Yamaha RX-V2700 Receiver Review
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Pros
- Packed with more features than any receiver in its class
- Excellent amplifier performance and fidelity
- HDMI ver. 1.2a for DVD-A/SACD
- PCM audio decoding from re-encoded DD+, TrueHD, dts-HD soundtracks via HDMI
- Scaling up to 1080i and 1080p pass thru
Cons
- Average HDMI Scalar performance
- Erroneous HDMI operation (see notes in review)
- Some minor bass management anomalies (see notes in review)
- YPAO still not at level of some competitor systems
- A bit overwhelming to setup
Yamaha RX-V2700 Introduction
I know what you’re thinking… another new receiver from Yamaha and just less than one year (more like 8 months) after the release of the RX-V2600? Yep. Welcome to the wonderful world of progress where next year's model design is completed right around the same timeframe the current model starts hitting the store shelves – no kidding, folks, this is bleeding edge. Right now it seems Yamaha, Denon and Pioneer are locked into a rat race to see just how much of the proverbial market cheese they can steal. The result? More features, more power, at more competitive prices to the end user with the slight side effect of buyer's remorse for those who love to change out A/V gear more frequently than they change their sheets (well I hope not). Rest assured, however, that even last year's model is likely far ahead of the curve for what most people will and can use in a typical home theater system.
The RX-V2700 builds upon the solid foundation of the RX-V2600 and shares many of its virtues, along with a few distinct differences tabulated below:
|
RX-V2600 |
RX-V2700 |
XM HD Surround |
No |
Yes |
Compressed Music Enhancer |
No |
Yes |
Network Capability |
No |
Yes |
USB Audio Interface |
No |
Yes |
Simplay HD |
No |
Yes |
iPod Connectivity |
No |
Yes |
Neural Surround |
No |
Yes |
THX Select 2 |
Yes |
No |
HDMI Ver. |
1.1 |
1.2a |
HDMI I/O |
(2/1) |
(3/1) |
Max Supported Resolution |
1080i |
1080p |
Video Scaler |
Generic |
ABT1010 (DVDO) scalar engine |
YPAO for Subwoofer |
No |
Yes |
Assignable Amplifiers |
Yes but limited |
Yes, biamp or Zone2/3 |
MSRP |
$1399 |
$1699 |
At
first glance, it appears the RX-V2700 is armed to the teeth with
networking-type features allowing it stream music from virtually any
type of source including iPod, USB, wireless, etc. Oddly this 5th
generation YPAO receiver doesn’t sport the THX Select 2 certification
found on the last 4 predecessors, but it does come equipped with very
similar guts of the THX Select 2 RX-V2600 model. I can understand why
Yamaha didn’t go the THX route and instead elected to place the saved
licensing costs towards a much better video scalar from Anchor Bay
Technologies, though I do miss the THX Games mode especially when using
my Xbox 360. Normally I’d scold Yamaha for not having THX
certification at this price point, but considering the design virtues
of this receiver are so similar to its predecessor, I’d take the leap
of faith at saying the RX-V2700 will likely meet THX standards.
Overall the RX-V2700 has a very impressive feature set and, rather than rehashing the basics covered in our exhaustive RX-V2600 review, we will instead focus on the cool new features of this latest does everything receiver.
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