Yamaha RX-Z9 First Look

[Unregistered]

I wholeheartedly disagree with this statement, especially since most separate processors at the price range of a flagship receiver lack the processing power, and configurability of most top notch flagship receivers. I think of todays super receivers as a superb processor with a free amp section. If you don't feel the amps are good enough for your application, you can always preamp out the receiver to a dedicated amp in time. I too used to be in the "Separates" camp until I started investigating many of the processors out there and how so many of them lacked the sophistication and bass management options of a great receiver. Now don't mistake my statements here that I am an "Anti Separatist", but you generally have to spend significantly more coin on Separates to outgun the best receivers out there and then even only in some areas of performance.

For the brand new price of a Z9, you can have an excellent FM tuner, separate pre/pro and multiple power amps. Even pre-owned stuff would be much better. So why should i get a complex brute like the Z9? If so much as one features fails, I would hate to take all 66lbs of it out of the rack and lug it to the service center.

 

[gene]

If so much as one features fails, I would hate to take all 66lbs of it out of the rack and lug it to the service center.

Why would a feature be more prone to fail on the Z-9 than any other receiver/processor? In fact, one advantage of Japanese electronics is their limitless resources to methodically do debugging and system testing of products prior to release. Yamaha has some of the highest reliability in the consumer electronics market for home theater equipment. If I am not mistaken, don't they have a 5 year warranty on this piece?

For the brand new price of a Z9, you can have an excellent FM tuner, separate pre/pro and multiple power amps.

Yes you can have a all of these things and less. Unfortunately most dedicated pre/pros at close to the asking price of the RX-Z9 lack some of the essential features that make up a Z9:
1) .5dB step size channel trim setting
2) .1ft stepsize digital delay compensation
3) active i.link for DVD-A/SACD / DD/DTS
4) Component video upconversion with OSD
5) PLIIx and configurability
6) THX Ultra2 certification
7) Lip Sync Correction
8) Stereo Subwoofer Output with independent digital delay compensation and level control
9) DSP processing - enjoyable with some source material
10) Burr Brown 1792 Differential DAC's for all channels (these are some of the best in the industry)

However, a receiver is not for everyone, so one should definately look at all options after defining what their needs are.

 

[Unregistered]

Gene, pls read my post correctly. I am not questioning its reliability compared with others. I just said, a simple failure on this machine and off it goes lock stock and barrel to the service shop. As any all-in-one receivers must when broken. And Murphy lurks in all-in-one boxes more insidiously than in each separates. The more complex the more susceptible. And I don't care if it has a 10-year warranty. Will Yamaha haul this 67lb beast off my rack when it happens, or will I be the one?

 

[gene]

Sorry I just don't see the logic in your claim. Many of the "features" are integrated within the firmware of the receiver. Just because PRoduct A has more features than PRoduct B, doesn't necessarily mean Product A will be more susceptible to failures, especially if Product A has better QA and firmware debugging applied prior to shipping.

 

[Unregistered]

jerry! jerry!

wow, this is really getting heated. i say agree to disagree.
i perfer all in one box rather then separates because of price and features.
lastly, i would like to know when the RX-Z9 review would be finished. june is starting ot end and i really want to read it and tell off all my friends who say yamaha isn't the best.

 

[gene]

I am about 22 pages into the review now and still have a few to go. I expect this review will be up by the 4th of July after it has gone through our peer review and the manufacturer had a change to look over the technical aspects. Stay tuned...

 

[Unregistered]

aff.

ok cheif, i shall be patient

 

[Unregistered]

Bob

I own one of these, and it does get hot, however on the bottom underneath the heat sinks are one fan for each, which will activate if it gets too hot. I got a service manual, so I could see what they did to make this thing sound so good. I have designed amps, pre amps, etc. for high end audio companies, and this has circuitry that would challenge the best.

 

[av_phile]

Sorry I just don't see the logic in your claim. Many of the "features" are integrated within the firmware of the receiver. Just because PRoduct A has more features than PRoduct B, doesn't necessarily mean Product A will be more susceptible to failures, especially if Product A has better QA and firmware debugging applied prior to shipping.

