Yamaha RX-Z9 First Look

[twelly]

Folks,

I'm currently thinking of upgrading my old denon receiver AVR-5700 because I wanted the following new features:
- DVD-Audio/SACD
- Dolby Prologic II/IIx
- Auto Calibration
- Better DSP (not a top priority, so far I didn't like my denon dsp, very dull)

So far based on my research and reading some of the reviews on the web, my top 2 choices are the Yammy Z9 and Pioneer Elite 59txi. Both receivers are available in our local dealer. I just need your opinion... how do you usually audition receivers at your local dealer? Do you bring your own movie/music materials? What list of features should I test that you recommend? I use the receiver 70% on movie-watching and 30% music.

Thanks,
Twelly

[Leigh]

I have a question about the i-link connection. I have a 7.1 system and when I listen to SACD's or DVD Audio's using the i-link I only get sound out of my side surrounds which are dipole speakers. Is there a way to set up the Z9 so that I get sound out of my side surrounds AND my rear surrounds at the same time when listening to high rez multichannel music? Or perhaps is there a way to make the surround info come out of the rear 2 surrounds which are direct-firing INSTEAD of the side surrounds? When I watch a dolby digital movie I get the sound out of both sides and rear surrounds just fine it's just when I listen to the SACD's and DVD Audio discs that I would really like to be able to get my rear surrounds working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[gene]

Leigh;

That is b/c DVD-A/SACD are 5.1 channel formats. However, I believe you can engage PLIIX Music Mode to get 7.1 surround for these modes. Go into the surround setup menu and enable PLIIx for the EXT In/I.link mode.

[Leigh]

Thanks very much gene, I'll give that a try.

[walt_nixon]

how do you get 9.1 out of the Z9 with DD 5.1 input?

The 9.1 comes in when you have your Z9 set up with a total of 10 (or 11) speakers, as follows:
2 Main
2 Front Effects ("presence")
2 Side
2 Rear
1 Center Channe (that's 9 so far)
1 or 2 Sub-Woofers (the ".1" part)

In normal operation decoding 2 channel sources (using THX Ultra2 Cinema, DTS EX or DD EX decoders), the most you're going to get out of the system is 7.1 channels, i. e., all but the front "presence" speakers kick in. When you select one of the "MOVIE THEATER" sound field programs for use with one of these decoders, the "presence" speakers will be engaged and you've got 9.1 channel sound. Look at pages 55 and 114 in the user's manual.

Walt

[RacerChris]

In my system it is important to have Video Downconversion from High-Bandwdith Component Video (HDTV) to composite video. Can anyone confirm/deny the Z9's ability to do this?

As always, thanks everyone in advance for your replies!

[troytn]

Leigh;

That is b/c DVD-A/SACD are 5.1 channel formats. However, I believe you can engage PLIIX Music Mode to get 7.1 surround for these modes. Go into the surround setup menu and enable PLIIx for the EXT In/I.link mode.

It seems you cannot engage the PLIIx music for dvd audio or SACD when using the I-link. Not sure why? You can however engage PLIIx if you use the 5.1 analog inputs for dvd audio and SACD.

But the I-link does let you engae PLIIx for all other surround formats except dvd audio and SACD.

Has anyone been able to engage the surround back speakers (PLIIx) via I-link when listening to dvd audio/SACD's?

[gene]

troytn;

I believe you can engage PLIIx for DVD-A and SACD via i.link. Its been awhile since I reviewed it, but I seem to remember doing a specific audio setup for i.link that allowed the user to use DSP processing such as PLIIx for all formats via i.link.

Perhaps you are engaging "Pure Direct" which will infact bypass the DSP so you won't be able to engage PLIIx modes. If so, disable "Pure Direct" and see what happens.

[troytn]

Gene,
I will go back and look at this again. I remember I would try and hit my ex/es button and nothing. I believe the Z9 via I-link keeps it in pure DSD for SACD etc..and does not convert to PCM which would allow for PLIIx processing via I-link. I wish it would. I will look again. I know it does for the analog 5.1 inputs.

Has anyone heard if Yamaha plans to replace this model with a newer version this fall? It needs the upgraded YAPO, HMDI, etc to keep up with others. I like the looks of the new RX-V4600 receiver and I'm looking forward to its full review.

One nice thing I noticed is the remote has a button for toggling the dts neo, pro logic, PLII, etc modes. If I remember correctly the Z9 you have to use the GUI and access it it that way under decoder type option. Kind of a pain. There is a direct button for the ex/es on the Z9 remote but not the dts neo, PLII etc like on the rx-v2500 and 4600.

I should try and program my Z9 remote using the new button labeled "select" on these new recievers and see if it would work on my Z9 and change these modes more easily. My local store should let me program one key stroke from his 4600 remote to my Z9 remote.

Gene any news on a new flagship from Yamaha? They did such a great job with the Z9 (I love mine) I can only imagine what Yamaha can do to improve the Z9. My neighbor will buy mine when I'm ready to upgrade.

[ailean]

Hi Gene,
I noticed that you had a Windows program from Yamaha for talking to the Z9 via serial, any ideas on where to get this? Does anyone have a copy I can get hold of? I've found the serial comm specs on the Yamaha US site (anything like this doesn't seem to exist on any of the other international Yamaha sites i.e. IR codes, reset doc etc. ) but wanted to have a play with a prebuilt GUI before considering programming my own control stuff.

Also anyone know much about the 'REMOTE IN/OUT jacks' and the 'CONTROL OUT jacks'? I take it the latter just go 12v high when the unit is switched on, is the former purely a Yamaha control link interface or can it be used for an IR extender when placing it inside a closed cabinate?

EDIT:
Doh! Google is your friend... After a bit more messing with search terms I found the dealer support site with the editors.

Thanks.