It’s been a decade since Yamaha launched its groundbreaking AVENTAGE AV receiver range to the home cinema market. Over the past year, the home entertainment has grown massively, mostly due to the pandemic which forced so many of us to stay in our homes watching movies. To serve the upturn in the market, Yamaha has revamped its flagship series of AVENTAGE AV receivers to ensure they have the latest technology, including support for 8K video.
There are three new AV receivers in the AVENTAGE range: RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A. They offer 11-, 9- and 7-channels, respectively, joining the all-new and reimagined AVENTAGE lineup. Yamaha claims the new models represent a new reference standard for the market.
The new AVENTAGE series support the latest trends and specifications for home entertainment, with cutting-edge components and technology. The three new models offer plenty of HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 8K/60 and 4K/120, with seven inputs on each receiver.
The improvements to the line-up in 2021 are the most significant to date. There’s a clean new look, inside and out. The simplified and modern design features a large center volume knob, a brand new HD display, a rotary jog dial, plus touch-sensitive buttons.
The attention to detail continues down to premium-quality parts with each new model providing stability against vibrations using Yamaha’s signature AVENTAGE “fifth foot”. This Anti-Resonance Technology wedge has been further analyzed and developed for efficient dispersion of chassis vibration in the three new models by placing the fifth foot near the front center of each unit’s base.
The new AVENTAGE AV receivers have sufficient processing power and flexibility to provide 8K/60, 4K/120, 4K/60, HDMI 2.1 and HDR10+ that usher in a new era of dynamic displays. The new models include support for the latest HDMI technology, including seven inputs and three outputs in each model supporting 8K/60and 4K/120. The HDMI 2.1 compatibility should provide faster, smoother and uninterrupted entertainment and gameplay with auto low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rates (VRR), quick frame transport (QFT) and quick media switching (QMS).
The RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A support immersive 3D audio with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X thanks to Qualcomm’s QCS407 smart audio platform. The QCS407 provides powerful quad-core audio processing with improved sound quality and cinematic experiences. The Qualcomm smart audio platform is designed to decode and play back a rich variety of audio content.
All inputs on the new AVENTAGE models support Dolby Vision. In addition to DTS-X and Dolby Atmos, the three models also offer Dolby Atmos with Height Virtualization, simulating an overhead sound experience for an immersive, 360-degree sound field in several speaker configurations. The top two models also offer Auro-3D, which delivers even more transformative capabilities and immersive audio experiences by creating virtual, three-dimensional virtual soundscapes that move around the listener.
In addition, all models feature Surround:AI, a proprietary Yamaha technology and the only artificial intelligence found in any AV receiver. This technology analyzes the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) parameters and optimizes each sound element, such as dialogue, background music and sound effects, in real-time. The three new models double the previous platform at 64-bits, thanks to the Qualcomm QCS407 chip.
To deliver the maximum performance of surround sound realism, each receiver is equipped with Yamaha’s Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) R.S.C. multi-point measurement, precision EQ and a new low-frequency mode. This technology detects speaker connections, measures the distances from them to multiple listening positions in a room and then automatically optimizes speaker settings like volume balance and acoustic parameters.
Improvements to the appearance and the processing platform are echoed in the upgrades to the internal circuit design of the receivers, their mechanical structure and the audio components used. These include a symmetrical amplifier layout for optimized signal paths. Yamaha says this improves sound clarity while reducing signal noise and cross-channel interference. The transformer is mechanically isolated from the amplifier stages with a separate mounting bracket that reduces vibrations, contributing additional rigidity to the internal H frame structure.
The new models are fitted with Premier Audio DACs from SABRE which can deliver exceptionally low signal-to-noise ratio and up to 120 dB dynamic range for pro-quality audio. A high slew rate amplifier more than doubles the performance of the previous generation. This newly designed circuit achieves both a high slew rate and stable signal transmission, enabling it to respond to rapid changes of input levels with precision and accuracy.
All new AVENTAGE models offer the entire suite of MusicCast capabilities and app control, including Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, built-in music streaming services, multi-room audio and voice control using Alexa, Google and Siri-enabled devices. Built-in streaming services include Amazon Music HD, Deezer, Napster, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz, plus thousands of internet radio stations around the world.
Full two-way control is available via software integration drivers that connect the new AVENTAGE models with dozens of other Yamaha home audio products, as well as leading home automation and smart home control systems.
RX-A8A At-a-Glance
- 11.2-ch., 150-watt AV receiver with Zone 2, 3 and 4
- HDMI 2.1* with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7-in/3-out)
- 8K/60Hz* & 4K/120Hz* (7-in/3-out)
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, Surround:AI, Auro 3D
- YPAO R.S.C. automatic room calibration with multi-point measurement, precision EQ and low-frequency mode
- Simply to use and control, with AV Setup Guide app, MusicCast app and web setup
- Integration-friendly, with full two-way control with home automation and smart home control systems
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa, Siri (via AirPlay 2) and Google Assistant
- $2,999.95 MSRP, available summer 2021
RX-A6A At-a-Glance
- 9.2-ch., 150-watt AV receiver with Zone 2, 3 and 4
- HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7-in/3-out)
- 8K/60Hz* & 4K/120Hz* (7-in/3-out)
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, Surround:AI, Auro 3D
- YPAO R.S.C. automatic room calibration with multi-point measurement, precision EQ and low-frequency mode
- Simply to use and control, with AV Setup Guide app, MusicCast app and web setup
- Integration-friendly, with full two-way control with home automation and smart home control systems
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa, Siri (via AirPlay 2) and Google Assistant
- $2,199.95 MSRP, available summer 2021
RX-A4A At-a-Glance
- 7.2-ch., 110-watt AV receiver with Zone 2
- HDMI 2.1* with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7-in/3-out)
- 8K/60Hz* & 4K/120Hz* (7-in/3-out)
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, Surround:AI
- YPAO R.S.C. automatic room calibration with multi-point measurement, precision EQ and low-frequency mode
- Simply to use and control, with AV Setup Guide app, MusicCast app and web setup
- Integration-friendly, with full two-way control with home automation and smart home control systems
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa, Siri (via AirPlay 2) and Google Assistant
- $1,299.95 MSRP, available summer 2021
