Calling all gearheads: Yamaha busted out its 2014 RX-V series AV receivers this morning, including a trio of 7.2 channel offerings, the RX-V577, the RX-V677, and the RX-V777BT, as well as the affordable 5.1 channel RX-477. All of the new receivers bring some shiny new features for 2014, including three boasting Yamaha’s built-in Wi-Fi – a first for Yamaha – so let’s take a detailed fly-by of the new family below.
The top tier of Yamaha’s new AV cartel is held down by the RX-V777BT, which puts an emphasis on the ‘BT,’ adding Bluetooth compatibility for wireless audio streaming. Other exclusives for the V777 include dual HDMI outputs with up to 4K/60p video upscaling, HDMI Zone B for sending video and audio to a separate room, and Yamaha’s YPAO R.S.C. calibration system to tune up your system for any locale.
The second-level RX-V677 offers its own single HDMI output with 4K upscaling, and both the 677 and its big brother offer HDMI 2.0 connection for the highest level 4K signal available. Both units are also compatible with SiriusXM and Rhapsody, and offer Yamaha’s YPAO Volume, a DSP protocol designed to make movies and music sound natural at lower volume levels.
All models in the new lineup are doused with a heavy dose of other useful features as well, including ARC (Audio Return Channel), 3D pass-through, compatibility with Spotify, Pandora, and HTC Connect, Burr-Brown digital audio converters for 192kHz and 24-bit resolution, Airplay, and Yamaha’s Virtual CINEMA FRONT technology, which offers virtual surround sound from a front speaker configuration. As mentioned above, the 7.2 channel models also mark Yamaha’s first ever line-up with Wi-Fi connection, for full integration with your local network.
Yamaha’s new RX-V577 and RX-V477 will be available in March, while release date for the more regal members of the family is yet to be announced. Pricing for all four new models is listed below:
· RX-V777BT ($849.95)
· RX-V677 ($649.95)
· RX-V577 ($549.95)
· RX-V477 ($449.95)
