Grey Market Yamaha RX-V663

szeh
szeh Posts: 25
edited July 2008 in Electronics
Looking at picking up a new RX-V663 to replace my old Kenwood VR 507. All the factory retailers have them listed at $499. I can pick one up at an online store for about $350-$380. How much of a risk am I taking?

Anyone know of any great deals from a factory authorized store?

Any advise is also greatly appreciated. It'll be powering RTi8's for mains, FXi3 rears and a CSi3 center.

Thanks!
Polk RTi8...Mains
Polk FXi3...Rears
Polk CSi3...Center
2-HSU STF2...Subs
Yamaha RX-V663...Receiver
Harmony One...Remote
APC H15 Power Conditioner
Samsung BD-P1500...Blu-ray
Samsung 56" HL-S5687W
Polk Atrium 50's...on the deck
Post edited by szeh on
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Comments

  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,878
    edited July 2008
    If you're looking at Ebay, this guy has a RX-V663 for $349.99.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-RX-V663-7-2CH-HOME-THEATER-RECEIVER-RXV663-hdmi_W0QQitemZ160257634242QQihZ006QQcategoryZ14981QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    Sounds good, right ?

    Add $29.99 for shipping, that comes to $379.98.


    For $379.98, you get a B stock unit, cheaper, but you get THEIR one year warranty.
    Do you think they'll back that Yamaha as well as the factory ? I don't think so.

    You can buy a 3-year Square Trade warranty. That'll cost you $41.99.

    So your $379.98 unit now will cost you $421.97

    For an additional $77.03, you can get a unit from Yamaha online (or Amazon, or Vanns or Onecall) with free shipping.
    Sign up at Yamaha and you'll receive special offers through the mail.
    I'm sure that they'll have something along the lines of " 5 % off your first online purchase " offer.

    So .... long story short .... unless you're desperately strapped for cash, kick in the extra $77.03.

    Also ... you might want to read the forums, and get an idea on other alternatives to the Yamaha.
    Sal Palooza
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited July 2008
    szeh wrote: »
    Looking at picking up a new RX-V663 to replace my old Kenwood VR 507. All the factory retailers have them listed at $499. I can pick one up at an online store for about $350-$380. How much of a risk am I taking?

    Anyone know of any great deals from a factory authorized store?

    Any advise is also greatly appreciated. It'll be powering RTi8's for mains, FXi3 rears and a CSi3 center.

    Thanks!

    +1 to mrbigbluelight's comments. At best the $360 becomes $390 with shipping so you save $110. The problem is the return policy states "manufacturer's warranty takes effect after 14 days (48 hours in some cases in some cases)". Of course you really don't have a manufacturer's warranty because it was sold through an unauthorized dealer. Yamaha may honor it, but they don't have to. Not a good position to be in if something goes wrong. On the other hand, you save $110 which probably won't go far if you have to get it repaired.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,146
    edited July 2008
    I am in the process of shopping for a new Yamaha receiver and have been hitting all the big retailers for prices comparisons. I had a salesperson at HHGregg offer to sell me a V863 for 750.00 vs. the listed price of 900.00. About 3 years ago, I got 300.00 knocked off the price of my TV at HHGregg.
    I have also called and spoke to a Salesperson from another large retailer several times on an entire system. I pretty much was told if I come in and make a large purchase, such as an entire system, he would do something on the price.
    I guess my point is, check out all the retailers in the area and see if you can work the system. I get the impression everyone in the AV business is hurting due the weak economy, and the economy will only get worse near & after X-Mas.

    Do your homework and don't be too eager to BUY when you walk into the store. You can always come back...until you get your price. Also, any returns are easier if you don't like the product you purchased. Just my .02...
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  • malcolmp6
    malcolmp6 Posts: 70
    edited July 2008
    One can get a brand new rxv663 from authorized online stores for around 350-375$ with free shipping. Call up stores like J&R and ABT.com.

    I purchased mine from ABT but later returned it and went with a denon 3808ci receiver.
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  • szeh
    szeh Posts: 25
    edited July 2008
    Why did you return the Yamaha and go with the Denon? And thanks to everyone for the imput!
    Polk RTi8...Mains
    Polk FXi3...Rears
    Polk CSi3...Center
    2-HSU STF2...Subs
    Yamaha RX-V663...Receiver
    Harmony One...Remote
    APC H15 Power Conditioner
    Samsung BD-P1500...Blu-ray
    Samsung 56" HL-S5687W
    Polk Atrium 50's...on the deck
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  • szeh
    szeh Posts: 25
    edited July 2008
    Again, thanks for all the help. Called J&R (factory authorized dealer) and ordered a new Yamaha RX-V663 for $399 with free shipping.

    This was one of the most exhausting searches I've done in a long time. I narrowed it down to the Yamaha RX-V663, Onkyo 606 and maybe a Onkyo 705 if I found a great deal. The Onkyo's running hot along with the lip sink issues and speaker pop issues swayed me toward to V663.

    Like I said...a really tough decision! I figure for $399 from a factory store this unit was the way to go.
    Polk RTi8...Mains
    Polk FXi3...Rears
    Polk CSi3...Center
    2-HSU STF2...Subs
    Yamaha RX-V663...Receiver
    Harmony One...Remote
    APC H15 Power Conditioner
    Samsung BD-P1500...Blu-ray
    Samsung 56" HL-S5687W
    Polk Atrium 50's...on the deck
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