RX-V4A vs. R-N803 audio performance comparison

A

acont99

Audiophyte
Hi everyone.

Looking for users/owners that own or have experienced both Yamaha RX4VA and RN803 (or even the RN602 version) and that can share their experience or why they prefer either one. I'm only interested in the music listening side of each and understand that one is a AV receiver and the other for music only. I’m familiar with both on paper but like to better understand advantages they might have over each other from a music handling or listening point of view.
I should add that I can get the RXV4A for USD150 less than the RN803, hence my question. Speakerwise I have the Dali Oberon 5.

Thanks
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
Hi everyone.

Looking for users/owners that own or have experienced both Yamaha RX4VA and RN803 (or even the RN602 version) and that can share their experience or why they prefer either one. I'm only interested in the music listening side of each and understand that one is a AV receiver and the other for music only. I’m familiar with both on paper but like to better understand advantages they might have over each other from a music handling or listening point of view.
I should add that I can get the RXV4A for USD150 less than the RN803, hence my question. Speakerwise I have the Dali Oberon 5.

Thanks
The 803 probably does not have any bass management. So you can verify that by finding the Yamaha manual online and seeing for sure if that is the case.

Do you use a subwoofer?

Edit: My guess was wrong here. There is some bass management via YPAO settings per other posts on this site on the N803.
 
Last edited:
A

acont99

Audiophyte
The 803 probably does not have any bass management. So you can verify that by finding the Yamaha manual online and seeing for sure if that is the case.

Do you use a subwoofer?
Thanks for your good question and pointer. No bass management indeed. But I won't be using a subwoofer, hence no need to manage the crossover frequencies. In the future that may change however....
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
Sometimes the 2 channel gear has lower THD numbers but it’s not audible, so I would expect the AVR to sound the same if similar watts per channel.

I’m sure others here will also give their opinions though. :)
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Thanks for your good question and pointer. No bass management indeed. But I won't be using a subwoofer, hence no need to manage the crossover frequencies. In the future that may change however....
That is not correct. The R-N803 does has some limited bass management features via the app. For some reason Yamaha doesn't talk much about the feature.

Between the two you are considering, the R-N803 is far superior in terms of specs that would could, or may affect sound quality depending on the applications and/or the user's listening habits.

By the way, do you know how much "power" you are going to need based on you applications/listening habits.

A good first step is to figure that out (calculator attached) and then you will know if either of those have the power requirement.

Peak SPL Calculator (hometheaterengineering.com)

For bass management features please read post#15 and #16 in the link below:

Yamaha R-N803 stereo network receiver with YPAO bass mgt! | Audioholics Home Theater Forums
 
Last edited:
A

acont99

Audiophyte
That is not correct. The R-N803 does has some limited bass management features via the app. For some reason Yamaha doesn't talk much about the feature.

Between the two you are considering, the R-N803 is far superior in terms of specs that would affect sound quality.
By the way, do you know how much "power" you are going to need based on you applications/listening habits.

A good first step is to figure that out (calculator attached) and then you will know if either of those have the power requirement.

Peak SPL Calculator (hometheaterengineering.com)

For bass management features please read post#15 and #16 in the link below:

Yamaha R-N803 stereo network receiver with YPAO bass mgt! | Audioholics Home Theater Forums
Fantastic! Thank you for the link.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
I guess the “N” is a bit different than the “S” models. I am also unclear if bass management extends to other “N” models or not. This information does seem to be somewhat hidden and somehow linked to the YPAO room correction software settings rather than a separate adjustment like on the AVRs.
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
That is not correct. The R-N803 does has some limited bass management features via the app. For some reason Yamaha doesn't talk much about the feature.

Between the two you are considering, the R-N803 is far superior in terms of specs that would affect sound quality.
By the way, do you know how much "power" you are going to need based on you applications/listening habits.

A good first step is to figure that out (calculator attached) and then you will know if either of those have the power requirement.

Peak SPL Calculator (hometheaterengineering.com)

For bass management features please read post#15 and #16 in the link below:

Yamaha R-N803 stereo network receiver with YPAO bass mgt! | Audioholics Home Theater Forums
Just what are the specs that make a far superior/difference in sound quality between the two, tho?
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Just what are the specs that make a far superior/difference in sound quality between the two, tho?
I did not exactly say that did I?:D

Regardless, you have a point so just to keep you happy, I am going to edit it slightly as I should have used the word "could", or "may" instead of "would". I also should have included the "depending...blablabla...." part that I typically would do.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I did not exactly say that did I?:D

Regardless, you have a point so just to keep you happy, I am going to edit it slightly as I should have used the word "could", or "may" instead of "would". I also should have included the "depending...blablabla...." part that I typically would do.
I'm still curious for some example....
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top