YAMAHA RXV-2400 REVIEW

[viggi]

<font color='#000000'>Gene,
With the YPAO being the significant addition to this reciever, how do you think this puppy compare with the Denon 3803 which is considered a scaled down version of the 5803. &nbsp;I own the 3803 and I want to know if this is a better unit over all or they are matched up evenly. &nbsp;IF I am going to upgrade would you recommend the Z9 or the denon 5803 ?

Thanks,
Viggi</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>*******Yamaha RX-V2400 Review Update ****************


I just spoke with Yamaha.
1) It is a 10 band Parametric EQ.  Three of the bands not shown operate at ultrasonic frequencies (above 20kHz)
2) You can preamp out the &quot;Presense&quot; channels for a full blown 9.1 surround set-up.
3) The HT Magazine Power low measurement was a result of the receiver going into thermal protection mode.

I will discuss further in my update addendum of the review once I have Yamaha's full feedback on this review.

Stay tuned...

Viggi, as far as 3803 vs 2400, I would give the slight edge to the 2400 in terms of features and power.  However, both are great units and not worth selling one to upgrade to the other IMO.

As far as Z9 vs 5803?  I can't comment since I haven't reviewed the Z9 yet.  Also, I would wait till after CES to upgrade as many vendors will be announcing new products.</font>

 

[mwc]

<font color='#000000'>

Also, I would wait till after CES to upgrade as many vendors will be announcing new products.

When is CES?

I really like the &quot;presense&quot; channels will you discuss how to preamp out?</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>cool, great news about the 9.1 stuff</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks for the updates Gene.

I also spoke with two yamaha reps a few days back while I was at a local Tweeter. &nbsp;They also confirmed that the HTM measurements were listed, after going into protection mode. &nbsp;Those numbers do seem to be scaring the pants off many recent 1400 and 2400 owners. &nbsp;

Do you know if the amp section shuts down if either yamaha is used as a pre/pro? &nbsp;I know that the front panel can dim down and that the DAC's are top notch in these guys, but what else, as far as maintaing a clean signal does this unit do whether in receiver mode or pre/pre mode?

Do you have any further comments on the YPAO feature? &nbsp;I've read that the width is set at 1/3 db per octave. &nbsp;Do you know if this is a fixed EQ setting or a variable one? &nbsp; Also, do you think that a 1/3 octave (Q) is too wide (width) for accurate results?

Is there any way to alter the PEQ after YPAO has run its course? &nbsp;Or is is a love it or leave it option? &nbsp;I know the GEQ is adjustable, but how much flexibility and/or adjustable is the PEQ after it self-calibrates?

Did the yamaha rep address any of the issues regarding equalization and how it can burden the amp section significantly if/when too much boost occurs at certain frequencies, and how are they dealing with that aspect on this rxv2400?

I also wanted to confirm with you that this unit does indeed have level control(s) on the multi-analog inputs.

A little off topic: Do you know how heavy the transformer in the 3803 is and how much uF its caps are rated at?

Thanks for everything and keep up the good work!

Ross.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>This is a quote from your review:

&quot;This was particularly more noticeable on analog inputs that now had to undergo and extra A/D and D/A conversion to incorporate the DSP processing of the YPAO feature.&quot;

Are you saying that DVD-A or SACD can/will get digitally processed by the YPAO feature? &nbsp;

Ross.</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>All;

I made a post about power and the RXV-2400 at Axiom Audio that you may find of interest.

Axiom Audio RXV-2400 Forum Post

BTW Ross, yes I believe you do have the option of adding YPAO via 6CH inputs. &nbsp;I don't have mine plugged in right now, perhaps other owners here could verify.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>More questions:

Do you know why there is a clear plastic cover over the transformer?

Do you know how this unit can perform a 9.1 channel setup? &nbsp;I was guessing that one would have to pre/amp some of the main channels and reassign two of the pre/amp-ed channels to the &quot;presence&quot; outputs.

Gene,
Could you please address some of the other questions I posted also if you get the time to?

thanks,
Ross.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I was wondering also how to pre amp out the presence channels. &nbsp;I read the V2400 user manual up and down and the pre-out for the presence speakers is shared with the rear surround. &nbsp;I have not seen the menu for the V2400 but is there a way to tell the V2400 that the preout is the presence speaker. &nbsp;Does it assume that you choose yes for having presence and rear surround that the internal amp uses for rear surround and pre out are for presence? &nbsp;I have a Yamaha DSP-A1 that is slowly dying on me and I need to upgrade and this seems like a reasonably priced alternative if the 9.1 is possible. &nbsp;Any help would make my Christmas that much more fun.

