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Back in black
A new hook to regain the high ground
By Max Christoffersen
August 2002
Yamaha RXV-2200 AV receiver. $3499
Yamaha need a winner. The company that launched a thousand soundfields really needs a high quality mid-priced receiver packed with the latest soundfields to get the game back on.
For a while, other companies who had previously followed their lead beat Yamaha to new products and new soundfields. And while Yamaha hadn’t actually gone anywhere, they were missing in action.
But the RXV2200 is the first shot of many to come from Yamaha that suggests: They’re baaaaaaaaaaaackkkk!!!
This brand new receiver is the first shot across the bows suggesting that Yamaha is indeed back in black. It really is all there on the RXV2200: 100 watts across all six channels, 23 Surround Programs (45 Variations), Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES, Discrete 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Surround Pro Logic II Decoding.
Add in 6-channel discrete amplifiers, SACD/DVD-Audio compatibility, two component switching inputs, Processor Direct input, two switched outlets and tuner section and it’s a formidable line-up.
You
want more? Well there is the macro capable remote and the fixed and assignable
terminals along with 6 channel input, a handy 12 V Trigger Control and
pre-outs on all channels all contained in a fresh new look.
Not enough? What about the digital volume control or the TopArt classification of the RXV-2200 - a designation reserved for Yamaha’s best. And for the truly greedy, on-board preamplification (but not power amps) for a second zone. Not bad for the buck right?
It does look good on paper, but the RXV2200 has been manufactured to a price point: missing are Yamaha’s front ambient speakers; there is no RS232 port eliminating any future upgradeability; no way to recover the on board amps once the pre-outs have been employed and no discrete access to inputs on the front fascia.
All of these omissions can be lived with for the larger benefit of the overall performance at the right price.
And given the pristine fit and finish, extensive list of soundfields and consistent high power across all channels, and the RXV-2200 looks like a sonic bargain.
Doing the DSP Dance again
Many are attracted to Yamaha’s decade and a half of domestic soundfield
processing. And for some the appeal of Yamaha’s own soundfields,
build quality and reputation coupled with the new Dolby Pro-Logic 2 will
be sufficient reason to part with the cash.
But let me lay my cards on the table here. I agree with all of the above, but I really don’t get the fuss about Dolby Pro-Logic 2. It is the most overrated ‘advance’ in home audio since the hype surrounding quadraphonics of the 1970s.
And while many were waiting for Yamaha to release DPL2 on their amp/processors as had many others, the result is exactly the same: totally underwhelming. The mish-mash of instrumentation and vocals leaking to the rear channels from NICAM and Dolby Surround encoded sources undermines any sonic benefit and besides, Yamaha’s own 6 channel stereo is far more engaging on music for the same price.
Speaking of DSP, I prefer stock cinematic replay without any additional enhancements, as the additional enhancements while outright fun, also introduce channel leakage and other nasties. And this is precisely the reason why you’d buy a Yamaha: the stock performance on DPL/DD/DTS along with slightly revised sonic balance.
Swapping sonic sensibilities
Again there is the hint here that Yamaha has been slowly adjusting the
overall tonal balance back to a more middle ground, consistent with the
RXV-1 and RXV3000 receivers. The days of an exaggerated top end have gone.
What was once a strident top end designed to simulate additional detail,
is now a warmer mid range balance with all the natural detail (without
exaggeration) you require.
All this translates to a very fine all round musical and home theatre performance, supported by the user friendly user interface that has served Yamaha so well for so long. The highlight of this Yamaha was its fine control and rendering of soundtracks to volume levels that were perfectly satisfactory for most systems.
Musically, the balance is clean, warm and detailed, with less of the grain and hash typical of mid-price receivers. It also avoids the trap of excessively over-saturated mid-range that slows the sense of speed and dynamic snap of other receivers. The RXV-2200 is quick, nimble and antiseptic clean!
It’s still a modern consumer electronics miracle that a six-channel amplifier/receiver can do all this without any hint of audible stress or strain - and still maintain some of the most desirable audio hallmarks from mainstream components.
Make no mistake: Yamaha have once again got game - and the new big flagship Yamaha rigs have yet to be released. Watch this space.
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