Yamaha Z11-who's Got One-what's It Like?

[GTO]

Haven't seen much on the forum about the Z11, so I was wondering that if there are a few owners out there who have now had time to analyse this unit in detail to see how good it is, they may like to give us a bit of a run down.

I've got a Z9, so any comparison with this unit would be welcome also--I know the Z11's got HDMI etc, but opinions re differences in sound quality etc between the two, would be good to know.

Also, I've noted that Z11s are starting to be discounted from the RRP of $7999. What prices are around?

Cheers, GTO.

[suparockin]

Haven't seen much on the forum about the Z11, so I was wondering that if there are a few owners out there who have now had time to analyse this unit in detail to see how good it is, they may like to give us a bit of a run down.

I've got a Z9, so any comparison with this unit would be welcome also--I know the Z11's got HDMI etc, but opinions re differences in sound quality etc between the two, would be good to know.

Also, I've noted that Z11s are starting to be discounted from the RRP of $7999. What prices are around?

Cheers, GTO.

Bloody pricey unit there, I saw it in the Yammy brochure and it looks the goods tho.

Haven't seen one set up in any of the stores I went to.

[Aspect]

Hi Martin,

although the Z11 looks like it's a great bit of kit, if you're looking at spending that sort of coin on an AVR, you'd be better off to get separates. The Z11 has a whole bunch of features you'll most likely never use, and buy separating out your AVR and amplification, when the upgrade bug bites in another few years, it's only the AVR, or pre, that you will need to upgrade.

Your B & W's would benefit from a power amp too.

My advice would be to buy a less expensive AVR, whether that's another Yamaha, a Marantz, Denon, Integra, whatever, and couple it with a power amp such as the Elektra.

You'll get ALL of the features (that you'll use) from the lower spec'd AVR, but with the power and quality of the hand built, low volume Elektra.

Cheers,

Chris

[GTO]

Hi Martin,

although the Z11 looks like it's a great bit of kit, if you're looking at spending that sort of coin on an AVR, you'd be better off to get separates. The Z11 has a whole bunch of features you'll most likely never use, and buy separating out your AVR and amplification, when the upgrade bug bites in another few years, it's only the AVR, or pre, that you will need to upgrade.

Your B & W's would benefit from a power amp too.

My advice would be to buy a less expensive AVR, whether that's another Yamaha, a Marantz, Denon, Integra, whatever, and couple it with a power amp such as the Elektra.

You'll get ALL of the features (that you'll use) from the lower spec'd AVR, but with the power and quality of the hand built, low volume Elektra.

Cheers,

Chris

G'day Chris, No I wasn't thinking of updating, certainly not the way the sharemarket is anyway!

But I was just wondering if anyone had acually updated from one to the other, what the actual discernable listening differences were.

The only "problem" or "deficiency" if you like, that I have with the Z9, is the lack of a loudness control. On low volumes, a little more base "oomph" would be nice. I might have mentioned this to you before--would a power amp fix that?

Cheers, GTO.

[Aspect]

No, but a sub would!

[Hydrology]

Hi Martin,

although the Z11 looks like it's a great bit of kit, if you're looking at spending that sort of coin on an AVR, you'd be better off to get separates. The Z11 has a whole bunch of features you'll most likely never use, and buy separating out your AVR and amplification, when the upgrade bug bites in another few years, it's only the AVR, or pre, that you will need to upgrade.

Your B & W's would benefit from a power amp too.

My advice would be to buy a less expensive AVR, whether that's another Yamaha, a Marantz, Denon, Integra, whatever, and couple it with a power amp such as the Elektra.

You'll get ALL of the features (that you'll use) from the lower spec'd AVR, but with the power and quality of the hand built, low volume Elektra.

Cheers,

Chris

99% of the time I would agree with your comments regarding separates, but its important to not put the Z11 into the same context as a typical AVR. It sounds extraordinary, and is as future proof as you can get, right now of course. I know that as technology evolves people dont need to change their power amp, but from experience helping clients to sell their long-in-the-tooth processor, its usually a hard sell on its own without matching amplification - not all of the the time but most of the time.

[Aspect]

Yeah, but there's the catch 22...

When the time comes to upgrade, do you try and flog an AVR that has had less captial outlay, or one that has had a HUGE capital outlay? Considering they both started life with thesame "futureproof" codec's, standards etc...

You'd lose less by selling a "cheaper" AVR cheap, than an "expensive" AVR at a more midrange price, and you'd have a better chance of selling too.

Someone would be more inclined to buy a "cheap" secondhand AVR for $1k to"stick in the rumpus room", or "give to the kids" rather than $2k for the same purpose, regardless of how high spec it was when new.