Thanks,
Andrew Heschel</font>

 

[aheschel]

<font color='#000000'>Sorry for the double post but forgot to register before the post

Happy Holidays,
Andrew

I was wondering also how to pre amp out the presence channels when you tested the V2400. I read the V2400 user manual up and down and the pre-out for the presence speakers is shared with the rear surround. I have not seen the menu for the V2400 but is there a way to tell the V2400 that the preout is for the presence speakers. Does the receiver assume that if you choose yes for having the presence speakers and rear surrounds that the internal amp is used for the rear surrounds and the pre outs are for the presence speakers? I have a Yamaha DSP-A1 that is slowly dying on me and I need to upgrade baadly. The V2400 seems like a reasonably priced alternative if 9.1 is possible. Any help would make my Christmas that much more fun.

Thanks,
Andrew Heschel</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Ross;

Can you do me a favor and email Yamaha yo ask them to put me on their payroll to support their products  Seriously;  there is a lot of confusion on this product on all the forums today regarding my review and the documented feature set.  Lemme try to clarify based on your questions:

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Do you know if the amp section shuts down if either yamaha is used as a pre/pro?  I know that the front panel can dim down and that the DAC's are top notch in these guys, but what else, as far as maintaing a clean signal does this unit do whether in receiver mode or pre/pre mode?</td></tr></table>

The amp section doesn't &quot;Shut Down&quot; at all.  To my knowledge, it goes into current limiting self protection mode.  In all likelyhood this will not occur in real world applications.  All channels driven simultaneously in NOT a real world scenario.


<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Do you have any further comments on the YPAO feature?  I've read that the width is set at 1/3 db per octave.  Do you know if this is a fixed EQ setting or a variable one?   Also, do you think that a 1/3 octave (Q) is too wide (width) for accurate results?</td></tr></table>
The PEQ is variable and I believe limited to 1/3 octave step size with .5dB amplitude step sizes.
(see page 3 of my review)


<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Is there any way to alter the PEQ after YPAO has run its course?  Or is is a love it or leave it option?  I know the GEQ is adjustable, but how much flexibility and/or adjustable is the PEQ after it self-calibrates?</td></tr></table>

There is no way to adjust PEQ settings on the RX-V2400.  I believe the RX-Z9 will allow for this however.  In my review addendum, I will ask for Yamaha to confirm.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Did the yamaha rep address any of the issues regarding equalization and how it can burden the amp section significantly if/when too much boost occurs at certain frequencies, and how are they dealing with that aspect on this rxv2400?</td></tr></table>

No, infact, I don't believe they have reviewed my comments on this.  I am sure they will address this in our review addendum.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
I also wanted to confirm with you that this unit does indeed have level control(s) on the multi-analog inputs.</td></tr></table>

Yes it does have independent level trim adjustment via EXT inputs as stated in my review.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
A little off topic: Do you know how heavy the transformer in the 3803 is and how much uF its caps are rated at?</td></tr></table>

No I don't, but I am sure it is comparable since both companies are direct competitors and offer very high value for the dollar.</font>

 

[Guest]

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Guest : <font color='#000000'>cool, great news about the 9.1 stuff</font>

<font color='#000000'>Ya, I've been pre-outing the presences for about a month now. &nbsp;I works with DPIIx as well, and the THX engaged.

Really nice sound!

</font>

 

[Guest]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>

Guest : <font color='#000000'>I was wondering also how to pre amp out the presence channels.  I read the V2400 user manual up and down and the pre-out for the presence speakers is shared with the rear surround.  I have not seen the menu for the V2400 but is there a way to tell the V2400 that the preout is the presence speaker.  Does it assume that you choose yes for having presence and rear surround that the internal amp uses for rear surround and pre out are for presence?  I have a Yamaha DSP-A1 that is slowly dying on me and I need to upgrade and this seems like a reasonably priced alternative if the 9.1 is possible.  Any help would make my Christmas that much more fun.

