Yamaha DSP-A1 5.1 Channels Receiver
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- Number of Channels: 5.1 Channels
- Type: Receiver
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Rock solid -- An exceptional home theatre performer!
Pros
Great sound and home theatre performance, great DSP modes, good display, great build quality
Cons
Marginal remote configuration
Recommended it?
Yes
It is really difficult, with out A/B type tests in your listening area, to truly test the quality of an amplifier versus the competition. I base most of my comments regarding the Yamaha DSP-A1 from my comparative tests when I was shopping for an amplifier/receiver, but also through my approximately two months of use since I completed the installation of my home theatre system. I chose the DSP-A1 instead of the Denon AVR-3300 or AVR-4800 for a couple of reasons: (1) in terms of pure surround sound and DSP processing for home theatre application it is exceptional, (2) the build quality and Burr Brown processors are second to none and (3) my friend who is COO/President of a major surround sound company confirmed that his technicians have examined it in depth physically and electronically and confirmed it to be one of the top commercial offerings.
As a matter of context, my system includes: Yamaha DSP-A1 amp, Denon DVM-3700 DVD/CD Player (see my review at http://www.epinions.com/./elec-review-2402-5CB4DFA-3A29E982-prod1), Paradigm Reference 80 mains, Reference center and ADP surrounds, with a PW-2200 subwoofer. I am also using a Panamax 1500 power conditioner, Yamaha tuner (the DSP-A1 is an amp, not a receiver), and more. I am still searching for a replacement turntable and cartridge.
Features -- Selected Highlights of the DSP-A1
There are many more, this is a selection from Yamaha's features literature:
FLAGSHIP HOME THEATER PROCESSOR/AMPLIFIER
The DSP-A1 is a 7-channel processor/amplifier providing the finest performance available for music and video sound. The processor provides 42 possible programs including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Yamaha's proprietary Tri-Field Processing, Cinema DSP, and Hi-Fi Digital Sound Field Processing. The 7 channels are: Left/Right Main, Center, Left/Right Rear Effects, and Left/Right Front Effects. The addition of front effects speakers adds depth to the image.
DISCRETE POWER TRANSISTORS
Discrete power transistors rather than IC chips are used in the amplifier section to provide the cleanest sound possible. The amp delivers 110 watts each to the main five channels and 35 watts each to the front effects speakers.
BUILT-IN DOLBY DIGITAL
The most advanced and realistic encoded surround sound for movies. The new Dolby Digital system is a fully discrete system providing six channels of sound. It is called a 5.1 channel system since five channels are full-frequency, and the sixth is a low frequency effects channel.
BUILT-IN DTS
DTS is the latest digital 5.1 channel sound format and is available on laserdiscs, CDs, and will be encoded on DVDs, as well. DTS uses a higher bit-rate than Dolby Digital.
TRI-FIELD PROCESSING
A new ASIC, YSS-245, provides Yamaha's exclusive Tri-Field Processing which applies Digital Sound Field Processing technology to Dolby Digital and DTS. It creates a true movie theater experience in the home by developing independent enhanced sound fields for the front signals as well as for left and right surround.
39 DSP/CINEMA DSP PROGRAMS -- INCLUDING 70mm MOVIE THEATER CINEMA DSP
Yamaha's exclusive Digital Sound Field Processing for music recreates the acoustic personalities of actual concert halls and other venues, such as the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, New York's Village Gate, and various concert halls and churches in Europe. 35mm and 70mm Cinema DSP multiplies the effects of Dolby Pro Logic and Yamaha DSP to provide the best possible Pro Logic movie theater recreation in your home. Processing is done by Yamaha's YSS-214 IC chip.
NEW DIGITAL CIRCUITRY
Yamaha's new digital circuitry yields higher resolution sound thanks to its 128x oversampling 24-bit analog-to-digital converters and 8fx oversampling 24-bit D/A converters.
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY WITH SPEAKER TEST MODE
Allows you to easily establish, change, and adjust settings from across the room. The on-screen display gives you a visual readout of the DSP-A1's settings on your TV or monitor screen. The on-screen speaker test mode makes it easier to balance speaker output from your listening position.
MULTIPLE DIGITAL INPUTS
The DSP-A1's rear panel has an extensive jack field capable of accommodating 3 coaxial digital and 5 optical digital sources as well as an RF input for an AC-3 ready LD Player. Additional 5.1 channel discrete inputs are also provided for use with external decoder. The unit has a total of 11 inputs, 5 audio, 6 video. All video inputs have provision for S-Video. 1 optical digital output is also provided.
