AV Receiver Reviews

Bottom Line

More channels, more graphics, more streaming, more connectivity, for less money. What’s not to like? I must certainly add a final mention of the A2010’s edition of Yamaha’s superbly evolved surround DSP. If you are a serious listener of jazz, classical, folk, or any other real-acoustic music who seeks a more believable experience — and who doesn’t have too much audiophile baggage about digital this and DSP that — here’s your new A/V receiver.

Test Bench

DOLBY DIGITAL PERFORMANCE

All data were obtained from various test DVDs using 16-bit dithered test signals, which set limits on measured distortion and noise performance. Reference input level is –20 dBFS, and reference output is 1 watt into 8 ohms. Volume setting for reference level was –6. All level trims at zero; except for subwoofer-related tests, all speakers were set to “large” with subwoofer on. All are worst-case figures where applicable.

Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms)

• 1 channel driven: 187/268 W (22.7/24.3 dBW)

• 5 channels driven (8 ohms): 62 W (17.9 dBW)

• 7 channels driven (8 ohms): 60 W(17.8 dBW)

Distortion at 1 watt (THD+N, 1 kHz)

• 8/4 ohms: 0.02/0.02%

Noise level (A-wtd): –75.1 dB

Excess noise (with sine tone)

• 16-bit (EN16): 0.1 dB

Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, –0.05 dB

MULTICHANNEL PERFORMANCE, ANALOG INPUT

Reference input and output level is 200 mV; volume setting for reference output level was –3.

Distortion (THD+N, 1 kHz, 8 ohms): 0.02%

Noise level (A-wtd): –93.3

Frequency response: <10 Hz to >163 kHz +0, –3 dB

STEREO PERFORMANCE, DIGITAL INPUT

Reference level is –20 dBFS; all level trims at zero. Volume setting for reference level was –3.

Output at clipping (1 kHz, 8/4 ohms, both channels driven): 161/255 W (22.1 /24.1 dBW)

Distortion at reference level: 0.02%

Linearity error (at –90 dBFS): 0.03 dB

Noise level (A-wtd): –75.3 dB

• with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: –90.4 dB

Excess noise (with/without sine tone)

• 16-bit (EN16): 0.2/0.2 dB

• quasi-20-bit (EN20): 7.0/6.1 dB

Noise modulation: 0.2 dB

Frequency response: <10 Hz to 20 kHz +0, –0.02 dB

• with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: <10 Hz to 44 kHz +0, -0.3 dB

BASS-MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE

Measured results obtained with Dolby Digital test signals.

Subwoofer-output frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 24 dB/octave above –6-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz

High-pass-filter frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 12 dB/octave below –3-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz

Maximum unclipped subwoofer output (trim at 0): 7.4v

Subwoofer distortion (from 6-channel, 30-Hz, 0-dBFS signal; subwoofer trim set to 0): 0.02%

Crossover consistency: bass crossover frequency and slope were consistent for all sources and formats.

Speaker-size selection: all channels can be set to “small.”

Speaker-distance compensation: available for all main channels.