Yamaha - AVENTAGE RX-A4A 110W 7.2-Channel AV Receiver with 8K HDMI and MusicCast - Black

This replaced my roughly 20 year old Yamaha RX-V630, which was state of the art at the time for having Dolby Pro Logic II...! Of course this RX-A4A sounds better in every conceivable way using roughly the same speaker set up. I've had a few issues with Atmos not working here and there, and passthrough audio from the Xbox can be a bit buggy at times. Yamaha support has been helpful, and were able to recreate a recurring issue with HBOMax audio dropping out for mysterious reasons which, to be fair, is more the app's fault than the receiver's. However, a 'dumber' amp wouldn't/didn't have this problem. Pros: - Exceptional sound - No video issues whatsoever - Little discernible difference between the Surround AI 'upgrading' the signal to Atmos and an actual Atmos signal - Oodles of inputs - YPAO is a good starting point and is oddly satisfying to sit through - Sharp unit, if not big at 35 lbs - Loads of options that are quality of life stuff, like starting volume level, separate zones + "party mode", being able to turn off inputs so you don't cycle through a bunch you don't use, renaming inputs, etc. - Music Cast + Enhancer ON = Streaming music not sounding like hot garbage through your home theater - The various music scenes are actually cool, particularly the Bottom Line - Passthrough mode enables you to route the video signal through the receiver while it's in standby. Useful for playing a game late at night with headphones through your controller; no need for the amp to be on and muted, or have headphones through the amp. - Yamaha support actually cares Cons - Can't seem to find a (cheap) universal remote or way to actually turn the receiver on other than the included remote or the unit itself. Turning off and volume = no problem with just about anything - The options menu sometimes won't appear - Initial HDCP delays with Google CCwGTV, - Depending on the input, going into the receiver's settings can essentially kick you out of the program - Can take a few seconds for the audio signal to adjust and actually play (ymmv but I still haven't gotten used to this) - You'll refer to this quite often when setting up: https://manual.yamaha.com/av/20/rxa4a/en-US/

This is by far the best AV receiver I’ve ever used, setup was a breeze, and it sounds amazing. I’m using it in conjunction with a LG CX via eARC with a PS5 and Apple TV a plugged into the TV. I also have a Nintendo switch plugged into the receiver itself. HDMI CEC a works great for everything turning on with one button, ant turning off the TV air Apple TV shuts everything back down. I am using an external amplifier for my main left and right speakers and the RX A4A deliver plenty of output to drive the external amp. I was initially dubious of the YPAO room correction as I come from an audio production background and generally don’t like thing messing with the signals to my amp/speakers, but I’ve been won over as there is an option in the room correction to leave the main L and R channels EQ’d flat and it then adjusts the C SR and SL channels to match. I did pair the receiver with an IoT outlet that takes a 12v trigger so that the receiver can turn the main amp on an off, works great but would be concerned about initial current draw if I were using all external amps in this configuration. Finally, this receiver sounds amazing, it’s fast and detailed with almost no perception of coloring the sound when comparing to a passive signal chain.

Awesome receiver!! I really debated getting the the A6A/A8A for the added channels, however, honestly, I run a 5.2 systems with the front floor speakers bi-amped. basically, no room to use Zone 2. So, if all you will use is 7.2 or 5.2 bi amped, you are basically spending more money buying the A6A/A8A just to let those channels sit there and not be used. Also, the sound is brilliant, the controls are awesome...YPAO is phenomenal and gets you honed in, Amazon music streaming is incredible. Yamaha uses super hi-quality guts in their Aventage receivers, something Sony and others can't claim for their higher end lines. Never been disappointed with Yamaha!

This Yamaha AVR is phenomenal! The sound, power, style & build quality are absolutely astounding! I had a older Harman Kardon for 17 years that delivered powerful sound but it was time to upgrade. I tried the Denon x2800h & x3800h but the Denon sound characteristics was flat, frustrating and underwhelming. Returned both… Along came the Yamaha A4A and from the moment we took it out of the box, we knew this was the one! Its a Beautifully detailed AVR in every sense, the internals are visible through the top grill and this is where Yamaha’s craftsmanship is on full display… WOW! But when you power this baby up, the sound that comes through the speakers is simply UNBELIEVABLE! Without any adjustments, just connecting the speakers and playing music through Airplay it was evident that we made the right choice! The sound in movies is IMPACTFUL like watching at AMC Dolby Cinema; bass hits low & hard, surround is fluent &precise… this AVR just hits different then the rest. Also, everything works fine after a firmware update: 4k/120fps/ALLM/VRR passthrough on every Hdmi port; you name it… this thing is Off The Chain! Do yourself justice and just get it.

Very, very nice unit, we'll put together. Solid has and the way it plays, the sound is incredible. I replaced the older Yamaha. Receiver, a 3020, which was a 150 W of channel 11 channels was all about in 2009. It was a beautiful unit as well, still working? But the the separates on this one I think is better.