Yamaha Corporation of America, AV Division has introduced the all-new 2012 models of its AVENTAGE family of network AV receivers with the 9.2-channel RX-A3020 (150W x 9) and RX-A2020 (140W x 9), as well as the 7.2-channel RX-A1020 (110W x 7), RX-A820 (100W x 7) and RX-A720 (90W x 7) models.
New 2012 features include AirPlay, 4K video pass-through with upscaling, upgrades to Apple iOS/Android/Kindle Fire control apps, advanced multi-zone control with Zone 2 HDMI and energy-saving ECO mode.
“To raise the bar on the dramatic, enveloping sound customers expect from AVENTAGE, Yamaha engineers once again focused on the most minute details in componentry and construction. We evaluate every design element until we are satisfied that we are integrating only those that deliver the highest possible sound experience,” said Tom Sumner, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “We take exactly the same approach from the system setup and operation standpoints, bringing customers the seamless delivery of music, TV and movie content from virtually any source to any room in the home.”
Each AVENTAGE receiver features Yamaha’s Anti-Resonance Technology (ART). A specially- designed, signature fifth foot at the bottom improves structural rigidity and reduces vibration that can cause distortion and loss of fidelity. Yamaha also incorporates double-bottom frame construction on the RX-A3020, RX-A2020 and RX-A1020 models, further minimizing distortion to provide peak audio performance.
All AVENTAGE models are compatible with Yamaha AV Controller Apps for Apple iOS and Android devices, as well as for Amazon’s Kindle Fire, which offer full system control and access to music stored on smartphones and tablets. Depending on the device (tablet or smartphone), the app is designed to provide a portrait or landscape mode interface for easy visibility and use.
The RX-A3020, the flagship model of the AVENTAGE line, features Zone 2 HDMI that enables it to simultaneously deliver content from two independent HDMI AV sources to two separate zones – including 5.1-channel audio to the second zone. The RX-A3020 is a 9.2-channel receiver, and can be expanded to 11.2 using a standard two-channel amplifier for maximum system installation flexibility.
The RX-A3020 and RX-A2020 boast the HQV high-class “VHD1900” VIDA video processor for peak video performance. The RX-A3020 adds CINEMA DSP HD3 (HD Cubic) that expands the sound field vertically. All AVENTAGE series models feature YPAO Reflected Sound Control (RSC) sound optimization, a Yamaha-designed technology built on its years of experience tuning professional sound systems to concert halls throughout the world. The RX-A820 through the RX-A3020 models add multi-point measurement (up to eight locations) to this process to enlarge the listening zone’s sweet spot. The RX-A2020 and RX-A3020 add DSP Normalization that collects data on a room’s “liveness” during the calibration process so additional adjustments can be made to optimize sound quality. The RX-A3020 enhances this even further with angle measurement that triangulates the positioning of each speaker in the system to compensate for non-symmetrical placement. In addition, the RX-A3020 and RX-A2020 feature a newly designed YPAO microphone that more accurately measures speakers placed at different heights.
All AVENTAGE series models feature improved Dialog Lift that more accurately positions dialog to come from the center of the viewing area when watching movies and television programming. Dialog Lift and Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP 3D surround features can be used in conjunction with Yamaha’s Virtual Presence Speaker function to provide these sonic benefits for systems that are not set up with presence speakers. Dialog Level Adjustment enables listeners to fine-tune the balance of sound for dialog and vocals.
The RX-A2020, RX-A1020 and RX-A820 feature dual HDMI (Zone B output capability) for simultaneous HDTV viewing in the main room and in a secondary room.
Advanced networking control functions provide seamless integration with a wide range of third-party home automation control systems, including Control4 and PC Web browsers. All AVENTAGE receivers stream Internet Radio, while playing music files (WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC 96/24) from a PC or DLNA-enabled server. Each AVENTAGE model also offers comprehensive Web-enabled set up features for the custom installation market.
