Yamaha Electronics Corporation has updated its AVENTAGE family of AV receivers, to include the first 9.2 channel receivers — the RX-3010 (150W x 9) and RX-A2010 (140W x 9) — along with the 7.2 channel RX-A1010 (110W x 7), RX-A810 (100W x 7) and RX-A710 (90W x 7).
Performance, networking, and control specifications offered on select AVENTAGE receivers last year are now available on every model in the series. These include expanded network set up and control capabilities, front panel direct USB digital connections for the iPhone/iPad, as well as iPhone AV system control app compatibility. Yamaha plans to unveil a similar control app for Android devices in the fall.
“Our AVENTAGE AV Receiver series embodies a meticulous design process, in which we refine and re-engineer all key components of each model to deliver superior sound and video,” said Tom Sumner, president, Yamaha Electronics Corporation. “In these latest offerings, we have added more performance and control capabilities, as well as unprecedented value, that clearly exhibits Yamaha’s leadership among AV receiver manufacturers.”
Other features offered across the new line of AVENTAGE receivers include HD Audio decoding, HDMI with 3D and A.R.C. (Audio Return Channel) and front panel HDMI inputs.
The RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 are the first 9.2 channel models in the AVENTAGE line, and enable the integration of front virtual presence speakers in a single zone or stereo audio in an additional zone. The RX-A3010 also offers Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP HD3 that expands the sound field vertically for more realistic surround sound.
The specially designed signature 5th foot at the bottom of each model improves structural rigidity, according to the company, which reduces vibration that can cause distortion and audibly improves sound quality. Yamaha also incorporated double-bottom construction on select models to improve peak performance at any volume level. The design also provides immediate thermal feedback to the units’ transistors to eliminate harmonic distortion over the course of operation.
The advanced networking control functions introduced in select models of the original AVENTAGE line are now present in all five models of the new line. This provides integration with a wide range of third-party home automation control systems, while permitting control via a PC Web browser or by a free iPhone/iPad app. Web browser control also enables system settings to be backed up and recovered from a PC.
DLNA (1.5) compatibility and Windows 7 certification enables networked AVENTAGE receivers to stream Internet Radio (MP3/WMA), Rhapsody and Sirius, while easily playing music files (WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC 96/24) from a PC or DLNA Server. Web set up manager software enables each of these models to be integrated into custom installation environments.
The top two units in the AVENTAGE series incorporate the HQV high-class VHD1900 video processing chipset to ensure HD and SD video performance. The top three units also feature dual HDMI (Zone B output capability) for dual HDTV viewing for the main room and in a secondary room simultaneously via the main AV system’s HDMI sources.
Each AVENTAGE model provides full HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio). Models RX-A710 and RX-A810 offer four SCENE buttons to activate pre-set system operations, while the RX-A3010, RX-A2010 and RX-A1010 feature SCENE PLUS, which provides a total of 12 system operation choices.
All models also have Yamaha’s proprietary YPAO room optimizer, and the RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 add Reflected Sound Control (RSC) sound optimization with multi-point (speaker height and directivity) measurement, DSP Effect Normalization, Room Acoustic Echo and reflection and echo control.
YamahaŒs new AVENTAGE Series models will be available at authorized dealers and leading retailers beginning in July, and continuing into the fall, with the following MSRPs: RX-A710 ($649.95), RX-A810 ($849.95), RX-A1010 ($1099.95), RX-A2010 ($1599.95) and RX-A3010 ($1999.95).
