The six-channel Yamaha RX-V559 can do a lot more than your average A/V receiver. This unit combines an advanced home theater receiver with a stand-alone XM Satellite Radio tuner, and it adds the ability to control an iPod to boot. Keep in mind, however, that the satellite radio and iPod functionality require you to add optional equipment, so taking advantage of these capabilities will increase the overall cost.

By adding an optional antenna ($34.99 from www.xmradio.com) and activating a monthly subscription, the RX-V559 can receive XM's 170-plus digital channels, including 69 commercial-free music channels. Even better, the RX-V559 is compatible with the new XM HD surround with Neural Surround. This gives you true multichannel surround audio on certain XM stations.

If you are an iPod aficionado, you can purchase Yamaha's YDS-10 iPod dock ($99.95) and listen to digital audio tunes over your home system's speakers. The YDS-10 lets you control your iPod with the RX-V559's remote control, and you can navigate the iPod via an on-screen display, provided the RX-V559 is connected to a television. The RX-V559 has a processing mode that enhances compressed music file audio quality, and the YDS-10 will even charge a docked iPod.

If you don't add the optional equipment, the RX-V559 is still a very capable home theater receiver. The built-in amplifier provides 95 watts into six channels, and there is processing for Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and others, including the standard five-channel formats. In addition to the compressed music file enhancement, the RX-V559 has processing modes for listening to simulated surround sound audio through headphones, as well as a THX Select mode. The pre-amp subwoofer output includes a nine-level selectable crossover and phase inverter.

The RX-V559 has three component video inputs and four composite video inputs, as well as three optical digital audio inputs, one coaxial digital audio input and one optical output. There is also a discrete 5.1 analog input for multichannel audio signals from a DVD-Audio or SACD player. Unfortunately, the RX-V559 lacks HDMI switching, and there isn't a dedicated phono input for a turntable.

With its optional XM Satellite Radio and iPod capabilities, the RX-V559 offers some listening options found on few home theater receivers, but be prepared for the extra cost.


Pros:  Compatible with XM Satellite Radio and iPod, multiple processing and enhancement modes including one for compressed audio files
Cons:  No HDMI connections or dedicated phono input, pricey even before considering optional equipment to enable XM and iPod compatibility

Warranty
2 years parts and labor