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Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver | 
| Brand: Yamaha
Category: CE
List Price: $549.95
Buy Refurbished: $299.99
as of 11/22/2009 09:45 CST details
You Save: $249.96 (45%)
New (2) Used (3) Refurbished (1) from $299.99
Seller: LAmerchandise
Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 1625
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 26
Dimensions (in): 18.7 x 22.2 x 10.6
Warranty: Unknown
MPN: RX-V663BL
Model: RX-V663BL
UPC: 027108930121
EAN: 4957812391993
ASIN: B0013ZGOWY
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 7-channel 665W powerful surround sound (95W x 7) | | • | HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color, xv Colorspace, 1080p compatible, and support for HD Audio formats. | | • | Analog video to HDMI up-conversion and also de-interlacing from 480i to 480p | | • | Independent 2 Zone, 2 Source operation | | • | Bluetooth music streaming using Yamaha YBA-10 Bluetooth Audio Receiver |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
High-performance Home Theater Receiver features full support for HD audio formats, HDMI video upconversion and deinterlacing, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, improved YPAO, Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control), multi-zone custom installation facility, and four SCENE buttons.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 45
 WARNING: LIKELY NOT AVAILABLE!!!!! October 21, 2009
J. C. Keatts (Clarkston, Washington USA)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've now tried ordering this item through Amazon with two different vendors. The first was Electronics Expo who, after I ordered the Yamaha RX-V663BL, sent me an email to tell me that they did not have this item in stock, and they wanted to replace my order with the RX-V665BL, claiming it was the newer version of the RX-663BL, which it is not. The V663 has more power (665 watts, 95/channel for V663 versus 630 watts, 90/channel for V665), and has S-video inputs which the V665 does not, which is why I order the V663. After I informed Electronics Expo that I did not wish to change my order, they sent me a second email in an attempt to substitute the RX-V765BL, which does have the same power output as the V663, but like the V665 has no S-video outputs. I again refused to accept this substitution and again requested they cancel my order. I then received a third email from Electronics Expo saying they were happy I accepted the order change and they had requested expedited shipping of the V765!!!!! Totally flabergasted, I immediately sent me an email to say that was totally against what I had requested, i.e. simply cancel my order. They then sent me a fourth email saying that the expedited shipment email was sent to me in error (????) and that my order had already been cancelled. At least they then sent me a cancellation confirmation email the next morning.
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br /I then ordered this item through Tiger Direct, who as with Electronics Expo, indicated on Amazon (and if you look on Tiger Direct's own website as of this morning, October 21, 2009 for Yamaha RX-V663BL) that this item was in stock. This morning (10/21/09) I received an email notification from Tiger Direct they had shipped out to me on October 20th the Yamaha RX-V665BL (instead of the RX-V663BL I had ordered through Amazon)!!!!! I immediately called them, checking their own website as I was on the telephone with a customer service rep and finding they indicated on their own website, as I stated previously, that the RX-V663BL was in stock). The customer service reprentative, who had to check with her supervisor, informed me that the RX-V663BL was not in fact available, so they simply replaced my order with the RX-V665BL and shipped it out to me, with no prior consultation or approval from me to do so!!!! I again with the Tiger Direct customer service representative, as with the Electronics Expo representative, received the pitch that the V665 was the newer V663, which I proceeded to inform her of the reality that it is not! Upon my request, she sent a request to her supervisor to see if they could intercept and stop the shipment. If not, of course, she allowed that I can call them once I receive the incorrect shipment and they will provide me with a return authorization and shipping label. At this point, I suspect that is what I will wind up having to do.
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br /Needless to say, I am fed up with both vendors, who I perceive to be playing the old bait and switch game. There is a third vendor listed on Amazon's page for the Yamaha RX-V663BL, but I'm not inclined to place yet another order, fearing that my results will be the same...no availability of the item and nothing but hassles as a result of placing my order. And just to pre-empt any responses about the RX-V663BL being last year's model, it is still listed on Yamaha's own website as being available, so trust me, I've done my homework and know clearly that which I still seek! In any event, I wanted to share my experiences with anyone trying to order the RX-V663BL, as I believe any such order to be a case of "Buyer Beware!!!".Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver
Don't buy this receiver September 1, 2009
mike wood (raleigh nc)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have had the Rx-V663 for about 14 months. The HDMI went out I took it to BB for repairs 6 weeks ago. Yamaho says it will take 18 weeks (yes, WEEKS!) to get the part and pointed out that their warranty allows them up to 6 months to repair an item and if they replace it they can send a reconditioned unit. This is extremely poor customer service but Yamaha apparently does not care. I will never buy a Yamaha product again I advise everyone else to avoid them too.
