Yamaha RX-V567 Receiver Preview

We've already covered the RX-V367 and RX-V467, the newest receivers from Yamaha. Frankly, we've been a bit underwhelmed. The RX-V567 looks to turn that all around with the last of their new releases - the RX-V567. This receiver is the biggest and baddest of the new line and commands a higher price point to match. At $479.95, you're definitely expecting some functionality the others were lacking. As the sub-$500 price point tends to be very competitive, Yamaha is going to need to step up their game if they want to earn your hard earned (especially in this economy) dollars.

First lets start with the similarities to the RX-V467. The inputs and outputs of the two receivers are almost exactly the same. In fact, not much has changed from the entry level RX-V367. This either means that the RX-V367 is chock-a-block full of inputs or the RX-V567 is a bit thin. We tend to the former is more true than the later. With 4/1 in/out HDMI 1.4 connections, 2/1 in/out component video, 2/2 coaxial/optical digital audio inputs, and a slew of composite video and analogue audio connections, the RX-V567 is well equipped. At this price point we wouldn't mind seeing one or two more component inputs, but overall, it is very competitive. 

Like the RX-V467, the Yamaha RX-V567 can decode HD audio internally as well as accept uncompressed PCM over HDMI. All the rest of the audio modes are, of course, decoded internally. Also included since the RX-V367 are 192 kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs, 17 DSPs, a preset remote, and Bluetooth and iPod compatibility via optional docks. The Compressed Music Enhancer as well as the four SCENE buttons are back along with Cinema DSP Digital and Silent Cinema and Virtual Cinema DSPs. Yamaha has long been known for the abundance of DSPs in their receiver lines and the new '67 line is no different. If you are a DSPaholic, Yamaha has what you need. Also like the other receivers, there is a 3.5mm jack in the front to allow you to connect your iPod or MP3 player without forking over money for the dock. 

Yamaha is touting not only their HDMI 1.4 inputs and outputs but also their increased functionality. While you'll need a firmware update to fully take advantage of the upcoming 3-D features (done via computer download burned to CD and played through the receiver), out of the box the RX-V467 and RX-V56 support Audio Return Channel, CEC functionality, and HDMI Stand by-through (allowing you to change inputs while the unit is in stand-by mode). Also included with the RX-V567 is Yamaha's YPAO - their room correction system with 7-band parametric EQ. With the included mic the receiver will perform an auto-setup function (level matching the speakers and such) and will perform some room correction. From an ease of use standpoint, this a very expected feature at this price point.

But enough about the similarities, let's talk about differences. The RX-V567 is the first in the new '67 line that offers an On Screen Display. With the two previous models you were forced to look at the readout on the front of the receiver. Now, you can view it on your display.  This becomes a huge plus for those that sit farther away from their receiver or like to keep them behind frosted glass or solid cabinets. It also makes navigating the menus much easier. The OSD is not graphical, unfortunately, but text based. From what we could tell from the manual it seems to lack any overlay ability though there is no indication that it is restricted to particular outputs (meaning you should be able to view it over HDMI).

The second major advance in the RX-V567 is the ability to upconvert to HDMI. This means that your normal analogue video sources can now be converted to HDMI so that you only have a run a single HDMI cable to your display for video. With the other Yamaha offerings, if you had HDMI, component, and composite sources, you would need to run all three cable types to your display. Not any more. On top of that, the receiver can upscale those signals to 1080p (or other resolutions depending on your display). Buyers should note that it may have problems with certain older game consoles with 480p or less resolution and it doesn't scale HDMI inputs. It also is not utilizing a branded upscaling chipset (like some of the competition) which means we don't know how well it will scale the signal. Still, this is a major advance over the previous models.

Lastly, Yamaha finally makes the jump to seven channels with the RX-V567. For those that are running larger theaters, this is a boon but for most in this price point, five channels is enough. Luckily, those Surround Back channels can be used for bi-amping the mains if you choose. Noticeably lacking is any support for a Zone 2 or any of the advanced DSPs from Audyssey or Dolby which could assign those amps to height or width channels. Obviously, Yamaha could have included their own Presence channels for these extra amps (which is essentially a height channel) but chose not to. So, if you are not running a 7.1 system and don't have mains that can (or you want to) bi-amp, you're pretty much out of luck.

One item of note is that the Yamaha RX-V467 receiver touts 105 watts per channel while this one sports only 90 watts. While the 15 watt difference probably won't equate into much real world performance change, the fact that the weight of the two receivers is basically the same indicates to us that Yamaha probably utilized the same power supply and amp typology but simply added the electronics for the two extra channels. While Yamaha was once known for the strength of their amps, lately they have succumbed to the less stringent 1kHz power measurement and adding all the channels together for a meaningless "Total Power" measurement like other manufacturers. We hope they'll turn this around in future offerings and get back to tough amplifier measurements.

Conclusion

The Yamaha RX-V567 has a lot more of what consumers want in a next generation receiver. Building on the RX-V467 platform, they've added two additional channels of amplification, an On Screen Display, and HDMI upconversion and scaling. While we would have liked to have seen more use made of the surround back channels rather than just the option to use them for bi-amping, it isn't exactly unheard of at this price point. The Yamaha RX-V567 seems to be a very solid receiver offering from the AV giant. While it doesn't have all the features some of the competition is touting, it does have its name and reputation. For some, that will be enough.

Click here for more information on the Yamaha RX-V567.

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