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End result is half the cost and better sound than from typical keyboard amps/speakers. And thank you Amazon. My previous amp died and I use this new unit along with my Yamaha Tyros II keyboard when entertaining groups of 300 or less. for saving me $100.00 vs. a local store. The Yamaha RX-397 does a great job powering the old Cerwin-Vega speakers I use.
How did it compare. While to my ear I realize the Holman set-up is "better" sound I can't help but feel that, despite that, I will miss the very real and simple pleasure of the Yamaha. Note: I plugged the Yamaha into the PS Audio Power Plant which will make a difference to any audio or visual source. There is something to be said for ease of use and ease of listening. The Yamaha was very enjoyable (emphasize enjoyable). It doesn't have the tonal richness and imaging of the Holmans but it is musical and very easy to listen to because of its excellent highs, quick transients, and immediacy. For many years I have had an Apt Holman Amp and Pre amp which are beautifully designed.
I also need a receiver for a second location. I use these in connection with a PSAudio 600 Power Plant. The Holman amp and pre amp needed repair, so I purchased the Yamaha RX-397 after reading so many glowing reviews to replace the Holmans while being repaired. For what it costs and for what it does it merits five stars.
Power output is more than adequate. Good quality at a reasonable price. I would have liked a volume decibel counter but other than that, I have no complaints.
The remote turns the receiver on, but not off (quality control, anyone). The manual is badly written and even worse organized---disgracefully so---which makes it wholly unhelpful. I've owned some twenty receivers in my life. Inputs at rear are confusingly labeled (except for "phonograph," of all things). Had to plug in my TV to "Aux"; nothing works for audio cassette deck. this is the only one where neither labeling nor manual helps at all and where intuition avails not. No one but me will know what turns on what, and I can't get everything to work. I'm not sure where the high reviews come from, but get something else.
This relatively low power receiver has better specs and sound than some integrated amplifiers for hundreds of dollars more. I wanted an amplifier that would get the best sound out of my CD player. Granted it doesn't have the bells and whistles of many other receivers, but if you want a stereo receiver with solid fundamentals then this is your ticket.
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