I just got back from a demo of the new Yamaha RX-V2400 at my local av store. I also should say I bought the 2400. Here is a review of what I did in the demo and what I thought. Keep in mind I am not a huge audiofile, nor am I a professional reviewer or writer.
The RX-V2400 was demo'ed in a small room probably 15 x 15 with only a 5.1 system using Mirage speakers Omni FX, Omni 250's,Omni CC, and a OM200 sub. The dvd player was a Panasonic 5 disc changer (sorry didn't get the model number).
VPAO:
First order was to see the VPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer). The small supplied mic was put at the listeners position. the mic plugs into the front and has a good 10-15 foot cord (only a guess). The VPAO checks several things 1)Wiring-which speakers are conected and polarity of each speaker. 2)Distance- the distance of each speaker from the listening position. 3)Size-checks the speakers frequency response and sets the appropriate low frequency crossover for each channel. 4)EQ-Adjusts frequency and level of each channel's parametric equalizer to reduce coloration across the channels and create a cohesive sound field. 5) Level- checks and adjusts volume of each speaker.
The Test:
The test took less than 10 minutes and consisted of pink noise and frequency bursts (16 of them for each channel). In the EQ parameter you can select either Front-adjusts frequency response of each speaker in accordance to your front spekaers, Flat-average frequency response of all speakers, Low-average giving priority to the accuracy of the bass frequency, Mid-average of mids, High-average of highs. Our results indicated that 125hz needed to be cut down 9 db and 3.1khz need a boost at +3 db. A couple other notes, the 2400 needs to have quiet to make the test. at one point there was noise from another system being played in another room and the Yamaha wouldn't start the YPAO and gave a error message "Noisy" I thought that was fairly cool. One thing that bugged me was after the calculations the results were posted on a screen but quickly went away. I don't know if there is a way to freeze that screen or go back to it in the menus. I'm sure with more time we could of figured that out.
Quick note for all those who wonderd if the OSD shows up through component. The answer is NO! Bummer!!
On to music:
No DVD-Audio on the dvd player so I had to listen to music that was DVD video or DTS.
First up was the Big Phat Swing Band. This disc sounded really good. I'm sorry but I did not hear the brightness that alot people say they here in Yamaha. I thought the sound of the brass instruments were very clean and accurate. This disc is recorded incredible and it sounded great. I used a spl meter (radio shack) and got some levels. I know everyone including myself is worried about the Yamaha's power. I figured that 0 db on the 2400 was reference level. I decresed volume to about -70 db (couldn't hear) and increased the volume to -15 where it seemed to be in the loud stages. I listened to Big Phat Swing Band at -08 and at +3 (really loud, and my sales friend was saying that we shouldn't go over that for fear of damging speakers. At -3db volume I was getting about 90db on the meter. -16 was good background level where you could talk but still hear the music.
Next was the Blue Man Group, this was harder on the spekaers than the amp. Lots of bass. On the track PVC IV I was at-10db on the volume and was showing around 90db on the meter. Rods n' Cones at -10db got peaks up to 94db. All of this without any noticable strain or distortion.
Next Diana Krall "Live in Paris" The Yamaha did very well on this disc. I still did not hear any brightness and Diana's voice sounded as good as ever. On some of the softer tunes the volume was set at about -5 and saw peaks on the meter from 85 to 90db.
On the whole, Music wise the 2400 did very well. most moderate volume levels would be in the -15 to -5db range. -3 was really loud to me and there wasn't too many cases where I would push it up to 0db.
On to Movies:
Always have to test a system with LOTR (Fellowship) Mines of Moria scene. Boy did this sound good on the 2400!! Now this disc was recorded hot, but I was reading 94db at volume level-17. The Yamaha did very nicely, I wish I could have heard it in 7 channel THX though.
Band of Brothers assault on Foy was the test disc for the night listening mode and silent cinema. The night listening mode compresses the sound coming from the surrounds in the form of explosions and effects, but keeps the center dialogue channel at a good level. I found the mode useful in some instances. Its subtle, but if your wanting to watch a war movie at 3am without having your wife kill you it can be helpful. Silent cinema was an interesting effect. No it isn't true surround. I got more info left and right than the feeling of front to back. I can see maybe using it on occasion, also late at night or watching a movie loud while the wife and kids do something wlse in the same room.
The Verdict:
I like this unit, Hell, I bought it. I will use it to run a Paradigm 7.1 Studio system. with 100's powered separately by a Anthem MCA20 (200 watt x 2) and use the 2400 to power everything else. Eventually I will get a 5 channel amp and use the Yamaha as a prepro. Is it perfect? No, I don't think anything is perfect. But I do think for the features you get and the price, It is a big winner. Yamaha has raised the bar in price vs performance. I still would like to see it bench tested for it's power rating, but It handled everything I threw at it. Hope to hear other opinions as this unit gets out on the street. I will post more info as soon as I can test some more, Hope this helps!
