Yamaha AVENTAGE 2021 AV Receivers Bulk Up on Power and 8K Features

[clone1008]

To me, "the formal review process" sounds like an objective assessment, perhaps with trained listeners and double-blind tests. But even if I am wrong, if an author says "part II is forthcoming" and 6+ months pass with nothing, I still hold him to the promise. I would also like to learn if Yamaha fixed the -9dBFS problem @gene discovered, either in one of the recent firmware updates or, if it is an unfixable hardware issue, if perhaps it was corrected in units produced after a certain date.

Like I mentioned earlier why not ask him personally? He has always answered my private messages.

 

[Replicant 7]

Like I mentioned earlier why not ask him personally? He has always answered my private messages.

Yep, Gene is a very generous man with his knowledge. In a inbox private chat I had with him, I asked him about his findings of the Yamaha RX-A6A. Outside of the few issues he found, he stated it has a state of the art preamp.

 

[Replicant 7]

I think everyone agrees 100%.

This is a 1st Generation AVR, which has some growing pains for some people, while not affecting some people- depending on the usage.

For those affected, I think eventually all the bugs will be worked out. But it’s frustrating having to wait because the waiting is the hardest part. When you’re waiting, it seems forever.

I'm just glad I got my Yamaha RX-A4A before the two price increases. Absolutely one of the best deals I've made on a new AVR. Since Yamaha unlocked the HDMI's upscales to 4K flawlessly, just beautimous!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm just glad I got my Yamaha RX-A4A before the two price increases. Absolutely one of the best deals I've made on a new AVR. Since Yamaha unlocked the HDMI's upscales to 4K flawlessly, just beautimous!

And I bet the price increase will continue for every brand.

 

[snakeeyes]

And I bet the price increase will continue for every brand.

Noticed they updated the multicast app too recently. Looks great!

 

[Replicant 7]

Noticed they updated the multicast app too recently. Looks great!

Oh dam! Going login! Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Replicant 7]

@jimfrenchlab, just buy Yamaha! lol umm you eat eggplant?

Valhalla!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Noticed they updated the multicast app too recently. Looks great!

I noticed a few days ago. Looks cooler.

I used MusicCast to turn on my Home Theater (Yamaha CX-A5100) as I do a million times. Next thing I know the MusicCast app is updated. It also asked if I wanted to do a firmware update for my Living Room (Yamaha RX-A3080).

Really cool how MusicCast can do the firmware updates for all the Yamaha in the network. So if I had 8 Yamaha AVR’s, MusicCast could update the firmware on all 8 of them without me having to manually turn them on.

 

[WalterFarley]

Yes. A few months ago someone was validating a new D&M engineering model and spoke about it on Audioholics. How long does this process take, I do not know? Yamaha cannot release anything new before they get right all current features on HDMI 2.1, including VRR and FRL signal in Zone 2 output, and possibly not before they get out 5300 series.

If they decide to put new chips in 5300, they will want to show it off, namely that new processor works fully and properly, before risking putting another half-baked HDMI board into yet another generation of AVRs. They are desperate now to make sure there is no consumer backclash, board exchange embarrassment and heavy delay of enabling software, like the one we saw during 2020 and 2021...

My impression is that a dealbreaker for new gen of AVRs is going to be a new HDMI 2.1 chip - third gen full speed chip with 48 Gbps and proper software out of the box. So, this may take one more year to get right.

Notice that Trinnov is the only well-known brand that has not jumped into HDMI 2.1 early trap. Trinnov does not have commercial cadence approach of 2-3 years. So, their philosophy is to get things right in the first place, regardless of how long it takes. Watch out for Trinnov annoucements. Whatever HDMI 2.1 chips they decide to install into Altitude processors is what others are going to do too in next gen of their divices. Trinnov would not dare embarrass themselves and their owners of expensive Altitude gear by exchanging HDMI boards that would turn out not to be fully functional in hardware and software features.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[AVR Enthu]

The other day I watched on YT @gene 's long interview with a Yamaha rep introducing the new Aventage line. Yamaha switched its platform to Qualcomm (there was a subtle indication that the previous DSP was TI). They tend to switch platforms every 10 years. So a lot of custom software had to be rewritten for the new SoC. The new 8k HDMI chips are quite power-hungry, so Yamaha equipped them with radiators to increase longevity. Based on that interview and some posts on this thread, my general conclusion is that Yamaha will likely not come up with new Aventage AVR models any time soon (e.g. not in 2H22 or 1H23). Instead, they will likely focus on amortizing their investment and perfecting the current models. That is why it is important to learn if the known issues are addressed in firmware or minor hardware tweaks during the current production run.

As I said a few pages ago, the first test will be AVP 5300 series. That device will feature the same SoC and current 40 Gbps HDMI chips, unless upgraded to 48 Gbps speed. They cannot release anything new until they perfect and get right current issues.

Watch what Trinnov is doing and you will know when 48 Gbps chips are coming in the mainstream.

