This is where the new Yamaha Aventage RX-A3010 really impresses. It is a real nice powerful amp, filled with features, easy to manage, and it looks brilliant.
Looks
The RX-A3010 still have the popular Yamaha look which was seen in most of the four digit receiver from Yamaha. Flap in front hiding buttons and connection points. Only have a volume and input nob, with a Power and Pure direct button, making the RX-A3010 to look very smooth and stylish.
Setup
The set up is really easy. The bi-amp channels on the surround back's are right next to the mains, making bi-wire configurations very easy. It has a 2 sub woofer pre outs, 11 channel pre-outs for a 11.2 surround sound system. The layout is easy to understand. 7 HDMI's in on the back, 1 on front panel. 2 HDMI out, and component video out for (which can be used for 2nd zone). You have a zone 2 and zone 3 which can be powered from the amp, as well as an optional 4th zone on pre out. You get two remote's, obvious the second remote for the second zone. When all is connected the on screen menu is very easy to understand. Set up takes few minutes and you are ready to go. Specs can be viewed here. First impression on the Yamaha Aventage RX-A3010 for most home theatre fanatics should be easy and reassuring that the product is made for the best possible experience.
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Performance
Yamaha claims the RX-A3010 has a output of 150 watts with 2 channels driven. I did put it to the test with various speaker pairs. The B&W 683 was first on the list it is a speaker that sounds good on a average receiver, but sounds brilliant with power going into it. The RX-A3010 proofed to be such a receiver that can drive the B&W 683 near to its potential. The sound was warm, the bass accurate, the midrange and high frequencies pure (it was not sharp at all, well controlled).
I then added the B&W CM9 pair to the RX-A3010. The B&W CM9 is on spec the same as the B&W683. On comparison you do need a lot of power behind the CM9 to really hear a difference between the two brothers. The Yamaha RX-A3010 drove it nicely, when considering that the Marantz SR7005 seems to have a lot of difficulty driving the B&W CM9's.
The Monitor Audio RX8 was next in line. The problem most amplifiers have with the RX8 is that it is 4 ohms. I tested the Monitor Audio RX8's on a Harman Kardon AVR660, the Monitor Audio RX8 sounded bottled, suppressed, depressed. Even the Marantz SR7005 seemed overwhelmed by the demands that the Monitor Audio asked. Yet the Yamaha RX-A3010 gave the speaker something to work with, it sounded full on low volumes, controlled on high volumes and just over all complete.
On the Home Theatre side, the RX-A3010 flawlessly gave me a brilliant show with David Forster's Hitman. The music was of a good standard, the staging of the instruments was well separated. Even when the music got complex and heavy the instruments was still distinct from each other, the singer voice never disappears in the music. Well recorded, very nicely reflected back.
Movies is treated with care. With Avatar it handled the "Big tree shot to kingdom come" scene with ease, all the detail of the helicopter blades, the children screams, all is still very clearly heard with all the noise coming from the explosion. All movies on this unit is treated with high standard expected from a receiver in this price range.
Conslusion
For the money this is an awesome amplifier, well balanced, a lot of power, a lot of features, user friendly and awesome power. This is the best amplifier form Yamaha in many moons and well worth a shot
Looks and build quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Features: 9/10
Value for Money: 10/10
For the money this is an awesome amplifier, well balanced, a lot of power, a lot of features, user friendly and awesome power. This is the best amplifier form Yamaha in many moons and well worth a shot
Looks and build quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Features: 9/10
Value for Money: 10/10
Really informative, thanks.
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