Yammy HTR-5490 & DD-EX 6.1 (1 Viewer)

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

The Yamaha HTR-5490 can decode Dolby Digital EX 6.1 matrix correct??

 

[Ashok]

Kelly,
Here is a quote from crutchfield.com:

These Decoders are built-in to this unit:
Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Matrix 6.1
DTS, DTS ES Matrix 6.1, Discrete 6.1, DTS Neo: 6
Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II

DD 6.1 is a big bonus at this price range. It's making me second-guess my decision to get a H/K 320 . But I do like having the pre-outs so I will probably stick with the Harman Kardon.

 

[Barry_R]

Kelly, The 5490 does have a 6.1 Matrix decoder. I've had mine almost two weeks. It's a great receiver.

Barry

 

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

Glad to hear it can decode DDEX...
Boy, both the HTR-5490/RX-V1200 and the Denon AVR 2802/992 seem to be a great value...
Ashok, if you like the idea of pre outs, get the Yamaha RX-V1200 (it also has a detachable power cord)
Shopsunshine.com has it for $619
http://www.shopsunshine.com/noname16.html

 

[Jim_Stu]

Yam pre outs?

Doesn't the HTR-5490 have them? Its 5.1 cousin, HTR-5280

does.

JRS

 

[Jim_Stu]

Yam Features...continued..

WHEN WILL YAMAHA UPDATE THEIR WEBSITE?

I belive most receivers shown are now obsolete.

JRS

btw - Anyone know if the HTR-5490's DD 6.1 is 'phantom'

or real?

 

[Barry_R]

The 5490 does not have pre-outs. The RXV-1200 is nearly an identical unit and does have the pre-outs. I settled on the Yamaha over the Denon because I liked the sound a little better and it had few more bells and whistles. I also got a great deal on the 5490 vs. the RXV-1200, so the pre-outs for me weren't worth the extra cost (about $200).

Barry

 

[Barry_R]

Jim, Also you can view the operating manuals for both the 5490 and the 1200, and also the Denon I believe, from their web sites.

By "phantom" do you mean a simulated 6.1 vs the real thing ? It does have a 6.1 /ES matrix decoder. You can play DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1 material in 6.1 with the rear center, whcih I suppose would be simulating 6.1. But it also has the 6.1 decoder for when using 6.1 source material.

Barry.

 

[Ashok]

If I had the money, I would get the RXV-1200. But $619 is $100 to $150 more than what you can get the H/K 320 for. I also feel the H/K has other things going for it, so I can't justify spending the extra money on the Yamaha.

 

[Jim_Stu]

Kelly, Barry,..et al,

I got the 5280 because it has the pre-amp outs, and it was cheaper than the HTR-5490.

For my room/house, the pre-amp outs are more important than another

channel.

This thread kind of points out the need to really research

these products and decide exactly what you need. I assumed,

because it cost more, the HTR-5490 was the same as a 5280

plus a rear center. Maybe Yamaha doesn't update the web site

on purpose.

Does the 5490 have the center channel equalizer?

JRS

 

[Richard Burzynski]

From a little online research, it would appear that the 5490 does not have preamp outputs. The RX version does - maybe a sign of things to come in terms of product line differentiation.

The 5490 is still a very good receiver for the $, it just can't be used as a prepro.

FYI, J&R is selling the 5490 for $599.

Rich B.

 

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

Jim,

The HTR-5490 does indeed have a center channel EQ...

The only features it deletes from the RXV-1200 is the detachable power cord and pre outs...other than that,they are the same...

Cyber Discount Warehouse.com is selling the HTR-5490 for $515 USD

 

[Barry_R]

I saw a web site once which detailed the difference between some of the HTR and the RXV series. Mainly it was cosmetic, except in the 5490 vs. 1200, where the main difference was the pre-outs. The purpose behind the different lines is purely marketing. The HTR series is more of a mass distribution product, available at Best Buys, etc. and some on-line retailers. The RXV series is aimed at more high end retailers. You won't find them as widely as the HTR series, and they have a higher top end.

I think it's easier to find a better bargain on the HTR models, there is more of them out there and the retailers are more likely to deal on a good price. This is what I found when I bought mine.

I'm not familiar with the 5280 and it's pre-outs, perhaps it is an older model. Again, the 5490 is a new model and has DPL2, DD 6.1, and DTS/DTS ES. The DPL2 alone is a big bonus.

Barry.

 

[Jim_Stu]

Barry, Kelly, etc,

The HTR-5280 is the RX-V800 with yellow paint. Its 5 X 100W

with 6.1 decoder playing 'phantom' rear. I got a new one for

$485.00. I choose it over the 6 X 85W HTR-5490, beacuse:

1) I need 76 (real) Watts on the rears.

2) It has pre-amp outs.

3) The 'all channel stereo' DSP sounds better with my high

(16ft) ceilings than DLP2.

4) At the time, they wanted $565.00 for the HTR-5490.

My point is, you really need to research each and every

feature and not assume anything. If I would have bought the

HTR-5490, I would have paid $75.00 more for 10 watts and it would not have worked in my HT.

The reason I'm dwelling on this is: I almost bought the 5490, and (for my use) it would have been wrong. I just

assumed (at the time) the 5490 had pre-amp outs.

JRS

 

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

Well, if you *need* preouts have a look at the Denon AVR 2802

It is the natural competitor to the Yammy 5490(DD/DTS/DDEX,DPL2/DTSNeo6/DTS ES matrix and discrete as well as 6 amplified channels) and is even available for the same price...

There are some tradoffs with each (more watts and preouts with the denon but fewer digital audio ins and only 1 coaxial digital out) but they are pretty evenly matched....