Yamaha RX-V4600 Receiver Review Thread

[Bobber]

For BobbyT
I assume that the GUI (as indicated on Yamahas site) does not transmit on HDMI? No volume or GUI transmitted to the TV if you use the One Cable HDMI hookup? Or will it work if you hook up HDMI and another cable from the 4600 to your TV? Do you have an HDMI TV to hook this up and test.. NO mention of this in the review.

 

[BobbyT]

Sorry I don't have hdmi on my tv. And since we are planning on moving to a bigger house in less than a year I'm waiting on buying a new tv. I can say that the gui is very nicely done.

 

[Bobber]

To BobbyT
Thanks for the reply and good luck with your move. I think the GUI is the same, or close to the 2500 my daughter has. That one does not transmit the volume info over the GUI but everything else comes across on component. Pirce just keeps coming down on new TV sets anyway, so waiting is good .

 

[BobbyT]

The 4600 does send volume info over component on the GUI

 

[surveyor]

Hello
I would not characterize the upgrade as substantial; I would say it’s a modest upgrade. The RX-V2500 has a very good preamp section if you consider the new amp section and the new pre-amp section of the 4600 then the upgrade is more than modest

I appreciate the information.
If I were without external amp I would spend the additional money on the RX-V4600.
So, it looks like I start shopping for the RX-V2500, unless someone has a better solution under mucho denero?

 

[BobbyT]

The 12v trigger on my 4600 isn't turning my amp on. Anyone know what a reason for this might be? I'd like to keep the system as easy to use as possible for the wife.

 

[dosers]

THX implementation?

I am wondering something else;
The manual of the 4600 notes that you can engage THX Select (not EX!) post-processing with 2ch and multichannel sources (as it should be) - but on the 2500 manual it's only with 2ch sources ? Sure this is a typo and they both work they same, no? Can someone with a 2500 confirm this ? I mean it doesn't make any sense to only offer thx select with 2ch (and ex with multi over 7.1) ?

Thx
Dan

 

[dosers]

2550 vs 4600, really !

So,
bottomline line, does anything think (or better, compared live?!) the pure quality of sound in the 4600 is significantly better than the 2500 in an average sized home theater / living room? Forget the new features and HDMI etc. for a moment. Unless I wanted to drive 4ohm resistance speakers or power very large rooms, is there really that much a difference ?

Best,
Dan

 

[bitler1]

Any Suggestions where to buy?

I think I am about to take the plunge and purchase a Yamaha RX-V4600. I would love to pay less than MSRP but I don't want to get a refurb or get screwed all together. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get a deal from a reputible dealer?

 

[BobbyT]

I think I am about to take the plunge and purchase a Yamaha RX-V4600. I would love to pay less than MSRP but I don't want to get a refurb or get screwed all together. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get a deal from a reputible dealer?

I doubt you will find a refurb, the 4600 is just hitting the dealers. Talk to your dealer and see how much he'll come down. I wouldn't expect a big markdown since this is a new model. try for 10% off. Also try J and R. They are an authorized Yamaha dealer and usually have good prices, www.jr.com.

 

[DR_AUDIO]

I doubt you will find a refurb, the 4600 is just hitting the dealers. Talk to your dealer and see how much he'll come down. I wouldn't expect a big markdown since this is a new model. try for 10% off. Also try J and R. They are an authorized Yamaha dealer and usually have good prices, www.jr.com.

www.BrandNamez.com has them for about $1250. Rated well. They offer extended warranties for a very low price.

 

[BobbyT]

www.BrandNamez.com has them for about $1250. Rated well. They offer extended warranties for a very low price.

Brandnamez.com says
CONDITION & WARRANTY:

All items sold by BrandNamez are Brand New (Grade A) and come in the original manufacturer�s box. For the detailed warranty information, please contact the manufacturer
http://www.brandnamez.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=21007&step=4

So no refurbs just yet, it's hitting the streets for the first time now. Wait about a month or so for the refurbs to start showing up. But brandnamez does show it for a low price.

