Audio Video News

Yamaha to Equip New Receivers with Dolby Atmos Surround Sound

SV Staff  |  Jul 16, 2014

Yamaha has announced that its new top-of-the-line Aventage series AV receivers will be upgradeable to Dolby Atmos via a firmware update this fall.

The 9.2-channel RX-A2040 and RX-A3040, slated to ship in August at $1,700 and $2,200, respectively, will also feature video upconversion to 4K 60p with proprietary video processing, HDMI 2.0 with 4K 50/60p and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling capability, AirPlay and HTC Connect compatibility, control via Yamaha’s free AV Controller app for iOS and Android devices, and built-in wireless connectivity to Pandora, Spotify Connect, Rhapsody, SiriusXM Internet Radio, vTuner music streaming, and other sites.

The RX-A3040 is expandable to 11.2 channels and features Yamaha’s proprietary Cinema DSP HD3 technology, which is said to make surround sound experiences more immersive. YPAO-R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) room correction with 3D, multipoint, and angle measurement capability is also onboard to compensate for less-than-ideal room conditions and non-standard speaker placement. Other audiophile features include the use of an ESS Technology 192 kHz/32-bit ES9016 DAC for each of the seven main channels and an ESS ES9006 SABRE Premier Audio DAC for the presence channels. Other highlights include multi-zone HDMI switching, which is also available on the RX-A2040.

Yamaha’s updated Aventage line also includes three 7.2-channel receivers: the RX-A740 ($700), RX-A840 ($900), and RX-A1040 ($1,200), all of which feature the YPAO-R.S.C. room correction system; models A840 and A1040 add multipoint capability.

More information on the new line is available at usa.yamaha.com.

COMMENTS
Warrior24_7's picture
Submitted by Warrior24_7 on July 16, 2014 - 11:53am

Hmmmm... is this gonna happen for the CX-A5000?

Deus02's picture
Submitted by Deus02 on July 17, 2014 - 9:16am

I am afraid not. I checked with Yamaha about this myself just recently and they stated at the time of design and eventual manufacture, neither the hardware or the licensing for Dolby Atmos was in place for the CX-A5000 to have the capability of updating. Apparently the licensing cost to add it in to an already existing product is just too prohibitive. The last 1.42 firmware update added YPAO volume and 4.2.0 capability for 4K60p extended the CX-A5000 update capability to its limit.

For me personally, not an issue, my current 9.2 set-up is more than enough for me. I have no desire to attempt to place speakers on the ceiling over my head.

Warrior24_7's picture
Submitted by Warrior24_7 on July 17, 2014 - 11:57pm

That's a real shame since this unit will be behind all of Yamaha's AVRs and all of the other competitors products as well.

jbr1040's picture
Submitted by jbr1040 on July 23, 2014 - 2:23pm

I too am dissapointed that Yamaha will not be doing a firm ugrade for the new Dolby Atmos. I have been a Yamaha fan for three generations of their products, and my last upgrade was for the CX-A5000 and MX-A5000, both outstanding pieces.
Tip -- I have read serveral reviews where the comment was on the bass management side of the CX. I am running 11 speakers and five subs in my system and it is indeed dramatic. I just upgraded my XLR Balanced Cables with Mogami Studio Gold 3.0's. This is a dramatic difference in attack, seperation and articulation at all levels. These are studio reference cables and are a "must have" The bass side of this addition is dramatic, in fact you will need to adjust your subs by at least a 20% reduction in gain after the upgrade with the Mogami's. The higher frequencies are crisp with fabulous seperation. Also, I have used 12 guage speaker wire (from Blue Jeans Cable in Seattle) for all my speakers (this made an enourmous difference itself). For another big improvement use PS Audio AC3 power cords on your subs for yet another dramatic and immediate improvement in attack and clarity (I am using their AC5 power cords for the receiver and amp along with a PS Audio P10 Power Regenerator to power my entire system). Just a few tips for the CX -- if you do it you will never regret it.
Best regards, Jack

Bux's picture
Submitted by Bux on August 25, 2014 - 9:54pm

This is nothing new for Yamaha i have been using Yamaha Amps for more then 15 years. I always get the flagship models since the DSP-A1. Like when they release the RX-Z9 back in 2004 after few months all other cheaper models they have was with HDMI. Like RX-Z11 after few months they release cheaper models with 3D. And now on this CX-A5000 no Atmos i think its not fair. For us high end users cause we pay more for quality and future proof. DENON and ONKYO always have updates to support future upgrades or even they can add chips to support 3D back then. But i got no choice cause Yamaha is having the best surround effects.But poor firmware upgrades for future functions.
P.S. i dont believe they dont know about Atmos 6 months before releasing this FlagShip Amp.

jh20001's picture
Submitted by jh20001 on August 27, 2014 - 6:13pm

It's been driving me nuts trying to figure out HOW they expect to support the Atmos format since there are no outputs in the back. It's the same as my A3010...so how do they expect even more speakers. Finally Poc Network interviewed them on he topic apparently, and it seems they will be exercise usage of the additional 2 channels to provide support for ceiling speakers. Beyond that, it seems Yamaha didn't want to comment any further. So they will make use of the channels that bring it from 9 to 11. (source: http://pocinc.net/blog/product-reviews/review-yamahas-new-rx-a3040-avent...)

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