Yamaha RX-A6 multichannel performance

[TLS Guy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70. I'm a little hesitant because I remember the HDMI issues from years back. But I really like the power output of the Onkyo and the Dirac room correction. YPAO leaves a lot to be desired. Good idea? Or stay in the Yamaha universe with a RX A6A. I'm not too crazy about the new style though.

If you need to replace it now, I would stick with Yamaha. Marantz and Denon have been in a frightful mess of late due to severe mismanagement under Sound United. Just in the last few days, Sound United has been purchased by Harmon a subsidiary of Samsung. Hopefully this will lead to a brighter future. The new Harmon leadership have made encouraging statements, but as we all know:- "Talk is Cheap!"

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70.

This comes to mind:

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70. I'm a little hesitant because I remember the HDMI issues from years back. But I really like the power output of the Onkyo and the Dirac room correction. YPAO leaves a lot to be desired. Good idea? Or stay in the Yamaha universe with a RX A6A. I'm not too crazy about the new style though.

First, why are you wanting to replace the excellent Yamaha 2080? Just upgrade fever?

2nd, how often do you buy/upgrade your AVR? Is it worth saving a few dollars for something that you plan on keeping for 5YR+ ?

I love my RX-A3080. The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz. I need Pure Direct for KARAOKE.

3rd, I don’t want to hear a word out of anybody’s mouth about my Karaoke.

 

[m. zillch]

The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz.

Well it does have a subwoofer out for incoming signals containing a ".1" ch.; I assume you mean you don't like that there's no sub out for incoming 2.0 content in Pure Direct mode, yes?

I didn't know some Denon/Marantz differ in this way. That must be new. Of course there's no law regarding what "Pure Direct" even means, so technically any company can do whatever they want but could you give an example of one I could do more research on to learn about it? Thanks.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well it does have a subwoofer out for incoming signals containing a ".1" ch.; I assume you mean you don't like that there's no sub out for incoming 2.0 content in Pure Direct mode, yes?

I didn't know some Denon/Marantz differ in this way. That must be new. Of course there's no law regarding what "Pure Direct" even means, so technically any company can do whatever they want but could you give an example of one I could do more research on to learn about it? Thanks.

Yes, I mean for 2.0 sources (like for my analog karaoke source).

Denon/Marantz has always offered this for as long as I can remember.

When I use any other modes for karaoke (stereo, straight), this still requires processing and this causes the annoying sound delays when I sing on the microphone. But when I use Pure Direct, there is absolutely no sound delays. This happens with all AVR’s I’ve used.

But for Denon, I can set the Subwoofer mode to LFE + Main (some call this double bass) and this allows subwoofer output from 2.0 sources even in PD mode. No sound delays on my karaoke mics.

Yamaha has “Double Bass”, but PD shuts this off.

 

[Trebdp83]

I'm going to say a word about your karaoke. But, I'll let you pick the word. Oh, and I think you meant LFE + Main.

 

[m. zillch]

But for Denon, I can set the Subwoofer mode to THX + Main (some call this double bass) and this allows subwoofer output from 2.0 sources even in PD mode.

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

Denon AVR-5308 and AVR-3000-series about 8 - 9 years ago.

 

[lovinthehd]

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

I have a coupla Denons that can use sub in 2ch direct mode (and can be set for either LFE or LFE+Main modes). My 4700 and 4520 and 3808 all offer this.

 

[m. zillch]

I have a coupla Denons that can use sub in 2ch direct mode (and can be set for either LFE or LFE+Main modes). My 4700 and 4520 and 3808 all offer this.

Even in LFE mode? Wild.

Does it have a secondary bass management system to set sub level, delay, crossover but all done in the analog domain?
Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure', I'm digitizing the analog input signal anyways, like it or not, to derive the manufactured sub out channel and filter the mains"?
I'm not getting this. Help me out.

 

[budjo]

First, why are you wanting to replace the excellent Yamaha 2080? Just upgrade fever?

2nd, how often do you buy/upgrade your AVR? Is it worth saving a few dollars for something that you plan on keeping for 5YR+ ?

I love my RX-A3080. The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz. I need Pure Direct for KARAOKE.

3rd, I don’t want to hear a word out of anybody’s mouth about my Karaoke.

The reason for the replacement is the receiver developed random popping every so often. I sent it in twice but never got it resolved. It's not awful but enough for me to move on. This is the first Yamaha that has given me a problem. I will probably buy the RZ70 from Crutchfield so if it turns out I don't like it I can send it back for a Yamaha.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure'….

The fact that I am not getting any kind of sound delays (unlike all the other modes like Stereo mode) tells me that it is pure.

All the other modes cause a sound delay which tells me the signal is being post-processed or went through DAC/DAC conversions for bass management.

IOW, if Pure Direct or Direct mode causes the exact same sound delay effects that Stereo mode causes, then it would prove that Pure Direct was not really pure and had the same analog-to-digital and then digital-to-analog conversions.

So Pure Direct is pure even with the subwoofer management.

PC ANALOG signal goes to External Sound Mixer the same time the Microphone ANALOG signal goes to Sound Mixer. The combined ANALOG signal then goes to the AVR ANALOG Input. In PD mode, the ANALOG signal goes to the ANALOG amp and speaker. All other modes require ADC for bass management and then DAC, which causes the sound delay.

 

[lovinthehd]

Even in LFE mode? Wild.

Does it have a secondary bass management system to set sub level, delay, crossover but all done in the analog domain?
Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure', I'm digitizing the analog input signal anyways, like it or not, to derive the manufactured sub out channel and filter the mains"?
I'm not getting this. Help me out.

You can choose LFE or LFE+Main mode, set crossover and L/R speaker delays, levels. I assume its done digitally. You don't have to use it if you want to be "purer"