Yamaha RX-V373

Performance

Great sound for a budget receiver, but no video processing. Yamaha's automatic speaker calibration feature makes it easy to coax rich, clear audio out of the system, experts report. If you want to process analog video or upscale native video resolutions to 1080p for display on an HDTV, make sure your other home theater components include that ability as the Yamaha RX-V373 has no video processing capabilities. The receiver will pass-through video signals -- including those with up to 4K resolution -- however.

Features

Decent features for a budget receiver. Deep feature sets are typically found in more expensive receivers; the Yamaha RX-V373 doesn't include any network or Internet connectivity options to speak of, and it doesn't it include video processing or upscaling. It does, however, include Blu-ray audio decoding capabilities, wired iPhone/iPod music streaming support, an automatic audio calibration function, the aforementioned 4K video pass-through and 3D video playback.

Design

Straightforward and sturdy. The Yamaha RX-V373 is a plain black box with a simple LED display; reviewers say it's attractive enough, if unexciting. The numerous connections on the back are a rare find in a budget receiver. The lack of Internet connectivity may irk some, but that's standard in budget receivers.

Ease of use

Simple to set up and use. Yamaha's excellent, automatic speaker calibration makes setup a snap, and we heard no complaints about the straightforward interface or button-filled remote.

Value

Great sound for a great price. If you're looking for a low-cost receiver that delivers basic functions at a high level of quality, the Yamaha RX-V373 is a great value.

The Bottom Line

The Yamaha RX-V373 delivers a solid base for your home theater at a wallet-friendly price. If you're looking for features like Internet connectivity or video processing, have a large number of devices to integrate or want a home theater system with more speakers for a more accurate sound, consider the 7.2-channel Sony STR-DN1030 (*Est. $500) instead. For those looking for an alternative to the Yamaha RX-V373 at roughly the same price, the Sony STR-DH520 (*Est. $250)  adds in two speaker channels and 1080p video upscaling, but reviewers aren't as enthusiastic about its audio capabilities.