 

[AVR Enthu]

I think everyone agrees 100%.

This is a 1st Generation AVR, which has some growing pains for some people, while not affecting some people- depending on the usage.

For those affected, I think eventually all the bugs will be worked out. But it’s frustrating having to wait because the waiting is the hardest part. When you’re waiting, it seems forever.

It is the first gen Aventage with Qualcomm SoC, but it's divided into tiers with two video boards. One board is 24 Gbps and higher tier board is 40 Gbps signal. Those two video boards host two different generations of HDMI 2.1 chips, initial one from 2020 and newer one from 2021. All Aventage models had the first board at CES 2020, but once the scandal with HDMI played in public in October 2020..., they delayed higher tier models from A4A up, until late 2021, to get new boards with 40 Gbps HDMI ports installed.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I think everyone agrees 100%.

This is a 1st Generation AVR, which has some growing pains for some people, while not affecting some people- depending on the usage.

For those affected, I think eventually all the bugs will be worked out. But it’s frustrating having to wait because the waiting is the hardest part. When you’re waiting, it seems forever.

the great Yamaha shall provide…..
Post removed. I was not in a great mood when I wrote that.

 

[Replicant 7]

Yep! My Yamaha RX-A4A upscales from 1080p to 4K just beautimous! I have my Roku stick plugged into HDMI 3 input. Also my Roku stick isn't a 4K, it's a 1080p.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yep! My Yamaha RX-A4A upscales from 1080p to 4K just beautimous! I have my Roku stick plugged into HDMI 3 input. Also my Roku stick isn't a 4K, it's a 1080p.
View attachment 56856

Mike, I am glad the Yamaha is working out GREAT for you and many other people.

 

[Trell]

This is exactly what’s wrong today. Having expectations such as “growing pains”? Wtf… it’s a piece of electronics. The Fukkin thing works, or it doesn’t. Using the general public for beta testing is bullshitt. Why are people waiting? It’s a dry lube stick in the a$$.
“Its frustrating having to wait”… what a cop out. Oh, never mind the great Yamaha shall provide…..

I'm not so sure that your bank account is experiencing "growing pains".

 

[highfigh]

I noticed a few days ago. Looks cooler.

I used MusicCast to turn on my Home Theater (Yamaha CX-A5100) as I do a million times. Next thing I know the MusicCast app is updated. It also asked if I wanted to do a firmware update for my Living Room (Yamaha RX-A3080).

Really cool how MusicCast can do the firmware updates for all the Yamaha in the network. So if I had 8 Yamaha AVR’s, MusicCast could update the firmware on all 8 of them without me having to manually turn them on.

After more than five years, I was a bit surprised by the new GUI. I liked the old one, but I'll get used to the new because I'm not gonna jump ship and buy Sonos or HEOS, even though I have used both extensively- learning a new GUI isn't a problem, unless they remove access to some of the setup features, which they haven't.

I really like the fact that I have nothing to complain about with MusicCast after that length of time. I did have a problem with a slight delay in the bass enhancement feature, but they fixed that or I'm no longer able to hear it (which I doubt, since I haven't started to abuse my ears and haven't noticed any loss of acuity).

 

[Trebdp83]

Really liked the MusicCast app. It needed some tweaks but not a redesign. Don't care for the new look much myself but it is what it is and still functions very well.

 

[Replicant 7]

the great Yamaha shall provide…..
Post removed. I was not in a great mood when I wrote that.

Lol, not that you weren't tell us anything we Yamaha fanboys didn't know already. I can't dispute the fact that your post wasn't honest cuz it was.

 

[Replicant 7]

Mike, I am glad the Yamaha is working out GREAT for you and many other people.

Why thank you! You do remember back when I was looking to upgrade my AVR again for the 100th time. I ask you about Yamaha, Denon, Marantz AVR's. Your advice was for me to go try and find a local audio dealer and do a look see, and compare. So I did, went to my Local Best buy sat down in their Magnolia department, and I demode Demon's 3700, and Marantz, can't exactly remember Marantz model. They both sounded great. They didn't have the RX-A4A in at the time. But it came down to price. I've owned Marantz in the past but never a Denon.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Why thanks you! You do remember back when I was looking to upgrade my AVR again for the 100th time. I ask you about Yamaha, Denon, Marantz AVR's. Your advice was for me to go try and find a local audio dealer and do a look see, and compare. So I did, went to my Local Best buy sat down in their Magnolia department, and I demode Demon's 3700, and Marantz, can't exactly remember Marantz model. They both sounded great. They didn't have the RX-A4A in at the time. But it came down to price. I've owned Marantz in the past but never a Denon.

Yeah, you kept on buying a Yamaha AVR and then sell it to one of your sons for dirt cheap price.

Denon, Marantz, Yamaha will equally sound great. Some people will prefer one brand over the others for different reasons.

But I know you JUST BUY YAMAHA. Haha.