Thanks,
Andrew Heschel</font>

<font color='#000000'>Somehow the amp knew that I had pre-out the presences....</font>

 

[Dubauskas]

<font color='#000000'>Gene, when you had the lid off, did you happen to notice the model number of the DAC's?</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I'll put in that request to yamaha for you!

Gene,
When I was talking about the amp shutting down I wasn't refering to the internal amps. &nbsp;I was wondering if I use the 2400 as a pre/pro only and hook it up to an external amp, if the amps would still be on inside, or shut off as to only be using its processing capabilities.

Dub,
I don't see any pre-outs for the presence channels. &nbsp;I see their powered speaker outputs, and I see the 7.1 pre/outs for all the main channels, but I do not see any rca jacks labled &quot;presence pre/out&quot;. &nbsp;Which outputs are you using to send the signal to an external amp?

I agree that there is a lot of speculation, guessing, and rumors going around about this unit. &nbsp;This is why I too am trying to sort all the forum chat out so I can make an informed buying decision. &nbsp;Its just so hard because so many people are saying so many diff things about this unit.

Gene,
I know that the listed power consumption on the back of the unit says 500 watts. &nbsp;However, I believe that many other factors determine the actual output of the unit, and not just the listed power consumption. &nbsp;Are you saying that this is the only way you came up with the 80x5 wattage specs with the remaining 400 after the processors, etc. get their power? &nbsp;

Also,
I didn't quite follow what you were saying about the ultrasonic frequencies not showing up in the 10 band PEQ. &nbsp;When I've seen the EQ results from others on the web, I've seen boost or attenuation only at the frequencies that needed it. &nbsp;For instance, one speaker may have EQ adjustments at certain frequencies, but another my have almost completely diff. results. &nbsp;You can compare the front L and R channels in your review to see what I'm refering to. &nbsp;The second freq adjusted is 80 on L, and 160 on R. &nbsp;The third adjusted freq on L is 315 while it is 250 on R. &nbsp;I was just trying to figure out why yamaha was adjusting frequencies (ultrasonic) that I can't even hear anyways. &nbsp;

thanks,
Ross.</font>

 

[Yamahaluver]

<font color='#0000FF'>I use my RXZ1 as a pre and in that case I have to switch off the main amps with the A+B speaker selector switch.

Yamaha always lists the nominal power consumption on their units, for instance the rating on my twin mono 70lb amp is 450W but the peak consumption 1500W.

To put in perspective about the power of the RXV-2400, I rcently auditioned one and compared it to the Z-1 which has higher power rating and the RXV-2400 help up pretty well in the dynamics department.</font>

 

[Dubauskas]

<font color='#000000'><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>

Guest : Dub,
I don't see any pre-outs for the presence channels.  I see their powered speaker outputs, and I see the 7.1 pre/outs for all the main channels, but I do not see any rca jacks labled &quot;presence pre/out&quot;.  Which outputs are you using to send the signal to an external amp?

Ross they are called the Surround back/Presence Pre out jacks.  I hooked my backs surrounds to the speaker jacks and the presence spearkes to the external amp connected to the Pre out.  In the basic set up menu you have to tell it you are using 9.1.  After that the amp &quot;figured out&quot; that I had presences hooked up to the pre-out.  Problly knew they were presnece hooked up (rather than back surrounds), be the back surronds were hooked via the speaker out.   I am not using the &quot;presence&quot; out speaker jacks.

Cheers - Dave</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks Dub.

So basically you power all the main 7 channels with the unit, and assign the pre/outs for the surr-back channels to presence, and run those pre/outs to an external 2 channel amp. &nbsp;So I would only need a single 2 channel amp to do this 9.1? &nbsp;

thanks,
Ross.</font>

 

[SoftEng]

<font color='#000000'>Gene, you say:
&quot;I speculate the room size has something to do with weighing the DSP parameter settings. &quot;

The room size is used to set approximate speaker distances - try changing it and then looking at your speaker distance settings.</font>

 

[SoftEng]

<font color='#000000'>Gene, you say:
&quot;It's interesting to note that maxing the volume level (+9.0dB) doesn't fill the bar completely. &quot;

Mine maxes out at around 14.5 db, and fills the bar that much more than yours, although not all the way. &nbsp;I think this has to do with your speaker efficiency. &nbsp;Lower efficiency speakers will give you a lower max volume setting.

I think the Yamaha is displaying a THX-calibrated volume level.</font>