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#1 ·
Starting with the RX-A710 which I will be receiving tomorrow and testing over Labor Day weekend.



AVENTAGE AV Receivers: Designed to Deliver the Highest Levels of Audio Performance


The AVENTAGE line of high-performance AV receivers is based on the audio design concept of providing a massive, full-bodied sound for movie sound effects and the accurate reproduction of music sources. By expertly harmonizing traditional and advanced technologies, every factor that affects sound quality, from materials and parts to construction, layout, vibration damping (unique A.R.T. Wedge foot) and fine-tuning the sound, is handled with no other thought than to achieve the best possible audio quality. As a result, every AVENTAGE model has the ability to reproduce the most subtle details of high-definition sound, so that listeners can enjoy a truly high-class sound studio experience at home.

A.R.T. Wedge Helps to Ensure that Vibrations Do Not Affect Sound Quality


The A.R.T. (Anti-Resonance Technology) Wedge is a fifth foot in the center of the unit. It dampens vibrations from the power transformer, power transistors and heat sinks, as well as vibrations that might be caused by the sound from the speakers. This elimination or reduction of vibration provides an audible increase in sound quality throughout the AVENTAGE Series.

Aluminum Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits


All of the AVENTAGE components feature the same sleek, clean design, with an elegant aluminum front panel and silky touch volume/selector knobs. The aluminum front panel is used to effectively shield sensitive circuitry from external noise and electronic energy generated by dimmer switches, fluorescent lighting, video monitors and so on. This ensures optimum sonic performance in the widest range of installation environments.

HDMI with 3D and Audio Return Channel


3D means the receiver can handle 3D signal data. The Audio Return Channel function enables data to be sent and received via the same HDMI cable, so you can hear the sound from the TV via a single HDMI cable, with no need for an extra optical cable.

Analog and HDMI Video Upscaling to Full HD 1080p


This AV Receiver will upscale video signals up to 1080p. HDTVs capable of 720p, 1080i or 1080p resolution can provide more detailed picture.

High Quality Video Processing with Edge Adaptive Deinterlacing


In ordinary deinterlacing, pixels in areas of movement are interpolated by upper and lower ranges. This causes jaggies in diagonal lines. Edge adaptive deinterlacing detects the direction of the line and interpolates the pixels optimally.

Network Functions


This AV receiver provides a variety of network functions that enable you to access more sources and also enhance operation. You can connect the receiver to a PC to enjoy Internet Radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius XM and Napster, and use a Web Browser Control. The AV Controller app lets you control various functions from your iPhone or iPad, etc.

AV Controller App for Easy, Convenient Operation


The AVENTAGE AV Receivers let you use the Yamaha AV Controller app, a free download from the iTunes App Store to control power on/off and volume, select input and DSP modes and operate other functions from an iPhone, iPad and other devices. An Android app will be available in the coming months.

USB Digital Connection for iPod and iPhone on the Front Panel


A USB port on the front panel allows convenient connection of an iPod/iPhone, which also charges when connected. Because the digital signal from the iPod/iPhone is transmitted directly to the AV receiver, there is no signal loss or interference, so you enjoy the best possible sound quality. In addition, you can use the receiver's remote control unit to operate the iPod/iPhone music playback functions.

YPAO Automatically Sets the Best Sound for Any Room


Yamaha's YPAO system uses a small microphone and sophisticated equalization to automatically set the best sound for any room, no matter where the speakers are. First it checks the speaker connections and phase of each speaker. Then it sends out tones which are captured by the microphone to analyze the room acoustics and sets a variety of parameters, such as the speaker size, the distance of the speakers and even the sound pressure level, etc. Until it achieves the best sound conditions for your room and you don't have to do anything!

SCENE for One-Touch Start


The Four SCENE buttons make operating the receiver easier than ever. They are initially set to default settings for BD/DVD Viewing, CD Disc Listening, TV Viewing and Radio Listening. Pressing a SCENE button will automatically launch a number of operations that initiate play of the source controlled by that button. Other SCENE settings are also available, such as iPod Listening, SiriusXM Listening [model dependent], TV Sports Viewing and Action Game Playing. Browsing and selecting the settings is quickly accomplished by changing Input via the front panel and watching the on-screen display. The settings can be selected for one-time use, or they can replace the original default settings. The SCENE names can be changed also.

