Yamaha RX-V6A Review and Specifications

Amplifier 8.7

Audio Features 7.9

Video Features 9.1

Connectivity Features 8.3

Overall 8.5

These days, the world of Audio and Video is moving at a swift pace. With video content being the most viewed above every other form of content. Followed closely by audio.

The reason for this isn’t far-fetched. Video contents are more attention-grabbing and engage more than any other form of content.

We now have access to a vast amount of content with brilliant pictures and groundbreaking sound, for information and entertainment. And more thrilling experiences are happening right at home than ever before.

Receivers; the Hub of any Home theatre set up

If you spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on television and do nothing about the sound section -settle for the noise the TV emits. You’re missing a whole lot, you don’t just know it yet.

YAMAHA RX-V6A 7.2-Channel AV Receiver with MusicCast

• HDMI with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7 in / 1 out)
• 4K60, 4K120AB and 8K60B HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (Three 8k + 4 (7) in/1 out)
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Voice Control and MusicCast multi-room
• Voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant devices or Siri via AirPlay 2
• Pandora, Spotify, Napster, SiriusXM, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD

$849.95

Buy on Amazon

Have you ever sat down before a muted TV?

What was your experience like? For me, it wasn’t a pleasant one.

That’s how vital sounds are to video content “they add depth to visuals” stand-alone doesn’t tell the full story; the sound tells us how to feel about events on the screen.

Now imagine yourself watching high res video content, enveloped in multidimensional audio, naturally occurring in space, all around you.

This is a whole new experience, my friend. One in which you are brought into the center stage of your favorite game and made to experience your favorite movie. This is the exact kind of experience you’ll get using a receiver.

A/V receivers receive, decode, process, amplify and transmit audio and video signals from multiple sources. Be its signals from your CD/DVD player, console, living room PC, multimedia, or blue-ray equipment as well as outputs from speakers and video from big screen, like your TV.

Yamaha Unveils Next-Gen AV Receivers

Yamaha is one of the greats we can’t expect anything but the best from, ranging from their sound bars to receivers, car speakers for car audio, musical instruments, marine speakers for marine audio, etc.

And with the release of the two new models Yamaha RX-V4A and Yamaha RX-V6A, the company is reminding the world why it is the Worldwide leader in the home and entertainment industry.

Redesigned from start to finish and built on the footing of power and performance, these AV receivers are designed with support for the latest technologies and specifications for home entertainment.

This includes its support for 8K, HDR 10+, and HDMI 2.1, which has ushered in a new era for display and possibilities in home entertainment, whether you talk of gaming, home cinema, home audio- both now and into the future.

“We’ve modernized the AV receiver to fit your emerging needs – from the rising size and resolution of TV screens to the speed and life-like realism of the latest gaming consoles and platforms. We’re here to ensure that your gear is ready for these latest innovations, complementing the stunning visuals on the screen with a thrilling sound all around you.”

Alex Sadeghian, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America

Having said this, let’s dive in to uncover this new RX line, especially the RX-V6A, to see if its indeed the best choice for you.

Yamaha RX-V6A Features

Sleek Design

Only once in a while do we see manufacturers change things up with something a little stylish. For decades now, most home receivers are usually of similar shape and design, which aren’t pretty, merely practical.

They are often made as black boxes with sharp- corners and central blue-green dot matrix displays and volume knobs to the right. But Yamaha has come to challenge this with its simplified sleek, and modern design of the RX line.

The Yamaha RX-V6A comes in black color, with a curved front, bold volume control at the center, and high-resolution off-set LCD, although still blue-green. Also, it has a USB and phone jack on the front panel for easy and quick accessibility.

RX-V6A from Yamaha also has some advanced features like Adaptive Dynamic Range Control. According to the volume level, the dynamic range is automatically controlled.

Other ports on the front panel include the power and remote sensor button, zone, pure direct, enter, YPAO (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer) jack, and a touch panel. However, the visibility of the character on display can sometimes deteriorate by the LCD characteristics under low or high temperatures.

Now, to the rear panel, which is regarded as one of the most vital parts of every receiver. The back panel consists of a trigger out jack (eARC compatible), wireless antennas, HDMI out jack, phono input, 7 HDMI inputs with 3 which are 8K compatible. This is quite impressive.

Also on the rear panel, there is a pre-out jack for connecting to a subwoofer or external amplifier, zone out jacks for outputting audio and external amplifier used in another room, a network jack, antenna jack, power cable, 5 audio jacks, and 8 speaker terminals.

The area around the video/ audio output jacks is marked in white to aid proper connections.