 Yamaha RX-V663BL 665 Watt 7.1 receiver July 9, 2009
Sally (Tucson AZ)
I'm a regular person, not a tech wizard. I purchased this receiver after checking online and with Consumer Reports, which gave information on the preceding model, for use with a Sony 60" HD TV operating on DirecTV, with 6 speakers and a blu ray. I'm happy with the receiver for many reasons: 1) ease of connections with the other units, 2) great sound, 3) automatic adjustments for sound source from DTV (stereo, 5.1, live, HD; with my old system I had to tell the reciever what the source type was, and it was a real pain when changing channels), 4) the unit doesn't produces much heat, 5) it's smaller than the old unit, 6) automatic detection of live speakers, and 7) relative low cost. The only downside was that the connection directions in the manual weren't very good, but I was able to figure it out without too much difficulty.
Sweet Spot for price/quality May 28, 2009
Rylan Fernandes (Muskego, WI)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the first time I bought a home theater system. Weeks of research pointed at this system. I am completely satisfied with it. Good sound, video, individual equalizers per channel, automatic adjustment using supplied microphone, a direct mode for purer sound, and lots of other features I have not used yet. It has enough inputs for my needs and I can spill over additional inputs to my TV if needed.
Great 7.2 AUDIO Receiver April 21, 2009
ultrabike (Irvine, CA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
SUMMARY: Great Sound, Good video switching, Decodes all HD sound formats, Great DSP features, tremendous value, Pre-Outs upgradable.
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br /I was interested in buying an A/V receiver and was undecided between the Onkyo SR606 and the Yamaha RXV663 (aka HTR-6160BL), given what I'd read about them. Both are well known, well liked receivers. The Onkyo SR606 seems more popular due to the number of HDMI inputs, 1080i up conversion (though fairly buggy), and decent performance. The Yamaha is popular because of its great sound fidelity and quality, has pre-outs (unlike the SR606 and many other receivers at this price range), and 2 subwoofer outputs (instead of 1 - i.e. this is really a 7.2 system, not 7.1). Both receivers offer great value. Note that both receivers do poorly in video up conversion. BUT both decode all SD and HD audio formats!
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br /SOUND PERFORMANCE:
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br /In terms, of actually hearing the receiver perform: I went to a local store (Fry's) and had a chance to hear both the Onkyo and Yamaha units perform. I liked the Yamaha sound better (more detail). But the Onkyo was very good too. How about in my living room? The Yamaha sound is described by one word: AMAZING.
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br /(April 26, 09: It seems this receiver uses toroidal transformers and Burr Brown quality DAC, while it seems Onkyo and similarly priced receivers do not have such quality in their audio components)
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br /The RX-V663/HTR-6160 power consumption according to the manual is 400W, and the SR-606 is 120V*5.5A = 660W. That means that the Onkyo should be able to play louder. However, 400W is already plenty for a small/medium room and it seems that with in the power specs of the Yamaha, it does seem to do a better job in paper than the Onkyo:
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br /According to HT Labs, in stereo mode (2 channel) the Yamaha was able to perform bellow 0.02% THD @150W continuous in stereo mode. This is substantial since most high end small and medium speakers (and some entry level towers) would probably get destroyed when driven by 150W/Ch continuous power. In stereo mode, the Yamaha OUTPERFORMED NOT ONLY THE SR-606, BUT THE Rotel RX-1057 "450W" (Rotel has a reputation for understating their power numbers) receiver as well in terms of THD.
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br /However, there are no miracles. Like previously stated the Rotel and Onkyo have larger power supplies and can drive 5 and 7 speakers with more power than the Yamaha before distortion takes over. In the 5 channel measurements (and 7) the Yamaha apparently loss ground significantly to both the Rotel and the Onkyo: 112.1W/Ch (Rotel to 4 ohms), 109.4W/Ch (Onkyo to 4 ohms), and 74.9W/Ch (Yamaha to 4 ohms).
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br /Now, if you bought typical small home-theater 5.1 speakers, each satellite tends to require 40W nominal, and can tolerate a maximum of 100W before they start getting damaged. Based on this, this Yamaha receiver should run them effortlessly. Furthermore, if you need to drive power hungry high-end speakers requiring 50-600W to work, none of the receivers in the HTR-6160 class would be a great choice. UNLESS, you use the pre-outs of this receiver along with a separate audio amplifier. Not many receivers in the HTR-6160 class offer 7.2 pre-outs!
