RX-A880

Sorry for the long review. I wanted to be detailed for anyone who considers this a big investment and a big deal. I wanted to keep it short but it didn't happen. Hope you enjoy my review. I have owned the Yamaha RX-A880 and the Denon X3500H for about 5 months now. I have uncovered some big differences that makes the RX-A880 by far the better receiver just in terms of technology and user personalization ability. I would even argue the YPAO version of the 880 works better for either of my speaker set ups (Klipsch and Elac) than Audyssey XT32 from the Denon. If the competition between these two models were considered unfair because the Yamaha is a 2019 and the Denon 2018, it might be a fair argument to make. The amount of features added to the Yamaha is outstanding relative to the almost exactly priced model from Denon. Now, the prices are fair bit different, with the Yamaha running $900 and the Denon typically going for around $550. But I paid $600 for the Yamaha and $550 for the Denon. The Yamaha was a much greater value. The key difference is DSP, which translates to just better overall sound experience. The 880 has a DSP correction built in. It can choose which bands, from probably around 50 or more spots in the Frequency Range. The Denon has pre-set which bands the user can equalize. The Yamaha also has Q and on-screen shows you how the Q adjustments are either tightening up the adjusted band or making the curve more elongated. The Denon does not give you this controllability. So, what I am saying is: the Yamaha has what I would consider easily a $300 tech feature built-in that is going to make a world of difference between these 2 top notch receivers. Real quick let me say where this makes a difference in my Elac system. The Yamaha can get bass out of the Elac UB5, but it does so by adjusting the bands in the lower bass and the upper bass around 80hz. Where my Elac sit, near a wall in my bedroom, requires to get an even bass out of the Elac, they need to have extra attention given to how the bass frequencies are adjusted. The Yamaha does this flawlessly. The Denon just crosses them over at 150hz and send all the bass to my sub. Both ways work fine, but I personally enjoy the way the Elac perform bass. They sound like the bass is "rolling" in the speaker itself. This always impressed me about the UB5. With the Denon my Elac still sound excellent, but no more do I have that interesting personality from the UB5's bass feeling alive. Another huge feature that I notice from the Yamaha is a tech that eliminates echoes. I would have expected Audyssey XT32 to be the king of room correction but I was wrong. The 880's echo / reflection elimination tech works amazingly well. The Denon well, it didn't eliminate echoing. Bass was the most noticeable problem with my Klipsch RP280F. The Yamaha smooths the bass out, the Denon just puts out bloated bass. I never really could get the Denon to do what I wanted it to do with the Klipsch. Yamaha allows you to run YPAO and then go in and make changes wherever, however you want to flat or "natural" sound. You can adjust each speaker individually, and you have a lot more controllability as I said earlier (adjust Q, band, etc.) Denon only lets you copy over flat and control all speakers together as 1 or just the front 2. Big big difference. Overall sound of the Yamaha is smooth and natural. The Denon is much more lively and exciting. Both have clear sound but to my taste I prefer the smoothness of the Yamaha. The Denon is too in your face for me. The Denon sounds fine with the Elac, but I would not at all recommend it with the Klipsch - the 2 are too natured alike and end up being unenjoyable and rough listening to. The Yamaha make the Elacs sound a bit dead and dull if I am honest. Most of the time, it was enjoyable and the Yamaha gave greater musical depth to the recordings that got along well with the pairing but too often it was pretty unexciting. Arguably, the Denon could be said to do some things better with the Elac at the expense of nailing the bass the UB5 has to offer. Also, for whatever reason, the Denon always says the Elac are phased improperly but they are connected properly. I bypass the warning and everything seems to be fine, it's just strange. The Yamaha are absolute perfection with the Klipsch RP horn speakers. The sound is big and spacious. The bass lively and vivacious, and oh so controlled, powerful and articulated. The biggest issue if you consider it one, is the Klipsch aren't the last word in resolution - they don't sound like a studio monitor - they sound like a big live dramatic theatrical show. It has taken me 5 months to get here, but I have come around to really enjoying these monster Klipsch speakers and I can now see what everyone who raves about the Klipsch is raving about. Get the Yamaha for the Klipsch no question. Last, there is not going to be a time I recommend the Denon X3500H over the Yamaha RX-A880. I am going to recommend the Yamaha every time because the features are high-tech, think a miniDSP built-in that Yamaha knows how to implement to perfection, or near perfection. The Denon cannot really compete but it does an adequate job with the Elac but if you use the Denon you may lose the bass from your UB5 which is a bummer.