HDMI CEC for Easy Operation


Another benefit of HDMI is the availability of CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) functionality. When the unit is connected to a CEC compatible TV, it will turn on and off together with the TV, and you can use the TV remote to control the volume. CEC also provides advanced functionality with other components. For example, you can use the receiver's remote unit to control player functions like Skip and Stop.


*All connected devices must be HDMI CEC compatible. Some CEC compatible TVs/players may not work.

Input Selection in HDMI Standby Through Mode


When the AV receiver is in HDMI Standby Through mode, the input source (Blu-ray Disc player, game console, etc.) for viewing on the monitor can be changed via the remote control. There's no need to turn on the AV receiver in order to switch sources.

HDMI Front Panel Input


In addition to the large number of HDMI inputs on the rear panel, there is also one on the front panel. This gives you a convenient way to quickly plug in a digital camera or camcorder for highest quality pictures.

Advanced On-Screen GUI


Yamaha's latest Graphical User Interface (GUI) has a high resolution display with clear, easy-to-use menus and also includes a selectable Status Bar that shows input source, volume level, DSP mode and audio format. The GUI provides a choice of six languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, and can be displayed over both normal and 3D pictures.

Intelligent Amp Assign


Intelligent Amp Assign automatically assigns amplifier channels to certain speakers, depending on what functions are selected. For example, in a 7.1-channel system, when Zone 2 is off, all 7.1 channels will be used in the Main Zone. However, when Zone 2 is on, power to the two Surround Back channels will be directed to the two speakers in Zone 2, and the Main Zone will receive 5.1 channels of power. Similarly, when CINEMA DSP 3D is on, the two Front Presence speakers will be powered and not the two Surround Back speakers. When CINEMA DSP 3D is off, this situation is reversed. Thanks to Intelligent Amp Assign, there's no need to switch the speaker cables on the rear of the receiverone more way Yamaha makes your life a little easier.

HD Audio with CINEMA DSP 3D and Virtual Presence Speaker


CINEMA DSP 3D provides a wide, high and dense sound field. HD Audio format decoding lets you enjoy HD Audio sources. Virtual Presence Speaker delivers 3-dimensional sound without actual use of presence speakers. The actually measured sound field data contain the information of the height of the sound images. CINEMA DSP 3D mode achieves the reproduction of the accurate height of the sound images so that it creates the accurate and intensive stereoscopic sound fields in a listening room.

Compressed Music Enhancer


When music is encoded into a digitally compressed format like MP3, the frequency response suffers. Yamaha's Compressed Music Enhancer employs sophisticated digital signal processing using exclusive algorithms to restore what was lost, so the music always sounds the way it should.

Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)


Adaptive DRC automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialogue and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.

Versatile Zone Control


Zone 2 on/off and control on front panel

Zone sleep and system sleep

Remote input/output

Programmable +12V trigger output

Low Standby Power Consumption


Yamaha makes its receivers eco-friendly with a low standby power consumption of 0.1W (2W in HDMI Standby Through mode).

Eco-Friendly Design with Selectable Auto Power Down


Auto Power Down lets you save energy by selecting to turn off the power after 4, 8 or 12 hours.

Optional Accessories for Added Convenience


Yamaha optional docks make it easy to enjoy your favorite music from your iPod or iPhone, with or without cables. Select from of the following models:

yAired Wireless Dock System YID-W10

Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone YDS-12

Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver YBA-10

Notable Audio Features


7-channel powerful surround sound

- 90W per Channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09 % THD, 2 ch driven)

- 105W per Channel (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9 % THD, 2 ch driven)

HD Audio format decoding: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio

Discrete amp configuration

Selected high quality parts to achieve optimum audio performance

Pure Direct for HD Audio and video enjoyment

Low jitter PLL circuitry helps optimize sound imaging

Detachable Power Cable for easier installation (also allows cable upgrade)

Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection

Intelligent assignable amplifiers for Surround Back - Front Presence or Zone 2

Notable Video Features


1080p-compatible HDMI: 8 inputs (1 on front) and 2 outputs

Supports Deep Color (30/36 bit), x.v.Color, 24Hz Refresh Rate and Auto Lip-Sync compensation

