cash I think I might consider the cambridge and or denon.
Sorry I know nothing about the one you mentioned.

[dmcknight]

Thanks for all the reply's.

I'm going to give it one more listen and call it a day on the one I like the best. They both have very simliar feature sets, in/outs, etc.

Thanks again.

[SuperDave]

My Yamaha sounds good and has been problem free 8 plus years.

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Fronts
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

[*Seby*-Polk-]

My Yamaha sounds good and has been problem free 8 plus years.

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Fronts
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables
Yes, it's true. Very reliable receiver RXV series of Yamaha. The warranty is a joke !!! useless :D

[kmartin971]

I'll sell you my yammy!

[Willow]

I also have a barely used bottom of the line 5730, the only use it's getting is collecting dust in the closet.

[Willow]

I also have a barely used bottom of the line 5730, the only use it's getting is collecting dust in the closet.

I prefer my HK with my 8's.
I don't mind my rxv540 with my r10's in the bedroom.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

I also have a barely used bottom of the line 5730, the only use it's getting is collecting dust in the closet.
Ha..Yeah ..this teceiver is the end of the line...Come with crappy Home Theater In a Box system like YHT-160 :D This receiver really sucks.

If you want a real receiver from Yamaha, let's talk since RX-V657 to up. ;)

[Willow]

Ha..Yeah ..this teceiver is the end of the line...Come with crappy Home Theater In a Box system like YHT-160 :D This receiver really sucks.

If you want a real receiver from Yamaha, let's talk since RX-V657 to up. ;)

YUP it was a HTIB for the cottage. we paid 150$ for it. It did the trick for the amount of tv and movies watched up there.
Oh and thanks for insulting one of my receivers. if I didn't have lots of cash and thought it was the best....you'd of insulted me a lot more. Thanks

your last sentence is very biased ;)

[kmartin971]

I have a 700 series. When I get home I can post the model number. Not the HT series the next line up. Was very good 7 channel until I recently replaced it.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

Ha Ha You're welcome :D

I don't know what the hell receiver is better than other... I only listen .... For me, Marantz is the best, you know.

and READ This... I Tried the Pioneer Elite VSX-59TXi ... just GREAT...You're right :) Incredible sound ...same quality as Yamaha DSP-Z1 ... none difference. I must say it !!

ok Willow...i insulted your systems !!!! ha ha, but is only a diversion for "read" ;) ... Listen, here in Argentina....the cost of this machines in very high (the crappy 5730 cost 350 U$S) and it's hard own a, for example, Rti Series of Polk (Example: Polk Monitor 70: 1.180 U$S). For that reason, i have a Monitor 50 as mains, next monitor 30 as surrounds, and a Yamaha RX-V657=780 U$S. :) .... When i read the systems from other members I really can't believe !!!! it's a far dream .... Same as televisions. I have a 29" Sony Wega Flat.....everybody here got Plasmas, LCD's, 42", 38", etc etc etc :( ..ha ha... The comparisson is hate !!!!

Anyway i proud with my system, and really enjoy posting in the forum. For diversion or discuting or opinion.

Bye bye !!!!!!

[Willow]

ok Willow...i insulted your systems !!!! ha ha, but is only a diversion for "read" ;)
Bye bye !!!!!!

Not an insult I was saying , you may wish to be careful how you word it, if that was all I could afford I may have been insulted.
That receiver is not being used. And gear is not much cheaper here in Canada.
I was and still am happy with my rxv 540. It did the trick and is doing the trick for the bedroom. If I had not bought my HK I'd still be using it on my main system.