Can a Yamaha RX-A3040 natively handle a 7.2.4 atmos configuration with in-ceiling speakers?

[Fried Chicken]

I'm looking to install attic insulation . Before doing so, any attic work needs to get taken care of, including potentially installing four in-ceiling speakers in addition to my 7.2 setup I currently have, powered by a Yamaha CX-A5000.

The receiver I've always had on my radar is the rx-a3040 - the last yamaha flagship that can run as a standalone power amplifier.

When it was released, atmos support came through a firmware update, and Yamaha's documentation doesn't include any information on in-ceiling speaker placement,
however crutchfield's description says it supports in-ceiling speaker placement.

Anyone here running an rx-a34040 with in-ceiling speakers?

 

[Fried Chicken]

It looks like it does:

YAMAHA RX-A3040 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Pdf Download

View and Download Yamaha RX-A3040 additional information online. About Dolby Atmos. RX-A3040 speaker system pdf manual download. Also for: Rx-a2040, Rx-v3077, Rx-v2077.

www.manualslib.com

 

[PENG]

I'm looking to install attic insulation . Before doing so, any attic work needs to get taken care of, including potentially installing four in-ceiling speakers in addition to my 7.2 setup I currently have, powered by a Yamaha CX-A5000.

The receiver I've always had on my radar is the rx-a3040 - the last yamaha flagship that can run as a standalone power amplifier.

When it was released, atmos support came through a firmware update, and Yamaha's documentation doesn't include any information on in-ceiling speaker placement,
however crutchfield's description says it supports in-ceiling speaker placement.

Anyone here running an rx-a34040 with in-ceiling speakers?

If you are going to use it as a power amp, then it will behave like a 7-channel power amp (any Crutchfield suggestions about using it as an AVR/AVP won't apply), so why the question?

 

[Trebdp83]

If you will be using the CX-A5000 to power seven of the eleven channels, why not get the current RX-A6A to process all eleven channels and power the four height channels? The MULTI IN ports on the RX-A3040 will be useless to you when not using them and only using the pre outs to connect to the CX-A5000. The RX-A3040 is quite dated now and there will be limitations regarding certain HDMI connected devices.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Why use an AVR as a power amp?

If you like to match the Yamaha aesthetic like I do, why not go for a MX-A5000 or MX-A5200?

 

[Trebdp83]

I get matching the aesthetic. The CX-A5000 did not get the Atmos update so it will have to pull duty as an amp. If matching the aesthetic is an issue, I'd get the eARC supporting RX-3080, if it can be found, to pair with the already owned CX-A5000. New PCs and game consoles supporting 4K @120Hz can be connected directly to a new TV and use eARC to passthrough lossless audio to the RX-3080 via eARC.

Excuse my confusion as I kept thinking of the CX-A5000 as a receiver and not processor. Updating to an Atmos capable AVR makes the CX-A5000 useless here. So, RX-3080 would be my suggestion if RX-A6A is off the table. Not sure about the amps already in the system but @AcuDefTechGuy mentioned the perfectly suitable MX-A5000 to pair with a new 11 channel processor.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I get matching the aesthetic. The CX-A5000 did not get the Atmos update so it will have to pull duty as an amp. If matching the aesthetic is an issue, I'd get the eARC supporting RX-3080, if it can be found, to pair with the already owned CX-A5000. New PCs and game consoles supporting 4K @120Hz can be connected directly to a new TV and use eARC to passthrough lossless audio to the RX-3080 via eARC.

Excuse my confusion as I kept thinking of the CX-A5000 as a receiver and not processor. Updating to an Atmos capable AVR makes the CX-A5000 useless here. So, RX-3080 would be my suggestion if RX-A6A is off the table. Not sure about the amps already in the system but @AcuDefTechGuy mentioned the perfectly suitable MX-A5000 to pair with a new 11 channel processor.

Yeah he already has the CX-A5000 AVP. So the MX-A5000 AMP would be the perfect aesthetic match.

 

[Trebdp83]

But, if Dolby Atmos is a must, the CX-A5000 is not capable and a newer processor like the CX-A5100 or a receiver with full pre outs like the A3080 is needed, no? I didn't think the CX-A5000 was able to be updated but I'm not up on older Yamaha models. Wait, did the CX-A5100 support eARC? Yikes, ok @AcuDefTechGuy, just pull from the secret stash in your laundry room and sell em' a CX-A5200 and MX-A5000. You know you have one of each behind the dryer.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I'd sell the CX-A5000. I shouldn't have said "powering", because it's not powering, my 2-channel M65 and a sony str-db930 are doing the actual powering.

 

[Trebdp83]

Time to move on to the CX-A5200 and MX-5200, n' est-ce pas?

 

[snakeeyes]

Wonder if they will have a A6B to replace A6A anytime soon.

 

[Fried Chicken]

Time to move on to the CX-A5200 and MX-5200, n' est-ce pas?

View attachment 61282

I wish I had that kind of money... for a home theater xD

 

[snakeeyes]

Think on CX5000 you can do front and rear height and get something of an immersive effect but it won’t be Atmos.

Think on 3040 it has Atmos but not sure about DTSX. Probably no big deal as Atmos is a lot better anyway.

If you have a new TV is where the 3040 will limit you. You won’t have the latest HDMI features. What TV do you have and are you upgrading it anytime soon?

 

[Fried Chicken]

Think on CX5000 you can do front and rear height and get something of an immersive effect but it won’t be Atmos.

Think on 3040 it has Atmos but not sure about DTSX. Probably no big deal as Atmos is a lot better anyway.

If you have a new TV is where the 3040 will limit you. You won’t have the latest HDMI features. What TV do you have and are you upgrading it anytime soon?

Pioneer Kuro, never plan on upgrading.

 

[snakeeyes]

Ya those Kuro plasmas are awesome. Think at the right price a used Yamaha flagship is going to be nice for you for Atmos.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

All I know is that Yamaha better be releasing the next CX-A5300 and the THD+N better be 0.000483% like the new Marantz AV10 AVP.