The Yamaha RX-V4A is a 5.1 channel amplifier with state-of-the-art HDMI jacks, a full suite of networking capabilities, analog and digital inputs for various audio sources, FM and DAB radio, and flexible amplification channel management. It also has the ability to use active network speaker speakers from the Yamaha MusicCast series as surround speakers. The five channels of amplification can be used in many ways.
First of all, you can connect one main, two front speakers and two surround speakers (for 5.0), ie one speaker per gain channel. But you can also use the channels for it to amplify a pair of stereo speakers or assign two channels in Zone B and another second pair of speakers with independent volume control.
The remaining channel is used in both cases for the main speaker. Finally, the two surround channels can use Yamaha DSP to play as rear virtual speakers, even if the two “surround speakers” are in front. This feature is called “Virtual Cinema Front” and in many cases works well, though not as well as if you had regular speakers.
To avoid surround speaker connectivity, you can use Yamah MusicCast (MusicCast 50 or MusicCast 20) wireless to have a home cinema without additional wiring. The subwoofer is connected as usual via RCA and here Yamaha offers two sub outputs (something like 5.2 channels).
The RX-V4A has four HDMI inputs (one of which is HDMI 2.1 with HDCP2.3) and one output, and firmware updates will be available to handle 4K / 120Hz video signal for friends of the new Xbox and PlayStation. There is also an eARC, as well as Bluetooth that can receive and send audio. In addition we have three analog line inputs (not phono stage for turntables) and two digital inputs (one coaxial and one optical).
The amplifier is also networked with Ethernet and Wi-Fi, it supports the MusicCast system through which we can stream content from our smartphone to the device. Otherwise it is AirPlay 2, it catches FM radio but also DAB + (ERT).
Through the MusicCast application we can adjust the amplifier, but for deeper settings we will need the remote control and the TV. However, there is another way to do it all, using the AV Setup Guide. There are several speaker settings such as “Extra bass”.
There is the YPAO (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer) automatic equalization system, but we can also adjust it manually. The manual settings for distance and level are in steps of 5 cm and 0.5 dB respectively, we can adjust the cut-off filter between 40Hz and 200Hz, which works independently of the speakers you have.
The possibilities for adjusting the balance are quite extensive. We can even name the inputs or express the level on the screen in dB or numbers.
As a Yamaha it has Cinema DSP 3D that recreates different types of listening rooms such as world-renowned concert halls, stadiums and clubs.
It is generally easy to use and set up. It is a good idea to listen to it automatically set up with the YPAO system and και if you do not like to switch to manual settings. A warning, if your speakers are from different model series or even different manufacturers, it is best to use YPAO.
The new Yamaha RX-V4A is great in its class whether it is home cinema or music. He’s fast, he’s confident, the dialogues are clear and the subwoofer sounds good.
The YPAO system seems to apply something low if it does not straighten the curve completely. The Yamaha RX-V4A is very good and is definitely one of the amplifiers that give another atmosphere to your movie nights whether they are from Netflix or Ertflix. Extremely fun and extremely economical.
Price about 500 euros.
There are 17 DSP programs
Power: 80W at 8Ω
