Yamaha RX-A 70 AVENTAGE Dolby Vision AV Receivers Preview

It’s been a year since we previewed the exciting new lineup of RX-A 60 receivers from Yamaha. We were ecstatic about seeing a sub $1000 receiver from Yamaha with DTS:X and Dolby Atmos included for immersive sound. In fact, the base model came in at $650!  This year, not to be outdone, Yamaha has released their RX-A 70 lineup of receivers. Not only has the base model dropped to $600, it still has DTS:X and Dolby Atmos immersive surround formats AND Yamaha has included 4K Ultra HD video support with Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). The new AV receivers are dubbed the RX-A670, RX-A770, RX-A870, RX-A1070, RX-A2070 and RX-A3070 receivers, respectively. They all integrate high-performance DSPs which support a wide range of audio formats including the latest surround codecs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.  This is the eighth generation of the AVENTAGE series network AV receivers from Yamaha and they look to be their best yet.

The biggest advancements of the RX-A 70 lineup look to be on the video side, so if you just bought a new 4K Ultra TV and want to take advantage of the forthcoming live HDR broadcast signals, the AVENTAGE lineup is worth a second look. All models of the new ADVENTAGE line will have 4K Ultra HD video support for three different high dynamic range (HDR) video profiles: baseline HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). Both Dolby Vision and HLG will support the widest possible contrast ratios and color gamut from, along with supporting Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc and 4K streaming video services. The two latest HDR profiles will be arriving to join the HDR10 standard through a firmware update this fall.

As with the RX-A 60 line from Yamaha, The RX-A 70 lineup also include MusicCast, Yamaha’s wireless multiroom audio system. MusicCast sends music wirelessly throughout your home through MusicCast enabled speakers, and all controlled by a simple app.  Like previous AVENTAGE receivers, the RX-A 70 line will include a multitude of streaming content options, but in this year’s models, music lovers will be further delighted with the addition of the popular TIDAL and Deezer apps to the MusicCast streaming service library with each offering music selections of more than 40 million songs. The AVENTAGE RX-A670, RX-A770 and RX-A870 AV receivers will be able to access both services following a firmware update soon after release; the RX-A1070, RX-A2070 and RX-A3070 models will support those services out of the box.

“By including the latest video technologies like Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma HDR, Yamaha AVENTAGE receivers will keep home theater audiences enthralled - not only with dazzling 3D surround sound - but also realistically rich imagery. The high level of innovation and craftsmanship that Yamaha consistently achieves in the AVENTAGE series gives custom installers the flexibility and performance they need for quality installs. Our wireless expansion capabilities offered with MusicCast make AVENTAGE the most flexible system on the market today for the most challenging installations"

Bob Goedken, general manager, AV division, Yamaha Corporation of America.

The AVENTAGE RX-A 70 Lineup

RX-A670

Even the base AVENTAGE model, the AVENTAGE RX-A670, provides a decent amount of power at 80W per channel. Upon an initial glance at the specs, one would think the predecessor model, the RX-A660 was more powerful since Yamaha rated it at 95W per channel. But one most look more closely at the specs, for receiver manufacturers are sneaky sneaky.

RX-A660  95 watts/ch 1kHz, 8 ohms, 0.9% THD+N

RX-A670 80 watts/ch 1kHz, 8 ohms, 0.09% THD+N

The older 660 model was rated at very close to clipping whereas the newer 670 model is rated more honestly before clipping.  Kudos to Yamaha for heeding our call and constant bitching about AV receiver inflated power ratings especially with Atmos AV receivers.

This 7.2-channel network AV receiver includes four HDMI\ inputs and one output, all with HDCP 2.2 copy protection; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound; Virtual CINEMA FRONT and Extra Bass; Virtual Surround Back Speaker, YPAO sound optimization and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The RX-A670 will retail for $600 and will be available in June 2017. It does appear to be a better value than its predecessor and we're betting Yamaha is taking a slight loss to attract Denon and Onkyo buyers with this model.

