Four weeks we reported on Yamaha's new collection of receivers in the lower half of the spectrum. It's AVENTAGE range covers the upper part of the spectrum, and consists of more costly models. There are a total of 6 models in this series, which this year is being extended downwards with a new little fellow.

Extended support for 3D - sound is of course a key theme at Yamaha. Yet there is a clearly greater restraint here than what we have seen in this year's newcomers from Pioneer, Onkyo and Denon, and where Dolby Atmos in the latter two are available on all models except the very smallest. We saw the same tendency also on Yamaha's budget series RX Here there were no models that support Atmos. In AVENTAGE - Series Dolby Atmos available from RX - A850, while you have another notch up to the RX-A1050 for getting support for DTS: X.

Another feature that is interesting to note is that Yamaha still offers matrix decoding algoritm DPL-IIz also for receivers with Atmos compatibility, while the normal is that Atmos compatible receivers have the new decoding algorithm Dolby Surround, which is also quite effetktive in decoding 7.1 / 5.1 and stereo source material also into Height channels. It is tempting to assume that this choice has to do with implementation towards Yamaha's own extensive series DSP- programs. The new Dolby Surround should otherwise not be confused with the very old surround encoding format with the same name.

Manufacturer Key Specifications:

Yamaha RX-A550

• AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance
• Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits
• Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality
• 5-channel powerful surround sound
• --- 80 W per channel (6 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.09 % THD, 2 ch driven)
• --- 115 W per channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9 % THD, 1 ch driven)
• --- 135 W per channel (6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)
• Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network
• Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth
• AirPlay, Spotify®*, Pandora®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app
• *Music service availability varies by region.
• DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback
• Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption
• HDMI (6 in/1 out) with HDCP2.2 (1 in/1 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel
• Front panel USB Digital Connection for iPod/iPhone and USB thumbdrives
• YPAO sound optimisation for automatic speaker setup
• Extra Bass enriches powerful bass sound even with small speakers
• Multi language colour OSD for improved visibility (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese and Chinese)
• ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption

Yamaha RX-A750

• AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance
• Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits
• Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality
• 7-channel powerful surround sound
• --- 90 W per channel (6 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06 % THD, 2 ch driven)
• --- 150 W per channel (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9 % THD, 1 ch driven)
• --- 150 W per channel (8 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)
• Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network
• Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth
• AirPlay, Napster®*, Spotify®*, Pandora®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app
• *Music service availability varies by region.
• DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback
• Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption
• 4K60p 4:4:4 Pass through, HDMI (6 in/1 out) with HDCP2.2 (3 in/1 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel
• HDMI input on front panel, USB Digital Connection for iPod and iPhone
• YPAO Reflected Sound Control (R.S.C.) sound optimisation for automatic speaker setup
• YPAO Volume to ensure natural sounds even at low volume
• Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system
• Extra Bass enriches powerful bass sound even with small speakers
• Advanced GUI on-screen display with (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese and Chinese)
• Multi-zone audio support (Zone2)
• Detachable AC power cord for easier installtion
• ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption

Yamaha RX-A850

Dolby Atmos® Support

AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance

Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits

Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality

7-channel powerful surround sound

--- 100 W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06 % THD, 2 ch driven)

--- 160 W per channel (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9 % THD, 1 ch driven)

--- 160 W per channel (8 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)

Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network

Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth

AirPlay, Napster®*, Spotify®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app

*Music service availability varies by region.

DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback

Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption

4K60p 4:4:4 Pass through, HDMI (8 in/2 out) with HDCP2.2 (3 in/2 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel

HDMI input on front panel, USB Digital Connection for iPod and iPhone

YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) sound optimisation with multi-point measurement

YPAO Volume to ensure natural sounds even at low volume

Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system

Extra Bass enriches powerful bass sound even with small speakers

Advanced GUI on-screen display with (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese and Chinese)

Multi-zone audio support (Zone2)

Detachable AC power cord for easier installtion

Phono input for vinyl playback

ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption

Yamaha RX-A1050

• Dolby Atmos® Support
• DTS:X™ Support
• AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance
• Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits
• Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality
• Symmetrical Power Amp Layout and Rigid chassis with additional bottom frames
• Professional quality digital audio by ESS DAC
• 7-channel powerful surround sound
• --- 110 W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06 % THD, 2 ch driven)
• --- 165 W per channel (8 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)
• --- 170 W per channel (4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.9% THD, 1ch driven [European Model])
• Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network
• Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth
• AirPlay, Napster®*, Spotify®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app
• *Music service availability varies by region.
• DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback
• Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption
• 4K60p 4:4:4 Pass through, HDMI (8 in/2 out) with HDCP2.2 (7 in/2 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel
• YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) sound optimisation with multi-point measurement
• YPAO Volume to ensure natural sounds even at low volume
• Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system
• HDMI Zone Switching allows different HD audio/video sources playback in different rooms
• Versatile Zone control such as Zone 2 on / off and Party mode
• Detachable AC power cord for easier installtion
• ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption

Yamaha RX-A2050

• Dolby Atmos® Support
• DTS:X™ Support
• AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance
• Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits
• Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality
• H-shape cross member frame and rigid bottom frame
• Professional quality digital audio by ESS DAC
• 9-channel powerful surround sound
• --- 140 W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06 % THD, 2 ch driven)
• --- 220 W per channel (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9 % THD, 1 ch driven [European Model])
• --- 220 W per channel (8 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)
• Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network
• Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth
• AirPlay, Napster®*, Spotify®*, Pandora®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app
• *Music service availability varies by region.
• DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback
• Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption
• High-resolution Music Enhancer further heightens musicality from the original content
• 4K60p 4:4:4 Pass through, HDMI (8 in/2 out) with HDCP2.2 (7 in/2 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel
• YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) sound optimisation with multi-point measurement
• YPAO Volume to ensure natural sounds even at low volume
• Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system
• Yamaha video processing optimises video content
• Advanced HDMI Zone Switching allows unprecedented AV switching to multiple zones
• Versatile Zone control such as Zone 2 / 3 / 4 on / off, Zone GUI and Party mode
• ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption

Yamaha RX-A3050

• Dolby Atmos® Support
• DTS:X™ Support
• AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance
• CINEMA DSP HD3 expands the sound field vertically for more thrilling and realistic surround sound
• ESS SABRE32 Ultra DACs for ultra-high sound quality
• Aluminium Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits
• Anti Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge helps to ensure that vibrations do not affect sound quality
• Heavy legs to add more stability to the chassis
• H-shape cross member frame and rigid bottom frame / double bottom construction
• 9-channel powerful surround sound
• --- 150 W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06 % THD, 2 ch driven)
• --- 230 W per channel (4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.9% THD, 1ch driven [European Model])
• --- 230 W per channel (8 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD, 1ch driven)
• Wi-Fi Built-in and Wireless Direct Compatible for Easy Network
• Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and Compressed Music Enhancer for Bluetooth
• AirPlay, Napster®*, Spotify®*, Pandora®*, JUKE* music streaming service and AV Controller app
• *Music service availability varies by region.
• DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192kHz/24bit, Apple Lossless 96kHz / 24-bit playback
• Gapless playback compatibility allows play without interruption
• High-resolution Music Enhancer further heightens musicality from the original content
• 4K60p 4:4:4 Pass through, HDMI (8 in/2 out) with HDCP2.2 (7 in/2 out), 3D and Audio Return Channel
• YPAO-R.S.C. (Refl ected Sound Control) with 3D, multi-point and angle measurement
• YPAO Volume to ensure natural sounds even at low volume
• Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system
• Yamaha video processing optimises video content
• Advanced HDMI Zone Switching allows unprecedented AV switching to multiple zones
• Versatile Zone control such as Zone 2 / 3 / 4 on / off, Zone GUI and Party mode
• ECO mode operation for about 20% less power consumption