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CNET Editors' Take
April 5, 2011 9:15 AM PDT
Yamaha has announced four new AV receivers in its RX-V line and CNET compares the key feature differences between them.
Yamaha RX-V671
(Credit: Yamaha)Yamaha announced four new AV receivers yesterday in its RX-V line, ranging from the $250 RX-V371 to the $600 RX-V671. Like many other manufacturers, the higher-end RX-V671 offers a host of iPhone/iPod-related features, such as an app to control the receiver and an iPhone/iPod-compatible USB port, but no AirPlay like on the Pioneer VSX-1021-K. Here's a quick look at the key feature differences for the whole line.
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Key features of the Yamaha RX-V371:
- 5.1 AV receiver, 100 watts per channel
- Four HDMI inputs
- 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel
- Four digital audio inputs (two optical, two coaxial)
- $250 list price; available now
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Key step-up features of the Yamaha RX-V471:
- 5.1 AV receiver, 105 watts per channel
- iPhone/iPod compatible USB port
- Yamaha's YPAO automatic speaker calibration
- $380 list price; available at the end of April
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Key step-up features of the Yamaha RX-V571:
- 7.1 AV receiver, 105 watts per channel
- Six HDMI inputs, including one front-panel input
- Dolby Pro Logic IIx
- Analog video upconversion and HDMI-to-HDMI upscaling
- $500 list price; available at the end of April
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Key step-up features of the Yamaha RX-V671:
- 7.1 AV receiver, 125 watts per channel
- Ethernet port
- DLNA compatible
- Pandora and Rhapsody streaming
- Advanced graphical user interface
- Control via iPhone or Web browser
- Second zone audio
- $600 list price; available at the end of May
The RX-V671 is the most interesting of the bunch, with a full suite of network-enabled features, like we've seen from competitors like the Sony STR-DN1020, Onyko TX-NR609, and Pioneer VSX-1021-K. From a first glance at the spec sheet, the RX-V671 seems to be in the middle of the pack in terms of networking features, with the Onkyo (with its optional $40 wireless dongle) and the Pioneer (built-in AirPlay) standing out from the pack.
It's also worth pointing out that the RX-V671 is the successor to last year's RX-V667, which was our highest-rated midrange receiver. The RX-V667 featured excellent sound quality and a best-in-class user interface, so we're excited to get our hands on a review sample to see if the RX-V671 can improve on its predecessor.