Cheers,

Chris

[dyates69]

I'd argue that there's less difference between the amp section in the Z9 and the Electra, than there is in the pre-amp section between a cheap avr and the Z9. As they say, garbage in garbage out.

I think people often mistake the value of a high quality pre-amp section. Generally a quality pre costs more than a quality amp. And the Z9 was tested all channels driven for an extended period at around 145w per channel. I'd wager the integrated Z9 would sound better than a cheap pre with even the most expensive amp attached. Remember you're only amplifying the input signal. If I plug an ipod into my $10k stereo power amp, do you think I can do away with the $10k stereo pre-amp?

As far as the Z9 versus the Z11, I've not heard both. But it seems to me they perhaps compromised a little on the Z11 amp section, as it no longer uses the toroidal transformer or has the output power of the Z9. The Z11 is also at a lower RRP than the Z9 was when released. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the Z9 sounded better, given the same source material.

[goosagichy2135]

I have one. my room is not ideal. it has not got the same sound as the DSP-A1, which was warmer. this is mostly a amplifier designed for movies first and music second. on my amp the tuner doesn't work on power on. I have to startup on CD and then change to tuner once the amplifier has completed startup. The remote sucks so if you are getting one make sure you also buy something like a logitech 785.

[Hydrology]

Yeah, but there's the catch 22...

When the time comes to upgrade, do you try and flog an AVR that has had less captial outlay, or one that has had a HUGE capital outlay? Considering they both started life with thesame "futureproof" codec's, standards etc...

You'd lose less by selling a "cheaper" AVR cheap, than an "expensive" AVR at a more midrange price, and you'd have a better chance of selling too.

Someone would be more inclined to buy a "cheap" secondhand AVR for $1k to"stick in the rumpus room", or "give to the kids" rather than $2k for the same purpose, regardless of how high spec it was when new.

Cheers,

Chris

Lets remember who the Z11 and highend pre/power combos are aimed at - certainly not those on social welfare. No-one likes depreciation of goods but its inevitable, irrespective of price. Those that can comfortably afford the above will no doubt upgarde when the time comes - money is not the crux of the matter.

[GTO]

I'd argue that there's less difference between the amp section in the Z9 and the Electra, than there is in the pre-amp section between a cheap avr and the Z9. As they say, garbage in garbage out.

I think people often mistake the value of a high quality pre-amp section. Generally a quality pre costs more than a quality amp. And the Z9 was tested all channels driven for an extended period at around 145w per channel. I'd wager the integrated Z9 would sound better than a cheap pre with even the most expensive amp attached. Remember you're only amplifying the input signal. If I plug an ipod into my $10k stereo power amp, do you think I can do away with the $10k stereo pre-amp?

As far as the Z9 versus the Z11, I've not heard both. But it seems to me they perhaps compromised a little on the Z11 amp section, as it no longer uses the toroidal transformer or has the output power of the Z9. The Z11 is also at a lower RRP than the Z9 was when released. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the Z9 sounded better, given the same source material.

Thank You. "Compromised"--That is what I thought. I know the Z9 hasn't got all the "bells & whistles", HDMI etc etc, but from what I've read, & I'm NOT an expert, in fact I know NOTHING about audio, but I didn't think the Z9 lost anything, & in fact, may be superior to the Z11 in some respects.

Chris, what do you say with respect to my "loudness" comments?

Cheers, GTO.

[Meld]

Bass Boost button. Use it.

[GTO]

Bass Boost button. Use it.

I'd love to--but where is that located?

Cheers, GTO.

[yamapro]

Bass Boost button. Use it.

^ :wacko:

Hi GTO - have you tried using the 'night listening' mode when playing back at lower volume levels?

Edited June 28, 2008 by yamapro

[Meld]

On my Peon-class Yammy RX-795 it's labelled as 'Bass Extension'. It says in the manual that it's useful for reinforcing bass, particularly when a subwoofer is not used. Ir should be useful too for low-level listening. Or I think it's the "Loudness" button on other receivers. It boosts the bass and treble to compensate for the tonal balance lost when listening at low volumes.

[GTO]

There's no "bass boost" button! I've tried adjusting (increasing) the bass, but it really doesn't work the same as a loudness control does.

But I'll give the "night listening" mode a go, & advise.

Thanks for the input--as I've said, I know virtually nothing about audio, so all help is appreciated.

Cheers, GTO.

[yamapro]

No worries GTO - good luck and keep us in the feedback loop (little audio pun 4u )

[glennb]

The Z11 only has a rated power consumption of 800W.

Pretty much tells me everything i need to know about the amp stage of this unit