Picked up a Yamaha RX-A3010 today from a local retailer. First impressions:
Build quality is excellent: heavy, sturdy, solid feel to controls (knobs are low mass, though. Not likely they'll get used much with all the remotes).
Setup was pretty easy, auto EQ was fast. Air conditioning kicked in during the test (noise), haven't redone it, sounds very good.
Audio quality: before eq, sounded flat, after eq, sounds pretty good.
I'm using this device for surround audio mixing and testing (video production, game development). Speakers are DefTech ProCinema 800 (L+R), 1000 (center), DefTech sub, and 600 series surrounds (up to 7.1). In the same space I have Tannoy Reveal 501a's (front and center), and a pair of Mackie HR824's for the rears, all connected directly to an RME Fireface 800 via balanced Mogami cables (DefTech sub is used for LFE). The audio quality of the RME directly driving the powered monitors is very detailed and high quality (192kHz, 24bit): in one word- amazing. I will test this setup later using the Pre outs of the 3010 (instead of directly hooked up to the RME). I already had the Mackies- if not, 5 Tannoys would make an excellent powered monitor setup that would be hard to beat for the cost.
So far, easy to set up- have not needed the on disk manual. Good idea for Yamaha not to print the manual- saves them money, saves trees; searching a PDF is fast & easy.
Took a look at the PDF- looks excellent.
3010 On Screen controls: it's not super flashy, but it is fairly easy to use and gets the job done.
Network: at first, no internet radio was visible, but after a little while, I was listening to foreign radio (found decent German channel- played all American rock/pop, entertaining to hear the between song banter in German).
HDMI control- works great. Nice to be able to control volume, etc., using the TV remote (Samsung D8000).
Control via a web browser is very cool.
HD (digital) radio sounds excellent.
Thermal- digital thermometer: 106.7F top of unit (ambient 77.5F). Would prefer lower temp and higher efficiency, however unit provides auto power off and other green (energy saving) modes. Unit has 9 discrete power amplifiers.
Advanced Settings requires magic button combos- manual is helpful.
Firmware update via network: Unit came with v1.03. Ran network firmware update: worked OK; updated to 1.06.
Prior receivers: Sony DA50-ES (5.1)- lasted 13 years until it quit outputting sound last week (still powers up); the 3010 replaces it. Also have a Denon AVR 2807- still works and sounds great (drives some older large Polks). I considered the Denon 4311ci, Marantz SR7005, etc., but wanted to give Yamaha a try this time as many folks suggest that Yamaha is the most reliable. The 4311ci is over a year old design (new models apparently delayed); not really a negative- it's still a solid product. As an iPhone developer, I already have an Apple TV, so AirPlay on the receiver isn't important. AirPlay is convenient (more so for video); for audio just plugging the device in via USB or even an audio cable is fine.
Build quality is excellent: heavy, sturdy, solid feel to controls (knobs are low mass, though. Not likely they'll get used much with all the remotes).
Setup was pretty easy, auto EQ was fast. Air conditioning kicked in during the test (noise), haven't redone it, sounds very good.
Audio quality: before eq, sounded flat, after eq, sounds pretty good.
I'm using this device for surround audio mixing and testing (video production, game development). Speakers are DefTech ProCinema 800 (L+R), 1000 (center), DefTech sub, and 600 series surrounds (up to 7.1). In the same space I have Tannoy Reveal 501a's (front and center), and a pair of Mackie HR824's for the rears, all connected directly to an RME Fireface 800 via balanced Mogami cables (DefTech sub is used for LFE). The audio quality of the RME directly driving the powered monitors is very detailed and high quality (192kHz, 24bit): in one word- amazing. I will test this setup later using the Pre outs of the 3010 (instead of directly hooked up to the RME). I already had the Mackies- if not, 5 Tannoys would make an excellent powered monitor setup that would be hard to beat for the cost.
So far, easy to set up- have not needed the on disk manual. Good idea for Yamaha not to print the manual- saves them money, saves trees; searching a PDF is fast & easy.
Took a look at the PDF- looks excellent.
3010 On Screen controls: it's not super flashy, but it is fairly easy to use and gets the job done.
Network: at first, no internet radio was visible, but after a little while, I was listening to foreign radio (found decent German channel- played all American rock/pop, entertaining to hear the between song banter in German).
HDMI control- works great. Nice to be able to control volume, etc., using the TV remote (Samsung D8000).
Control via a web browser is very cool.
HD (digital) radio sounds excellent.
Thermal- digital thermometer: 106.7F top of unit (ambient 77.5F). Would prefer lower temp and higher efficiency, however unit provides auto power off and other green (energy saving) modes. Unit has 9 discrete power amplifiers.
Advanced Settings requires magic button combos- manual is helpful.
Firmware update via network: Unit came with v1.03. Ran network firmware update: worked OK; updated to 1.06.
Prior receivers: Sony DA50-ES (5.1)- lasted 13 years until it quit outputting sound last week (still powers up); the 3010 replaces it. Also have a Denon AVR 2807- still works and sounds great (drives some older large Polks). I considered the Denon 4311ci, Marantz SR7005, etc., but wanted to give Yamaha a try this time as many folks suggest that Yamaha is the most reliable. The 4311ci is over a year old design (new models apparently delayed); not really a negative- it's still a solid product. As an iPhone developer, I already have an Apple TV, so AirPlay on the receiver isn't important. AirPlay is convenient (more so for video); for audio just plugging the device in via USB or even an audio cable is fine.
