As posted in another forum with many cross posters:
I have had the A8A for awhile now and though I had the little issue with the Pop when changing the TV built in apps source etc. I have not experienced any other significant issues as yet. Yes, I do have a little delay like others do, and some gripes about the YPAO (generally). Although I am not a great fan of equalization and prefer the simplest approach, I have done the 8 point plus angle YPAO on this unit. My speakers were set to large and crossovers were varied, but the distances were close to exact, including the sub. The levels were fairly good, too, as I have checked with the SPL meter. I did do my own tweaking using different patterns and such. My findings as I have mentioned before are quite impressive. I would advice that all of you with these units should not make rash judgements based on the disgruntled claim by some who did or may not have tested this unit for a while in almost every scenario. I have been doing this relentlessly as I still have time to return the unit if I want.
I got my hands on a Denon 8500HA and did some tests and comparison to the A8A, (I posted this in another forum with photos). Side by side and using the same identical setup, the Yamaha outshined the Denon in my opinion, my wife's and my brother in law who owned the unit. The Yamaha had more power, sound was cleaner and more pleasing to the ears and ran 12 F cooler at same volume levels for same time.
Do not ask me too many questions, because I did not do this for others, but for my own satisfaction as I was leaning towards a 8500HA, too. Personally, I would always choose the A8A ahead of the Denon 8500, but if I had no choice, I would get one if it was more in line with the Yamaha's price. Although many would disagree with me, this is my own opinion and care not about what others think as I have both units in my home at the moment.
I think that I may have found the reason for the "Pop"
regards.
I don't use AI mode nor do I game at the moment so I cannot comment on that. Atmos, DTS X etc. all works fine so far. Up mixing of DTS and Dolby sounds good, too.