Both models were classics when they were introduced in the late 80's. I had a Rev7,. and we all lusted for the Rev5, which was much more rare.
If I remember correctly, the Rev5 had a removeable front panel that served as a remote controller. The Yammies gave the Lexicons from that era a run for their money, they had great flexibility in their effects capabilities. I sold mine because I didn't care for the "tails" on the reverbs-they were too "grainy" and rough for my tastes (compared to the Lexicons).
I would stick to the Rev7, though, because that "remote panel" had a cable that would go bad. This would be next to impossible to replace in this day and age, and if it went out on you, it would render the 5 useless.
And, as always with these units (including the SPX 90/90II), try to find out if the internal memory battery has been replaced recently.

I have a spx 90 so I got ya...

Well if these wereas good as the lexicons of the day
Thats what Im looking for..
I would love to have a 480xl but they are way out of my price range even used...

Thanks for the info

no way i would compare that to a 480... way cool for the time granted... but very grainy sounding IMO... has to do with the conversion on the thing.. what was called succseive approximation conversion... ya get a better tail outta a tc r1 (or was that 2?) but ya get my drift... some old stuff is not classic just old...

I had the Rev 5 in days past. I remember being pretty erked after buying mine than about a year latter came the SPX90 for almost half the price.

If you want grainy, thin reverb in a fat sound, than any of those would do and are nearly the same. For something in that same character but more defined and mature is the SPX900. The SPX990 and the other models after that are still thin, but thye have lost the grainy character, which I have learned along with the older duller converters, is what made, and still makes the older Yamaha reverb desirable IMO.

And I for one never thought any Yamaha reverb has ever came close to the older Lexicon reverb. I suppose you could say the Rev 5 or Rev 7 might have been called a poor mans Lexicon in that it was a pro unit with pro features. It certianly offered very good sound and great value for the money compared to other pro reverb products of the time.

you guys make it tough.. on one hand its grainy
on the other hand its still desirable..lol

I do like the feature of the rev5. I dont have a pro studio,

but I think I yield pretty damn good results. although its ITB.

Now I do have the new console coming and will be experimenting with the current verbs that I have..
I will probably still get the REV5 becuase I like the features .. So thanks for all your input.... It was what I was looking for..

Hoping to wiin the lottery to get a 480xl

I used to work in a studio that had a Rev 5. It had some gated cool reverb patches that i've never found in any other unit or plugin.

Grainy reverb has it's place. Places like rthm-guitar, bass, snare or as one layer off multilayer reverb.

While they are not considered the best, most popular or the preferred reverb units of choice, one great thing about that class of Yamaha reverbs (REV & SPX) is that they can be used on any source in almost any enviornment and sound pretty good. One of many reasons why most FOH and stage monitor racks still have one or two in them in their racks to this day.

I love both of my SPX90's. The plate on snare is STILL it...to this day.

For another inexpensive solution to verb and multiengine effects, the TC M-One and M-OneXL cannot be beat for the money.

No longer got my Rev 5, but I could never give up my SPX-900.

Sorry Dog, but those TC M-One or XL reverbs are utter crap and pretty much unuseable from the times I have been forced to work with them. Very disappointed. Guess I am just to used to the sweetness of the reverbs in my dual engine TC M5000.

the Rev stuff is ok but the TC stuff is much better if you can keep the operating lights on. :P

REV 7

I owned a couple of these back in the day (late 80's). The REV 7 is an excellent entry level "Pro" reverb box. The previous respondants are correct regarding the "grainy reverb tails" but the I/O interface and the front panel controls are excellent. The power supply is internal, they are well built and MIDI controllable. They will still hold water in a rack style stereo guitar rig, processing drums or other utility applications. Plus they can be readily purchased these days for less than $200 in excellent condition. A highly recommended piece especially if you are a home recordist or studio with a modest budget. You can always add a pricier reverb later as money allows.

Yamaha Rev 5 and 7

Same... I owned a REV 7. Couldn't wait to start using it. After a month of trying to like it, as much as the hype built around it... I waited for the opportunity to sell it, and did with no regret. Used it for a few months I think. They were too grainy with bad tails. The Rev7 was overpriced and over hyped. Come to think about it... much like the razor sounding DX7 and other yamaha products that came out that decade. Yamaha just didn't do it for me back then.
I bought a Lexicon LXP15 with the depressing small change I got from it , upgraded the LXP to version II and was a bit happier. I used that for a few months and it has just collected dust for twenty years in one of my racks. I still have that and would sell that puppy because I am going to get the Bricasti one day.

Cheap reverbs are something that makes music sound extra worse to me. IMHO, get something good or don't even bother turning them on. This of course is just my opinion.

If anyone wants my LXP 15, its yours for $150 USD. The pot is scratchy, but I would expect it should be easily cleaned. The unit sounds way better than a Rev7.

I wouldn't waste a dime on a Rev7.

Because these are are all digi verbs, the old units originally cost a lot more (to get the same processing power) than the new ones. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's a big reason for the grainy tails of the old stuff.

I love music gear because it can still be useful even when it's outdated; if it's got the right sound for you or your current project, its the right one. I cant weigh in on 5 vs 7 though.

I will weigh in on the TC M1XL, sure its no TC5000 but I was surprised that AudioGaff thinks they are crap. I think it sounds great & would def choose it over a 900. Maybe just different tastes, or maybe AG is talking about construction quality. The TC stuff does have issues with the control panel on the front, I've seen them with switches fallen off or the LCD fading, but its always in a rack at a club or rehearsal studio, where its probably getting abused. I'm seconding AllAboutTone I guess.