Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Yamaha RX-770 Receiver by proaudio5@hotmail.com

Model:	RX-770
Category:	Receiver
Suggested Retail Price:	$699
Description:	AM/FM Stereo Receiver 2 Channel
Manufacturer URL:	Yamaha
Model Picture:	View

Review by proaudio5@hotmail.com ( P ) on March 05, 2005 at 06:30:54
IP Address: 24.151.23.223

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for the RX-770

This is one FANTASTIC unit!

This receiver was given to me by a relative. Aparently one channel was cutting in and out intermittently. I suggested it was probably a short in the in-house wiring in his home, triggering the protection relay. So a few months later I asked him about it, and he told me he bought a new Harmon/Kardon receiver and the problem went away, and if I could fix the Yamaha, I could have it.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to get the unit home for testing only to discover there was nothing wrong with it at all. I hooked it up to a 2 ohm load and cranked the piss out of it. No problems. Ok, on with the review...

Controls & Cosmetics:

The RX-770 is a handsome unit, with brushed aluminum front panel and a well-designed control layout. The volume, input selector, and variable loudness control are motorized and operate by remote control or front panel. It's a fairly heavy unit, weighing in at almost 20 lbs. There is a "Pure Direct" switch which bypasses all tone controls and also bypasses the strapped Pre-out/Amp-in jacks.

Performance:

Not only is the RX-770 a very smooth-sounding performer, with detail beyond compare, but it is also a power monster. Delivering a rated 85wpc into 8 ohms, it has more than enough power to drive even the most inefficient speaker designs to more than adequate levels, effortlessly. Control is amazing, with a rated damping factor of 240 at 8 ohms, even at very high output levels, the drivers are well behaved. This unit will not hesitate to blow the cones out of cheap speakers, without even blinking.

I listen to alot of vinyl. The phono section is very nice for a relatively new unit. My only complaint is the lack of a subsonic filter, but I solve this problem by inserting a 32 band/channel 1/3 octave EQ between the pre-out/amp-in jacks. This way I can switch the EQ in or out as needed via the "Pure-Direct" switch. I can apply as much or as little low cut as needed.

The FM tuner in this unit is outstanding. Not only is it excellent-sounding, but it is also extremely sensitive with great rejection characteristics. With a cheap radio-shack roof-mounted TV antenna, I can pull in stations 100+ miles away, easily. 40 station presets in blocks of 8 allow every station imaginable to be selected via remote control.

With 4 inputs plus phono, it is versatile. These consist of LD/TV, VCR/Tape 2, Tape 1, and CD.

The back panel is full of options and the connectors are high quality and sturdily mounted. Speaker outputs are via 5-way binding posts- no el-cheapo spring-clips here!

If you can find one of these units, grab it! I've owned more than 20 receivers in my time and I can honestly say this is the best of them all, especially for FREE!

My Equipment:

Speakers: Klipsch Epic Series CF-1

Turntable: Sumiko Pro-Ject 1.2, Signet TK7ea phono cartridge with TKN-7LCa Line Contact stylus.

Cassette: Teac A-105

CD: Computer- Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2

Product Weakness: No Subsonic Filter, No Mono switch except for FM tuner.
Product Strengths: Quality Build, Ballsy power amp, Clean sound, Many useful features.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Yamaha RX-770
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	NONE
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sumiko Pro-Ject 1.2
Speakers:	Klipsch Epic Series CF-1
Cables/Interconnects:	nothing special
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Pop, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 12 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments:	Sound Absorbent Foam
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none, unnecessary.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No Subsonic Filter, No Mono switch except for FM tuner.
Product Strengths:	Quality Build, Ballsy power amp, Clean sound, Many useful features.