Control, at your fingertips

The remote control is well designed, excellent, and functional. Its buttons are arranged in a practical layout and are well spaced, making it easy to remember. The buttons are very responsive and have a good rubber feel.

You can turn your mobile device (phone or tab) into a Wi-Fi smart remote control via Yamaha’s AV Controller App. This isn’t really the big deal as almost all receiver brands have remote control apps.

Unlike other brands, the unique thing about the Yamaha Network AV Receiver app is that it is also a Blu-ray Player Control App. Along with the Yamaha Receivers, the app can also control BR players. The App control is multilingual and FREE for download.

Still speaking about control, there’s what we call Consumer Electronic Control (CEC), which RX V6A supports. All HDMI on this receiver supports CEC, which allows various devices as much as 15 to communicate with each other and share settings.

It will enable you to combine the settings of all compatible devices into one remote. No more switching between remotes; now, with RX-V6A’s remote, you can control all your entire home theatre setup. Check our review of the Yamaha RX-A2A.

POWER AND CONNECTIVITY

Yamaha’s RX-V6A is a 7.2 channel, with 100 watts per channel into (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz) at 0.06%, with 2 channels driven. Its maximum effective output power is 160 watts with 1 channel driven (6 ohms, 1kHz,) at 10% THD (JEITA).

This new model also incorporates a newly designed High slew rate Amplifier circuit, which enables it to adapt faster to rapid changes in input voltage and is suitable for high-resolution audio signals, it ensures precise and stable signal transmission.

You can reduce the power consumption of this receiver by activating its Eco Mode and Auto power standby function. Auto Eco Mode reduces power consumption by adjusting power output based on the on-screen eco meter and volume level, yet delivering quality sound for you to enjoy.

Also, the auto power standby function automatically turns off the power supply when not in use.

Connectivity – Supports Recent Specifications

Yamaha RX-V6A is a 7.2 channel AV receiver that has 7 HDMI input and 1 output. They all support the latest HDMI technology; HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3 (via “future update”) protection and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). This allows for unparalleled sound, crystal clear images, and an immersive gaming experience. It has support for both the future and now.

Yamaha RX-V6A 7.2 channel receiver support 8K/60 Hz and 4K/120 Hz. It has three outputs (out of 7) that can handle 8K resolution (7,680×4,320). With eARC, this receiver provides greater ease of use, simplifies connectivity, supports the most advanced audio formats and highest audio quality

Its compatibility with a 2.1 HDMI cable, and all its recent features are exciting. These features it supports are Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Variable Refresh Rates (VRR), and Quick Media Switching.

All input on the RX V6 A support HDR 10 and HD10+, Dolby Vision as well as DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization to give a 360-degree sound field even if you don’t have physical overhead speakers available.

These Features are useful and promising. However, they won’t be at launch but later via a future firmware update. Firmware to introduce 8K/60, 4K/120. VRR, ALM, QMS, QFT, HDR10+ support is expected in Dec 2020, while Dobly Atmos Height Virtualization on the RX-V6A is expected in an update due in Q1 of 2021

RX V6A receiver offers additional benefits, which include a phono input port for vinyl enthusiasts. It also has a USB input, network port, Wi-Fi, not only giving you access to the music you’ve stored up on your device but also a variety of songs online to stream from.

It also has an optical audio digital input, coaxial digital audio input, analog audio input, one headphone output, and Bluetooth. The RX V6A also has Zone 2 option for connecting another pair of speakers in a different part of your home.

This receiver has 2 pre-out ports to connect an external amplifier to generate more power (external) for speakers in your home theatre set up. You can also connect subwoofers to the pre-out, aiding flexibility.

Therefore according to the number of speakers you’re using, with its 8 speaker terminals with or without external amplification, it can support the following configurations: 7.1/5.1.2-channel system, 5.1.2-channel system, 7.1-channel system, 5.1-channel system, 3.1.2-channel system, 3.1-channel system, 2.1-channel system, Virtual Cinema front, Multi-zone function, and Bi-amp connection. It’s Compatible with Wireless Rear Speaker.

If you love radio, RX V6A has an FM/AM tuner and a DAB tuner. It also has access to Internet radio via Airable radio.

Also, To support powered HDMI cables for more extended wiring needs, the current in HDMI outputs has been increased to 300mA.

The drawback in RX V6A’s connectivity is that it lacks connections that aid the transmission of analog video signals such as composite video input and output, component video input, and output. It also lacks analog audio output, coaxial digital audio output, optical digital audio output

Though RX-V6A lacks the above-listed connections, it has more than enough for near entry-level, which it is. Compared to other receivers in its price range, it has more modern features than anyone you can ever find- It’s indeed King in its class.