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br /Yamaha often gets criticized because they claim 95W into 7 channels (probably dynamic power or peak power). Many receivers rate their power using continuous power numbers (which is rarely the case in real life). With 7 channels driven continuously, according to HT Labs the Yamaha 663 can only muster 46.9W (Onkyo gives 63.2W). That means Yamaha's marketing (and some other brands) may be a bit misleading, but the receiver is fairly good considering their power consumption rating.
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br /VIDEO:
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br /In terms of video up-conversion, this and current receivers in this price range are not great performers (with Sony usually reviewed as the top performer at the expense of audio).
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br /This receiver (HTR-6160) is probably at the bottom of the pack when it comes to up-conversion. In fact it either does nothing (probably best) or up-converts analog signals to 480p (with a lot of issues). Onkyo SR-606 is not much better with their infamous borders around 1080i up-conversion. Sony probably does better, but allegedly at the expense of audio performance (at this price range).
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br /For decent video results you need a much more expensive pre-pro's or receivers ($2K) that use very high end video chips, or a dedicated video processor (like the $600 DVDO). They are great in up-converting digital video (HDMI). But analog sources are a little trickier.
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br /If video up-conversion is a deal breaker for you, consider pairing this receiver with a video processor for a better job and less $$$.
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br /HDMI:
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br /One thing this receiver does not have that the Onkyo does is 4 HDMI inputs. You can get a priority 4 port HDMI switch for your Yamaha for $30, but it is an inconvenience. Personally, I can live with that if the Yamaha delivers in terms of sound performance for the $$$.
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br /TEMPERATURE:
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br /If you do not have 8 inches above your receiver for proper ventilation, you may have issues with Onkyos and Pioneers, but not with this Yamaha.
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br /My main concern with the Onkyo was not necessarily that its audio performance was not satisfactory (in fact, its numbers are quite good and you can crank up the volume more than you can with the 663 so that your neighbor's neighbor can enjoy your music). It was the Onkyo's fame for running hot that concerned me. I placed my hand on the top of both receivers while @ Fry's, and the Onkyo did run substantially hotter than the Yamaha. UltimageAVmag actually measured the temperature after the 7 channel test, and the thermometer read 135 degrees! Since I don't have an open cabinet for the receiver, this scared me away from the Onkyo.
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br /Two of my friends had their receivers die due to heating problems, so this is indeed a concern. On Onkyo's defense though, my friend's receivers where not Onkyo nor Yamaha (point is overheating should not be overlooked in closed spaces).
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br /PRICE
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br /The price for the HTR6160 can go as low as $350 (RX-V663 can go that low as well), just depends on the vendor and the time. The Onkyo is usually $400, but you may find it for $350 as well. Rotel RX-1057 usually sells for more than $1K.
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br /OTHER RECEIVERS (PRICE AND FEATURE RANGE):
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br /HTR-6260/RXV665: Has more HDMI inputs and probably better video upconversion. It has pre-outs as well. But it has a smaller power supply, and if people criticize the 663 about its power against its peers, 665 would probably be seen more as a pre/pro than a receiver (and an expensive pre/pro for its feature set)
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br /RXV765: Seems like a 663 with better video stuff, but at almost 2X the price. In this price range, other brands like Marantz might be worth checking out.
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br /Pioneer VSX-1018: Just like the RXV765, but runs a bit hot and it seems discontinued.
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br /HK-254: Worth considering as well.
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br /I would mention Denon, but like Onkyo, at this price range NO PRE-OUTS: No way to upgrade power for higher end speakers down the road.
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br /PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
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br /Now that I have this unit, I can say that paired with a 5.1 Mirage Nanosat system, this receiver rocks my living room and I could not be happier. Some people say this receiver is bright, and some others are warm. Well, after I ran the YPAO calibration it seems the receiver equalized that out (Onkyo's - and other receiver's - Audyssey should do the same). The receiver also has a graphic equalizer that should tailor things to your taste a bit more. I do not feel my system bright at all, and I can definitively hear incredible audio detail out of it through the speakers.
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br /I have my receiver connected to my LN46A650 TV and my WD HD TV hard drive player (1080P), and I have had no problems so far running HDMI video through the receiver (because I'm not up converting), or decoding audio at all. I also control my LN46A650 TV using the HTR-6160 remote. I also can pump the volume up, and can never go above -15 dB before my wife screams at me to turn it down :)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 45
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