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

[wiyosaya]

Could this be it finally? @AcuDefTechGuy can you call to your Yamaha rep and try to get some info from him?



ISE 2026 will see Yamaha highlighting its position as one of the live and installed sound markets’ most innovative brands, showcasing many new and updated products, as well as solutions which help to unlock all the potential of sound.

Exhibiting at Booth 3F100, Yamaha is showing a new generation of products as part of its Commercial Installation Solutions ecosystem. These will include new audio networking, processing, amplification and control products, along with a focus on the significantly updated ProVisionaire programming and control software suite.

“At ISE 2026, we will be showcasing new products which target an extremely wide range of applications” says Marcus-Michael Mueller, Yamaha Manager Marketing Pro Audio Europe.

“With immersive systems from the biggest live shows to the smallest commercial spaces; with significantly enhanced conferencing and education solutions and powerful yet easy-to-use products for producers and online users, we believe our presence at ISE will fire the imagination of all audio creatives.”

ISE 2026 takes place at the Fira de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, from February 3-6, 2026.

It looks like this was only for the professional market, and not for the Home Theater market. https://europe.yamaha.com/en/business/audio/news/2026/ise26.html
It does look like some of the tech they are highlighting was in the AXA line.

I'm looking forward to new AVRs, too. However, it looks like the home theater enthusiast market is likely going to have to wait until - who know when.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It looks like this was only for the professional market, and not for the Home Theater market. https://europe.yamaha.com/en/business/audio/news/2026/ise26.html
It does look like some of the tech they are highlighting was in the AXA line.

I'm looking forward to new AVRs, too. However, it looks like the home theater enthusiast market is likely going to have to wait until - who know when.

That’s what I was afraid of too.

Bad for people who wanted new models, but I guess “good” for people who already own those 1st Generation Yamaha “A” AVR models since their AVR are still “new”.

 

[snakeeyes]

Seems like the current RXA8A and others could keep getting firmware updates until a need for HDMI 2.2 forces a hardware change. The AVR makers probably want to be able to provide that HDMI switching capability (rather than the TV being the hub using eARC).

I think Xbox will have a new console in 2027 but not sure what that will look like. Likely PS6 comes out around the same time.

 

[EBN]

I messaged my rep.

Last week he was saying Yamaha is releasing new AVR in a few weeks.

Few weeks my a**! Who is he working for? Not for Yamaha!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Few weeks my a**! Who is he working for? Not for Yamaha!

View attachment 78193

I stop waiting. If it comes it comes.

 

[dlaloum]

At some point you have to make a decision, you could have 3 years of happy use of that which is currently available.... rather than waiting 3 years for something that may never eventuate!!

I looked at the situation, for about 3 years, decided that Dirac ART was my key technology/functionality... and once it came out on affordable hardware, jumped brands and purchased a new AVR/AVP.

No regrets...

The alternative was to wait an additional 2 to 3 years and maybe more, with no guarantee of the desired (or similar) functionality appearing on my "preferred brand"

 

[EBN]

I stop waiting. If it comes it comes.

If you are in talk with the Yamaha rep ask him about the new RX-V models which at least in Europe will be launched shortly! Would be interesting to know what the reps in USA say and will there be another "fake" Aventage like the A2A. I heard that the top Aventage models are being pushed for potential 2027 launch. It`s so sad how long it has taken. 6 or 7 years if you think about the current Aventages were ready in late 2020 already. The only good thing coming out of this would be that they have made a deal with Dirac/Audyssey implementing it to Aventage models and offering more channels or at least 9.2 processing for the new A4A, two independent sub outs and better room EQ which would also equalize the subwoofers in the automatic setup so more radical changes are needed with the rumored all metal facelift!

If the new version of RX-A4A base design remains same let´s see how well it would do against competition;

RX-A41A
7.2, 7ch processing
Parallel dual subwoofer pre-outs
YPAO R.S.C

X3900H
9.4, 11.4 processing
4x independent subwoofer pre-outs
MultEQ XT32 + support for DL, DLBC, DL ART
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
Pre-Amp mode

Onkyo RZ31 (Q4 2026/2027)
9.4, 11.4 processing
4x independent subwoofer pre-outs
Accu EQ + support for DL, DLBC, DL ART
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

Onkyo`s new entry level NR6200 (7.2) and NR7200 (9.2) comes with "built in" Dirac Live Limited and Denon AVR-X2900H gets Dirac support too! At some point the loyal people - fanboys will start looking elsewhere if Yamaha does not deliver for higher price. I fear they will end up selling mostly soundbars in future if the sale numbers remain low. At the time of writing in Europe:

X2800H - 689€
X3800H - 1249€
Yamaha RX-A4A - 1859€

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you are in talk with the Yamaha rep ask him about the new RX-V models which at least in Europe will be launched shortly! Would be interesting to know what the reps in USA say and will there be another "fake" Aventage like the A2A. I heard that the top Aventage models are being pushed for potential 2027 launch. It`s so sad how long it has taken. 6 or 7 years if you think about the current Aventages were ready in late 2020 already. The only good thing coming out of this would be that they have made a deal with Dirac/Audyssey implementing it to Aventage models and offering more channels or at least 9.2 processing for the new A4A, two independent sub outs and better room EQ which would also equalize the subwoofers in the automatic setup so more radical changes are needed with the rumored all metal facelift!