Brandnamez is not listed as an authorized internet dealer on Yamaha's site
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/customer/dealer.aspx
So they probably won't honor the warranty.

 

[bitler1]

Brandnamez.com

Has anyone done any business with these guys. I have been trying to call them on their toll free all day. I did receive a call back that I missed but I am getting a little concerend. I have not placed the order yet but I did find some feedback on here...http://www.resellerratings.com/seller3966.html. I know everyone has their times they shine but I don't really feel comfortable with these guys. Any thoughts?

 

[BobbyT]

If they have bad feedback and your not confortable with them then I reccomend you look elsewhere. J&R has it for $1799.95 http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4047146
It's more than brandnamez but J&R is a reliable company with great customer service and an authorized dealer so the warranty won't be voided.

 

[Buckle-meister]

Hey Gene you mentioned it has an upgraded version of YPAO. I assume this is a newer version then the Z9 you reviewed? Is it possible Yamaha will offer a software upgrade to existing Z9 owners for the latest YPAO version? Or has anyone seen Yamaha automatically add the latest version to newly made models of the Z9 etc? It may be awhile before Yamaha releases a replacement for the Z9. I wonder how much improvement they have added to the YPAO system. I guess we have to wait for the full review of the 4600.

Is it even possible to do an upgrade of the YPAO to existing units? I bet it would have to be a hardware upgrade and not software and we would need to send in the units.

Anyone?

Watch this space troytn. My own Z9 has a little niggling issue, so it's gone for a visit to Yamaha UK. The Technician I've been speaking over the phone with has told me that as a matter of course, they will upgrade my firmware to the latest version, so when I get it back (I estimate up to two weeks from todays date) I'll let you know one way or the other whether YPAO has changed (although I doubt it will have).

Regards

 

[Buckle-meister]

Jaycan,Sure you could buy the Z9, but I have heard about many people having problems with this unit...

Gulp!

Regards

 

[newfmp3]

I don't see this clearly stated anywhere

What's the watts per channel with all channels driven in a 7.1 setup for the 4600?

 

[gene]

As we have stated about 1000 times, The All Channels Driven Test is a bogus test. It simulates a worst case test condition into a best case test load and most publications running them use a VARIAC to hold the line voltage constant during the test to give the illusion of more power by preventing line sag. By measuring the parameters we do (frequency response, output impedance, distortion, etc) with one or 2 channels driven gives you a good idea on how robust the amp section and power section is on a receiver. We don't listen to continuous sine waves with all channels driven.

If one of the mods would be so kind as to find the numerous posts where we discussed this and post links here, perhaps we could make a one time sticky thread compiling them all to avoid continually answering this common question.

Here is a brief article I wrote on this topic:
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/amplifiers/allchannelsdriven.php

Also note the comments in my Axiom article about this issue:
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/AxiomAudioTour2.php

While we have strong viewpoints against the validity of the “all channels driven test”, it is academically interesting to note that the manufacturers advocating it usually cannot meet their cherished specification. Consider the typical Class A/B linear amp with a single power cord, and actual efficiency in the ballpark of 40% (factoring in conservative transformer losses and power factor). The best case scenario power that the amplifier could deliver to the loudspeaker system under this test condition is 1800 x 0.40 = 720 watts / 7 channels = 102 wpc! This assumes ideal test conditions: line voltage held constant via a Variac (not a typical scenario in one’s home), minimal transformer saturation, and not blowing any rail fuses.

 

[newfmp3]

ok ok, thanks.

 

[DR_AUDIO]

Brandnamez

Has anyone done any business with these guys. I have been trying to call them on their toll free all day. I did receive a call back that I missed but I am getting a little concerend. I have not placed the order yet but I did find some feedback on here...http://www.resellerratings.com/seller3966.html. I know everyone has their times they shine but I don't really feel comfortable with these guys. Any thoughts?[/QUOTE


I have. No problems. Their extended warranty covers everything, and is cheap, $39 for 1 year.

You will NOT find an authorized dealer with a significant discount.