Yamaha RX-V4600 Receiver Preview

In preparation for our comprehensive review of the new Yamaha RX-V4600 A/V receiver, we thought we would give you a sneak peek at it up close and compared to the RX-V2500. Also check out the press release of the RX-V4600.

  
Yamaha RX-V4600 (top); Yamaha RX-V2500 (bottom)

 

  
Yamaha RX-V4600 insides (left); Yamaha RX-V2500 insides (right)

  
RX-V4600 preamplifier power section (left); RX-V2500 preamplifier power section (right)

Below the golden Nichicon capacitors of the RX-V4600 lies a heat sink about 3 inches in length which I could only guess its function is for additional regulation, power filtering, or to house additional op amp packages. There seems to be a great deal of attention in this section pertaining to component upgrades.

Yamaha RX-V4600 transformer (left); RX-V2500 transformer (right)

 

It’s hard to gauge the exact differences here, but the RX-V4600 power transformer is definitely a bit beefier than the RX-V2500.  It appears to have an additional 10-15% more volume and a slightly bigger core.  Without knowing VA ratings it’s hard to yield an accurate assessment but by the looks of it, the RX-V4600 would seem able to deliver more juice.

The main remote for the RX-V4600 is essentially the same as the one supplied for the RX-V2500.  However, the little companion remote (left) is an added goodie for controlling zones 2 & 3.

  
Yamaha RX-V4600 power supply capacitors (left); RX-V2500 capacitors (right)

 

The RX-V4600 has some distinct advantages over the RX-V2500 such as:

Power Supply

• Upgraded power supply capacitors from 2 x 15,000uF; 71V to 2 x 18,000uF; 71V capacitors
• Slightly larger Power transformer
• Higher quality parts in the preamp section (see photos)

Feature Set

• HDMI Switching
• Active dual i.Link for all formats including DVD-A/SACD
• Upgraded YPAO with up to 6 storable settings and depth correction
• 3 new DSP modes
• HD Radio
• THX Select2
• SRS CSII compatibility
• Direct Zone 2/3 Control Switch
• Additional Zone Remote
• New zone control via front panel: Volume/Power/Source
• 39.7lbs (about 5libs heavier than the RX-V2500)

As you can see, this is quite an impressive feature set for an additional cost of just $800 over the RX-V2500.

Measured RMS Power Output (Full Bandwidth)

# of Channels	8 ohms 0.1% THD	8 ohms 1.0% THD	4 ohms 0.1% THD	4 ohms 1.0% THD
RX-V4600 1 CH	134 wpc	144 wpc	210 wpc	225 wpc
RX-V4600 2 CH	116 wpc	128 wpc	175 wpc	184 wpc
RX-V2500 1 CH*	NA	146 wpc	NA	199 wpc
RX-V2500 2 CH*	NA	135 wpc	NA	119 wpc

*Line voltage was lower during testing of the RX-V4600 which accounts for the negligible edge to the RX-V2500 in 8-ohms.

We did not test the RX-V2500 at 0.1% distortion so those measurements are unavailable.

Upon first inspection it would appear the RX-V4600 delivered similar power measurements to the RX-V2500 (see measurements and analysis), until you take a closer look at the RX-V2500 power into 4 ohm loads. In the case where 2CH are driven into 4 ohms, the RX-V4600 delivered 184wpc @ 1% THD (onset of clipping) while the RX-V2500 delivered about 119wpc under the similar testing conditions. At this time it is uncertain if the upgraded power supply or perhaps a tweaked limiter circuit or both are the reasons for the enhanced power delivery into low impedance loads, but rest assured when we do our formal review this will be investigated more thoroughly.

Based on its added feature set, improved analog preamp and power supply over the RX-V2500, this appears to be one very impressive receiver and incredible bargain as a dedicated pre/pro rivaling most costlier separates processor solutions.