Yamaha RX-A6 multichannel performance

[musse22]

Hi, wanting to buy this reciever, but according to audioholics review, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K AV Receiver Bench Test Results!

We bench tested the Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K 150watt/ch Atmos/DTS:X Receiver to gauge power output and uncover performance issues we discovered. We discuss the proper settings for best power delivery.

www.audioholics.com

It delivers around 50watts per channel with 7 channels driven.

But according to, Audiovision, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A (Test)

audiovision.de

it delivers 123 watts per channel and 7 channels driven.

Are there different versions of the Yamaha RX A6, one for Europe and one for the US, meaning the Europe version has removed the "yamaha power restrictions"?

Or do they just measure different in each test?
The only difference I can see is Audioholics measures @8 ohms, and Audiovision measures @6 ohms, but that alone should not makes this huge differences.

Could it be Yamaha did release firmware after Audioholics test that unleashed the true power of this receiver, and when Audiovision did their test they had this new firmware?

thoughts?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, wanting to buy this reciever, but according to audioholics review, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K AV Receiver Bench Test Results!

We bench tested the Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K 150watt/ch Atmos/DTS:X Receiver to gauge power output and uncover performance issues we discovered. We discuss the proper settings for best power delivery.

www.audioholics.com

It delivers around 50watts per channel with 7 channels driven.

But according to, Audiovision, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A (Test)

audiovision.de

it delivers 123 watts per channel and 7 channels driven.

Are there different versions of the Yamaha RX A6, one for Europe and one for the US, meaning the Europe version has removed the "yamaha power restrictions"?

Or do they just measure different in each test?
The only difference I can see is Audioholics measures @8 ohms, and Audiovision measures @6 ohms, but that alone should not makes this huge differences.

Could it be Yamaha did release firmware after Audioholics test that unleashed the true power of this receiver, and when Audiovision did their test they had this new firmware?

thoughts?

No receiver on the planet ever has, or could produce 123 watts per channel all 7 channels driven. The Audiovision report is a back of the neck job!

Lets do a deeper dive. The max wall power draw is 1160 watts from the wall. The preamp stages and processing will take 100 watts. That would be typical. So that leaves 1060 watts to be spread between 9 power amp channels. That leaves 118 watts for each power amp. Amp efficiency is between 50 and 70%.

So that leaves a possible output of 60 to 90 watts available for each channel, all channels driven. However the efficiency is likely to be nearer 60 than 90 watts per channel. This is because you get lower distortion as you bias more towards A. This lower distortion but also reduces efficiency. So I would say the 50 watts per channel all channels driven is nearer the mark and the Audiovision results are an absolute impossibility as energy can neither be created or destroyed as per the laws of thermodynamics.

 

[EBN]

No receiver on the planet ever has, or could produce 123 watts per channel all 7 channels driven. The Audiovision report is a back of the neck job!

Audioholics review of A6A was current limiting the nannies were affecting the results. Marantz SR8015/Cinema 30 tested 92 watts/ch @ .01% THD+N and 101 watts/ch at 1% with seven channels driven.

A6A is based on A30x0 model and looking example A3070 and the A8A both put out same amount. Also both models measured higher for 7ch than the Marantz Cinema 30 in Audiovision so if Gene could have got the real 7ch figures out from the A6A without nannies activating we would have seen +100w for 7ch!

Yamaha RX-A3070 (Test)

audiovision.de

Yamaha RX-A8A (Test)

audiovision.de

And look Onkyo pushes even more after you said it is not possible. The AVR hater strikes again!

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 was able to muster 118 watts/ch at 0.1% THD+N and 133 watts/ch at 1% THD+N into 8-ohms with seven channels driven.

Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV Receiver Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV receiver boasts 140 watts/ch, 8K HDMI inputs, Auro 3D, FREE Dirac Live and the BEST bench test results we’ve seen in its price class. Is this the best AVR at under $3k?

www.audioholics.com

Aside from the sheer mass of this unit, the back panel of the Onkyo TX-RZ70 gives you some indication that it is indeed a very powerful AV receiver. You can see this with the rating of 1095 watts, though let me remind you of the article and YouTube video we did on the topic of AV receiver power consumption that unless the unit states “Max Power Consumption,” you can safely bet it is NOT. If you recall how I explained this before, this power consumption estimate is usually based on ALL channels driven at 1/8th power, which is where a linear amp is least efficient (20% typical). So if we take 1/8 * (140) * 11 and then account for efficiency, you’re looking at about 963 watts. Add on another 100 watts or so for HDMI and DSP processing, and you get the 1095 power consumption figure stamped on the back of the unit. Despite the 1095-watt back panel power rating, my power measurements show that driving 7 channels at 130 watts per channel (130 watts x 7 / 0.6) equals 1516 watts. Adding processing power, the maximum power consumption is closer to 1600 watts!

 

[TLS Guy]

Audioholics review of A6A was current limiting the nannies were affecting the results. Marantz SR8015/Cinema 30 tested 92 watts/ch @ .01% THD+N and 101 watts/ch at 1% with seven channels driven.

A6A is based on A30x0 model and looking example A3070 and the A8A both put out same amount. Also both models measured higher for 7ch than the Marantz Cinema 30 in Audiovision so if Gene could have got the real 7ch figures out from the A6A without nannies activating we would have seen +100w for 7ch!

Yamaha RX-A3070 (Test)

audiovision.de

Yamaha RX-A8A (Test)

audiovision.de

And look Onkyo pushes even more after you said it is not possible. The AVR hater strikes again!

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 was able to muster 118 watts/ch at 0.1% THD+N and 133 watts/ch at 1% THD+N into 8-ohms with seven channels driven.

Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV Receiver Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV receiver boasts 140 watts/ch, 8K HDMI inputs, Auro 3D, FREE Dirac Live and the BEST bench test results we’ve seen in its price class. Is this the best AVR at under $3k?

www.audioholics.com

Aside from the sheer mass of this unit, the back panel of the Onkyo TX-RZ70 gives you some indication that it is indeed a very powerful AV receiver. You can see this with the rating of 1095 watts, though let me remind you of the article and YouTube video we did on the topic of AV receiver power consumption that unless the unit states “Max Power Consumption,” you can safely bet it is NOT. If you recall how I explained this before, this power consumption estimate is usually based on ALL channels driven at 1/8th power, which is where a linear amp is least efficient (20% typical). So if we take 1/8 * (140) * 11 and then account for efficiency, you’re looking at about 963 watts. Add on another 100 watts or so for HDMI and DSP processing, and you get the 1095 power consumption figure stamped on the back of the unit. Despite the 1095-watt back panel power rating, my power measurements show that driving 7 channels at 130 watts per channel (130 watts x 7 / 0.6) equals 1516 watts. Adding processing power, the maximum power consumption is closer to 1600 watts!

The max power draw of that Onkyo is 100 watts less then the Yamaha. So to achieve that result the power amps would have to be heavily balanced to class B, so then the question becomes what is the low output level distortion of that Onkyo. Biasing heavily to class B significantly increases low signal level distortion.

Even under the best of circumstances the max power that unit could provide would be 96 watts per channel, and that assumes that optimal biasing for max power and not SQ. One thing generally missing from spec sheets is the low level signal distortion. All this makes the case for class D amplification.

 

[lovinthehd]

Keep in mind the Audiovision test for 7ch driven is at 1khz and at 6 ohm....

Hi, wanting to buy this reciever, but according to audioholics review, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K AV Receiver Bench Test Results!

We bench tested the Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K 150watt/ch Atmos/DTS:X Receiver to gauge power output and uncover performance issues we discovered. We discuss the proper settings for best power delivery.

www.audioholics.com

It delivers around 50watts per channel with 7 channels driven.

But according to, Audiovision, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A (Test)

audiovision.de

it delivers 123 watts per channel and 7 channels driven.

