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Yamaha RX-797 Audio/Video Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent 2-channel Stereo Receiver, for several reasons. Let me explain why I chose this brand/model over others and how I came to it. If you are in the market for Stereo Receiver, it may be useful for you.
A few months ago, I was listening to a jazz CD on my cheap ($200) Sony Home-Theater-In-A-Box and noticed that the sound was noticeably tighter than when I listened to it on my much more expensive, but significantly older stereo system. My old stereo system was purchased as separate components in 1993. It consisted of Sony STR-D990 Receiver ($400), single-disc Sony CDP-211 CD player ($100) and pair of Advent Baby II speakers ($250). Mind you, each of these components work and sound as good today as they did 15 years ago at the time of purchase (kudos to Sony for that), but I suppose I'm getting a little pickier now that I'm in my 30s. Music plays a MUCH larger role in my life than movies or television does (hence the cheap Home Theater set-up), so I decided I needed to upgrade.
PRIORITIES: 1) SPEAKERS--> 2) RECEIVER--> 3) CD PLAYER --> 4) CABLING/INTERCONNECTS
I decided that speakers were most important and thus the place to begin. After reading several reviews, I decided that Polk Audio Rti6s might be a good choice. I went to a retail store to listen to them and they sounded really good, but then the sales associate let me listen to the Polk Audio Lsi9s. Whew! They just blew me away. I had never heard anything like them. While the Rti6s run for $270, the Lsi9s are $900, but well worth it for that price, as a long-term investment (Polks come with a 5-year warranty). But I noticed that these run at 4 ohms and need a low-impedance amplifier/receiver, that is, one equipped with so-called "high current amplification," to drive them. Well, my old Sony did not have this function (it could take only 8-0hm current speakers). So, I looked all around for a receiver that could fit the bill and the Yamaha RX line became the obvious choice, after reading positive review after positive review. Since the Lsi9s can handle 200 watts per channel, I chose the RX-797 because while it has a power rating of 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms, it allows one to use two 4-ohm speakers and when doing so there is a power boost. Customer representatives from various retailers couldn't give me an exact watt rating (because Yamaha does not conduct tests at with 4-ohm speakers), but the general concensus was that it would increase to about 140 watts per channel with 4-ohm speakers. (I just didn't want to shortchange my speakers). I also chose this receiver because of the extremely low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) rating of .019% as well as the Pure Direct and CD Direct modes for the lowest possible distortion. (Compare these features to say Onxyo and Harmon Kardon A/V receivers in this range and you'll see that the advantage lay with Yamaha).
When the RX-797 arrived, it not only lived up to but exceeded my expectations. Paired with the Lsi9s, I can hear a much, much crisper separation of instruments, and this is especially nice for my digitally remastered jazz CDs. I live in an apartment complex now and never have the need to turn the volume beyond the 9 o'clock position. I have gone up to 11 o'clock for testing (when I knew my neighbors weren't in!) and, as expected with these ratings, I couldn't hear any distortion whatsoever. (I can't wait until I move into a house for a larger sound stage). Other pluses: The knobs and controls have a nice solid feel and look great. It picks up many more FM radio stations than my old receiver, and the reception is noticeably cleaner. The remote is simple and sensible (just how a remote should be). My only gripe is that one cannot program CD players made by other manufacturers with this remote, but perhaps thats standard practice. This has other nice features such as being XM Satellite Radio Ready and dual room/dual source for those who are interested, but the main selling points for me were the 4-ohm capability, the wattage rating and the extremely low distortion. The fine looks and sensible controls/display and remote are icing on the cake.
I found one from an authorized dealer by a fluke for $350, but certainly would have been willing to pay the full $499. If you see one for less than $450, be sure to first confirm with the seller (or better yet Yamaha) that they are indeed an authorized dealer; otherwise your two-year warranty won't be honored if you run into problems (not that I'm expecting to).
In sum, if you are looking for a receiver with ample, clean power, extremely low distortion, the abilitiy to drive 4-, 6- or 8-ohm loads, excellent FM reception, and easy to use and well laid-out functions for 2 channel (as opposed to Home Theater) listening, I don't believe you can do better for under $600 than Yamaha's RX-797 receiver.

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