If the new version of RX-A4A base design remains same let´s see how well it would do against competition;

RX-A41A
7.2, 7ch processing
Parallel dual subwoofer pre-outs
YPAO R.S.C

X3900H
9.4, 11.4 processing
4x independent subwoofer pre-outs
MultEQ XT32 + support for DL, DLBC, DL ART
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
Pre-Amp mode

Onkyo RZ31 (Q4 2026/2027)
9.4, 11.4 processing
4x independent subwoofer pre-outs
Accu EQ + support for DL, DLBC, DL ART
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

Onkyo`s new entry level NR6200 (7.2) and NR7200 (9.2) comes with "built in" Dirac Live Limited and Denon AVR-X2900H gets Dirac support too! At some point the loyal people - fanboys will start looking elsewhere if Yamaha does not deliver for higher price. I fear they will end up selling mostly soundbars in future if the sale numbers remain low. At the time of writing in Europe:

X2800H - 689€
X3800H - 1249€
Yamaha RX-A4A - 1859€

I don't even believe any reps anymore.

No point even asking them about new models because Yamaha doesn't tell them anything anyway.

Yeah, Yamaha AVR's aren't offering much in terms of features. But I think this is actually preferred by many people like @TLS Guy who keep asking for LESS features and LESS channels.

So there is kind of a "niche" for Yamaha AVR - people who want less features, less amps, less channels, less subs, etc. Yamaha AVR's do have MusicCast streaming and Remote Control, ATMOS, DTS:X, TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and 4K video, which are enough "features" for some people who want less.

 

[Tankini]

I don't even believe any reps anymore.

No point even asking them about new models because Yamaha doesn't tell them anything anyway.

Yeah, Yamaha AVR's aren't offering much in terms of features. But I think this is actually preferred by many people like @TLS Guy who keep asking for LESS features and LESS channels.

So there is kind of a "niche" for Yamaha AVR - people who want less features, less amps, less channels, less subs, etc. Yamaha AVR's do have MusicCast streaming and Remote Control, ATMOS, DTS:X, TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and 4K video, which are enough "features" for some people who want less.

5.1 plenty good, all I need! Less is More!
Those that want/need or just gotta have it, more power (Pun Intended) to them. .

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

5.1 plenty good, all I need! Less is More!

Less is more and quality over quantity.

At one point I was into all analog so I bought 3 Acurus RL class-A stereo preamps to create a 5.1 system. The Denon BD player 5.1 preamp outputs would connect to the 3 Acurus preamps. Those were the young good old days. These days if I were starting over I would just get an AVR and be done.

 

[Wardog555]

5.1 plenty good, all I need! Less is More!
Those that want/need or just gotta have it, more power (Pun Intended) to them. .

It's not about more power per say but more so where the sound is coming from and the experience as a whole.
Think about 7.1. This adds back surround speakers. Atmos is ceiling speakers.

5.1 is basic and has been for a period of time.

 

[Tankini]

It's not about more power per say but more so where the sound is coming from and the experience as a whole.
Think about 7.1. This adds back surround speakers. Atmos is ceiling speakers.

5.1 is basic and has been for a period of time.

Oh no.. really, didn't know that.

 

[Wardog555]

Oh no.. really, didn't know that.

Must be new to home theater

 

[Tankini]

Must be new to home theater

I invented home theater! Dolby Audio stole my idea back in '80s. My first comment is a tongue in cheek comment. So is this one. You do realize DA (Atmos) has like umm 64 channels right. May be more by now who knows. Didn't Dolby come out with Dolby Vision 2? I heard Dolby is working on holograph atmos.. all in fun bro!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My first comment is a tongue in cheek...

More POWER to you.

 

[EBN]

New lower tier models launched today and they are fitted with the magical fift foot! @gene maybe podcast with Phil Shea? I´m more interested what is ahead as these are so underwhelming.

Output Power 70 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2-ch driven)

Calibration	Room Correction

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx500a/index.html

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx300a/index.html

 

[wiyosaya]

You do realize DA (Atmos) has like umm 64 channels right.

Sounds like the AC-4 codec - seriously.

 

[wiyosaya]

New lower tier models launched today and they are fitted with the magical fift foot! @gene maybe podcast with Phil Shea? I´m more interested what is ahead as these are so underwhelming.

I'm with you. I want my second-gen Aventage A-series!!!

 

[little wing]

New lower tier models launched today and they are fitted with the magical fift foot! @gene maybe podcast with Phil Shea? I´m more interested what is ahead as these are so underwhelming.

View attachment 79552
View attachment 79553

Output Power 70 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2-ch driven)

Calibration	Room Correction

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx500a/index.html

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx300a/index.html

It least the front panel looks way better. If this is any indication of what the new higher end models are going to look like, I would definitley consider staying with the brand.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

RX500A looks like a low-end $300 DENON.

Front panel with 2 big knobs is closer in aesthetics to the previous generation of AVR (before going to single knob).

But made in VIETNAM?

All the previous Yamaha's (from the $10K Yamaha's down to the $300 Yamaha) were made in Malaysia.