The Next Generation
Sound & Vision|February - March 2021
The big car companies refresh their lineups on a pretty regular schedule. Honda, for example, brings out all-new versions of its models every four to five years, and it makes smaller upgrades and improvements in the years between the big changes.
By Michael Trei
The Next Generation

How many people know that the A/V receiver manufacturers do pretty much the same thing? Much like a car, an A/V receiver is built on a platform, one that can be upgraded and modified over time as new features are added. But there eventually comes a point where the only practical way forward is to start fresh with a clean-sheet design. That’s where Yamaha’s latest mid-priced RX-V receiver line comes in.

Launched with just two models, the RX-V4A ($440) and RX-V6A ($600), the subject of this review, these all-new receivers offer a fresh design aesthetic, with just two major controls visible on the front panel. Like earlier RX-V series models, The RX-V6A has a composite front panel, and there are rounded side corners to soften the look. A huge central volume knob dominates the front, with a smaller multi-function knob on the right side. No display is visible until you turn on the power, when an LCD display screen lights up. A row of hidden touch switches running along the lower edge gives instant access to programmable scene settings and other minor controls. The main power switch, a 1/4-inch headphone output, A USB type-A port, and a socket for the supplied YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer) mic round out the front panel’s feature set.

FEATURES

Designing a $600 A/V receiver is a delicate balancing act where you have to determine the best blend of performance and features to meet the needs of users. It’s also important to be forward-thinking and anticipate what future tech developments are headed down the pike. The RX-V6A shows a lot of this type of planning, with several highly anticipated features promised through upcoming firmware updates.

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