Yamaha RX-Z9 First Look

[stick312]

Gene,
In your review you state that the RX-Z9 cannot be biamped. Then you refer to the Presence/Zone2 and the fact that it's only 50W. Maybe I set mine up wrong but I use the Front A/B channels to biamp my speakers.. So I believe it IS biampable out of the box. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

M Lo,
I'm not sure I know what would happen but usually a macrovision free dvd player or one of those black boxes that bypasses the macrovision. is rca and will downgrade your signal anyway.... then the Z9 will upconvert it again?? My guess is it will probably work but you wouldn't be happy with the results... can't hurt to try... You can pick up those boxes for ~ 20 bux right??

 

[gene]

Stick;

I use the Front A/B channels to biamp my speakers..

That is not biamping, that is biwiring.

 

[M Lo]

Gene,
In your review you state that the RX-Z9 cannot be biamped. Then you refer to the Presence/Zone2 and the fact that it's only 50W. Maybe I set mine up wrong but I use the Front A/B channels to biamp my speakers.. So I believe it IS biampable out of the box. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

M Lo,
I'm not sure I know what would happen but usually a macrovision free dvd player or one of those black boxes that bypasses the macrovision. is rca and will downgrade your signal anyway.... then the Z9 will upconvert it again?? My guess is it will probably work but you wouldn't be happy with the results... can't hurt to try... You can pick up those boxes for ~ 20 bux right??

Thanks for your opinion, stick312.
Regards,
M Lo.

 

[walt_nixon]

i-Link Problems: DVD-5900 to RX-Z9

Guys,

Partly based on Gene's excellent review I just moved up from an RX-V1 to the RX-Z9. I've had a DVD-5900 since late last year. I, too was intrigued by the possibility of transferring all of the audio signals from the DVD-5900 through one cable to the RX-Z9. Alas, all is not bliss. The RX-Z9 does recognize the DVD-5900 but, no matter whether I leave it assigned to the Multi-Channel input or re-assign it to "DVD" as Gene mentioned in his review, whenever I select either of those for input on the RX-Z9 I get a flashing "cannot link" message on the RX-Z9. I sussed out the need to set the DVD-5900 "Pure Digital" setting to something other than "Digital Off" or "All Off" and have set that to "Normal." I've tried setting the DVD-5900 i-Link Auto Play to both "Off" and "On" and tried all of the various RX-Z9 auto combinations, but nothing seems to be able to let me make the connection. So here I am with a marvelous $4,500.00, 9.1 channel FM Radio.

I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have. I picked the unit up late Friday (yesterday) afternoon and doubt that I could raise anyone over the weekend, even if Yamaha did provide a technical support phone number, which they don't.

 

[gene]

Wawlt, try this first:

1) You need to enable the i.link output of your DVD-5900. This is in the setup menus.
2) You need to assign an input on your Z9 for using i.link.
3) Set the input to auto so it will detect i.link signal.

 

[walt_nixon]

Wawlt, try this first:

1) You need to enable the i.link output of your DVD-5900. This is in the setup menus.
2) You need to assign an input on your Z9 for using i.link.
3) Set the input to auto so it will detect i.link signal.

Gene,

I enabled the i.link output in the DVD-5900 audio setup menu (this disables all of the other audio setup items except for D-Link).

I assigned the DVD input on the RX-Z9 to the DVD-5900 when it was recognized in the i.link setup.

I've tried setting the DVD input mode on the RX-Z9 to both i.link and Auto and none of it gets rid of the "cannot link" flashing message.

Curiously, if I slap on "Multi-Channel input", the Z9 display immediately jumps to "DVD-5900" and all of the channel signal indicators (L, R, C, SL, SR & LFE) go on and then, in about 3 seconds I get the "cannot link" message. This is if I have an SACD or DVD-Audio disk in the DVD-5900.

Walt

 

[walt_nixon]

Further info on the i.link problem...

Gene,

I'm using the IEEE1394 cable that came with the DVD-5900. You mentioned earlier on in this forum that Denon had sent you an "upgraded" DVD-5900. Could my Denon be a tad on the old side? I purchased it on November 25th of 2003 and have applied their firmware patch to enable the DVI connector. That's working fine. Are you aware of a firmware patch to "enable" the i.link connection? I noted some of the earlier posts were questioning transmission of SACD data through i.link and there seemed to be an implication that the "upgraded" unit you got from Denon overcame this restriction.

Walt

 

[W4ZOO]

I have heard that denon has an upgrade for the older 5900 .

I'm sure that's your problem.

