Yamaha RX-V777BT 7.2-channel Wi-Fi Network AV Receiver with AirPlay & Bluetooth

I purchased this unit in August of 2014 after my pre-amp died for some reason.I have had some time to do some critical listening and evaluation. I’m really, REALLY picky with my AV purchases. One of my #1 needs was to replace my dead pre-amp with something that had pre-amp outputs, as I am running an external amp. So, I can’t speak to the amps in this unit. Not using them.This model had the pre-amp outputs I needed, but I was like…”Why in the heck do I need a wi-fi enabled receiver? I didn’t think I needed or wanted all the extra internet connectivity this unit provided. I thought I would be buying features I’d never use. I was very, very wrong.Setup was easy. Firmware update went smoothly upon install.I’ve loved using the unit’ AV Controller application on my phone. I use it every day. I learned the benefits of Airplay support and use that daily, too.I work for a radio station and create radio commercials. I like playing my spots off my phone direct to the receiver using Airplay without any compression. I like streaming audio to the unit as well.I thought the sound quality was very good, even better than what I had before. It’s very clean, sounding. My wife said that as well. I’m happy with the unit. It does many things well. Sounds good. Hasn’t crashed on me and just generally works like it should. Like the video User Interface, very much.Switching video sources works well, although the ON/OFF switching is noisy and sounds like the unit turns on/off twice each time you use it. The USB works. Connecting my digital camera to it works. My only complaint is…since I work in radio, and use Radio Station Data Services with my commercials…I was pretty disappointed the unit does not show RDS data. All the other stuff shows data just fine. Why no RDS? Reading the manual very closely, I ended up seeing that RDS is only supported on UK and European units. Very, very strange to not support RDS in the US.The app works well on both my iphone and ipad. I’m just generally very happy with this purchase, even though I really only wanted pre-amp outputs.I got a lot more than that. It’s been great.There’s a lot to this unit. I printed out the manual and had it bound at Kinkos. Would have preferred a printed manual from the get-go. Don’t like the move toward pdf “print yourself” manuals. Otherwise, it's all good with this piece of hardware!

First, let me start off with my equipment. i have Polk RTI A7s and CSI A6 and PSW111 sub (and 2x RTI A3's on the way).The sound is fantastic; could not be happier with the performance. Been listening to radio and watching TV with it so far.Yesterday, my Blu Ray player arrived and we scheduled our first "Movie Night" as a family. Unfortunately, the screen and sound cut out/ went black and the screen read "not supported" or "HDMI1 not found". It then corrected itself until it happened a couple more times.I tried a different HDMI cable, same issue occurred. Tried a different HDMI input and had same issue.I then connected it to the HDMI input that my cable TV was connected to and everything worked fine; no issues.I then connected my cable box to the BD input and then HDMI3 input and experienced the same black screen issue on both of those.So i've confirmed there is an issue with at least 2 of the HDMI inputs on this unit.As of this writing, i am awaiting a replacement device. I will post an update upon receiving the replacement unit.UPDATE 9/3/15:While awaiting my RMA, which i received within 2 days, i read some reviews about performing a firmware update. I updated my firmware from 1.4 to 1.5. Since performing the update (which took ~30 minutes to complete via USB), the issue has not resurfaced. I am cautiously optimistic. Increasing this review to 3 stars and will update again in a few more days after i have some time to perform additional testing...UPDATE 9/5/2015:Could not make it through the first night of testing, post-firmware update. Watching Optimum worked fine. No video cutting out issue. Had the neighbors' kids over to watch a movie. Nothing i did would get a picture from the DVD player. Ran a firmware update on that as well, no dice. Bypassed the receiver and went straight to the projector- worked fine (without sound, of course). Connected the same DVD player to 2 other TVs - no problem. At this point, i've lost all patience with this device. lowering to 1 star- when it works, it sounds fantastic. Shame it doesnt work properly. i originally asked for a replacement, but now i will simply return this device and look for a different brand.UPDATE 9/9/2015:Picked up a different receiver (Pioneer Elite VSX90) this weekend. Everything works great, no issues. I will say- the Yamaha sounded better IMO, though i havent pushed the Pioneer yet. Happy with my new purchase.

Absolutely the best receiver I've owned. I had a very good Sony for 15 years and Pioneer prior to that; neither one died but I upgraded to keep up with the technology. But after reading the non-bias reviews and even folks that worked at local audio store I decided to spend more. Here were my reasons: 4k pass that will handle UltraHD TVs that are the future. Bluetooth from my phone is very cool. Just connect and play out of my Itunes. Sound Fields - lets face it, no two rooms are the same and my current setup consist of Bose 301s front channel, Acoustic Research center, Sony subwoofer and sony rear channels, all in cabinets on the same wall as TV. Yamaha Receive can create sound fields with this or any other setup that is unbelievably as if you are surrounded by the speakers. And true, for highs and lows and the entire sound spectrum this receiver carries with great clarirty from very low volume to turning it up loud enough, you can call the cops and send them to your neighbors house, because they won't be able to tell where the band is set up! Its that good. I hate writing reviews, however, I was happy to write this one. Yamaha killed it with this receiver!