Yamaha HD AV Receiver Hits Sweet Spot

Yamaha’s RX-Z7 AV receiver comes with the company’s industry-standard DSP processing, which is claimed to deliver all the power and nuances present in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks.

Click to enlarge

Bitstream support of all current home theatre formats is included through the RXZ7’s five Version 1.3 HDMI inputs (four rear, one front panel) and eight SPDIF inputs (3 coaxial, 5 optical). Automatic acoustic optimisation is achieved using Yamaha’s advanced multi-point YPAO, which was originally introduced on the RX-Z11. YPAO automatic calibration can create a larger ‘sweet spot’ for several listeners by measuring at several points around the listening environment, while speaker angle measurement further increases the accuracy of multi-channel sources.

Its pre-amp mode will provide discrete 7.1 channel line-level output whilst the internal amplifiers are shut down, thus eliminating unnecessary sources of heat and power consumption. In pre-amp mode the internal amplifiers can still be assigned to run speakers in zones 2 and 3.

The RX-Z7’s powerful 980-Watt amplifier stage (7 channels, each rated 140-Watt / 😯 / 20Hz-20kHz / 0.04 percent THD) is preceded by 192kHz.

Dual simultaneous HDMI output capability will cater for multiple video screen operation, and all of the HD video formats are supported such as Deep Colour, xvColour, 24Hz and 100/120 Hz refresh. In addition, the RX-Z7’s Anchor Bay VRS processing allows 1080p upscaling of HDMI and analogue sources and fine control over a number of picture settings such as Mosquito and Block Noise Reduction, Detail Enhancement, Edge Enhancement, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation.

Progressive Reprocessing (PReP) improves the picture quality of progressive video signals (576p/720p/1080p) which have originated from interlaced sources but undergone inferior deinterlacing by non-dedicated video processors.

A superimposed colour-icon style graphical user interface (GUI) menu allows easy yet comprehensive setup of the RX-Z7’s audio, video, network and multi-zone parameters. A detailed listing of your monitor’s EDID information (which indicates compatible video signals) takes the guesswork out of selecting the most appropriate format to send to your display. CEC (Consumer Electronic Commands) and HDMI audio can also be assigned to the monitor of your choice.

The web-browser interface offers the ultimate in operating convenience. You can control the RX-Z7 with any PC or web-enabled PDA (like an iPhone) over the home network. Digital Living Network Alliance-certified Ethernet connection also allows streaming of music from network-based music collections, as well as WMA/MP3 Internet radio stations.

Yamaha’s YBA-10 Bluetooth receiver and included YDS-11 iPod dock allow easy access to portable music collections with on-screen display of iPod album artwork. The inclusion of the RX-Z7’s dual USB (front and rear) inputs, Compressed Music Enhancer and exclusive 3D Cinema and Hi-Fi DSP modes further extend your listening options.

The RX-Z7’s flexible multi-zone abilities draw inspiration from the example set by the vanguard RX-Z11. Its four individual zones will allow two separate stereo music sources (eg: zones 2 and 3) plus two separate multi-channel surround soundtracks (eg: zone 4 and main) to be distributed simultaneously – all from the one receiver.

The main, second and third zones can be powered by each of the seven internal amplifiers while the optical out on the RX-Z7 enables a separate multi-channel source to be played through another amplifier in the fourth zone. Composite or component video can also be enjoyed in zone 2, while each zone can have its own individual control via the web-browser interface, the dual remote IR loop or via a touchscreen remote connected to the RS-232 interface. Dual programmable trigger connections can activate automatic dropdown screens or other devices, further extending the RXZ7’s impressive custom installation options.

RRP
$3,999