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Yamaha's 2015 Aventage Receivers Feature DTS:X, Dolby Atmos and Ultra HD 4K Video Support

By Rachel Cericola

If you want to make it rain in your living room---or at least make it sound like it's raining in your living room---you're going to need equipment that can handle the latest in object-based audio technology. Yamaha Electronics is adding six new receivers to its Aventage lineup, with a few of them sporting such sound perks.

The 9.2-channel RX-A3050 and RX-A2050, as well as the 7.2-channel RX-A1050 will feature support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Each of these audio formats boasts a more immersive listening experience by delivering sound from every angle, including overhead.

The 9.2-channel RX-A3050 can be expanded up to 11.2 channels and has Yamaha's Cinema DSP HD3 technology for more in-your-face (and everywhere else) sound. It also has an ESS Technology 192 kHz/32-bit SABRE32 Ultra DAC for the seven main channels and the Sabre Premier Audio DAC for the presence channels.

The RX-A2050 has two of the ESS Technology Sabre Premier Audio DACs, while the RX-A1050 uses one.

Yamaha-RXA2050.jpg
The RX-A2050 features support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats. Photo: Yamaha Electronics.

Yamaha is packing Dolby Atmos into the 7.2-channel RX-A850, with the 5.1-channel RX-A550 rounding out the new lineup. That RX-A550 gets the YPAO automatic calibration system, with the RX-A750 featuring YPAO - Reflected Sound Control and the other three models offering YPAO - R.S.C. with multipoint measurement. The RX-A3050 even adds in the option to calibrate angle and height measurements.

Of course, each model is designed to deliver video to match the audio; all six options feature full 4K Ultra HD video playback with HDCP 2.2 support. The RX-A750 and greater models also add in high dynamic range (HDR) video as part of the HDMI 2.0a specification via a firmware update.

Other features across the Aventage line include Bluetooth, Yamaha's own Compressed Music Enhancer to boost that wireless streaming, access to Spotify Connect and Pandora (subscriptions and/or fees may apply), and the option to play high-resolution audio files. The latter includes support for DSD (Direct Stream Digital; 2.6MHz/5.6MHz) and AIFF content, as well as WAV, FLAC and Apple Lossless audio. The top five models also include SiriusXM Internet Radio and Rhapsody.

Each receiver comes with its own remote, but as with all Aventage receivers, these work with Yamaha's AV Controller app for iOS and Android devices.

"Our Aventage AV receivers offer the last word in high-end entertainment, audiophile listening and superb video with wide connectivity to online music services, mobile devices and components throughout the home," said Bob Goedken, general manager of Yamaha's AV division. "This new line offers intuitive and precise control which allows you to easily enhance your entertainment experiences in a way that really excites the senses."

Yamaha will start shipping the RX-A750 sometime this month, with an MSRP of $699.95. The RX-A550, the RX-A850, the RX-A1050 and the RX-A2050 will arrive in July, priced at $549.95, $999.95, $1,299.95 and $1,699.95, respectively. The RX-A3050 will round out the lineup with an August release and a $2,199.95 price tag.

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