Yamaha RX-V2600 review

Like all of Yamaha's higher-end receivers, the RX-V2600 comes with a set of connectors for use with a pair of left and right front "presence" speakers. They augment the normal front speakers to produce a larger front soundstage. Extensive Zone 2 and 3 (multiroom) capabilities are available, plus A/B speaker switching for a second set of front speakers in another room. An RS-232C port rounds out the V2600's back panel and--according to Yamaha--will facilitate future factory software updates. There's nothing like a hell-bent sci-fi flick to stretch the audio muscles of an A/V receiver, so we loaded The Island DVD, and let 'er rip. The film that some have described as a mix of Logan's Run, Blade Runner, and 1984 follows the travails of two clones, Lincoln 6 Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan 2 Delta (Scarlett Johansson). The film's brilliantly executed car chases and smashups had lots of impact, and the DVD's spacious surround mix made our speakers disappear. Even with the volume cranked way up, the Yamaha RX-V2600 never sounded less than totally in control, and the bass had the sort of fullness and power that we associate with more expensive electronics.

A brand-new surround SACD from jazz pianist Michel Camilo demonstrated the RX-V2600's more refined side. The disc features a drop-dead gorgeous rendition of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," and what stood out was the way the V2600 resolved individual instruments in the orchestra. We heard a real sense of three-dimensional space and the sound of Camilo's piano filling the concert hall. It was like being there.

We also took advantage of the RX-V2600's phono input and listened to John Hiatt's Bring the Family LP with a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable. Ry Cooder's jagged lead guitar fills and the music's spiky rhythms came through loud and clear. The LP sounded more alive and realistic than any CD or even any SACD that we played.

Turning to video performance, things were a bit more disappointing--relatively speaking. Don't get us wrong; the Yamaha's high-def video features and performance trounce those of just about every other receiver we've seen in 2006. But we've been spoiled by the excellent performance of the two notable exceptions: the Denon AVR-4306 and AVR-2807. Unlike those two, the RX-V2600 couldn't pass a 1080p video signal. That's basically meaningless for now, but it's important for buyers who want to future-proof their purchases--it means the RX-V2600 wouldn't be the best match for forthcoming Blu-ray players or for the PlayStation 3, both of which boast 1080p output. Moreover, the Yamaha had some trouble navigating the tests on our HQV disc. For instance, detail was noticeably softer and video processing was sporadic on all resolutions--the moiré pattern was noticeable on the race-car video loop, for instance. By comparison, both Denons offered better video processing when converting analog to digital (HDMI) video.

Summing up, not only were we pleased by the Yamaha RX-V2600's sound, but the sumptuous look and feel of the design makes this receiver a pleasure to use and helps justify its premium price. But discriminating videophiles will be better served by the superior video processing offered by competing models from Denon.