Yes, these AVR-derived amps aren’t hardcore amps like the ATI’s of the world.
But unlike these AVR-amps, Yamaha is making the MX-A5200 a little different by allowing real bi-amp capability (400W x 2Ch into 4 ohms @ 0.1% THD, I think 500W x 2Ch @ % 1% THD).
I don’t think there’s ever been an AVR-derived amp that can output 500W x 2Ch into 4 ohms @ 1% THD.
That’s hardcore power!
So if Yamaha is already allowing 4Ch-biamp with the MX-A5200, why not take it up a notch and allow 10Ch-biamp (400W x 5Ch into 4 ohms)?
I’m thinking along the line of the Denon 150X x 10CH POA amp that came out with the AVP-A1HDCI, which allowed 10Ch-biamp into 5Ch.
But, yeah, I’m just dreaming because that’s not happening.
Okay, let's compare, and based on information from the official Yamaha website and their Owner's manual only.
Two channel driven, 20-20,000 hz, 0.06% THD
RX-A3080.........................150 W
MX-A5200........................150 W
Dynamic power IHF
RX-A3080.........................175/220/295/410 W 8/6/4/2 ohm
MX-A5200........................190/250/350/500 W 8/6/4/2 ohm
Power consumption
RX-A3080.........................490 W 1210 W maximum
MX-A5200........................650 W 1500 W maximum
So both are, like most AVRs,
not rated for 4 ohm. If 4 ohm speakers are used, the manual tells you to use the impedance selector. As we both know, people like us would leave the impedance selector on the 8 ohm setting anyway. My point is that "real/non AVR derived/related" power amps wouldn't have such requirement, while the so called 4 ohm rated AVRs, or AVR derived, related power amps do.
There is no bi-amp rating so if you got that from a reliable source I appreciate a link to it. They do have a "bridged" rating, that is 200 WPC for channel 3 and 4, but also required the use of the impedance selector switch.
It looks to me the MX-A5200 very likely have the same output devices as the RX-A3080 but has a larger power supply that allows it to rate it about 15-18% more powerful. We both know that is insignificant as 100% more powerful means 3 dB louder, all else being equal.
In a way, Yamaha seems more conservative with this power amp as it rated it for 4 ohms (with the use of the impedance selector) for two channels only per owner's manual (see below). I might have interpreted that wrong, and if so hopefully Gene has more details on that.
Pg. 15:
Note on the speaker impedance The unit supports the following speaker impedance.
• CH.3 A/B: 4 ohm or more (8 ohm or more when using CH.3 A and CH.3 B at the same time)
• BRIDGE connection: 8 ohm or more
• Other channels: 6 ohm or more Set the IMPEDANCE SELECTOR to the upper/lower position depending on the speakers connected to the unit.
I know you are now 100% Yamaha, but hopefully remain objective as you have always been, and check your information source for credibility.
Edit: In AH's bench test for the MX-A5000 that seems to have identical power output specs to the MX-A5200, it did manage 396 W, two channel driven, at 1% THD, but that's "dynamic power" using the The CEA-2006 burst tests. For comparison, even the non flag ship Denon AVR-X5200W, also on AH's test bench, was able to output 300 WPC at 1% THD, so the MX-A5000 did about 1.2 dB better than the mid range AVR. So I highly doubt it can do better than even 1 dB against its cousin RX-A3080 or RX-A2080 in the same tone burst test.