MOVIES: LIKE NEVER BEFORE

HDR and HDR 10+

HDR expands the range of both color and contrast significantly. It expands color, brighter parts of an image become brighter, so the image seems to have more depth. HDR aims at showing more realistic images with more contrast, color, and brightness than before.

HDR10+ is an advanced, improved version of HDR. It takes lifelike colors and contrasts to a new, dynamic level. It uses frame-by-frame metadata to improve scene characteristics between bright and dark so that essential data can remain. This helps in the production of more realistic content, exactly like the creator’s intention.

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RX V6A has HDMI 2.1, which supports all the basic elements of video, ranging from resolution to frame rate, color depth, color space, and brightness range. It also supports end-to-end, 4K resolution, and a higher refresh rate for a seamless Integration with the HDMI ecosystem.

It also supports 8K resolution (7680×4320), the highest resolution at present. It delivers a super immersive viewing experience, doubles the horizontal and vertical resolution of 4K. And with a 60Hz refresh rate, it enables sharp, uninterrupted viewing of content with high-speed action.

RX V6A can display 4K UHD at a higher refresh rate, [email protected], compared to [email protected] This results in less motion blur and an overall sharper image. Your movies, games, and sports are in for a significant benefit.

It also supports the latest color spaces, such as BT. 2020 with 10 or more bits per color at higher frame rates.

Cinematic DSP 3D

This unique technological feature is solely owned by Yamaha, which adds richness and depth to your music and movie track. It was created by combining digital signal processing with measured sound field data.

Cinema DSP 3D allows you to create a sound field like actual concert halls or movie theatres in your room. Enjoy a natural three-dimensional sound field right in your room.

THE BEST GAMING EXPERIENCE

You can now experience the best gaming experience with RX V6A. No longer do you have to experience the disappointment from trying to enjoy your new game on a system that doesn’t support the latest advances in visual effects, refresh rates, and surround sound.

RX V6A is here with its ability to support PS5 and X-box Series. Considering its features, It offers a significant gaming advantage over its Denon and Marantz rivals: Multiple high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1ports. Read our review of Yamaha TSR-7850.

Besides the three 4K/120Hz HDMI’s it has, which means you will be able to connect your Xbox series X, PS5, and high-end PC to the receiver simultaneously (using the various ports) rather than manually switching console connections over like you would if you want to route more than one next-gen console/ PC at a time through Marantz or Denon.

It also supports other game-specific technology such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Quick Media Switching (QMS), and Auto low latency mode (ALLM).

Variable Refresh Rates

To understand the importance of this, Imagine you’re playing a video game on a PS5 connected to your HDMI 2.0 capable receiver and TV. You’re running along with a clip, and the game console’s video processor is sending new frames to your TV sixty times/Second (60Hz).

But suddenly, you enter a new place where your action gets very intense, and for a brief second, the processor can’t crank out new frames at 6oHz. This results in a simultaneous display of two different frames on your screen, called screen tearing.

And sometimes, you might see a stuttering effect as the display repeats the last frame it received until it is ready for a new one.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) prevents this; it flips the script. Allowing the refresh rate to be dictated by the sound device instead of your device. It eliminates judder, lag, and frame tearing for better-detailed gameplay.

VRR can change the frame rate to synchronize with the outputs of the GPU through the HDMI chain. So if your gaming console needs to slow down or speed up momentarily, a device that supports VRR will be able to do so without introducing tears or judder.

Auto Low Latency Mode

Another interesting way this technology influences your gaming experience is through it’s Auto Low Latency Mode.

This is often referred to as game mode, which is previously done manually in which you go through menus and settings to turn off specific video processing and other features to reduce latency as much as possible. You then switch it back to again for normal viewing.

ALLM enables this to be done automatically. It sends a message to your console that says, ” Hey, switch to that mode while I’m playing and turn it off when it’s time to watch TV or movies.

Quick Media Switching and Quick Frame Transport

Other specific gaming technologies provided by HDMI 2.1 include Quick Media Switching (QMS) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT).

These features enable seamless motion and transition for gaming videos and movies. However, these features will be available via a future firmware update.

POWERFUL SOUND PROCESSING

Envelope yourself in a melodious voice, feel the beat and tone of every music you play all around you, just like you are before the artist in a live performance, right from your room. RX V6A supports Dobly Atmos, Dobly Atmos Height Virtualization (via future firmware update), and DTS: X for more enveloping home theatre sound.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

Feel every dimension in Atmos. Experience sound in the 3D form with a 5.1 surround speaker set up and two Dolby elevation speakers or two additional overhead speakers delivering dramatic overhead effects.