Great sound and features, but instructions to setup streaming services was confusing. The Quick Setup Guide and 200+ page Owners Manual didn't help much for this. You are instructed to download Yamaha MusicCast Controller app on your mobile device, which doesn't work. It's only for connecting and controlling a Yamaha MusicCast devise such as a Yamaha remote speaker. What you actually need is the Yamaha AV Controller app to your mobile device. Then the setup is very easy. I replaced my Onkyo receiver with the Yamaha because they are no longer compatible with SiriusXM, and their app to control the receiver stopped working after an Onkyo update. I need the mobile app to control the receiver and the streaming services for Zone 2 on my back porch. The Yamaha app works better than the Onkyo app ever did. Except for the tricky streaming setup, I totally recommend the Yamaha RX-A880. My whole system sounds better than before.

I have been using Yamaha products for the last 30 years. I always said I will step up to McKintosh or such when I have more money, but I never did because the Yamaha products always gave me what I needed. Important to know that I am using this product outside under a covered porch exposed to the elements (except rain or snow). I had a Yamaha Aventage Rx-a840 there for 6 years until recently when the "tile workers" covered it with porcelain dust while cutting tile and then got it wet; thus I purchased the Rx-a880. This is definitely a step up. It was easy to set up and much more user friendly connecting to wifi then the previous generations. We have many parties in the backyard and now it is much easier connecting to a device and streaming music. Also I connected a Firestick to the unit with ease. The sound was also notably improved per my wife. I am running two zones (zone 1= 7 speakers + a subwoofer and zone 2= 2 speakers). I also use Denon products a bunch. Both are very good with great sound quality. Usually I find Yamaha harder to set up but the Rx-a880 was much more easy then my other products. I can't say one is better then the other just one's preference. However, I prefer the Yamaha products outside in the elements (heat, cold, humidity). I highly recommend this product, but it is new and has not endured the test of time yet which I will follow up on if there is any problems. I do still have a Yamaha Rx-1100 which was purchased in 1989 that works well with my kids stereo system. Tough to beat that....

During the past 10 years I was very underwhelmed with the last three receivers I purchased. This time I decided to go with a higher end (for me) receiver (The Yamaha RX-A880) and I am not disappointed. With lower end receivers (less than $500), I was unable to achieve the sound I wanted. But the RX-A880 delivers. It has the power to drive the speakers without distortion during the loudest part of the music. Lower end receivers just can't deliver the power needed to drive my speakers (Polk audio) correctly. With prior receivers, I could turn the volume to max level, and I was not blown away. With this receiver, I do not think I have been able to go past half way on the volume level. Very impressive. (I like my rock and roll loud.) I do have a few complaints that prevent me from giving 5 stars: I wish it let you define meaningful descriptions for the inputs which are displayed on-screen while switching sources. It is often hard to find the source you want. Second, they need to do a better job on documentation. It is very important to tell the system your speaker layout. That needs to be in bold and clearly described. Last, when switching sources, it takes longer to sync up than I would expect. I would like instance sync/display when switching between sources. I would give 4.5 stars if I could. It's almost perfect.

Good Produc

This review is NOT against any Seller or Dealer. AGAINST the Yamaha Manufacturers. Yamaha RXA-880 is a very very good AVR, in a reasonable price. Not only RXA-880 all Yamaha AVRs are the BEST receivers in their Features, Sound and Customizations. But comming to the REMOTE, from RXV-685 up to its high end AVRs the construction of REMOTE is VERY worst. The max time its shape is ONLY 4 months later the Rubber mat is getting STRETCHED at the external device control keys and getting swollen, gummy and finally peeling off. If we want to use the AVR for 10 years we should buy 30 REMOTES 30X2000=Rs.60000 the Receiver is Rs. 90000 and its REMOTES are Rs. 60000.