Greg
The RX-V2400 was demo'ed in a small room probably 15 x 15 with only a 5.1 system using Mirage speakers Omni FX, Omni 250's,Omni CC, and a OM200 sub. The dvd player was a Panasonic 5 disc changer (sorry didn't get the model number).
VPAO:
First order was to see the VPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer). The small supplied mic was put at the listeners position. the mic plugs into the front and has a good 10-15 foot cord (only a guess). The VPAO checks several things 1)Wiring-which speakers are conected and polarity of each speaker. 2)Distance- the distance of each speaker from the listening position. 3)Size-checks the speakers frequency response and sets the appropriate low frequency crossover for each channel. 4)EQ-Adjusts frequency and level of each channel's parametric equalizer to reduce coloration across the channels and create a cohesive sound field. 5) Level- checks and adjusts volume of each speaker.
The Test:
The test took less than 10 minutes and consisted of pink noise and frequency bursts (16 of them for each channel). In the EQ parameter you can select either Front-adjusts frequency response of each speaker in accordance to your front spekaers, Flat-average frequency response of all speakers, Low-average giving priority to the accuracy of the bass frequency, Mid-average of mids, High-average of highs. Our results indicated that 125hz needed to be cut down 9 db and 3.1khz need a boost at +3 db. A couple other notes, the 2400 needs to have quiet to make the test. at one point there was noise from another system being played in another room and the Yamaha wouldn't start the YPAO and gave a error message "Noisy" I thought that was fairly cool. One thing that bugged me was after the calculations the results were posted on a screen but quickly went away. I don't know if there is a way to freeze that screen or go back to it in the menus. I'm sure with more time we could of figured that out.
Quick note for all those who wonderd if the OSD shows up through component. The answer is NO! Bummer!!
On to music:
No DVD-Audio on the dvd player so I had to listen to music that was DVD video or DTS.
First up was the Big Phat Swing Band. This disc sounded really good. I'm sorry but I did not hear the brightness that alot people say they here in Yamaha. I thought the sound of the brass instruments were very clean and accurate. This disc is recorded incredible and it sounded great. I used a spl meter (radio shack) and got some levels. I know everyone including myself is worried about the Yamaha's power. I figured that 0 db on the 2400 was reference level. I decresed volume to about -70 db (couldn't hear) and increased the volume to -15 where it seemed to be in the loud stages. I listened to Big Phat Swing Band at -08 and at +3 (really loud, and my sales friend was saying that we shouldn't go over that for fear of damging speakers. At -3db volume I was getting about 90db on the meter. -16 was good background level where you could talk but still hear the music.
Next was the Blue Man Group, this was harder on the spekaers than the amp. Lots of bass. On the track PVC IV I was at-10db on the volume and was showing around 90db on the meter. Rods n' Cones at -10db got peaks up to 94db. All of this without any noticable strain or distortion.
Next Diana Krall "Live in Paris" The Yamaha did very well on this disc. I still did not hear any brightness and Diana's voice sounded as good as ever. On some of the softer tunes the volume was set at about -5 and saw peaks on the meter from 85 to 90db.
On the whole, Music wise the 2400 did very well. most moderate volume levels would be in the -15 to -5db range. -3 was really loud to me and there wasn't too many cases where I would push it up to 0db.
On to Movies:
Always have to test a system with LOTR (Fellowship) Mines of Moria scene. Boy did this sound good on the 2400!! Now this disc was recorded hot, but I was reading 94db at volume level-17. The Yamaha did very nicely, I wish I could have heard it in 7 channel THX though.
Band of Brothers assault on Foy was the test disc for the night listening mode and silent cinema. The night listening mode compresses the sound coming from the surrounds in the form of explosions and effects, but keeps the center dialogue channel at a good level. I found the mode useful in some instances. Its subtle, but if your wanting to watch a war movie at 3am without having your wife kill you it can be helpful. Silent cinema was an interesting effect. No it isn't true surround. I got more info left and right than the feeling of front to back. I can see maybe using it on occasion, also late at night or watching a movie loud while the wife and kids do something wlse in the same room.
The Verdict:
I like this unit, Hell, I bought it. I will use it to run a Paradigm 7.1 Studio system. with 100's powered separately by a Anthem MCA20 (200 watt x 2) and use the 2400 to power everything else. Eventually I will get a 5 channel amp and use the Yamaha as a prepro. Is it perfect? No, I don't think anything is perfect. But I do think for the features you get and the price, It is a big winner. Yamaha has raised the bar in price vs performance. I still would like to see it bench tested for it's power rating, but It handled everything I threw at it. Hope to hear other opinions as this unit gets out on the street. I will post more info as soon as I can test some more, Hope this helps!
Greg