Even for those without inceiling speakers, you aren’t exempted. You can still enjoy sound in its 3 D form with RX V6A. Dolby Atmos Height Virtulization technology can create an illusion of height effects, stimulating the Atmos experience. It works by applying height cue filters to overhead audio components in the surround sound mix.

And if you do not have the speaker configuration for Dolby Atmos, yet want to enjoy multi-dimensional sound “that moves around you as it would in real life,” you can still do this with the standard speaker configuration you have already. Thanks to the RX V6A DTS:X feature.

DTS:X is flexible and will work with any speaker configuration within a hemispherical layout. It can support up to an 11.2 channel and 32 speaker locations. The spatial remapping engine of DTS Neural: X offers heightened realism and immersion for your favorite songs. Compatible with Wireless Rear Speaker.

Connect with your Music

This receiver with 8k HDMI supports the majority of audio formats available. Whether it is MP3 /WMA/MPEG-4AAC: up to 48kHz/ 24-bit, FLAC up to 384kHz / 16-bit, ALAC up to 96kHz / 24-bit WAV / 32-bit, DSD: up to 11.2 MHz /AIFF: up to 384 kHz, RX V6A has them all. Enjoy your favorite music, the best way you can.

Multiple streaming possibilities

With dozens of music streaming services, our access to the world of music is bigger than ever before. In fact, right at your fingertips, there are a million songs, including your favorite. Stream multiple songs from Pandora, Spotify, Airplay 2, Sirius XM effortlessly with RX V6A.

And if you have a library of incredible music you’ll love to listen to; the USB port is there. You can play a high-resolution track from a USB drive or maximize the built-in Wi-Fi for listening to songs from a networked computer.

If you prefer the endearing familiar sounds of vinyl records, this receiver has a phono input for your turntable. And if what you like is to listen to music from free internet radio, we’ve got that too.

Multi-room Audio: MusicCast and Zone 2

The RX V6A works with the MusicCast, which wirelessly connects compatible Yamaha components for seamless whole-home audio. Customize your music, create favorites, and more using the MusicCast app.

Imagine sharing the music you love throughout your home or sending a different song from the AV source playing in the main room to another room. For example, if you have speakers installed in your bedroom, kitchen, and living room, with the living room being the main room with the receiver.

You can play a song in the living room and enjoy that same song or anyone you choose in other rooms. This is possible with Yamaha RX-V6A AV Receiver because it features MusicCast and Zone 2 compatible speaker terminals.

Compressed music enhancer

Yamaha compressor improves the performance of compressed music formats from MP3, WAN, Bluetooth, streams, etc. It brings the sound to be as close to the original as possible.

When music is encoded into digitally compressed formats like MP3, the frequency suffers. Music enhancer restores this, especially the low-frequency sounds like a bass.

Enjoy Music in its pure form

Pure Direct Mode is another feature offered by Yamaha. When it is enabled, it bypasses the sound processing and feeds the amplifier with sounds directly. This results in more realistic sounds. Making it more enjoyable- Enjoy music in its pure form.

CONTROL: JUST BY YOUR VOICE

Airplay

Hey Siri, play music in the bedroom and living room.

Explore the world of music. Stream multiple songs, including your favorite songs, all by command. AirPlay 2 aids the streaming of songs from Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, and more. You can easily control this from your iPhone, iPad linked with a Homepad, or ask Siri via airplay to help you out.

Ask Alexa or Google Assistant

V6A is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google assistant. They can help you with your music search, streaming it across different rooms. And even control volume, switch inputs, and playback on the receiver.

However, a third party is needed to initiate the command.

THE BEST ROOM CALIBRATION

YPAO

If you’re familiar with Yamaha’s product, you’ll know that Yamaha uses Yamaha Acoustic Parametric Optimiser (YPAO) for its room correction and calibration. YPAO analyzes your room acoustics, measures speaker characteristics, and optimizes them to ensure the best surround sound for your receiver.

YPAO does this by measuring and setting speaker delays and speaker levels/volume. It also measures the frequency response of speakers and uses the PEQ (parametric Equaliser) to match the timbrel of the speakers to each other.

YPAO R.S.C (Reflected Sound Control) is more advanced; it allows YPAO to tackle peaks and dips by removing the first reflection of speakers in the room. Calibration with RSC ensures a uniform frequency response of loudspeakers in your room. It calibrates audio parameters to achieve optimum sound at up to eight sitting positions.