Video Quality and Issues
I have a new generation Sony 53 inch HDTV ready rear projection set and I have the DSP-A1 driving a composite signal to the monitor, with another component signal direct from my Denon DVD player and an S-Video line from the digital cable box to the monitor. The DSP-A1 handles both composite and S-video switching, but not component switching. The newer RX-V1 handles the component switching, but costs about $1,000 more and the direct line from my DVD to the monitor works just fine. The composite switching still provides a good signal and all of the DSP-A1 display text are passed through to the monitor for on-screen visibility, which is handy. The DSP-A1 maintains pretty good color and detail reproduction, without any noticeable degredation due to being passed through the amplifier.
Audio Quality
I have directly compared the DSP-A1 to the Denon AVR-3300 and AVR-4800 and the RX-V1 utilizing both Atlantic Technology THX certified speakers and Monitor Silvers, mostly done at Pacific Sales in Southern California and using my favorite DTS sample DVD. While the Denons generally are a bit warmer and richer in terms of music reproduction, the Yamaha is the clear winner in terms of pure butt-kicking home theater reproduction. The multiple DSP modes, auto-sensing of Dolby Digital or DTS, great Burr Brown processors and discreet power transistors, results in pure, clean power and beautiful, intense sound.
It is often said that the Yamaha electronics result in a slightly more "brilliant" (read high-frequency leaning) sound quality. I would agree that, compared to say, a Denon receiver, that the Yamaha leans toward this tendency, especially through my Paradigm Reference speakers with titanium (metal) tweeters, however, utilizing a Panamax 1500 power conditioner has tempered this quality slightly. Based on my listening test so far, I am not noticing this tendency to any great degree, although for pure audio, the Denon products have a slightly warmer feel. I would say that this unit is definitely overall better at home theatre reproduction than pure audio, although the difference between the two is less than many competitors (most are really good at one or the other).
Remote, Unit Display and Overall Build Quality and Design
Although there are many worse remotes on the market, the Yamaha remote is nothing to write home about. While nice looking in its silvery plastic glory, many of the useful features are underneath a hinged panel and require too much effort to access. The remote is very large and bulky to handle. I can't wait to get a universal remote to replace it. The deep orange display on the unit is large, well formatted and easy to read, even from a distance. It is simple, but quite informative, reflecting inputs, DSP modes and surround modes in effect.
One thing you can say about Yamahas, and especially the DSP-A1 is that they are built to last. This thing is a behemoth, weighing in at 55+ pounds, and it is rock solid in terms of quality (although I can't say the same about the remote). Based on my friend's recommendation and the investigations of his engineers, I can confidently say that this is one of, if not the best, constructed amplifier/receivers on the market. I expect to have it for quite some time to come.
Conclusion
I am extremely happy with this purchase and recommend it highly. A very versatile and capable system, with exceptional home theatre reproduction and pretty darn good audio as well. If you are looking to anchor a top quality home theatre setup, you can't go wrong with the Yamaha DSP-A1. I am sure that the successor, the RX-V1 (at least based on my initial listening tests at the store), also shares the same excellent qualities. Enjoy!
As a matter of context, my system includes: Yamaha DSP-A1 amp, Denon DVM-3700 DVD/CD Player (see my review at http://www.epinions.com/./elec-review-2402-5CB4DFA-3A29E982-prod1), Paradigm Reference 80 mains, Reference center and ADP surrounds, with a PW-2200 subwoofer. I am also using a Panamax 1500 power conditioner, Yamaha tuner (the DSP-A1 is an amp, not a receiver), and more. I am still searching for a replacement turntable and cartridge.
Features -- Selected Highlights of the DSP-A1
There are many more, this is a selection from Yamaha's features literature:
FLAGSHIP HOME THEATER PROCESSOR/AMPLIFIER
The DSP-A1 is a 7-channel processor/amplifier providing the finest performance available for music and video sound. The processor provides 42 possible programs including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Yamaha's proprietary Tri-Field Processing, Cinema DSP, and Hi-Fi Digital Sound Field Processing. The 7 channels are: Left/Right Main, Center, Left/Right Rear Effects, and Left/Right Front Effects. The addition of front effects speakers adds depth to the image.
DISCRETE POWER TRANSISTORS
Discrete power transistors rather than IC chips are used in the amplifier section to provide the cleanest sound possible. The amp delivers 110 watts each to the main five channels and 35 watts each to the front effects speakers.
BUILT-IN DOLBY DIGITAL
The most advanced and realistic encoded surround sound for movies. The new Dolby Digital system is a fully discrete system providing six channels of sound. It is called a 5.1 channel system since five channels are full-frequency, and the sixth is a low frequency effects channel.
BUILT-IN DTS
DTS is the latest digital 5.1 channel sound format and is available on laserdiscs, CDs, and will be encoded on DVDs, as well. DTS uses a higher bit-rate than Dolby Digital.
