Onkyo Cable Amplifier

Amazon Sales Rank: #1912 in Receiver or Amplifier Brand: Yamaha Dimensions: 5.50" h x 17.13" w x 15.38" l, 23.10 pounds 5-channel surround receiver with Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Matrix 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, and Dolby Pro Logic II processing 75 watts per channel x 5 channels Offers 5.1-channel analog audio inputs (compatible with multichannel DVD-Audio or SACD players), Auto Priority Input Selection, Auto Decoder Selection Silent Cinema, Virtual Cinema DSP, Quad-Field Cinema DSP, and 21 other surround algorithms 5 video inputs (including 2 component-video), 2 outputs; 4 digital-audio inputs, 1 output; 5-way binding-post speaker terminals

The HTR-5550 AV receiver offers the convenience of DVD-Audio-ready six-channel analog inputs alongside the latest 6.1-channel surround processing and premium Yamaha sound technologies. When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 75-watts-per-channel HTR-5550 handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the HTR-5550 processes Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, which create an even more expansive soundfield through the use of a center-rear surround channel, totaling six discrete full-range channels in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: left, center, right, and left, center, and right surround. Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too. With enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II provides five channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs. Pro Logic II delivers full-bandwidth stereo surround channels with 40 dB of left-right separation. A key benefit from a Yamaha receiver is Yamaha's proprietary signal processing, including Cinema DSP (digital soundfield processing), which creates aural "imaging" that not only makes your home sound like a theater, but also sounds better than most movie theaters. Based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of movie sound mixes, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended. And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary two-channel headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representation of each soundfield. Then there are the six-channel DVD-Audio-ready inputs mentioned above. "If DVD-Audio is so high-tech," you might wonder, "why do I need analog inputs to appreciate it?" That's because, for reasons of data density, DVD-Audio players perform their own digital-to-analog conversion, passing high-resolution analog signals on to your amplifier. (And analog is, after all, what your amp feeds your speakers.) DVD-Audio can deliver up to six channels of discrete, full-frequency sound at greater-than-CD resolution (24 bits, 96 kHz sampling rate versus 16 bits, 44.1 kHz for CD), and some discs will exploit the chance to offer an ultra-high-resolution, stereo-only 192 kHz sampling rate. In stereo or surround, the sound from DVD-Audio is packed with detail, yet smoother and sweeter than the sound from even the best standard CD players. The HTR-5550 accommodates decoded DVD-A signals and routes them to the appropriate speakers in your surround system. The versatile unit offers five video input connections (with four S-video inputs), four digital-audio inputs (great for DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc). The HTR-5550 comes with a preset remote control.

Most helpful customer reviews 36 of 36 people found the following review helpful. Excellent product By M. L. White .... I too have had problems with my Sony receivers, Sony makes great TVs, computers, etc., but stay away from their non-ES audio products. The HTR-5550 has a high current amplifier (high current amplifiers will play louder and sound better than non high current amplifiers of the same or higher power rating). The quality of the product is excellent, no loose knobs, cheep buttons, etc. Yamaha's DSP processors are second to none. Component video switching works well and has enough bandwidth for HDTV signals. The remote is logical, as is the receiver for the most part except for the radio presets, it's a little tedious to use, but at least it can scan and automatically program in radio stations. It also has assignable inputs.The sound quality is outstanding, good definition, no signal clipping.There is a lot more to it, but it is really best to just try it. Reviews help, but you need to actually use it to fully understand the overall quality of the product. I compared to Marantz, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Denon, and you definitely get more for less with the Yamaha. If you are in the market for a receiver in this price range, I highly recommend the HTR-5550. Also if you are looking at the $200-300 receivers, trust me it is much better to spend more to get this. I have tried the cheep receivers and you get what you pay for. 16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Best in the price range By A Customer This is the kind of receiver that gives you lots of functionalities while not giving up on sound quality. The receiver itself is very well built, you can expect it to last quite a few years. First I have to comment on the sound. The first thing I noticed when I got it, was that this thing is Loud! The HTR 5550 has a high current amp, meaning it has a higher speaker output even at 75 Watts / channel as compared to other receiver that doesn't have a high current amp. The sound is very crisp, not too bright, very balance and clean. I never have to turn the volume more than half way. The tuner is very sensitive and receives some superb signal. I can for the first time, sit back and just listen to the radio without being distracted by statics or the poor sound quality. The HTR5550 gives you lots of flexibility. Yamaha was concerned about all of you audiophiles who has all sorts of speakers, and thus they give you a lot of room in adjusting speaker level, so it's almost guaranteed that no matter what kind of speaker setup you have, it will be totally compatilble with the HTR 5550. The sound fields are very useful, expecially when it comes to DVDs. The options in connectivity is superb, even comes with two component video input so you can hook up both your DTVs and DVD to your receiver. This is definitely the best bang for the buck! 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Excellent home theater receiver By Matthew Hunter Like other reviewers, I looked at many other models before choosing this receiver. My local audio shop had a great lisenting room set up with multiple receivers for comparison, and compare I did! I found that for the price, this receiver could not be beat in terms of sound quality, and sound field choices. You can choose to let the receiver auto-detect the best sound field for your DVD movies, or you can choose your own if you wish. I've found that leaving it on Auto is perfect.Another great thing about this unit is that you can re-map the inputs on the back to different functions. For instance, maybe your DVD player has digital audio out via a coax cable - not the optical digital out found on newer players... no problem, there's a spot for that on the receiver, and with a simple menu, you can set the receiver's DVD audio input to use that coax digital input, instead of the default optical input. With other reciever's I looked at, you'd just have to remember that you plugged your DVD audio