 

[walt_nixon]

W4ZOO,
Thanks. In trying to cover all bases, I've sent an email off to Denon asking about such an upgrade. I have a good number for them and will call on Monday.

Walt

 

[W4ZOO]

activation of the DVI-D output port

W4ZOO,
Thanks. In trying to cover all bases, I've sent an email off to Denon asking about such an upgrade. I have a good number for them and will call on Monday.

Walt

Walt,

I found the update info at a press release at Secrets http://128.121.62.219/newsflash/denon-dvd-5900-update-cds-3-2004.html

 

[Unregistered]

is it possible to use a vandersteen sub that you have to Pre out/main in?

johan

 

[Krazykaj]

Again, if you are still intersted in what is happening down in Aussie land and the problems with the Z9:

I'm still waiting on the 5th Z9 that was meant to come this week, all new and fixed and upgraded. Though as we were expecting, it did not come, so hopefully next week.

I might also add, i am now not the only person in Australia that seems to have serious issues with the Z9's Video features. See the AVS forum ("Yamaha this is NOT RIGHT!!!! Z9 issues" thread) for a lengthy post from someone else who is not very happy with Yamaha and in the way this is being delt.

I suspect that possibly there is a major flaw in the Aussie models and that more and more problems will arise down here. (who knows?)
I now know of SIX Z9's that do not work as they should, yet Yamaha Australia say they do.

I don't know what is going on!

i'll post my results with the Z9 number 5 as soon as possible.
And i'll still be contacting Yamaha and see if i can find out what is going on.

KJ

 

[gene]

KJ;

At this point I would suggest looking into a different product since the Z9 is not working out for you. We can't offer you any help since our experience is with the American model that has worked flawlessly in our tests.

 

[Yamahaluver]

Have been using it for the past three months without any problems whatsoever.

 

[Krazykaj]

Have been using it for the past three months without any problems whatsoever.

I envy you

gene, if you like I will stop posting in regards to this problem, however I do know many Aussie's probably visit this site as it is widely know and highly regarded.
However, if you think it is not the best place to post, I shall cease
And yes, after this 5th Z9, we will probably do something else.

But I originally came into this not knowing it was something wrong with the Australian models. And I was surprised, and appalled at the way Yamaha down here were treating this. Who knows, maybe Yamaha guys up your end of the world may ring Yamaha down my end of the world, and ask what on earths going on because you guys obviously have no problems up there.

But yes this whole escapade should finish soon.

But if there is a major problem (or signs of a major problem) in the Australian models, I would have thought that would be of major concern?

Anyways,

cheers
KJ
(I’ll be looking forward to the new Denon flagship receiver review!)

 

[Yamahaluver]

By all means please post your ratings, it is always good to know other perspectives, I got mine from Germany as it wasnt available in India then, now it is and my local dealer has sold around 8 of them without any complaints so far.

 

[gene]

KJ;

Feel free to post your experiences with the Yamaha RX-Z9, but please start another thread for it if you will. I would like to keep this thread on supporting the RX-Z9 and peoples operational questions/etc. Thats all.

 

[Unregistered]

Aussie RX-Z9

I got one of the first RX-Z9s in the country in March. And I love it, and think it is awesome. The front audio channels had some intermitent problems right out of the box (speaker A) They replaced it with another unit and even sent a technician to rewire it as I couldn't face the prospect of another 2 hours with my face in the back of an amplifier.

It all works fine now.

 

[Krazykaj]

I got one of the first RX-Z9s in the country in March. And I love it, and think it is awesome. The front audio channels had some intermitent problems right out of the box (speaker A) They replaced it with another unit and even sent a technician to rewire it as I couldn't face the prospect of another 2 hours with my face in the back of an amplifier.

It all works fine now.

Unregistered, I'd like to ask you a few things (regarding the Z9 of course), but you are a guest this forum so i can't PM you or anything, is there any way of contacting you? through another forum or something?

 

[Unregistered]

Guest

Enjoyed Yamaha's RX-Z9 for over 8 months now. Experiences have been only positive. It takes time to learn all the capabilities of it's electronics. Hooked up to Paradigm's studio 100s with Cobalt Cables has brought an old Panasonic 5 disc CD changer back to life. Also, using Denon DVD 5900. Imaging is amazing, Sound is excellent & features of the RX-Z9 can enhance most audio or video situations. Recommend Yamaha modify Pure Direct mode to allow independent subwoofer control in 2 channel operation. Again, we have really enjoyed the RX-Z9 in our home theater and music listening!