Buena Park, Calif. –
Yamaha launched a
quartet of moderately priced A/V receivers
that feature improved integration with Apple
devices and reduce the opening price for networked
audio streaming.
The receivers are the 7.1-channel RX-V671
at a suggested $599, 7.1-channel RX-V571
at $499, 5.1-channel RX-V471 at $379, and
5.1-channel RX-V371 at $249, all available in
the spring.
With the launches, Yamaha is offering frontpanel
iPod/iPhone-compatible USB inputs for the first
time to stream music from a tethered Apple device. The
feature, which starts at $379, captures an Apple device’s
audio output as digital PCM. Like last year, an optional
iPod/iPhone dock is available on AVRs priced down to
$249 to capture iPod/iPhone-stored audio and video.
Also with the launches, Yamaha drops the opening
price point for Internet radio to $599 from $899, and
Windows 7 and DLNA 1.5 certification likewise drops
significantly to $599, the company said.
In the 71 series, the company is also reducing the
opening price of Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master surround
processing to $249 from $379, bringing HDMI
1.4a inputs/outputs and HDMI’s audio return channel
to $249 from $379, and reducing the opening price of
front-panel HDMI inputs to $499.
A new simplified GUI appears on the three models
starting at $379, each offering overlaid graphics on HD
and 3D video programs.
Like before, $249 is the opening price point for an
AVR that accepts an optional stereo Bluetooth module.
At $379, Yamaha adds proprietary Cinema DSP 3D
technology to add height and width to the sound stage
without adding additional speakers.
Also starting at $379 are proprietary Yamaha Parametric
Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) technology,
which adjusts response to offset the deleterious effects
of a room’s acoustics characteristics, and preset Scene
buttons, which activate the receiver’s appropriate inputs
and surround mode combinations for the selected
source.
At the top of the 71 Series, the RX-V671 network A/V
receiver features DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 certification
as well as ability to stream Internet radio stations and
such Internet music services as Rhapsody, SiriusXM Internet
Radio, Pandora, and Napster.
For the RX-V671, Yamaha will also upgrade its free
remote-control iPod/iPhone app, which controls basic
functionality as well as network content navigation
and zone controls on this and other select Yamaha networked
products.
In other features, the RX-V671 features six-in/oneout
HDMI, 1080p up-scaling, front-panel HDMI inputs,
and assignable amplifiers for bi-amp and Zone 2 capabilities.
The RX-V571 also features six-in/one-out HDMI and
front HDMI inputs but lacks network capabilities. It
offers assignable amplifiers for biamp connection, the
company said.
The RX-V471 features four-in/one-out HDMI and
comes with Scene functions.
The Yamaha RX-V371 features four-in/one-out HDMI
inputs, and nine selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies.
