Yamaha HTR-5540 Audio/Video Receiver

Other products by Yamaha

Product Details

Product Manual [1.28mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15.4 x 17.1 x 5.5 inches ; 23.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 26 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000658AQ
• Item model number: HTR-5540
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,449 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 11, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The HTR-5540 AV receiver puts high-end home theater well within the grasp of affordability, offering 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-5540 handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the HTR-5540 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, of course, 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 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 2-channel headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations 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?" You need them 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 it's smoother and sweeter than the sound from even the best standard CD players. The HTR-5540 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), five fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, and minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup. The HTR-5540 comes with a preset remote control.

Finally, the HTR-5540 benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. ToP-ART's goal is to maximize digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent under $500 receiver, September 13, 2002

By A Customer

Brand new 2002 model. Clean, Crisp, sound. Just look at all the reviews of Yamaha receivers...most all of them are rated from 4.3 to 5.0. Impressive. This model is all of the above and more. Wanted the HTR 5560 but thought I don't really need all those "bells and whistles". Just wanted a excellent receiver that will give me the decoding plus enough extras to choose from. I don't need a 1,000 settings just enough for me to enjoy the movies...remember speakers make the system.

Strengths:

Clean, crisp, sound. Very polish. phantom rear center a plus without adding that extra rear channel.

Weaknesses:
Limited input/output in the back. All you need are the audio input/output. All video are directly to the T.V. (best connections are always directly to the T.V. anyways...if you want switching buy the HTR 5560. You'll pay extra though.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, September 30, 2002

By	Ricky G. Turner "rt" (Big Spring, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wanted to replace my 2 year old Sony STR545 receiver for my home theater / stereo system and thought the price was good on the Yamaha 5540. I was stunned at how much of an improvement in sound quality and quantity the Yamaha made. The sound is so much fuller and substantial when playing both the dvds and cds. It's an extremely up to date receiver with Dolby Prologic II and Digital 6.1. I have both SACD and DVD-Audio so I wanted a receiver with the analog jacks which it does have. As others have said don't let the 75 watts listed concern you as the sound is much, much stronger and louder than my old 100 watt Sony ever was. I love this little baby!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quality Sound, November 18, 2002

By A Customer

Replaced my 100 Watt Kenwood Surround receiver with the Yamaha HTR-5540 receiver, and what a difference. The quality of the sound is incredible. This unit offers a optical input from my DVD player which really boosts power and quality. This unit has as much power as my 100 Watt Kenwood. I consider this an UPGRADE from the Kenwood. The sound options are numerous and the installation was a snap.