Multi-cadence (incl. 3-2 pull-down) detection

HDMI with 3D and Audio Return Channel

Notable Advanced Features


DLNA 1.5 certified SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready

Audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video input

iPod/iPhone compatibility with optional YDS-12 Universal Dock

Wireless connection for iPod/iPhone with optional YID-W10

Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with optional Yamaha Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver YBA-10

iPod/iPhone song titles displayed in English and Western European languages on the front panel and on-screen display

Dialogue Lift

Audio Delay for adjusting Lip-Sync (0-250ms)

Preset remote unit

Background video feature (for tuner, Net, USB and SIRIUS Satellite Radio)

Notable Surround Realism Features


Virtual Presence Speaker function for CINEMA DSP 3D surround without Front Presence Speakers

Adaptive DSP Level

SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP


Note: The basic format of this thread was taken from the RX-V671 thread, but I felt like the AVENTAGE features were not being discussed there and wanted to split them out. I am hoping owners of this line of receivers will submit their $0.02 and find the information they are looking for easier. I know that personally I had a difficult time finding good reviews on this line of AVRs.
 
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#2,530 ·
Even if the power was being divided between the low and high drivers in your speakers when bi-amping, it wouldn't be dividing it evenly because the energy in your source material won't be split evenly between high and low frequencies. So you'd might only get 25% more power overall from splitting the load between two amplifers. Except you might not even get that because all the amplifiers share the same power supply, and that will often end up being the limittng factor.
 
#2,532 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Konsolkongen  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23378626


I'll need to try with and without bi-amping later today to see if I can hear any difference. It seems like I shouldn't be able to though
You can find all kinds of arguments both for and against bi amping, especially passive. My opinion is try it without and see if you notice any difference. Of course auditory memory is short so this will be difficult at best. But if you don't need the extra amplification from your AVR , it could save you some worry. I don't bi amp, but I have a 2010 with speakers in all three zones. I bought and inexpensive amp just to drive my outdoor speakers. The reason I did was to not have to worry when I drive all three zones during family gatherings.
 
#2,534 ·
I'm done testing.


First I popped in Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings (original CD of course) and listened to the track called "The Best of Times". I did this with my normal setup (bi-amping) and it sounded great of course.

Next I spent a good 10 minutes trying to get all the speaker wires bi-wired on the back of the AVR, this was quite tricky
. Turned on the AVR, switched to normal amp distribution (no bi-amping), played the same song and it sounded so flat when the acoustic guitar kicked in
There is a world of difference, at least with my setup.

I reversed the setup and I'm back to bi-amping and straight away when the acoustic guitar kicks in it runs shivers down my spine as that track always does, it sounds so warm and detailed.


I'm surprised as I expected to hear very much the same audio quality without bi-amping. Especially considering the threads I stumbled upon last night where passive bi-amping is called nothing more than placebo.


In all three tests I had the volume at -30db, used the STRAIGHT setting on the AVR and had the bi-amp setting adjusted accordingly of course.


The speaker-wire I'm using is this kind with tinned silver threads for the tweeters:
http://www.av-cables.dk/viablue-hoejttalerkabel/8011.html


Perhaps that makes a small difference somehow? I got the wires marked "Low pass" hooked up to the Front L/R terminals and to the tweeters of the speakers. Likewise I have the "High pass" wires connected to the Extra speaker terminals and to the woofers of the speakers.


So I guess there's no getting around having 5 of the 7 amps driving 4ohm speakers, as passive bi-amping clearly works for me, and I already paid for the JBL L Center
Hopefully there won't be a problem, but I'll keep an eye on the heat generated by the AVR, just in case.
 
#2,535 ·
Did you reinstall the jumpers connecting the two sets of terminals on your speakers or adjust any bi-ampng switch they might have? To do the comparision properly you also need to use an SPL meter to match the volume levels. In the absense of one, if you end up doing this again, try increasing the volume and seeing if that fixes the problem. If you ran YPAO to calibrate your bi-amp setup you should run YPAO to calibrate your non-bi-amp setup. The receiver can switch between two sets of speaker settings do you don't need to lose the old YPAO calibration.
 
#2,537 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Konsolkongen  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23380193


I don't have the metal plates that connect the terminals on the back of the speakers. But isn't it the same when they are connected at the AVR?

Ross is right. Without the metal plates between the terminals you need two outputs from the AVR to the speakers (passive biamping). If you don't have the metal plates and you're not biamping, then you're going to hear a big difference. Any time you hear a big difference with passive bi-amping you can be sure you're doing it wrong.
 
