Yamaha Announces Massively Redesigned AV Receivers

Most home theatre receivers from most brands have been sharp-cornered black boxes with central blue-green dot-matrix displays and their volume knobs to the right. Highly practical, but far from pretty. It has been thus for more than two decades.

But the two new models from Yamaha's RX-V range are changing all that, with a curved front, a bold volume control right at the centre and an off-set LCD display – albeit still in blue-green.

Yamaha RX-V4A

The two new receivers are closer to the entry-level end of Yamaha's range. The £449 RX-V4A – yes, the model number scheme has also changed – is a 5.1 channel model rated at 80 watts per channel (6 ohms, 0.06% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 2 channels driven). It features four HDMI inputs, all rated at up to 8K at 60 hertz and 4K at 120 hertz. The HDMI output supports eARC.

A network receiver, the RX-V4A has an Ethernet connection plus dual-band Wi-Fi and of course, works with Yamaha's MusicCast multi-room system. It offers high-resolution network audio support up to 192kHz sampling (and 11.2MHz DSD).

Yamaha RX-V6A

The RX-V6A is quite a step up. Priced at £649 it is a 7.2 channel unit with a rated output of 100 watts per channel (8 ohms for this one, 0.06% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 2 channels driven). It gets seven HDMI inputs, an extra line-level analogue input plus a phono input. In addition to the usual pair of subwoofer outputs, it also has line outputs for the front stereo speakers, thus allowing the use of separate power amplifiers for stereo music.

In line with that greater focus on higher-end sound, it ups the network audio handling to 24-bit, 384kHz for PCM-based formats (only 96kHz for Apple Lossless). DSD handling remains at 11.2MHz.

Both models feature 17 DSP modes, and a (best avoided) Compressed Music Enhancer. More importantly, they both have a Direct mode which minimises sound processing.

The RX-V4A, being a 5.1 channel unit, does not support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, while the RX-V6A does.

Yoshi Tsugawa, Senior General Manager at Yamaha's Home Audio Division in Japan, told StereoNET:

We've modernised the AV receiver to fit your emerging needs – from the rising size and resolution of TV screens to the speed and life-like realism of the latest gaming consoles and platforms. We're here to ensure that your gear is ready for these latest innovations, complementing the stunning visuals on your screen with thrilling sound all around you,

Both models will be available in September 2020.

For more information, please visit Yamaha.