Yamaha RX-V4600 Receiver Review Thread

[Aliixer]

Sub Out Control

Does the subwoofer work in pure direct mode?

 

[renfronics]

Quick question regarding 4600 - will it drive 4 ohm speakers like the 2500 does? Metaphorically I've got the HDMI cable plugged into the TV with nothing on the other end of it and am ready to go. Just need to make sure it will drive the Axiom MTi80s which should be here in a few weeks.

 

[gene]

The M80's wont be a problem for the RX-V4600. I would experiment with large/small setting to get the best splice with your subwoofer(s).

 

[Catdaddy]

Gene, does it upconvert to HDMI, like the Denon 4806, or just to components?

 

[gene]

Gene, does it upconvert to HDMI, like the Denon 4806, or just to components?

Unfortunately the RX-V4600 wont upconvert analog video signals to HDMI. You also have to use HDCP compliant components with the RX-V4600 which usually all consumer video gear is, except computer monitors.

FYI; The RX-V4600 is HDMI Ver 1.1 which means it will pass all multi channel audio formats except SACD.

 

[Catdaddy]

Thanks, Gene.

 

[Jaycan]

Presence channels

Gene
While you're putting the receiver through it's paces could you comment on the implementation of the Presence channels? Specifically, if you bypass the internal amps in favor of outboard amps, can you reroute a pair of yamaha's internal amps so you can listen to presence and sorround backs, AT THE SAME TIME. Thanks. I wish Yamaha wouldn't make you always choose between these 2. Seems to me if someone wants to decorate their walls with so many speakers, they should be allowed to use them all at once if they want to.

 

[Doug917]

Jaycan,

According to the manual for the 4600 from Yammy's website this is still not possible for this unit. You still have to choose between the two. I would have thought with the large increase in MSRP on this unit, this feature would have been included at least via using an external amp. I have the 2500 and have no plans on upgrading to another Yammy product (the 2500's performance is awesome in my opinion) until they allow for 9.1 or better yet 9.2 simultaneously active channels. Sure you could buy the Z9, but I have heard about many people having problems with this unit and it's three grand more than the 2500. Why wouldn't Yamaha produce a mid-level receiver (comparable with the performance of the 2500) with 9.1 and with preouts for all channels incuding presence? That's what its going to take for me to jump to the next upgrade. Back when their receivers were only 5.1, presence channels were included on many of the units and would run simultaneously with 2 lower powered amp channels. What made them decide to stop this practice?

 

[Mobius]

My local Tweeters just got this in stock, so for those of you interested in this you should see it rather quickly if you have not seen it already.

 

[Audioholics]

Yamaha RX-V4600 Receiver Review Posted!

<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRX-V4600HTp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 52px" alt=[YamahaRXV4600receiver] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/YamahaRXV4600receiver_th.gif" align=left border=0></A>It had&nbsp;been some time since a Yamaha receiver graced Gene's Reference System.&nbsp;As of late, it seems the receiver competition is fiercer than even.&nbsp; With other leading receiver manufacturers such as Denon, Marantz&nbsp;and Pioneer Elite bulldozing the competition with a line of products featuring all of the latest and greatest connectivity &amp;&nbsp;format options, THX certification, etc, it was only a matter of time before someone would shake up the status quo and offer these features in a product in the sub $2000 category.&nbsp; Enter the new Yamaha RX-V4600 - the 'does-everything-and-more' receiver at a price point that won't force users to refinancing their homes.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>[Read the Review]</FONT></P>

 

[Duffinator]

No HDMI Upconversion???

Nice review.

"Suggestions for Improvement
As good as the Yamaha RX-V4600 is, there is definitely margin for improvement which we would like to see in future model iterations such as:
Analog video upconversion to HDMI with OSD Display"

This is a deal breaker for me. Not that it's in the same price range but the Denon 4806 at least does the upconversion with all inputs to HDMI. My next receiver needs to be under $2,000 with video upconversion for all inputs to HDMI with all OSDs available.

 

[Audioholics]

This is a deal breaker for me. Not that it's in the same price range but the Denon 4806 at least does the upconversion with all inputs to HDMI. My next receiver needs to be under $2,000 with video upconversion for all inputs to HDMI with all OSDs available.

Put your "waiting cap" on - it may take a while.

 

[Takeereasy]

Awesome review Gene. I take grave exception with one statment though. The part where you malign movie theatre popcorn and call it, and i quote, "over salted." This casts the entire review in to question since everyone knows it is a scientific impossibility to oversalt anything, especially popcorn.

Seriously though, a well done and very thorough review. I can't get over that power rating of 210w a channel @ 4 ohms. Very respectable IMO. Seems to me that this is the under 2K king for sure.

 

[zoran]

I liked it but just saw pioneer elite offerings at lower price point of $1599 and $1299 with simillar features..I would rather wait!

 

[Duffinator]

Put your "waiting cap" on - it may take a while.

Probably for the OSD part. But Yamaha only went half way with the HDMI video upconversion/switching part. I doubt Denon and others will make that mistake. Maybe Denon told you that little secret last week at their product demo for the 2806/3806 and you can share that juicy gossip with us?

 

[jaxvon]

Nice review. Too bad I can't afford it

Also, I have to brag. I have a great local jazz station (an NPR one) that broadcasts in HD. I just wish I had the equipment to take advantage of that.

 

[Bobber]

Gene, is it true that OSD does not work at all with an HDMI link?? The literature on Yamaha's site says, "On-screen display does not function with HDMI". If this is true how does the YPAO etc. display if I use only a HDMI connection??
Thanks for the review, this unit may be my next one if the HDMI OSD display is incorectly stated and does work with HDMI. Otherwise this will wait till Yamaha gets this right. Volume, the GUI and everything should show up with only one connection and it would be nice to be able to engage the presence channels. Or is this possible with a 5.1 setup??
Thanks again for the review.
My 4 Ohm Phase Technology 9.1 fronts with 92dB sensitivity should work good with this. Center 3.1 6 Ohm, rears 1.1, B&W 750 sub.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Wow, looks like a beast, wish it upconverted to hdmi just like everyone else, it'd be much simpler just running one cable to the tv

 

[Doug917]

I'm still waiting for 9.2 where presence and surround back channels can be run simultaneously. Stereo sub outs would be nice too and I know they used to use it on their older systems.

 

[BobbyT]

Great review. I'm picking up my 4600 next week. I can hardly stand the wait.