RX-V473

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I bought this receiver as an open box item and got a really good deal as I needed to replace an old Sony that I had been nursing along due to surround sound cutting out (cold solder connection). I'm not a tech genius but I found the setup and selection of variuos sound modes quite confusing. It would also have been helpful if a hard copy manual came with the unit as working from my laptop with the included disc manual was cumbersome and very irritating. The instructions for changing modes and scenes were very confusing. I will probably spend the next few weeks trying to tweak the scenes and settling on specific modes for video and audio settings.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I owned a Kenwood system for 25 years and it finally died; so I needed to replace my amp/receiver and I wanted a quality unit to please my ears with all of the latest features to please this tech savvy audiophile. I also have several legacy components I needed to integrate into the system because I still enjoy my record player, tape deck and high quality VCR. I am happy to report that Yamaha has crafted the perfect device for me. It is priced to fit an entry level budget yet packed with high end features that make it compete with systems that cast hundreds of dollars more. There are plenty of inputs and outputs to build out your home entertainment needs and the addition of Airplay, with its network interface, provides connectivity to thousands of internet stations worldwide. My favorite station is KKJZ, a jazz and blues station broadcast from Longbeach, California, and the RX-V473 pulls the internet signal in with crystal clear quality sound. The only disappointment I have experienced with this amp/receiver is the lack of a video converter. I bought this unit hoping it would upscale and downscale from HDMI to Component Video since it has inputs/outputs for both. The connections are separate and are not co-joined within the amp. You can send Component in and out just fine, and you can send HDMI in and out just fine, but you can't send HDMI in hoping the RX-V473 will convert the signal to Component Video out. I have learned to use another converter box to get around this deficiency and I am completely happy with my Yamaha home entertainment system. I would highly recommend the Yamaha RX-V473 to all levels of home entertainment and sound system enthusiast.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I had no problem putting this system together & running the setup. We have a nice room for it, 28 X 14, and it is in the middle of the long wall. Subwoffer is awesome, even at low volumes, it DOES make a difference! The only problem I have is with the speaker wire connections. The wires keep falling out of the speakers. I wish they had used the same kind of connections as on the back of the receiver, or even screw terminals. Those spring clamps aren't strong enough to hold those thin wires. It may be better after I replace the wires with 16gauge, I will wait to see. Other than that, I love the sound!! AN equalizer would have been nice, but just for TV viewing, heh..

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

Yamaha RX-V473BL (AV RECEIVER W/USB, BLACK)
I purchased my unit because my needs were diverse. I am an emerging audiophile and am steeped in listening to live recordings that have been preserved in flac. I have 6TB of various different performances, all which occurred prior to the turn of the latest Century. My wife, however, loves the latest movies that are produced in Dolby Digital, 5.1, DTS, 3-D, etc… I was ready to update my receiver in the beginning of 2013 and rigorously began my research. To be honest my final decision to go for the Yamaha was because of a recommendation made by a friend who is a master at putting updated live recordings with their VHS partners (he is nothing short of a master sound engineer although he is a hobbyist). So, when he spoke to me regarding the Yamaha—I was eager to purchase it!!
I was shocked in that it was affordable. I thought I would have to sacrifice the "network" option on my budget; yet, to my surprise, the only feature that the onkyther (spelling??) brand had was about 6 more HDMI inputs and Bi-amping. This was good news thanks to my strict usage constraints not allowing me to sprawl into the living and dining room. We have a dedicated listening/viewing room that is approximately 350 sq.ft. with a 55 inch HDTV and 5.1 speakers.
I had always been proud of my last 2.0 stereo receiver and the sound it produced BUT when I first pressed play with the Yamaha my jaw dropped. My wife actually came up to listen when she heard the first notes from the Yamaha. The sound is so true to the original it is amazing. I love the sound from Yamaha—I find myself growing more and more fond of the neo:6 music feature with every listening session. I am a purest and the Yamaha excels in that arena! I am fortunate to be able to spend 3-4 quality listening hours a day and the Yamaha NEVER FAILS to put a smile on my face. I change from HDMI to digital optical inputs at about an equal value and the Yamaha is in its sweet spot with both of these modes—it simply puts my old receiver where it belongs—on a shelf in the garage!
The 5.1 and theater listening was new to me so I was a bit apprehensive in the set up and how the quality would hold up in this area. Well the Yamaha has a speaker set-up feature that is so simple it will blow you away. It dialed itself in with amazing theater sound. I am starting to figure out the Blu-Ray, TV, NET, and Radio zones but still have a ways to go, but our movie night has become an exciting listening adventure. I absolutely cannot be happier with my purchase.