So the logic that the more complex the gear, the more that Murphy's Law applies doesn't make sense to you? How do you that the product has better QA and firmware debugging over other brands?

 

[Yamahaluver]

The market trends indicate the reliability of these units, having owned a DSP A1000 followed by DSP-A1, RXZ-1 and now the Z-9 along with several Yamaha CD and DVD player and amps and speakers over a span of twenty years and also having sold thousands of Yamaha components along with other major Japanese names, my conclusion is that they have quality control issues reduced to a minimum.

 

[O'Shag]

Is the quesion really Z9 vs Seperates?

With respect to those of the opinion that seperates are always better, I would have to disagree. For its combined HT and Audio only requirements, the Z9 offers tremendous value. Its extended capabilities in the HT domain, which now includes video processing, offers flexability and performance most seperates at this point just don't have. Yamaha and Denon both are supremely reliable as compared to many separates out there. They just have a great deal more money to research, develop, test and support reliable technology into their products.

Is it true that the amazing ZX9 can match the best dedicated audio system seperates for 2-channel audio performance? No. My ZX9 trounces my Audio Research kit for features and its HT abilities. But when it comes to listening to 2-channel stereo in any format, my dedicated audio system gets a lot closer to accurately reproducing the original recording.

Best

O'Shag

Austin Powers of Audio

 

[Jaycan]

Z-9 Clear Choice

I would have the exact same response as O'Shag. I probably will end up buying a Z-9 but because I already have 7 channels of very powerful external amplification, I will not be using the Yammie's internal amps. Even so, when compared to "hi end" separates, it is still a good VALUE. Once I got over the fact that it does not switch DVI, then the Yamaha became my clear choice. I have now decided to switch video with an external scaler, not the receiver.

 

[Unregistered]

waiting

Waiting waiting waiting for the review too.
I guess it keep me returning

 

[W4ZOO]

Waiting waiting waiting for the review too.
I guess it keep me returning

I think his was shooting for July 4..

 

[gene]

My review is about 95% done. Will be peer reviewed this week. If all goes well it will be posted over the 4th holiday. Be patient however, this monster review will take me several hours to post

 

[SirGromit]

RX-Z9 video upconverting

I am interested in the RX-Z9 for many reasons, but one key reason is the digital component video up-conversion that it does from SD video signals to HDTV resolutions. Does this conversion only work for NTSC signals or does it also accept PAL (and its variants such as PAL-N)? Thank you for your time.

 

[Jaycan]

Sitting On The Fence?

I wonder if people are waiting on this review before deciding to buy the Z9.
I would assume that with something in this price range people's mind are already made up, and the review will only confirm their position. Yamaha appears to have very loyal customers, so those who have bought Yamaha in the past will buy the Z9 if they can afford it. Those sitting on the fence should already be playing with this baby at their local dealer. That giant whoosh which we will all hear on July 4th won't be fireworks; it will be all the audioholics exhaling their collectively held breaths.

 

[Unregistered]

life depends on this review

err a... i nead this review (in the words of jfk)
hopefully it will be ready ofhte 4th of july..... i don't think i can take it much longer.

 

[gene]

Does this conversion only work for NTSC signals or does it also accept PAL (and its variants such as PAL-N)? Thank you for your time.

The RX-Z9 will handle NTSC and PAL, not sure about the variants you mentioned. I will ask Yamaha after they look over my review. There will likely be a review addendum after my review is posted to handle everyones questions, or we may just feature it on this forum if it remains highly active.

 

[SirGromit]

I greatly appreciate your prompt response. If it does support PAL it would be highly likely that it would support the variants. To my knowledge, the difference between "PAL" and "PAL-N" is minor. "PAL-M" may be an issue as it is a 60 field per second variant. Either way, I eagerly await the review of the AV receiver, but have already decided to make the RX-Z9 part of my new home theater system. Thanks again!