Yamaha’s New 2.1-Channel Receiver Boasts YPAO Room Correction

Yamaha has introduced an $800 follow-up to the $350 stereo receiver it shipped last month.

The R-N803, featuring a beefed up amplifier section and 2.1-channel architecture with a subwoofer output, is the first stereo receiver to incorporate proprietary YPAO (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer) technology.

Previously reserved for high-performance AV receivers and home theater separates, YPAO measures the shape of the room and position of the speakers, compensates for the type of materials on the walls, and automatically adjusts the sound to create the “ideal response.” The system also has a Reflected Sound Control for correcting early reflections to improve sound quality and YPAO Volume, which applies high-precision equalization with 192-kHz/64-bit operation.

Like its less expensive sibling, the R-N303 , the R-N803 is compatible with DLNA-enabled PCs and network-attached storage devices, supports hi-res audio playback (192kHz/24-bit FLAC, WAV, and AIFF plus 2.8/5.6MHz DSD), and streaming via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Yamaha’s own app-based MusicCast platform. The receiver also provides direct access to music-streaming services Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Tidal, and internet radio.

A future firmware update will enable YPAO feature to be controlled via the MusicCast app.

The R-N803 is rated to deliver 2 x 100 watts in to 8 ohms (0.019% THD) and 140, 220, and 290 watts/channel of dynamic power in to 8, 4, and 2 ohms, respectively.

Other technical highlights include Yamaha’s ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) circuitry, which is said to preserve audio-signal purity, and a 192kHz/24-bit ESS Sabre DAC (digital-to-analog converter).

Connections include four RCA audio inputs, two RCA outputs, optical and coaxial digital inputs, a phono input, an Ethernet port, a front-panel USB port, and a subwoofer output.

For more information, visit usa.yamaha.com.

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