Yamaha Electronics Corporation has unveiled the top model updates to its RX-V series AV receivers – the 7.2-channel RX-V773WA and RX-V673.
Yamaha’s RX-V773WA AV receiver.
The models feature robust performance, setup and control features including AirPlay compatibility with Apple iOS devices, direct connectivity to iPads, iPhones and iPods via front panel USB ports, intelligent assignable amplifiers and the company’s proprietary YPAO system calibration.
System control has been made more convenient throughout the line via the recently updated Yamaha AV controller app, which include native iPad and tablet versions, for iOS and Android devices. Providing wide access to content from virtually any source, these network receivers also deliver audio from Internet radio and DLNA-certified devices. A WiFi adapter is included with the RX-V773WA for the wireless streaming of content and system control.
The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 follow the introductions of the rest of the RX-V series receivers, including the 7.1-channel RX-V573, 5.1-channel RX-V473 and 5.1-channel RX-V373, which were introduced over the last month.
“These network AV receivers represent the culmination of our RX-V series and our belief that consumers seek sophisticated high performance features with simple intuitive source connectivity and operation,” said Tom Sumner, senior vice-president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “This belief was the basis for our approach to the entire RX-V series line. The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 go a step further, adding a suite of multi-zone installation and setup features usually found in higher end models at moderate price points.”
The free Yamaha AV controller app available for iOS (iPad/iPhone) and Android devices offers control over these AV receivers and access to music stored on smart phones and tablets. With the popularity of the Kindle Fire, Yamaha developed a native app that is now available from the Amazon Appstore as well. The App is designed to provide a portrait or landscape mode interface, depending on the device, for easy visibility and use.
Both models will provide 4K video pass-through from yet-to-be-introduced source components that will deliver content with four times the resolution of 1080p. All models also provide 3D video pass-through with Audio Return Channel (ARC).
The flagship RX-V773WA model also features an improved YPAO room calibration system, YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control), which offers automatic multi-point room measurement to determine speaker positioning for the highest degree of sound optimization. The RX-V673 offers YPAO R.S.C. for automatic single-point room measurement. The YPAO system now ensures more accurate room measurements by confirming the subwoofer is fully responding before making audio adjustments.
The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 feature seven intelligent assignable amplifiers that direct output for surround back, front presence or Zone 2 speakers per listeners’ preferences without changing speaker connections. The seven discreet assignable amplifiers of these models also enable a home entertainment system to deliver 7-channel surround sound in one zone, or to bi-amp and double power to main speakers, or to provide audio to Zone 2. The 7.2 channel RX-V773WA also provides party mode and Zone B dual HDMI outputs.
The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 offer gamers Video Direct Mode which bypasses the models’ video processing chips to speed up video by two frames per second and eliminating distracting delays to play action.
Both models have advanced multi-language on-screen displays that overlay onto HD and 3D video signals to depict system control and setup prompts, as well as album art from content played via connected components and devices.
Ensuring surround sound realism, the RX-V773WA and RX-V673 feature Dialog Lift that ensures dialog is positioned to come from the center of the viewing area for movies and television programming. A Virtual Dialog Lift on these models can also accomplish this with 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-V773WA and RX-V673 also have a Virtual Presence Speaker function for achieving full CINEMA DSP 3D surround without front presence speakers.
Both models offer a full complement of HD Audio format decoding, including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.
The RX-V773WA will be available in June for $849.95 MSRP, and the RX-V673 will be available in May for $649.95 MSRP.