All you need to do is to place the supplied calibration microphone at your listening position and switch on YPAO. It does this calibration automatically; you don’t need to go through the stress of measuring and measuring to ensure your room has the best sound. YPAO automatic room calibration makes life easier.

USER FRIENDLY

You don’t need to get worried or confused about setup. Yamaha has done a more massive chunk of the work already.

Download the Yamaha AV setup guide app on Google Play or Apple store for free. Use this setup guide app to receive expert assistance for a cable connection between your AV receiver and source devices and set up your receiver’s settings. Check the Yamaha R-N303BL review.

This app will guide you through various settings such as TV and source device connection, speaker connection, and assigning the power amplifiers for your desired speaker output.

Yamaha set up app makes set up and connection very easy by using actual AV receiver images and system illustrations. If your receiver is connected to the network, the setting parameters on this app will be copied and applied automatically to your AV receiver.

PRESET SONGS AND STATIONS

This AV receiver with 8K HDMI capability also has scene buttons you can use to preset scenarios. Easily program up to 8 different scenarios using 4 scene buttons.

You can preset them into different inputs that can be set to specific purposes such as a station on a streaming service, internet or FM radio station, a USB device, a song on NAS (Network-attached storage), or a PC. You can also preset them for the Sound field program, HDMI output, Music Enhancer, and more.

After setting the template, simply press one of the remote control or main unit to power on the receiver and hear your desired music. You can reset these buttons anytime.

MUSICCAST Surround

Yamaha has made it easy to bring music to every room in your home, wirelessly with MusicCast. By combining this AVR receiver with MultiCast speakers such as the MusicCast 50 and two MusicCast 20 wireless speakers, you can enjoy MusicCast surround.

Forget about hassling with wires; turn your home into a clean, clutter-free home theatre with realistic unique sounds using MusicCast.

At the center of this is the intuitive MusicCast app, one of the best streaming app available. It also enables you to select, listen, control, and share your favorite music content with all MusicCast enabled products in your home.

You can easily personalize this app for your device, customize the name and image for each room as you like. With MusicCast, you can listen to your favorite music, podcasts, movies, and so much more from every room of your home. Just how you like it.

Pros

• Numerous promising features
• More HDMI inputs with 8K support
• Immersive and Uninterrupted Gaming experience with ALLM, VRR, QFT, and QMS
• Meager price
• Easy Set up
• Wireless Multi-room Audio with MusicCast and Zone 2
• Modern Sleek design
• Voice control compatibility
• Easy room calibration and correction with YPAO and RSC

Cons

• Lacks some basic connectivity options like component video output/input, composite video output/input, Analog audio output, etc
• Most features aren’t available now but will be via a future firmware update.
• Doesn’t support Auro 3D audio format
• Lacks the Anti Resonance Technology wedge incorporated in some other Yamaha Speakers.
• The visibility of characters on display deteriorates under extreme temperatures.

Specifications

Last Words

The Yamaha RX-V6A is a great receiver that offers so much at such a low price range. First of all, its design is unique, modern, and attractive. Although attractive the visibility of the character on display can sometimes deteriorate by the LCD characteristics under low or high temperatures.

And when it comes to features and functions. You can’t but just exclaim, “WAO,” No one puts you in the center of action more than RX V6A. From recreating a live concert setting to an immersive home theatre experience and thrilling game console. All these from a near entry receiver.

It supports the latest technology trend such as HDMI 2.1 with VRR, QMS, QFT and ALLM, HDR10+, eARC, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, amongst others. Its compatibility with both Ultra HD TVs, 4 K TVs, and emerging 8K is impressive.

However, most of these functions won’t be present at launch but would be enabled by a future firmware update.

The downside to this receiver is its lack of some basic connectivity options like component video output/input, composite video output/input, Analog audio output, etc. Also, it doesn’t support the Auro 3D audio format and the Anti Resonance Technology wedge incorporated in some other Yamaha Speakers.

I’ll close with this; if you’re just getting introduced into the world of receivers and would love to get a receiver near the entry-level, this one is your best bet.

If you also want to get a quality receiver with a low budget and still enjoy the latest tech development, this is also for you. You won’t find a better receiver with as many recent tech features for this price range anywhere.

If your budget is a bit lower, you can go for the RXV4A, which was released alongside RXV6A. It supports HDMI 2.1, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision. However, it is a 5.1ch, 80 watts receiver. RX V4A, when compared to the RX V6A, lacks DTS:X and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, but is excellent for its price range.

This receivers will be launched this month of September, and trust me; I can’t wait to lay my hand on it to explore. I hope it’s the same with you.

Yamaha RX-V6A AV Receiver Frequently Asked Questions