#2,538 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by kriktsemaj99  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23380666


Ross is right. Without the metal plates between the terminals you need two outputs from the AVR to the speakers (passive biamping). If you don't have the metal plates and you're not biamping, then you're going to hear a big difference. Any time you hear a big difference with passive bi-amping you can be sure you're doing it wrong.
I agree. I recently helped a friend setup a new system. She couldn't figure out why her Polk towers (can't remember the model) did not have as much bass as when she heard them in the store. After some investigation I noticed she had disconnected the metal plates that connected the two sets of terminals on each speaker. She was only sending power to the high end and that's why they were sounding so thin. My point is kriktsemaj99 is exactly correct.
 
#2,539 ·
?


This is how I wired the speakers up when disabling bi-amping:



I really don't see how that's any different than using just one pair of wires and connecting the terminals on the speaker. In the end it should be the same, but with more wire



I'm not that stupid that I would just connect one pair of the speaker terminals and leave the other one unconnected
 
#2,540 ·
One problem with bi-wiring it like that is that it's more prone to error, if you didn't connect red-to-red and black-to-black correctly on all four cables then the drivers would be out of phase. Another is that since your cables are apperently fairly different there maybe enough of difference resistances to have an audible effect.


Anyways, I would've thought it much easier to install the metar bars and do all the cable adjustments at the speakers.


If you do end up testing again then using Pure Direct will completely bypass all DSP processing and ensure that YPAO doesn't factor in.
 
#2,541 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross Ridge  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23381242


One problem with bi-wiring it like that is that it's more prone to error, if you didn't connect red-to-red and black-to-black correctly on all four cables then the drivers would be out of phase. Another is that since your cables are apperently fairly different there maybe enough of difference resistances to have an audible effect.

I took the wires from the Extra SP terminals and connected them to the corresponding Front Speaker terminals one by one. They are connected correctly, I don't just connect stuff at random

Quote:
Anyways, I would've thought it much easier to install the metar bars and do all the cable adjustments at the speakers.


If you do end up testing again then using Pure Direct will completely bypass all DSP processing and ensure that YPAO doesn't factor in.

As I said I don't have the metal bars for the speakers unfortunately. But if you think that the silver/tinned wires could have influenced the sound when bi-wiring I should be able to remove such differences if I try the same setup again, but also put a small piece of wire between the terminals on the speakers?


EDIT: Just to clarify, this is what I mean:



Is that worth trying?
 
#2,542 ·
Argh goddammit. When I moved into this apartment I didn't have any internet. I just received my speaker wire and didn't know if High Pass or Low Pass connected to the tweeters or woofers. I thought it made sense that high pass connected to tweeter, but as I wanted to be sure I asked a friend if he could google it for me. He claimed that Low Pass connected to the tweeter and High Pass to the Woofer terminals. I took his word for it and now I see that he was wrong:

http://ww2.mitcables.com/articles/installing-and-burning-in-your-cables.html
Quote:
If your speaker cable is an MIT Bi-Wire product, observe marking on tails labeled "high-pass" and "low-pass." Connect "high-pass" to high-frequency or tweeter inputs. Connect "low-pass" to low-frequency or woofer inputs.

I should have checked this myself when I got my internet up and running but completely forgot. Bear with me please as I swap the wires on the speakers and test with and without bi-amping again
 
#2,544 ·
So you're saying that the low/high mix-up of wires, thanks to my friend won't make any difference? In that case Bi-amping is still better. I'm not trying to convince myself that bi-amping is better. if you read my previous posts I'm actually hoping that there is no difference so my AVR wouldn't have to drive 5 speakers (two of them are for bi-amping) at 4ohms. But with the low pass wires for tweeters and high pass wires for woofers there was a big difference in favor of passive bi-amping.


I won't be able to test it until tomorrow. It took a while to change the wires because it's difficult to get behind the speakers. I'll let you know if there's a difference.
 
#2,545 ·
3010 Question


I recently purchased a CES Demo Blu-ray and I saw it had some sound tests. I decided to try.


When I ran the 7.1 test, my surrounds and rear channels were not discrete but joined. The speakers are wired correctly, because when I run a test tone they are discrete. I must have something set wrong. I have my receiver set to Movie Theater...Sci-Fi.



I have my setup set to Basic and ran YPAO.



Any opinions?
 