Would I have discovered the Yamaha without my friend's advice? The answer is YES!! I had already read some reviews from a European Electronics Consumer fair that put the 473 at the top (in its price range)which is what caused me to seek his advice regarding the unit. When I asked him he said he had been using his Yamaha receiver for more than 10 years and would go NOWHERE else for Home AV/Theater sound!! Thank you Yamaha for putting the quality in the parts that are needed for pure listening instead the next fad feature like the other (got the spelling right this time)brands do!!! I will be using this receiver for many years--

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

Excessively long wait times for technical service. Excellent technicians, well trained and helpful. No built-in conversion of component video to HDMI. Confusimg remote. The on-line manual is surprisingly unhelpful considering its length.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I really love this receiver. It is almost PERFECT for me. The only criticism I have, and it's a tiny one, is that the internet radio stations have to be set up via a cheesy and annoying website. But including that, I had my whole system, Lg screen TV, FIOS tuner, Apple TV, Blu-Ray disc, Bose Speaker System, 5 computers, 2 iphones, and 2 iPads, all working together in about an hour. This receiver is a great deal.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I got this about a month ago to replace an old Onkyo receiver that lacked HDMI and Dolby Digital Plus (used by Netflix). It worked seamlessly out of the box with everything I threw at it. The automatic setup worked great, though I might turn up the subwoofer a bit, as I feel the current setup is a little light on bass punch when playing movies. I'm most impressed by how good the receiver sounds even with two channel, Pro Logic encoded sources. It seems to do a better job of centering and amplifying the dialog, making it easier to understand.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

Bought this receiver a month ago to upgrade from Component to HDMI. It replaced an older AV Receiver (Yamaha HTR-5930) which did not have any HDMI ports. This receiver comes with 4 HDMI ports which works perfectly for me. The setup is extremely simple and the documentation is excellent (although I wish the Manual was included and not just on the included CD). I have also hooked it up to my LAN and am able to listen to everything in my iTunes library via Air Play. The iPod/iPad connection capability is also excellent. I used the YAPO to optimize the speaker settings; it actually found that I had 2 speakers out of phase on my old receiver. Can't say enough good things about this receiver for the price; an excellent price/performance value.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I purchased this to replace a old SONY and the sound quality is great. The sound through the HDMI feed from the Tv to the receiver and the 4 HDMI imputs on the receiver makes a fast simple hook up.

Comments about Yamaha rx-v473_black_u:

I bought this because my Home Theater in a Box 3D Blueray died. Had a spare 3D Blueray player so just replaced the receiver/blueray and kept the old (Samsung, cheaper) speakers. Setting this up was very easy, I found it to be quite intuitive. This is a definite step up from what I had!

I was a bit disappointed that for a "network" receiver that WiFi wasn't built in, rather you have to plug in an ethernet cable. Luckily, I had an Apple Airport Express handy and connected the receiver to that on my network. Airplay works GREAT!! I haven't figured out if I can stream movies from my iTunes to it yet. (so far, no go, but I haven't tried very hard, either) I really like the app for controlling it too. Sound quality is excellent! The 3D pass through works very well. I run my cable box, 3D blueray player, etc., all through the receiver and output to my LG 3D LCD TV.

I am very pleased with my purchase. I have always liked Yamaha products.