The Sound
Contents
Anyone who reads Alpha Audio knows that we have the Yamaha A-S2200 on the editorial staff as the benchmark in that class. It’s a rock-solid product with a wonderfully smooth character and a smoothness that we can really appreciate.
The Yamaha RX-V6A is a different kind of beast. We hear a mild top-end and a great sound-stage, but it lacks some energy overall. Especially in the (top) highs it is very mild. Perhaps deliberately to avoid sharpness, which sometimes manifests with cheaper speakers, but that is an assumption. People that listen critically, will notice that some top-end is missing. This in turn will lead to a lesser overall experience if you are used to a fast and open reproduction.
However: the bass is round and rich. And surprisingly, the RX-V6A maintains control over the Focals. So those 100 watts in stereo are enough to drive two high-quality bookshelve speakers. Frankly, we didn’t expect this. After all, most receivers go completely haywire in stereo mode. And that certainly does not happen with this Yamaha. In fact: the Yamaha performs remarkably well in stereo mode. Is it as good as a stereo amplifier in this class? No… it isn’t. But you cannot and should not expect that. And for the simple reason that this Yamaha has seven amplifiers. In short: everything goes times 3.5 when it comes to components. A stereo amplifier can have much nicer components at an equal selling price. And with that in mind, this receiver performs really remarkably well in stereo mode.
Surround
Going into surround, we hear a very complete picture. The Yamaha sounds spacious, controlled and just right for a movie. We have watched everything: from blu-ray rips to Youtube. And also in stereo – via Youtube – it performs well. No dead, flat sound, but just a neat soundtrack.
And the image? Super! We see a particularly nice, smooth display via the Optoma. In fact, there is no difference from the much more expensive Illusonic, which shows that technology really does advance in this area. You had to pay serious money for this quality five years ago. Unbelievable.
In short: for a tight picture you really don’t need to spend thousands of euros. For state-of-the art sound, unfortunately, you do.
Overall
We do understand this Yamaha RX-V6A. It is a very reasonably priced receiver with numerous connections and a fine – in this class above average – stereo reproduction and remarkably good picture reproduction. He will feel at home in many households. Partly because of its flexibility.