HOWEVER, in all fairness, in the right application, it has been my experience that the entry level Yamaha's make simply excellent preamp/processors, as stand-alone units, while you drive the pre-out's with outboard amplifiers! The sound here has most favorably been very clear, extended, detailed, sound, matched with much stronger dynamics and bass impact and balance, etc, when configured as such! (on their own, however, most budget receivers are confined to driving small monitors as "small", with limited dynamic power output, otherwise.
I have set up several systems using Yamaha's $500-$1000 AV receivers, using them as strictly processor/preamps in HT/music systems, mated with 5 channel amplifiers, to GREAT EFFECT, over the years! Very nice sound, I would say for what it is.
This is exactly how I have my HT setup and it sounds absolutely fantastic.
Yamaha has been, and still is, a leader in surround HT soundfield. They have been able to create a realistic/consistent L-R/Front-Back effect as the object moves across the screen. My preferred setting is the enhanced Dolby Surround with the 2 front effect speakers completing the picture.
Even used as a preamp connected to a 2ch poweramp using the "Straight/Direct" out(no processor), it sounds pretty decent as a preamp.