TRI-FIELD PROCESSING
A new ASIC, YSS-245, provides Yamaha's exclusive Tri-Field Processing which applies Digital Sound Field Processing technology to Dolby Digital and DTS. It creates a true movie theater experience in the home by developing independent enhanced sound fields for the front signals as well as for left and right surround.
39 DSP/CINEMA DSP PROGRAMS -- INCLUDING 70mm MOVIE THEATER CINEMA DSP
Yamaha's exclusive Digital Sound Field Processing for music recreates the acoustic personalities of actual concert halls and other venues, such as the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, New York's Village Gate, and various concert halls and churches in Europe. 35mm and 70mm Cinema DSP multiplies the effects of Dolby Pro Logic and Yamaha DSP to provide the best possible Pro Logic movie theater recreation in your home. Processing is done by Yamaha's YSS-214 IC chip.
NEW DIGITAL CIRCUITRY
Yamaha's new digital circuitry yields higher resolution sound thanks to its 128x oversampling 24-bit analog-to-digital converters and 8fx oversampling 24-bit D/A converters.
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY WITH SPEAKER TEST MODE
Allows you to easily establish, change, and adjust settings from across the room. The on-screen display gives you a visual readout of the DSP-A1's settings on your TV or monitor screen. The on-screen speaker test mode makes it easier to balance speaker output from your listening position.
MULTIPLE DIGITAL INPUTS
The DSP-A1's rear panel has an extensive jack field capable of accommodating 3 coaxial digital and 5 optical digital sources as well as an RF input for an AC-3 ready LD Player. Additional 5.1 channel discrete inputs are also provided for use with external decoder. The unit has a total of 11 inputs, 5 audio, 6 video. All video inputs have provision for S-Video. 1 optical digital output is also provided.
Video Quality and Issues
I have a new generation Sony 53 inch HDTV ready rear projection set and I have the DSP-A1 driving a composite signal to the monitor, with another component signal direct from my Denon DVD player and an S-Video line from the digital cable box to the monitor. The DSP-A1 handles both composite and S-video switching, but not component switching. The newer RX-V1 handles the component switching, but costs about $1,000 more and the direct line from my DVD to the monitor works just fine. The composite switching still provides a good signal and all of the DSP-A1 display text are passed through to the monitor for on-screen visibility, which is handy. The DSP-A1 maintains pretty good color and detail reproduction, without any noticeable degredation due to being passed through the amplifier.
Audio Quality
I have directly compared the DSP-A1 to the Denon AVR-3300 and AVR-4800 and the RX-V1 utilizing both Atlantic Technology THX certified speakers and Monitor Silvers, mostly done at Pacific Sales in Southern California and using my favorite DTS sample DVD. While the Denons generally are a bit warmer and richer in terms of music reproduction, the Yamaha is the clear winner in terms of pure butt-kicking home theater reproduction. The multiple DSP modes, auto-sensing of Dolby Digital or DTS, great Burr Brown processors and discreet power transistors, results in pure, clean power and beautiful, intense sound.
It is often said that the Yamaha electronics result in a slightly more "brilliant" (read high-frequency leaning) sound quality. I would agree that, compared to say, a Denon receiver, that the Yamaha leans toward this tendency, especially through my Paradigm Reference speakers with titanium (metal) tweeters, however, utilizing a Panamax 1500 power conditioner has tempered this quality slightly. Based on my listening test so far, I am not noticing this tendency to any great degree, although for pure audio, the Denon products have a slightly warmer feel. I would say that this unit is definitely overall better at home theatre reproduction than pure audio, although the difference between the two is less than many competitors (most are really good at one or the other).
Remote, Unit Display and Overall Build Quality and Design
Although there are many worse remotes on the market, the Yamaha remote is nothing to write home about. While nice looking in its silvery plastic glory, many of the useful features are underneath a hinged panel and require too much effort to access. The remote is very large and bulky to handle. I can't wait to get a universal remote to replace it. The deep orange display on the unit is large, well formatted and easy to read, even from a distance. It is simple, but quite informative, reflecting inputs, DSP modes and surround modes in effect.
One thing you can say about Yamahas, and especially the DSP-A1 is that they are built to last. This thing is a behemoth, weighing in at 55+ pounds, and it is rock solid in terms of quality (although I can't say the same about the remote). Based on my friend's recommendation and the investigations of his engineers, I can confidently say that this is one of, if not the best, constructed amplifier/receivers on the market. I expect to have it for quite some time to come.
Conclusion
I am extremely happy with this purchase and recommend it highly. A very versatile and capable system, with exceptional home theatre reproduction and pretty darn good audio as well. If you are looking to anchor a top quality home theatre setup, you can't go wrong with the Yamaha DSP-A1. I am sure that the successor, the RX-V1 (at least based on my initial listening tests at the store), also shares the same excellent qualities. Enjoy!
