Which reciever should I choose? Yamaha A2A/A4A

[grim_tales]

Hey,

I'm trying to choose a new reciever to go with a 4K TV (when I get it), I mostly watch movies and don't have a modern games console (yet), I can't decide between the Yamaha A2A and A4A but I find the specs confusing, the Yamaha says A2A says it's not fully compatible with HDMI 2.1 (the HDMI 4K standard cable) out of the box

I don't really want to go for anything bigger than A4A as they look incredibly heavy (my current amp is big enough)

[Necril]

If I remember correctly, A2A has some issue with the HDMI 2.1 that limits the bandwith and might be a problem particularly if you ever decide to start gaming with modern consoles or PC. Not aware of there being similar issues with A4A.

Apart from that, as a long time Denon user, I cannot comment on the performance of either of these AVRs. I do know that Yamaha uses their own brand of room correction, which is seldom if ever compared to the best available room correction methods, namely Dirac. Whereas Denons current implementation of Audyssey (using the 20$ app) comes very close, and I have even verified this myself in my own listening room. This might be one thing to consider when picking an AVR.

[grim_tales]

Having looked at the Denon X3800 model, it's much cheaper than the Yamaha and doesn't seem to have HDMI 2.1 issues. Not sure I need 9 speakers though

The listing on Richer Sounds says it's an "amplifier" rather than "Reciever", that's just different wording for the same thing?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

Having looked at the Denon X3800 model, it's much cheaper than the Yamaha and doesn't seem to have HDMI 2.1 issues. Not sure I need 9 speakers though

The listing on Richer Sounds says it's an "amplifier" rather than "Reciever", that's just different wording for the same thing?

It is a "Receiver/Processor" or "AVR"......but it also has an internal amp so external amplification is not required. But if you have external amplifiers, you could use them and just use the 3800 for processing. I use my 3800 as a "hybrid" with the 3800 powering my surrounds and Atmos speakers and I have external amplification for my more power hungry fronts and center speakers.

The 3800 also has Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (much better than what Yamaha provides) for calibrating and maximizing the sound in your room. You can even add Dirac if you want, (this would cost you more money to add it) but it would furher improve upon what Audyssey does.

No issues at all when relying on HDMI 2.1....and consider the 9 speakers as "future proofing"....in case you get the itch to expand, you will be able to do so.

[grim_tales]

Hey,
Will the Denon be able to upscale 1080p to 4K? It says it has 8K upscaling, but I haven't gone that far yet

[Necril]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

Hey,
Will the Denon be able to upscale 1080p to 4K? It says it has 8K upscaling, but I haven't gone that far yet

The upscaler has only 'auto/off' settings. If your TV is "only" 4k you won't get the full benefit, and the common opinion is that in most cases, your TV is best equipped to do the upscaling anyway.

[grim_tales]

Thanks! I confess I'm finding all this a bit overwhelming - the Denon does seem a bargain but seems to have stuff I won't use any time soon - future proofing is good in theory but having 8K seems odd when I only just got 4K, etc And I've been using 5.1 for years. However the Yamaha is more expensive. I'm more of a movie person rather than music and I've seen the Denon described as "amplifier" rather than "AV Reciever"

Edit: Just seen the Reciever v Amplifier thing was already answered sorry

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

Thanks! I confess I'm finding all this a bit overwhelming - the Denon does seem a bargain but seems to have stuff I won't use any time soon - future proofing is good in theory but having 8K seems odd when I only just got 4K, etc And I've been using 5.1 for years. However the Yamaha is more expensive. I'm more of a movie person rather than music and I've seen the Denon described as "amplifier" rather than "AV Reciever"

Edit: Just seen the Reciever v Amplifier thing was already answered sorry

Yamaha owner here. Once I bought one, it's the only brand I'll ever buy. They sound great. We never use our TV speakers. Always the receiver. We listen to a lot of music as well and it's great for that.

My first question would be, is there a reason you're going with the Aventage line? Don't spend money that you don't have to spend. Mine's a step down and it sounds great and it saved me money. Don't buy top of the line just so you can say you have top of the line. Mine is exactly what I need. I have 5.2 and the receiver can do 7.2. I use the extra two channels to bi-amp the front speakers.

Just thought that I'd pop in and give you my thoughts. The others are trying to tell you to buy a different brand and I say...Yamahas are great. go out and audition some and pick the one you like the best. Make sure there's a good return policy so you can take it back if you don't like it when you get it into your room.