    

RX-A770

The AVENTAGE RX-A770 steps it up with MusicCast Zone 2 Link Master (distributes sound from equipment connected to the AV receiver to other rooms linked to Zone 2) and Preamp and Powered Zone 2. For Zone 2, the AV receiver adds Zone Tone Control, Zone Volume EQ (automatically balances bass and treble to match volume); Zone Extra Bass (amplifies bass in the main room and Zone 2); and Zone 2 controls for balance, mono, Compressed Music Enhancer, audio delay, sleep and Party Mode. The RX-A770 has 95W per channel and has six HDMI inputs and one HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 output. The model also adds a phono input.The RX-A770 will retail for $700 and will be available in June 2017.

 

RX-A870

The AVENTAGE RX-A870 steps up to 100W per channel and eight HDMI inputs and dual HDMI/HDCP 2.2 outputs. Installers can add a secondary room setup with HDMI Zone B with Zone 2 pre out/variable capability.  Like the RX-A860 we've recently reviewed, the RX-A870 also has 7.2CH preamp outputs for those wanting to add external amplification to increase power or drive power hungry speakers with more authority.  We are uncertain if Yamaha improved these analog outputs to offer increased voltage drive. So, we caution the user to select external amplification with at least 29dB voltage gain to ensure the RX-A870 can drive it to full power without it clipping.

RX-A1070

The AVENTAGE RX-A1070 includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing with Cinema DSP HD for even more dynamic and lifelike motion and spatial representation from 3D surround sound programming. The AV receiver features three DSP LSI chips providing sound with enhanced levels of presence and realism. Other step-up features from the RX-A870 include: 110W per channel; eight HDMI 2.0a inputs with HDCP 2.2 and dual HDMI/HDCP 2.2 outputs. The AV receiver also adds symmetrical amplifier layout and YPAO multipoint room calibration with 64-bit precision EQ and subwoofer EQ for precise automatic channel output adjustments.

RX-A2070

The AVENTAGE RX-A2070 moves up to 9.2 channels (5.1.4 or 7.1.2 channel) and includes advanced Yamaha video processing with HDMI zone switching supporting Powered Zone 2 and 3 and HDMI Zone 4. The AV receiver steps up to 140W per channel and includes dual SABRE Premier DACs and YPAO R.S.C. with 3D, multipoint and angle calibration providing 3D speaker location measurement.

RX-A3070

The flagship AVENTAGE RX-A3070 is a 9.2-channel AV receiver that is expandable to 11.2 channels or 7.1.4 channels of object-based surround (with an external-channel amp). The AV receiver steps up to 150W per channel and adds a top shelf ESS ES9026 PRO SABRE DAC and SABRE32 Ultra DAC to help deliver minimized distortion.  It also includes XLR-balanced inputs for more secure and stable pro-level signal transmission with reduced degradation from supporting source components. The RX-A3070 is the only member of the RX-A 70 line that is pushed back until July for a release date. So, if you're looking for their flagship model you'll have to wait a little longer than the rest.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a new AV receiver and you’re comparing last year verses this year’s models, Yamaha's newest AVENTAGE receivers have upped the ante a little more for what you can get for the price. With many of the major advancements laying on the video side, the drop in price for the base models make it a no brainer if you're looking for a 7.2 channel receiver with Atmos and DTS:X even if you don't use the enhanced video features. The higher models have the added features, but kept the same price as last years models. So, don't feel too bad if you're having buyers remorse for purchasing last years Yamaha AVENTAGE receiver. The only thing you're missing is Dolby Vison pass-thru and higher end Dacs on the upper,models. The DA converters on last year models were still exemplary. Beside, at the rate Yamaha is putting out new AVRs, this years model will be out of date in less than twelve months as well. At that point, you can look for a great deal on a close out and spend less or the same money on a higher model from this series than its successor to come.  In fact, if your currently debating on buying an older AVENTAGE like the RX-A3060 or 2060 at a reduced cost versus a newer RX-A2070 or 1070 at retail, respectively, go with the higher 60 series model instead. The benefits between models in a series is greater than the generational advancements between successor series.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.