Are there different versions of the Yamaha RX A6, one for Europe and one for the US, meaning the Europe version has removed the "yamaha power restrictions"?

Or do they just measure different in each test?
The only difference I can see is Audioholics measures @8 ohms, and Audiovision measures @6 ohms, but that alone should not makes this huge differences.

Could it be Yamaha did release firmware after Audioholics test that unleashed the true power of this receiver, and when Audiovision did their test they had this new firmware?

thoughts?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hi, wanting to buy this reciever, but according to audioholics review, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K AV Receiver Bench Test Results!

We bench tested the Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2CH 8K 150watt/ch Atmos/DTS:X Receiver to gauge power output and uncover performance issues we discovered. We discuss the proper settings for best power delivery.

www.audioholics.com

It delivers around 50watts per channel with 7 channels driven.

But according to, Audiovision, Link:

Yamaha RX-A6A (Test)

audiovision.de

it delivers 123 watts per channel and 7 channels driven.

Are there different versions of the Yamaha RX A6, one for Europe and one for the US, meaning the Europe version has removed the "yamaha power restrictions"?

Or do they just measure different in each test?
The only difference I can see is Audioholics measures @8 ohms, and Audiovision measures @6 ohms, but that alone should not makes this huge differences.

Could it be Yamaha did release firmware after Audioholics test that unleashed the true power of this receiver, and when Audiovision did their test they had this new firmware?

thoughts?

7 Ch and 5 Ch driven are known as “the All Channels Driven test” or ACD.

Audioholics has written articles on this topic since so many people talk about it so often.

The All Channels Driven (ACD) Amplifier Test

This article explores the All Channels Driven power test popularized by some print magazines and manufacturers. It discusses its relevancy and real world implications.

www.audioholics.com

The Take-Home message is that ACD doesn’t apply to REAL LIFE.

In real life, the 2CH driven test is more telling and important in determining how powerful the AVR’s internal amps really are. For example, the Yamaha RX-A3080 AVR could output almost 300 Watts x 2Ch into 4 ohms. That’s powerful.

So, the take-home message is that the Yamaha A6A is very powerful and should do a great job powering most speakers.

Another take-home message is that AVR’s internal amps in this price range from Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Integra, etc., will power most speakers without any issues. For example, a client of mine has the KEF R11 5.1 big speaker system and his Yamaha A4A (less powerful than A6A) has been doing a fantastic job powering his KEF R11 system the past 4 years.

@PENG has written so many times on this topic about AVR and Amp power, I wonder if he has saved it on Word Document so he can cut and paste here.

 

[musse22]

Audioholics review of A6A was current limiting the nannies were affecting the results. Marantz SR8015/Cinema 30 tested 92 watts/ch @ .01% THD+N and 101 watts/ch at 1% with seven channels driven.

A6A is based on A30x0 model and looking example A3070 and the A8A both put out same amount. Also both models measured higher for 7ch than the Marantz Cinema 30 in Audiovision so if Gene could have got the real 7ch figures out from the A6A without nannies activating we would have seen +100w for 7ch!

Yamaha RX-A3070 (Test)

audiovision.de

Yamaha RX-A8A (Test)

audiovision.de

And look Onkyo pushes even more after you said it is not possible. The AVR hater strikes again!

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 was able to muster 118 watts/ch at 0.1% THD+N and 133 watts/ch at 1% THD+N into 8-ohms with seven channels driven.

Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV Receiver Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV receiver boasts 140 watts/ch, 8K HDMI inputs, Auro 3D, FREE Dirac Live and the BEST bench test results we’ve seen in its price class. Is this the best AVR at under $3k?

www.audioholics.com

Aside from the sheer mass of this unit, the back panel of the Onkyo TX-RZ70 gives you some indication that it is indeed a very powerful AV receiver. You can see this with the rating of 1095 watts, though let me remind you of the article and YouTube video we did on the topic of AV receiver power consumption that unless the unit states “Max Power Consumption,” you can safely bet it is NOT. If you recall how I explained this before, this power consumption estimate is usually based on ALL channels driven at 1/8th power, which is where a linear amp is least efficient (20% typical). So if we take 1/8 * (140) * 11 and then account for efficiency, you’re looking at about 963 watts. Add on another 100 watts or so for HDMI and DSP processing, and you get the 1095 power consumption figure stamped on the back of the unit. Despite the 1095-watt back panel power rating, my power measurements show that driving 7 channels at 130 watts per channel (130 watts x 7 / 0.6) equals 1516 watts. Adding processing power, the maximum power consumption is closer to 1600 watts!

