$300 Budget HT Receiver

[dfonda]

I have an old HT in a Box. It lacks any HDMI, so its useless to me. So though the 5.1 speakers will do me fine, I started shopping for a modern receiver. This Yamaha RX-V473BL 5.1 seems to fit the bill. It has apps for both Android and ios. I think 4 HDMI will be enough and the 4K passthrough may give it some life.

I'm not an Audiophile by any stretch(because I'm too cheap ) Just would like surround and a few modern features.

Any one using a Yamaha want to give a thumbs up or down? Or experts want a offer any other recommendations? Should I look at 7.1 and add a couple speakers?

I'm so out of it I was completely blown away by how much you can get out of a budget receiver! It seems like the last time I looked they had just come out with HDMI passthrough!

Thanks for any help!

 

[wagex]

i have i think the model previous to this one i think its rx-473with no BL ... it has no network connectivity seems to be the only difference. but love mine it powers my polk monitor 50's towers fantastically. and has a very large variety of settings even EQ for each individual speaker


edit im dumb i was wrong

 

[hokiealumnus]

About a year and a half to two years ago I got a Yamaha RX-V371, which looks to be the predecessor for the unit you're looking at. Mine is powering Klipsch all around (6.5"+ horn bookshelf stereo, 2x5.25"+horn center and 5.25"+horn bookshelf surrounds, plus a powered 12" synergy sub) and sounds great. If it has the same settings as mine, you'll just choose "Sci-Fi" for everything that comes across your TV. It's clear and crisp as budget amps go and has plenty of power to run us out of the room if turned up. No complaints at all.

EDIT - Just a side note: Remember, the video inputs/outputs are literally pass-throughs. You can't, say, put component inputs into it and have it output via HDMI. That's pretty self-evident, but I did try it for giggles and it didn't work.

 

[wagex]

i have the same one as hokie i just looked it up on my newegg account lol but yea it still seems the main difference is networking abilities. the rx-v371*

p.s. i am going to have to try the scifi setting, i use the default 2ch setting and its got no life... errr highs? idk how to explain it im no audio phile its just hard to hear voices at night with it turned down. thanks hokie!

 

[cullam3n]

I bought an Onkyo TX-SR308 3 years ago which retailed less than $300 new. It has 3 HDMI inputs and supports DTS-MA/Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray audio codecs) and drives a pair of Monitor 70s without an issue. The newer revision have a few more features and it has its quirks, but I'm happy with it.

 

[dfonda]

EDIT - Just a side note: Remember, the video inputs/outputs are literally pass-throughs. You can't, say, put component inputs into it and have it output via HDMI. That's pretty self-evident, but I did try it for giggles and it didn't work.

No need for components, so I'm good. Anything not HDMI can stay plugged into the Flat screen(Wi, 4P PC)

Everything else is HDMI. PS3, Verizon HD Box, HTPC. That will leave one spare.

I think I'll pull the trigger on the Yamaha. TY for the feedback folks!

Looking forward to watching the next BR movie with some decent sound...Not to mention gaming! I'll let you all know how I make out. Need to make wiring runs for the back speakers..

Oh from the AVS forums I see that I can run the Wi through...not on Hdmi but workable

The Wii is not a problem, it just needs to be set up the right way. See section 4 of the 673 manual (Connecting playback devices, starting on page 28). A component video input to the 673 can take its audio from optical, digital coax or analog RCA. So that covers all the bases.

 

[NiHaoMike]

Beware that HDMI passthrough might introduce a significant amount of lag, enough to degrade your gaming experience. (You might want to try the ECO mode, since if it disables some DSP features, it can reduce the lag.)

I'd recommend a unit that uses HVICs or surface mount MOSFETs since they can work at higher switching frequencies than IPMs or through hole MOSFETs, which means better resolution. I can't tell what that Yamaha uses, but so far, I have only seen HVICs in Samsung and Panasonic amplifiers.

 

[wagex]

the pass through on mine doesn't have any lag more than the tv already has. which is why i hate gaming on tv's lol.

 

[NiHaoMike]

the pass through on mine doesn't have any lag more than the tv already has. which is why i hate gaming on tv's lol.

Any good TV should have a game mode that turns off deinterlacing and what not.

 

[dfonda]

Need some help with the HTIB Subwoofer...Its the Sony that came with the kit, I am just going to use it for a couple month's till I find a better one.

So the Yamaha RX-V473 has the typical Subwoofer out and the Crappy Sony Subwoofer(Unpowered) has clip for + and Minus. It had a propitiatory end for the Sony receiver it came with, that I cut off. Should I be trying to hook the Sub up to the single Subwoofer out or be using speaker outs?

I thought it was a banana plug on the receiver, they don't fit so now I'm trying a spare RCA jack. So its a 2 wire(Colored red and stranded copper). Not sure how to hook it up.

I have looked on AVS and Googled it and still I'm not sure...other then to dump the Sub and get a modern one.

Thanks for any help.

Here is the back of the Yamaha. You can just see the Black Subwoofer out. Are the Audio ports next to it(Red/White) also for the Sub?

 

[moocow]

Since it is a passive sub I would just dump it or plug it into a speaker out.
Plugging it into the speaker out is less than ideal but it'd work
It won't be powered if you use the RCA plug and I'm pretty sure those RCA ports labeled audio are for inputs

 

[cullam3n]

Are the Audio ports next to it(Red/White) also for the Sub?

No, those are actually inputs. If they were outputs they would be shaded gray like the others.

 

[theELVISCERATOR]

let us know how you like it, I replaced an old 2 channel Pioneer in the garage with an Onkyo NR414 for 199 that friggin rocks! I got it for the HDMI and the suboutputs, I run a 2.1 system in garage with polk 12 inch sub that kicks booty. its got network, I dont use, but will. Need to run some cat 6 out thataway.