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Yamaha RX-V2600 Receiver Review

by Clint DeBoer — February 20, 2006

Yamaha RX-V2600 Receiver

Product Name: RX-V2600 Receiver
Manufacturer: Yamaha Electronics
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: February 20, 2006 18:00
MSRP: $ 1399

Specifications

Pure Direct for Higher Fidelity Sound Reproduction
7-Channel 910W Powerful Surround Sound (130W x 7)
Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification
Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs for All Channels
Assignable Amplifiers for Bi-Amp Connection
Superior Audio-Grade Parts and Devices Used Throughout
Fully Analog Video Up-Conversion to HDMI and Component Video
Output with TBC
De-Interlacing (480i to 480p)
Up-Scaling (480i to 1080i/720p)
Wide-Range Video Bandwidth (100MHz -3 dB)
XM Satellite Radio Ready
2 In/1 Out HDMI Interface for High Quality Digital Audio and Video Data Handling
Superior Zone Control with Additional Zone Remote Unit
RS-232C Terminal for Receiver Manager Control
On-Screen Display with GUI (5 Languages including Spanish) and Two-Line FL Display
On-screen display for Zone 2
Quad-Field/Tri-Field CINEMA DSP and 22 Surround Programs with 5 THX Select2 Programs

Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS 96/24 Compatibility
Audio Delay for Adjusting Lip-Sync (0–240 ms)
Analog Mixdown
Extended Remote Control Codes, Dual Remote Terminals for Zone 2 and Zone 3 and Dual +12V Trigger Outputs
Dialogue Lift
Selectable 9-Band Subwoofer Crossover
Subwoofer Phase Select
Night Listening Enhancer ensures that all programs (including Dolby Pro Logic IIx)
SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
Speaker A, B or A+B Selection, with Virtual CINEMA DSP
Capability in Zone B
Two-Line FL Display
Max Volume Setting
Initial Volume Setting
Channel Mute
6 System Memories
Direct-Access (Macro-Command, Learning and Preset Capable) Remote Control Unit with Macro-Command Buttons and Illuminated Buttons
Dimensions: 17.1" W x 6.7" H x 17.2" D
Weight: 38.4 lbs.

Pros

HDMI 1.1 audio support
Upconversion and scaling of SD analogue inputs to 720p/1080i via HDMI output
Zone 2/3 remote with source select and XM controls
Zone 2 with on-screen display (OSD)

Cons

No parametric EQ bands below 62.5Hz
Spring clips for Presence/Zone 2/3 speakers
Menu activity on DVDs causes HDMI dropouts to display
No on-the-fly speaker level trims

Yamaha RX-V2600 Introduction

In reviewing the new Yamaha RX-V2600 I feel like I 'm swearing in a new justice of the Supreme Court... After all, it's new and exciting, but there's also a lot of discussion and debate surrounding the newcomer. With the RX-V2600, Yamaha has entered that place where the label "AV processor" really starts to emphasize video processing. Let's face it, while there was always plenty of audio processing going on, the "video" part of the AV equation was mostly limited to switching . No longer. The new RX-V2600 breaks new ground and starts anew with a set of updated features that gives notice to the competition:

130watts/channel (20Hz - 20kHz, 0.04% THD, 8-ohms) - see our bench test for more on power
Updated GUI interface
Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
2 in/1 out HDMI interface for high quality digital audio and video data handling
Fully analogue video up-conversion to HDMI and component video
Output with TBC (time-base-correction)
De-interlacing (480i to 480p)
Up-scaling (480i to 1080i/720p)
XM Satellite Radio ready
Additional Zone 2/3 remote control unit
Zone 2 video monitor outputs displaying Zone 2/3 info
Improved main remote (fully backlit)

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About the author:

Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.

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