Cwlondon:"but looks like a rebadged, private label type product"?
Hmmm...so aside from an obvious "bias" for Yamaha,
What difference is it, what it "Looks" like?
Especially if the product outperforms its peers.
The 16.5 is a step above the rest.
The amplifier section plays more like a separate amp.
than a Receiver. Oh, and the Tuner section, it is superior
to many separate Tuners!
I can say this confidently as my Brother has both a 2020
Yamaha and the 16.5, as well as Pioneer, Marantz, and other Super-Receivers,
none can hold a candle to the "black sheep 16.5" Receiver,
it just is better at everything.
Besides, the Best components of the above Companies, All were made in Japan, we never
saw some of Japans finest,never will.
IMHO after listening to a heap of Receivers, the 16.5 was like a step above at least, in all areas. Too bad Yamaha did not make it. The answers here would be the 16.5 Yamaha hands down.
This is America, where "imitation is the highest form of flattery". In everything!
Anytime someone takes any product, and improves it, do You
stick with the original? Or go for the much improved version?
Of course in Audio, we go for the Latest version MKIII over
MKI, its a fact.
Like Sony and their venerable SCD-1,funny how Reiymo and
other independent companies have "SCD-1 Clones" Same thing!
In audio, notice Denon and Sony players look identical, and
the list of companies with "similar looking" products is too
long to list.Infinity and Genesis etc.
Careful when we judge the outside of something we don't like;
it reminds me of how some people look at "other" people,
and "label" them. Music is "Pure", let us strive to
allow Music to bring Us together not "further" separate Us.
Music, one of life's true pleasures.
By Yourself, or with friends, Music is uplifting!
Love Your Music!
Enjoy the tools.
Hmmm...so aside from an obvious "bias" for Yamaha,
What difference is it, what it "Looks" like?
Especially if the product outperforms its peers.
The 16.5 is a step above the rest.
The amplifier section plays more like a separate amp.
than a Receiver. Oh, and the Tuner section, it is superior
to many separate Tuners!
I can say this confidently as my Brother has both a 2020
Yamaha and the 16.5, as well as Pioneer, Marantz, and other Super-Receivers,
none can hold a candle to the "black sheep 16.5" Receiver,
it just is better at everything.
Besides, the Best components of the above Companies, All were made in Japan, we never
saw some of Japans finest,never will.
IMHO after listening to a heap of Receivers, the 16.5 was like a step above at least, in all areas. Too bad Yamaha did not make it. The answers here would be the 16.5 Yamaha hands down.
This is America, where "imitation is the highest form of flattery". In everything!
Anytime someone takes any product, and improves it, do You
stick with the original? Or go for the much improved version?
Of course in Audio, we go for the Latest version MKIII over
MKI, its a fact.
Like Sony and their venerable SCD-1,funny how Reiymo and
other independent companies have "SCD-1 Clones" Same thing!
In audio, notice Denon and Sony players look identical, and
the list of companies with "similar looking" products is too
long to list.Infinity and Genesis etc.
Careful when we judge the outside of something we don't like;
it reminds me of how some people look at "other" people,
and "label" them. Music is "Pure", let us strive to
allow Music to bring Us together not "further" separate Us.
Music, one of life's true pleasures.
By Yourself, or with friends, Music is uplifting!
Love Your Music!
Enjoy the tools.