Yamaha has enjoyed quite a bit of success with the introduction of
its premium Aventage line of AV receivers and separates. While the
Aventage line has been available for a while, it remains quite
competitive in its performance, features, and connectivity; a recent
firmware update added Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround modes. I'll point
you to
this refresher on all things Dolby Atmos if you need it.
Sitting at the top of the
Aventage receiver
lineup is the RX-A3040, priced at $2,199. It is billed as a 9.2-channel
receiver, as it provides both control and amplification for nine
channels and up to two subwoofers in a variety of configurations.
However, it is capable of providing control for two additional channels,
as long as you have an external amplifier to power them. The receiver
includes two of ESS Technology's high-performance DACs: the 32-bit
ESS9016 processes the seven main channels, while the 24-bit ESS9006
processes the front and rear presence (or overhead) speakers and two
subwoofer channels.
Features abound with the RX-A3040. This networkable receiver has
built-in apps for Internet radio and streaming services such as
Rhapsody, Spotify,
SiriusXM, Pandora, and others. Built-in WiFi capability allows for a wireless connection to your router, and you can connect to Apple devices via AirPlay or an HTC phone via the
HTC
Connect app. The Yamaha can decode most music formats, including WAV and
FLAC (both up to 24-bit/192-kHz), Apple's ALAC, and others. USB and MHL
ports allow for the connection of a wide gamut of devices. Advanced HDMI
zone switching allows you to output any source to a second zone through
HDMI (analog audio is also available in a third zone). The RX-A3040 can
pass through and upscale to
4K/60 Ultra HD;
however, it's not HDCP 2.2-compliant, and Yamaha does not plan to offer
an upgrade path, so you will need a workaround if you plan to embrace
Ultra HD
Blu-ray
in the near future. There is even a phono input (MM cartridges) for
connecting a turntable, so there's no need to give up your vinyl.
The Hookup
The RX-A3040 chassis weighs just shy
of a hefty 40 pounds and carries a slew of connectivity features,
including eight HDMI inputs and two outputs--plenty for all your
sources. (Visit
Yamaha's website for a full rundown of connection options.) I used the first two HDMI inputs for my
AT&T U-Verse box for TV and my Oppo BDP-105 for all spinning-disc sources. With the Yamaha set to handle all video processing and switching, I sent HDMI output to my BenQ W7000 projector, displaying to my Elite Screens Spectrum 128-inch screen. I ran
speaker wire
to my usual 5.1 speaker configuration with the pair of Salk Soundscape
12 speakers serving as front left and right channels, a Salk Soundscape
7C as center, and the B&W CM6 S2 in the surround role. I connected
my SVS PC-13 Ultra
subwoofer to one of the two
subwoofer outs on the Yamaha.
For the Atmos channels, Atlantic Technology was kind enough to
provide two pairs of the 44-DA Atmos-enabled speaker modules (review
coming soon) to complete a 5.1.4 Atmos configuration. Since Atmos
capability was not enabled out of the box, I downloaded the new firmware
to get it. Next, I set up my speakers using Yamaha's proprietary YPAO.
The version of YPAO included with the RX-A3040 uniquely
includes 3D
and Angle measurement, which is not an advancement to be taken lightly.
Our Yamaha rep describes these options like this: "The Angle measurement
is used to correct for speaker placement that deviates from the
commonly used ITU-r placement. Furniture, windows and room layout can
prevent many people from placing speakers in the proper location. By
knowing where all speakers are placed in relation to the prime listening
spot, the DSP processing can image the signal to more closely match ITU
suggestions. Meanwhile, the
Height Angle
measurement is used, among other things, to give the Atmos decoder more
accurate data on how to map the individual sound objects within the
listening room. If the receiver knows that the front right overhead
speaker is 45 degrees to the front instead of 60 degrees, the decoder
can more accurately place the sound of a mosquito, for instance, in the
three-dimensional confines of the room."
For an Atmos setup, I needed to make a few tweaks before running
YPAO. First, I enabled 3D and Angle and multipoint (this makes for a
longer setup time, but allows YPAO to take measurements at multiple
points and create a smoother sound-field across multiple seating
positions, such as an entire couch). Then I set the front height and
rear presence speakers to the setting for
Atmos-enabled speakers.
Running through YPAO took about 20 minutes or so, and YPAO got most
things correct. It correctly detected the presence of all speakers, and
its distances and levels were accurate. My surround and rear presence
speakers were both set to large, however, and crossover points were set a
little too low given the speaker sets. I can't really fault YPAO for
this, as I happened to place my surrounds in the back corners of the
room with the rear Atmos modules on top, and corners are known to
reinforce bass. I made a couple of manual adjustments for this, and I
was on on my way...although I must note that YPAO did not allow me to
set the exact crossover point of 150 Hz that Atlantic Tech recommends
for the Atmos modules, but forced me to choose between 120 Hz and 160
Hz. I chose 160 Hz to be closer to the recommended setting.
Performance
I started off with some two-channel
music: Wynton Marsalis' album Marsalis Standard Time Vol. 1 (SACD,
Columbia). Initial testing showed that my power-hungry Salk L/R speakers
were a little too much for the Yamaha to handle. The RX-A3040 boasts a
power rating of 150 watts per channel with two channels driven, which is
the minimum power amplification recommended for my speakers. So, while
the Yamaha stretched admirably to drive the Salks, it couldn't stretch
quite far enough get the best performance out of them. Swapping out my
Salks for my B&W CM6 S2
bookshelf speakers
made for a rich, beautiful sound. Bass lines were tight and
well-defined, piano notes were rich and had the heft I expected, and
Marsalis' trumpet sang with all its squeaky nuances in place.
Price Only $1999.99
Thanks to Yamaha's yAired™ technology, you can use your YSP-5100 with an
iPod and subwoofer without having to connect any cables. The yAired™
link transmits uncompressed data (linear PCM) so there is no loss of
signal data, unlike systems that use Bluetooth® wireless technology to
send compressed data. This ensures maximum sound quality. The PDX-50TX
provides wireless connection capability to your iPod. This allows you to
use the iPod as a remote control while listening to your iPod music and
provides synchronized power on/off. In addition, the iPod charges when
it is in the included charging cradle. The SWK-W10 allows the wireless
connection of any subwoofer, highly recommended for boosting bass sound.
Both of these kits can be used together; when doing so, turning on the
iPod automatically turns on the YSP-5100 and the subwoofer.