Yamaha Introduces RX-Z1 Flagship Home Theatre Receiver

14-Jan-02

Yamaha, the innovator of multichannel Digital Sound Field processing and surround technology, brings 8-channel sound to home theatre with the release of their RX-Z1 digital home theatre receiver.The flagship receiver for high performance home theatre systems, the RX-Z1 is compatible with the newest surround formats, including DolbyÆ Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ESÆ Discrete, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS 96/24 and Neo:6Æ.This new receiver also features Cinema DSP, which provides an audio experience that not only sounds like a theatre, but actually sounds better than most theatres. Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of all movie sound formats, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended them to be heard. In addition, Dolby Pro Logic II provides five-channel surround processing from any stereo source using enhanced directional steering -- even from two-channel CDs, tapes, VHS, even LPs -- and delivers full-bandwidth stereo surround channels (20 Hz-20 kHz) with 40 dB of left-right separation (Neo:6, from DTS-ES, is a similar technology). The RX-Z1 receiver is equipped with eight internal amplifiers featuring Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART technology, which maximizes digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The RX-Z1 is rated at a total of 870 watts RMS -- 130 watts per channel for six channels and 45 watts for the two front effects channels -- into 8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with 0.015 percent THD. Also, the front effects speakers can be configured to power another zone or can be used to enhance DSP and Cinema DSP effects.Other features on this new receiver include: a +12-volt trigger output for activating other components, a benefit that custom installers will appreciate, Zone 2 audio/video outputs, assignable with the Record Out, six-channel analog inputs for external decoders to accommodate the latest six-channel, high resolution audio formats such DVD-Audio (or other future formats), front A/V inputs with an optical digital input for a game console or other digital components, an input mode featuring Surround Program Last Memory, and an RS-232C port that can be used for two-way communication with a touch-pad controller, or to upgrade for future sound formats and software.Sophisticated internal surround decoding and processing is enabled by the Yamaha YSS-938, a newly-developed, 32-bit floating point LSI that yields 41 DSP programs with 61 possible variations for startling, realistic surround sound.Moreover, 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters are used for all channels. The RX-Z1 is equipped with three wideband (DC to 100 MHz) component video inputs with HDTV compatibility and one component-video output. Furthermore, it has eight optical, three coaxial digital inputs (fixed and assignable), and one RF (AC-3ô) input terminal, as well as two optical digital outputs. When privacy is desired, a unique Silent Cinema mode provides a 5.1-channel listening experience, including Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surroundô, using a pair of ordinary two-channel headphones. The RX-Z1 boasts elaborate A/V input/output connectivity, switching capabilities with intuitive on-screen displays, and is supplied with an LCD Intelligent Remote Control which features an exclusive RAV edit program for programming by PC, a large, dynamic touch-screen high resolution display, multi-command and learning capabilities, and preprogrammed codes for a wide variety of A/V connections. The RX-Z1 has a suggested retail price of $2,799, and will ship in April 2002. For more information, visit www.yamaha.com/yec.

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