By BHT Staff
August 2019
This article reviews the top 10 Yamaha AV receivers available online.
An audio/video (AV) receive is like the quarterback of your home theater system, and not just because it routes signals to different screens and speakers, telling the signals exactly where to go. It also makes your system, or team, better as a whole, and the top home theater receivers will bring out the best of your speakers. Since Yamaha is recognized as one of the top brands in AV systems, we’ve listed our top 10 products below for AV fanatics on a budget.
1. Yamaha RX-V683BL 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver With Bluetooth
The 4K, ultra-HD Yamaha RX-V683BL network receiver comes fully loaded with TIDAL, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the Deezer music streaming service. It also allows you to add audio in up to nine additional rooms via MusicCast, and the 7.2-channel surround sound in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is one of the best on the market. In an age of integration, this product also works with Amazon’s Echo device and Alexa for those who prefer voice control and activation. Using ECO mode, the RX-V683BL can reduce power consumption by roughly 20 percent, thus conserving energy and saving you money.
2. Yamaha RX-V685 7.2-Channel AV Receiver with MusicCast
Looking for an unrivaled experience? You’ve found it here. The Yamaha RX-V685 unit is a 7.2-channel AV receiver that boldly explores the possibility of entertainment for advanced home theaters using the latest in audio and video, including DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, dual HDMI outputs, wireless streaming, and more. Add MusicCast speakers to create a 5.1-channel setup and wirelessly expand your audio to other rooms in your home or take advantage of the Echo device compatibility which allows you to control the unit with only your voice. Also works with Napster, Deezer, TIDAL, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Spotify, and Pandora.
3. Yamaha RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra-HD AV Receiver With Bluetooth
The Yamaha RX-V385 offers uncompromising value. This 5.1-channel AV receiver provides your home with the best technologies, including 4K ultra-HD, Dolby Vision, Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, and HDR10. It also features YPAO auto-calibration technology to give users the highest quality sound possible. The video output produces bright and rich colors as well as smooth tones and incredible contrast, resulting in full, high-definition videos with natural, realistic picture quality.
4. Yamaha RX-V485BL 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra-HD AV Receiver With MusicCast
Combine the Yamaha RX-V485BL AV receiver with the MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 wireless speakers to enjoy the convenience of a high-quality home theater in a Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled 5.1-channel system. Compatible with Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Deezer, TIDAL, Spotify, Pandora, Alexa, and more, this product also boasts 4K ultra-HD picture as well as Dolby Vision. The result? Stunning realistic sound and picture with a clutter-free, clean setup.
5. Yamaha RX-A780 Aventage 7.2-Channel AV Receiver With MusicCast
Yamaha shares your passion for fantastic sound, and its Aventage RX-A780 7.2-channel, 4K, ultra-HD AV receiver proves it. Featuring Wi-Fi, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR, MusicCast, Alexa, and YPAO, this product is compatible with a variety of applications, including Qobuz, Napster, Deezer, TIDAL, SiriusXM, Pandora, Apple Music via AirPlay 2, Spotify, and more. The Zone 2 feature, also known as Intelligent Amp Assign, allows you to enjoy stereo sound in another room by redirecting the channels, eliminating the need to switch cables on the back of your receiver, while the phono input plays music from your vinyl collection via the phono input terminal.
6. Yamaha R-N303BL Stereo Receiver
From streaming services, networked audio, your smartphone, or simply your TV, enjoy exceptional sonic integrity and Hi-Fi quality on everything you hear with the Yamaha R-N303BL stereo receiver. The MusicCast app allows you to stream popular music services, while the phono input terminal connects your turntable to the R-N303 receiver. Built for high resolution and engineered for sonic power, this AV product allows you to fully experience the vocals of your favorite performances via top-quality sound and picture.
7. Yahama RX-A880 Premium Audio & Video Component Receiver
The Yamaha RX-A880 is the epitome of craftsmanship in engineering design. Yamaha’s Aventage line of high-performance AV receivers is designed to provide you with a full-bodied, massive sound, allowing you to enjoy a high-class studio experience in the comfort of your home. The RX-A880 is a 4K, ultra-HD, 7.2-channel receiver that features Zone 2, DTS:X, and Dolby Atmos as well as top HDMI capabilities and enhanced YPAO auto-calibration. It is compatible with applications such as MusicCast, Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.
8. Yamaha RXA2080 Aventage 9.2-Channel AV Receiver
Recognized as one of the best of the best, the Yamaha RXA2080 is a 9.2-channel Aventage AV receiver that features dual ESS Sabre DACs, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, MultiZone Cinema functionality, phono input, Wi-Fi, YPAO sound optimization with Precision EQ, and much more. Boasting seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, this 4K, ultra-HD AV receiver is known for its unbridled function and performance.
9. Yamaha RX-V585 AV Receiver
The Yamaha RX-V585 AV receiver is a 7.2-channel unit that works with Amazon Alexa, MusicCast, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and more. Featuring BT.2020, Hybrid Log-Gamma, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and 4K, ultra-HD picture, this particular model allows you to easily turn your current living room into a fully equipped entertainment environment in which you can fully enjoy games, music, and movies.
10. Yamaha RX-A3070BL Aventage AV Receiver
If you are looking for best-in-class performance with the highest level of processing power available, the Yamaha RX-A3070BL Aventage AV receiver is a product to consider. This 9.2-channel unit features the latest in HDMI technologies, allowing you to experience movies in high dynamic range (HDR) and stunning 4K, ultra-HD. It also boasts DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, advanced HDMI zone-switching, and XLR terminals for low signal transmission. Compatible apps include MusicCast, Alexa, AirPlay, and more. Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
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