Yamaha RX-397 Stereo Receiver

Yamaha stereo receivers passed through fashion for home theaters with the lowest losses and did not die out as a class. Yamaha RX-397 stands out among all by the best equipment/price ratio - at a price two-three times cheaper it almost does not lose to competitors in terms of functionality (even its older sisters - 497th and 797th - differ mainly by power). And with close acquaintance there is a hope that this receiver can please with the sound quality too. RX-397 has an electronic input selector, an advanced frequency correction system consisting not only of an equalizer, but also of an adjustable loudness circuit. Of course, you can pass this link over by including the Pure Direct mode, then, the signal from the source through the volume control with the electric drive directly goes to the divided amplification blocks. Another unimportant, but pleasant feature: all circuitry is broadband, which meets the requirements of SA-CD and DVD Audio.

You will never think that RX-397 has only 50 watts in each channel - the dynamics is so remarkable. Yes, at levels close to the maximum, a characteristic tint becomes noticeable, evidencing the growth of harmonics, but there are no problems typical for inexpensive multichannel AV receivers - energy hunger and degradation of sound due to the passage of a musical signal through the ADC-DSP-DAC circuit (as a rule, not of the best quality). RX-397 differs by a decent resolution, not only the midrange, but also the edge of the range is reproduced in great details. Bass is legible, attack of drums is transferred well. In the center of the stereopanorama, a decent depth is felt, but on its edges the picture becomes flat, there is no separation.

Yamaha RX-397 stereo tuner sounds nice and clean when you get to the station with undistorted signal. Search and receiving a weak signal does not cause problems. Outside the city, Yamaha stereo receiver may be preferable.