Yamaha Updates RX-V Series Home Theater Receivers With Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer

Yamaha Electronics is updating its RX-V series of digital home theater receivers, introducing four new mid-line models that range in price from $299 - $599 (US).

The RX-V750 and RX-V650 include an essential new feature called YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer), which was previously available only in higher-end receivers. YPAO is a technology that completely simplifies the home theater set-up process. It automatically analyzes room acoustics, then sets parameters for optimum sound quality at the listening position at the touch of a button.

The new Yamaha RX-V750 home theater receiver replaces the RX-V740 and adds Yamaha's high-end YPAO room optimization and set-up technology

The 7.1 channel RX-V750 and RX-V650 and the 6.1 channel RX-V540 and RX-V440 receivers all feature Cinema DSP, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital-EX, DTS-ES Discrete 6, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and DTS neo:6. All models have high-current discrete amplification for the highest quality sound reproduction, plus a new, easy-to-use setup menu with 5-band center channel EQ, speaker distance adjustment and night listening modes.

The RX-V750, with a suggested retail price of $599 (US), is a highly sophisticated 7.1 channel A/V receiver that features Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital-EX, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS neo:6, Digital ToP-ART, an on-screen display and a preset remote control with an LCD display.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx is the first and only technology to process any native stereo or 5.1 signal into a 6.1- or 7.1-channel output, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience. With Dolby Pro Logic IIx, users can choose Movie or Music modes to tailor their listening experience to source material, including an exclusive Game mode that delivers full-impact special effects signals panned to the surrounds.

With its enhanced directional steering, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 and DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 offer six fully independent channels of sound with an extra rear center speaker that has its own separate effects, providing unparalleled quality sound from a receiver in this category.

In addition, DTS Neo 6 provides 5.1-channel surround processing from any stereo source--even from two-channel CDs, tapes, VHS and LPs--and delivers full-bandwidth stereo surround channels.

Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART technology maximizes digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry by bringing together several key elements to create the best-sounding, user friendly A/V components available. These elements include high-current discrete amplification, Linear Dampening Factor for the left and right channels, and low-impedance drive with discrete circuitry to all channels. Also offered are Zone 2 audio out capabilities with an I/R port, extended I/R codes and pre-outs for all channels. Zone 2 has the ability to drive a set of stereo speakers in another room using an external power amplifier.

Rated at 100W x 7 high discrete power (20Hz-20 kHz), the receiver is able to deliver sophisticated DSP processing enabled by the YSS-948, a 32-bit Floating-Point LSI that yields 29 DSP programs with 53 possible variations.

Cinema DSP provides an audio experience that sounds better than most theaters. Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of movie sound formats, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended for them to be heard. And, for listening to late-night multi-channel presentations in privacy, it uses Silent Cinema, which provides a 5.1 channel listening experience using a pair of ordinary two-channel headphones.

Other features include eight-channel analog inputs for external decoders to accommodate high-resolution audio formats like DVD-Audio, SACD (or other future formats); four optical and two coaxial input terminals; one optical output terminal; front-panel A/V inputs with a digital input; two component video inputs and one out put for HDTV 720p/1080i compatibility; five total video inputs and two outputs; S-video connections for all inputs and outputs; and a phono input. The receiver does component video-up conversion from composite to S-video, to provide high-quality picture from all video components connected to the receiver for optimal viewing. In addition, the 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters are used for all six channels.

Next in the series is the RX-V650 discrete 95W x 7 A/V receiver (20Hz-20kHz), which replaces the RX-V640 and is priced at $499 (US). This new model has all of the features of the RX-V750 except for the LCD remote control, phono input connection and an aluminum front panel.

The RX-V550, priced at $399 (US), replaces the RX-V540 and is a 6.1-channel home theater receiver that is rated at discrete 90 watts x 6 channels (20Hz-20kHz). This receiver also features the YSS-948 32-bit Floating-Point LSI, yielding 29 DSP programs with 51 possible variations, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital-EX, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS neo:6, Digital ToP-ART and Cinema DSP processing.

Other important features include video-up conversion from composite to S-video at a low price point; two component video inputs and one out put for HDTV 720p/1080i compatibility; four total video inputs and one outputs S-video connections for all inputs and outputs; six-channel external decoders to accommodate future formats; three optical and one coaxial input terminal, one optical output terminal; a front panel A/V input; A/B speaker switching; and a preset remote control.

The most affordable receiver in the new series is the RX-V450, which replaces the RX-V440 and is priced at $299 (US). This unit has all of the features of the RX-V550, but only has two optical and one coaxial digital input terminal, one optical digital output terminal, and is without video conversion and S-video connections.

Yamaha Electronics Web Site