July 21, 2011
YAMAHA UPDATES ‘AVENTAGE’ A/V RECEIVERS; EXTENDS HIGH END CONNECTIVITY AND CONTROL FEATURES THROUGHOUT LINE

9.2 Channels, Expanded Networking, iPhone/iPod/Android Capabilities, CINEMA DSP HD3 Among Enhancements Being Brought to Critically-Acclaimed Line

By Gary Reber


Yamaha Electronics Corporation, USA, today updated the industry leading AVENTAGE family of A/V receivers, to include the first 9.2 channel receivers—the RX-3010 (150W x 9) and RX-A2010 (140W x 9)—along with the 7.2 channel RX-A1010 (110W x 7), RX-A810 (100W x 7) and RX-A710 (90W x 7). Like the original AVENTAGE receivers (pronounced Ah-Ven-Taj) unveiled last year to wide critical acclaim and success at retail, the new models continue to set the high bar for peak performance at affordable price points between $649.95 and $1,999.95 MSRP.

The AVENTAGE series is defined by an obsession with details: Yamaha’s R&D team takes a granular look at every design aspect—circuitry, construction, components, volume and sound reproduction qualities—to achieve the purest, best-sounding audio and the best video reproduction possible. Featuring handpicked components that are continually evaluated and tested for peak performance, this first update to the AVENTAGE series pushes the best sounding, mid-priced receiver to dramatic new heights.

Key performance, networking and control specifications offered on select AVENTAGE receivers last year are now available on every model in the
series. These include expanded network set up and control capabilities, convenient front panel direct

USB digital connections for iPhone/iPad, as well as iPhone A/V system control app compatibility—a feature Yamaha was first to bring to market in 2009. Yamaha will again set the pace in A/V system control when it unveils a similar control app for Android devices this coming fall.

“Our AVENTAGE A/V Receiver series embodies a meticulous design process, in which we refine and re-engineer all key components of each model to deliver superior sound and video,” said Tom Sumner, President, Yamaha Electronics Corporation. “In these latest offerings, we have added more performance and control capabilities, as well as unprecedented value, that clearly exhibits Yamaha’s leadership among A/V receiver manufacturers.”

Other features offered across the new line of AVENTAGE receivers include HD Audio decoding, HDMI with 3D and A.R.C. (Audio Return Channel) and front panel HDMI inputs.

Leading the Pack of High Performance, Mid-Priced Receivers

The RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 are the first 9.2 channel models in the AVENTAGE line, and enable
the integration of front virtual presence speakers in a single zone or stereo audio in an additional zone. The RX-A3010 also offers Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP HD3 that expands the sound field vertically for the most realistic surround sound available in a home theater receiver.

The substantial high-end look and feel of these models go far beyond esthetics, to deliver unprecedented sound quality in their price category. The specially designed signature 5th foot at the bottom of each model improves structural rigidity, which reduces vibration that can cause distortion and audibly improves sound quality. Yamaha also incorporated double-bottom construction on select models to improve peak performance at any volume level. The innovative design also provides immediate thermal feedback to the units’ transistors to eliminate harmonic distortion over the course of operation. All components, including wires, fuses and electrical paths, were rethought and redesigned to create works of visual and acoustic art for the home.

The advanced networking control functions introduced in select models of the original AVENTAGE line are now present in all five models of the new line. This provides seamless
integration with a wide range of third-party home automation control systems, while permitting control via a PC Web browser or by a free iPhone/iPad app. As noted earlier, a similar app for Android phones will be made available later this year as well. The Web browser control also enables system settings to be easily backed up and recovered from a PC.

DLNA (1.5) compatibility and Windows 7 certification enables networked AVENTAGE receivers to easily stream Internet Radio (MP3/WMA), Rhapsody and Sirius, while easily playing music files (WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC 96/24) from a PC or DLNA Server. Web set up manager software enables each of these models to be seamlessly integrated into custom installation environments.

The top two units in the AVENTAGE series are the industry’s first A/V receivers to incorporate the exceptional HQV high-class “VHD1900” video processing chipset to ensure peak HD and SD video performance. The top three units also feature dual HDMI (Zone B output capability) for convenient dual HDTV viewing for the main room and in a secondary room simultaneously via the main AV system’s HDMI sources.

Each AVENTAGE model provides full HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio).    Models RX-A710 and RX-A810 offer four SCENE buttons to activate pre-set system operations, while the RX-A3010, RX-A2010 and RX-A1010 feature SCENE PLUS, which provides a total of 12 system operation choices.
   
Users of Apple mobile devices will appreciate the convenience afforded by the front panel direct USB digital connections for iPhone/iPod/iPad found on each model, as well as the optional YDS-12 or YID-W10 wireless yAired dock. Further versatility is provided by the optional Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver YBA-10, which enables users to listen to their favorite music on just about any Bluetooth-enabled device, including iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android phone, MP3 player and most smartphones.

Other key features found throughout the line include Compressed Music Enhancer; Low Jitter PLL Circuitry; HDMI V.1.4a 3D Pass-through with ARC (Audio Return Channel); and analog-to-HDMI 1080p video upscaling with precise deinterlacing for stunning, lifelike picture quality, even from non-HD sources. The series offers Deep Color (30/36 bit) technology, x.v.Color, 24Hz Refresh Rates, audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video inputs and Auto Lip-Sync compensation, which automatically eliminates audio/video sync issues.

All models also have Yamaha’s proprietary YPAO room optimizer, and the RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 add Reflected Sound Control (RSC) sound optimization with multi-point (speaker height and directivity) measurement, DSP Effect Normalization, Room Acoustic Echo and reflection and echo control.

As with the existing Yamaha Home Theater product line, the AVENTAGE Series enables audio and video aficionados to take pleasure in their Blu-ray disc players, broadcast HD services and gaming consoles, as well as 3D televisions, with comprehensive feature sets throughout the line. Yamaha‘s proprietary Cinema DSP 3D audio processing, which is offered in each of the line‘s models, complements 3D television technology and provides extra height dimension to allow more engaging 3D video, through the use of the industry‘s only 3D Virtual Presence technology. This technology eliminates the need for extra front presence speakers. (As noted above, the RX-A3010 features Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP HD3.)

Each model is sold with learning and preset remote controls. The RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 remotes provide intuitive GUIs -- with song/station select, album cover art display, zone tone and balance controls and short messages -- as well as separate second zone control units. An ease-of-use design refinement presents the control buttons on the receivers and GUI in a consistent manner to avoid confusion.   

All models are also “eco-friendly” with low standby power consumption (0.3W and 2.7W in HDMI standby through mode) and auto power down function with variable time setting.

Yamaha‘s new AVENTAGE Series models will be available at authorized dealers and leading retailers beginning in July, and continuing into the fall, with the following MSRPs: RX-A710 ($649.95), RX-A810 ($849.95), RX-A1010 ($1099.95), RX-A2010 ($1599.95) and RX-A3010 ($1999.95).   

For more information, write Yamaha Electronics Corporation, P.O. Box 6660, Buena Park, CA 90620; telephone (714) 522-9105; or visit http://4wrd.it/AVENTAGE2011.



Tags: - equipment - - Yamaha - - Aventage Series - - RX-A710 - - RX-A810 - - RX-A1010 - - RX-A2010 - - RX-A3010 -