[slammy77]

100 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.06% THD
Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, DTS Neo:6, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS 96/24 processing
YPAO sound optimization for automatic speaker setup (microphone included)
iPod integration (requires optional Yamaha YDS-10)
Compressed Music Enhancer for MP3s and other digital music files
XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and optional XM Mini-Tuner package)
Neural Surround decoder for XM's HD Surround channels
Digital ToP-ART design
high-current, low-impedance amplifier construction
component video conversion
192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
Quad-Field Cinema DSP and 14 surround programs
audio delay helps align out-of-sync audio and video for digital sources
Silent Cinema for simulated surround sound via standard stereo headphones
selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies and phase switching
Pure Direct mode for cleaner sound from stereo sources
dual-room/dual-source audio (powered and line-level stereo audio output for 2nd room)
component video switching: 3 in, 1 out (60MHz)
digital audio inputs: 4 optical (including 1 front-panel), 2 coaxial
digital audio outputs: 1 optical
3 audio inputs (including phono)
5 audio/video (including 5 S-video and 1 front-panel) inputs
7.1-channel audio input
7.1-channel preamp output for connecting optional external amplifiers
on-screen display (requires TV with direct video input)
multibrand remote with illuminated source buttons
2 sets of main speaker outputs
40 AM/FM presets
17-1/8"W x 6-3/4"H x 17-1/4"D
warranty: 2 years





I can get it new for under $300. I'm not into HDMI switching or upconverting through AV receivers (should I be?). I'm getting some new speakers for Christmas (The Klipsch Reference RB51 complete set which is RC-52 Center, 2 RB-51s, 2 RS-42s, and I already have the Subwoofer.

My old Sony 5.1 is 100 watts per channel, but it's decoding is starting to fail at times. So I want a new receiver that's 100 watts or more per channel, and iPod compatible, with dual zone capabilities. That's all I need. As long as it has 3 or 4 optical digital audio inputs, that's all I need.

I have the new 65" Mitz DLP, DirecTV HD-DVR, and a Samsung 1080p upconvert DVD player. No video game consoles.

Please help! I don't know all there is to know about this stuff.

Is the Yamaha receiver respectable?

[Brent_S]

If you don't mind getting a new receiver when/if you decide to move up to an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player, the 659's a fine choice.

HDMI, in addition to providing video transport, is also the easiest way to access the lossless audio tracks available on the HD formats. I say easiest since some of the higher end HD players do offer multi-channel analog outputs, which could be used with the 659's 7.1 inputs. However, you'd be a the mercy of whatever bass management and time delay processing were available in the player.

It really depends on how much another $100 means to you. You should be able to find the RX-V661, essentially a 659 with HDMI processing, or an Onkyo 605 around the $400 mark.

-Brent