| Search AudioEnz | |
| Articles | |
|
Current
reviews |
|
| News | |
| Community | |
| Buying | |
| About AudioEnz | |
About AudioEnz |
Yamaha's best ever DSP
Max does the DSP dance and comes out smiling
By Max Christoffersen
March 2001
Yamaha RX-V3000 home theatre receiver. $4999
I have seen the future of home theatre DSP!
Eleven years after I first bought a Yamaha DSP processor, a brand new Yamaha home theatre amp/processor arrives at my place that totally revitalises my experience of Yamaha DSP.
The
brand new RX-V3000 is launched in New Zealand this month, joining its
smaller siblings that have already made it to dealer's shelves (the RX-V800
and 1000).
Cosmetically there is a brand new look and some minor differences to bring the 3000 down to a great price point ($4999) while still improving its all-round performance over the receiver the 3000 replaces, the RX-V2095.
But there are some other interesting give-away signs that something is up: The subtle changes in branding suggests Yamaha is subtly changing its spots: The word 'Digital' now stands alongside the traditional Cinema DSP designation, while a new logo 'd-cinema' is added. There is no longer 'Tri-field processing" it is now Quadfield and the standard 96kHz/24 BIT DAC designation is also there alongside a claimed 100,000Hz frequency response; a clear nod of compatibility to the new SACD and DVD Audio formats.
This all confirms the recent trend of Yamaha's 21st Century design philosophy. Yamaha is really going digital. From the Digital ToP ART designation of the 3000, to the new Yamaha LSI DSP processing and Burr-Brown D/A converters, it is clear that Yamaha's emphasis is about optimising the digital performance of its entire home theatre product range to complement its already high quality analogue hardware.
But while Yamaha have given on one hand with the RX-V3000, they have also taken away with the other: There is no Cinema DSP EQ; no centre rear EQ; only two subwoofer outputs and two coax digital inputs (there are seven optical inputs) alongside the familiar range of pre-outs on all channels (including centre rear) and component video switching for two sources. The Burr Brown chips are only on the front channels (not the rear) and while the Yamaha flagship RXV-1 uses 44 bit LSIs the 3000 uses 32 bit.
The 3000 does offer HDTV capable component video switching, an optical input on the front (for PS2) and retains 100 watts on all six channels with 25 watts on the two front effects channels. The digital volume pot has also been retained as has the digital direct function and RS232 port. The volume scale also appears to be slightly different from the RX-V1 which provides a greater sense of headroom, that the RX-V1 appeared to lack in some owner's over-enthusiastic hands!
In all, the RX-V3000 is quite some performer at its lower than 'flagship' status level! Sure there are some compromises but these are quickly forgotten on listening.
And musically speaking, the listening is a revelation. While the 3000 retains the same dry sound of the AX-1, it is a musical revelation for a reason I personally would never have placed too much weight on; a single DSP function called 8 Channel Stereo.
Like other Yamaha units the RX-V3000 continues with a range of DSP room ambience modes based on real venues, but the real 'hit' is this new soundfield. The 8 Channel Stereo soundfield sounds like a full range delay signal sent to all channels to achieve an all encompassing, immersive effect. But it sounds as close to discrete full channel surround as you are likely to get, before the real thing!
Everything from Suzanne Vega to Michael Hedges and Dream Theatre to Creed has been a new sonic experience. Musically, there was additional depth and detail and the subtle shadings I never knew were there came out of the mix from recordings as old as Paul Simon's Graceland! Take Suzanne Vega's Blood Makes Noise or Michael Hedges Solo and the new impact of familiar music is jaw-droppingly good.
Whatever is happening technically on 8 Channel Stereo, it works by providing a tight front stage focus but with plenty of ambient soundstaging around and beside and behind that sounds like it should be there. The music takes on new full frequency body that makes it full bodied and alive in all 8 channels. I have simply never experienced anything like it! It's not an enhanced hall function, it sounds like a brand new discrete mix! Accurate it isn't, but fun it is!
Home
theatre too was as good as a one box solution can do. The 6.1 matrix style
decoding was extraordinarily well defined. (Try Chapter 9; 19mins 9secs
- Toy Story 2) as was straight DD and DTS. Simply the RX-V3000
is a very solid exciting performer with music and home theatre.
And after 11 years of owning or reviewing Yamaha home theatre products, there is an easy conclusion to reach:
This is the best clean fun I have ever had from a Yamaha DSP component. Run, don't walk to hear the RX-V3000. And take your cheque book. You won't want to leave it behind after you've heard it!
Stunning!
Want to comment on this review? Click here for Feedback