Yamaha RX-V861

villock · September 2007

Does anyone have this receiver? I got mine last Monday and I am pretty impressed so far. I have RTi12s for my fronts and CSi5 for my center. My rear surrounds are Bose cubes-these are next on the list to go-getting FXi5s. Just wondering what are your impressions of this receiver?

fireshoes · September 2007

I've always liked Yamaha receivers, although that seems to be the minority here. Never had a problem with one. You may want to add an amplifier later though, depending on how much you like turn it up. Looks like you are putting together a really nice system.

villock · October 2007

fireshoes wrote: »

I've always liked Yamaha receivers, although that seems to be the minority here. Never had a problem with one. You may want to add an amplifier later though, depending on how much you like turn it up. Looks like you are putting together a really nice system.

Thanks, I plan on getting a amp in the near future, one step at a time. I just got the FXi5s today, my 10 year old son helped me mount them on the walls-it doesn't get any better than that! Anyways, I can't believe no one has got or listened to this receiver. Here is a great review http://www.avrevforum.com/showthread.php?t=117&page=5.
I am so impressed with this setup, I just wish someone else could chime in with the same setup.

whitebear · June 2008

I just received my new Yamaha RX-V861 and RM6880 Home Theater Speakers from Polk Audio. I'm just beginning to set it up. It's been 20 yrs since I have upgraded I thought it would be wise to read both manuals before I started (this is a first)
I have two in-home offices and a bedroom with two 8 ohm speakers in the ceiling of each room. the Yamaha book says I may need a speaker box, is that and additional amplifier?
I decided to just do the hook up the without them. Any help would be appreciated

djlogix · June 2008

I'm also in the minority of love for Yammy.

dfranks · June 2008

I have the RX-v861 as well. This is my second yammy and I love it as well. I will be upgradeing to a nice 2 -channel amp in the future but for now, my polk dedicated system sounds very nice with this receiver. I am hoping that it will sound better in the future as my speakers are all new as well and need more time to burn in.
RX-V861
RTI-A5 (fronts)
RTI-A6 (centre)
RC-85I (rears/surrounds)
PSW-505 (sub)

skykeys · June 2008

Do you mean the RX-V 861 or 863? It seems to me that the 863 is the better option, to get the latest HD lossless audio formats. Why would you get an 861 now when the 863 is out? Just curious.

Anyway - I have a seven yr. old RX-V620 and love it. It has been very reliable and sounds good. I am a fan of Yamaha equipment. That being said, I do believe I will eventually upgrade to separates, because I upgraded my speakers fairly recently. Unfortunately the V620 does not have preouts, so I am currently researching options for preamps and a/v processors.

One option I'm considering is the RX-V663 - which has the new HD formats but won't break the bank, given that I'd like a separate amp. In fact, the only reason against this option is that it may be too deep for my cabinet - and I obviously have to check that aspect very carefully. But by the specs, it looks to be too deep, and that would also eliminate the 863 for me. (863 has HD radio, which I would like to have, but it's a lot more expensive).

For separates, I'm considering the Class D amps from Nuforce , D-Sonic and Rotel. These new switching amps are much more efficient than traditional Class A/B amps, and to me seems to be the way to go for the future.

Regards.

skykeys · June 2008

whitebear wrote: »

I the Yamaha book says I may need a speaker box, is that and additional amplifier? . . . .

Whitebear, my guess is, what Yamah is referring to is a sound enclosure (cabinet) that fits around the speaker behind the drywall, in between the studs.

Polk sells them as options for the LC265 and LC280i speakers - which I happen to have and had recently installed (by a contractor, as part of a major room remodeling project). Since I had the walls down to the studs, I figured it was a good time to install in-wall spearkers and I went for the enclosures as well. I don't know for sure, but I assume that the enclosures have some incremental positive effect on the sound.

It certainly makes sense to me to have the speaker in an MDF cabinet as opposed to the sound reverberating off of dry wall across the entire area of the wall space.

The enclosures come with the top of the line THX certified RTS in-wall Polks. I did end up getting the LCi-RTS-C (center) speaker because the LCi-C design does not support the use of an enclosure.

Regards.

ctrulock · June 2008

I have a 2.1 channel set up and I use a Yamaha rx 797 receiver and love it. This thing is POWERFUL, CLEAN, and built like a TANK. Yamaha has many, many price points so I think thier name gets muddied sometimes because they do make so low end gear as well as some very nice higher end gear. But the majority of people who purchase lower price point gear seem to think they bought high end Yamaha stuff and review them poorly. Probably because you can not buy top end Yamaha stuff at best buy/circuit city. Oh well my 2 cents on Yamaha. By the way LSI9 + svs sub.

whitebear · June 2008

I bought the RX-V861 because I got it for a great price and at 72 and on soc security it all the budget would allow. I check out the amps you mentioned for next months purchase, may I can find one on Ebay.

skykeys · June 2008

Whitebear, I can appreciate your budget limitation, and I believe you've made a fine choice. Honestly, I doubt that you'll need an external amp with the 861. You will probably be happy with that unit by itself.

Regards.

Yamaha RX-V861

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