Hello, Audiovision got 120 watts with 7 channels and Gene(Audioholics) only got 50 watts per channel with 7 channels driven. I dont understand how Audiovision got those numbers, Im guessing Nannies are off in both reviews? Gene is saying: "With 7CH driven, the RX-A6A limits power to 52 watts. This is not surprising as Yamaha has always set their limiters very conservatively " Is limiter and nannies the same thing? I thought nannies is something you could turn off, and the built in limiter you cant turn off. So how can Audiovision get 123 watts @ 7 channels, and Audioholics only 52 watts @ 7 channels???

@TLS Guy: here where I live we have max 2300 watts per socket

 

[lovinthehd]

Hello, Audiovision got 120 watts with 7 channels and Gene(Audioholics) only got 50 watts per channel with 7 channels driven. I dont understand how Audiovision got those numbers, Im guessing Nannies are off in both reviews? Gene is saying: "With 7CH driven, the RX-A6A limits power to 52 watts. This is not surprising as Yamaha has always set their limiters very conservatively " Is limiter and nannies the same thing? I thought nannies is something you could turn off, and the built in limiter you cant turn off. So how can Audiovision get 123 watts @ 7 channels, and Audioholics only 52 watts @ 7 channels???

@TLS Guy: here where I live we have max 2300 watts per socket

As I mentioned before, part of it is you're not comparing like results (range and impedance, perhaps duration). I'm thinking TLS checked max consumption of the power supply in the avr.

 

[TLS Guy]

As I mentioned before, part of it is you're not comparing like results (range and impedance, perhaps duration). I'm thinking TLS checked max consumption of the power supply in the avr.

Exactly. I did just that!

 

[musse22]

thanks. Im not sure buying this Yamaha RX-A6 or the Pioneer LX805, Ive read from severel sources and review the Pioneer dont sound so good, lacking dynamic, muffled sound and so on, So I think I will go for the Yamaha, it seems very powerful and good sounding AVR for sure.

2 question:
1) Any one knowing if the Yamaha with the latest firmware support: 4K@120Hz and VRR for gaming?
2) Does it support 4 ohms speakers in a 7.1 surround system?

 

[TLS Guy]

thanks. Im not sure buying this Yamaha RX-A6 or the Pioneer LX805, Ive read from severel sources and review the Pioneer dont sound so good, lacking dynamic, muffled sound and so on, So I think I will go for the Yamaha, it seems very powerful and good sounding AVR for sure.

2 question:
1) Any one knowing if the Yamaha with the latest firmware support: 4K@120Hz and VRR for gaming?
2) Does it support 4 ohms speakers in a 7.1 surround system?

First off, you can't believe anecdotal reviews about muffled sound etc.

As far as driving 4 ohm loads, that is not a simple question. The phase angles as well as impedance are crucial in deciding whether a receiver will drive speakers. Highly negative phase angles really heat up output devices and destroy them.

So what are the speakers you are proposing using with this receiver?

The receiver supports VRR after software version 1.73.

The DACs are older and it requires two, but you will be OK with 4K I think

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

thanks. Im not sure buying this Yamaha RX-A6 or the Pioneer LX805, Ive read from severel sources and review the Pioneer dont sound so good, lacking dynamic, muffled sound and so on, So I think I will go for the Yamaha, it seems very powerful and good sounding AVR for sure.

2) Does it support 4 ohms speakers in a 7.1 surround system?

It should support 4 ohms in 7.1 just fine.