#2,546 ·
Today I got to listen to the AVR with the High Pass silver wires going to the tweeters and Low Pass tinned wires going to woofers. This made a noticeable improvement


I then tried switching to Bi-wiring and now that sounded much better than last time I tested. I then went back to Bi-amping again to compare. While the difference is now much more negligible than during the last test, Bi-amping still sounds better



I have tried to illustrate the main difference I noticed here below. I was listening to a track with a part where a constant piano tone played and you hear two drum bass beats every few seconds. With bi-amping the piano sounds the same when the drums are playing. But with bi-wire the piano sound level drops noticeably while the drums are playing.




That's the best I can do to describe the difference, hopefully it should be clear what I mean.


I did todays test with the volume at -25db and Pure Direct mode enabled.


Now onto something else; Isn't it possible to create a SCENE with Pure Direct enabled? As far as I can see it can't be done
My current CD SCENE uses STRAIGHT only and then I have to manually switch to Pure Direct. Truth be told I can't hear any difference in the two, but it would be cool if it would use Pure Direct mode automatically, just in case there is a slight difference
 
#2,547 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Konsolkongen  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23384928


...I did todays test with the volume at -25db and Pure Direct mode enabled.

It's not enough to use the same volume setting, you need a meter to check how much extra volume bi-amping is giving you, then reduce the master volume by that amount. If bi-amping plays even 0.5 or 1dB louder it will tend to sound better when really it only sounds louder.
 
#2,548 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyJonesBSME  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23384889


3010 Question

When I ran the 7.1 test, my surrounds and rear channels were not discrete but joined. The speakers are wired correctly, because when I run a test tone they are discrete. I must have something set wrong. I have my receiver set to Movie Theater...Sci-Fi.

Try using the Straight sound program, the Sci-Fi program may do some channel mixing in order to create its effect. Also, make sure that your rear speakers are attached to the surround back speaker terminals and check to see if your Blu-Ray player is actually sending a 7.1 signal ([On Screen] -> Information -> Audio Signal).
 
#2,549 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by kriktsemaj99  /t/1357468/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a710-810-1010-2010-3010-thread/2520#post_23385707


It's not enough to use the same volume setting, you need a meter to check how much extra volume bi-amping is giving you, then reduce the master volume by that amount. If bi-amping plays even 0.5 or 1dB louder it will tend to sound better when really it only sounds louder.

Even if there was a difference in volume I could clearly hear the difference in the piano as illustrated. With bi-amping and -35db it still sounds perfectly even when the drum bass plays. So it's not a volume issue
 
#2,550 ·
Your description of what your heard is perfectly consistant with a difference in volume, and we know fact that there was a difference in volume.


Anyways, at this point I don't think it matters, you've got the cables already connected, you don't need the amplifier channels for anything else and you've lost the metal bars for your speakers. You might as well leave it bi-amp'ed even if you haven't actually shown that it makes a difference.
 
#2,551 ·
But surely if bi-amping at -25db was higher and only appeared to sound better because of the slightly increased volume, I would be able to hear the drop in piano when I turn down the volume to -35db. I do not.


The only thing I can think of is that the speaker cables are making it sound worse when bi-wiring. Would regular speaker wire and a set of gold plated connectors (didn't loose these btw, just never had them) make any improvements?


It doesn't seem like I'll be able to convince you guys that there is a noticeable difference. Whatever happened to trusting strangers on the internet? But if you're ever in Denmark, feel free to stop by
 
#2,552 ·
konsolkongen it's all about what sounds good to you at the end of the day. So if you hear a difference than go for it. There has been plenty of debate about bi amping and it's like debating religion, never a clear winner. Just be careful with your avr. I think that I'd what started this discussion. Enjoy
 
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#2,553 ·
Thanks. Got the center speaker today and guess what? It's 6 ohm
So all crisis averted. It's hard to find info on this speaker as it's pretty old, and I guess the info I did find was wrong. Either that or there are different revisions of this speaker...


Anywho it both looks and sounds great, so I couldn't be happier



Thanks, all of you who were kind enough to participate in the debate and answering my questions
 
#2,554 ·
Quick question: I have an RX A2010.


I connect my laptop via to the receiver via my laptop's HDMI out. When I play FLAC files, or MP3 files off the laptop, the receiver always indicates "PCM" audio.


Is that correct? Is there a way to make sure that when I'm playing FLAC, it's passing through appropriately to the receiver?
 
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