Yamaha RX-V2067 AV-receiver

Yamaha's new line of AV receivers, currently consisting of eight AV receivers, reflects the most current trends in equipment, combining not only audio and video technologies, but also some solutions from the computer sphere. Today we will get acquainted with them on the example of the RX-V2067 model, which occupies an honorable second place in the company's catalog.

To emphasize the novelty of the approach, Yamaha almost completely changed the design, making it more concise and strict. The color scheme now consists of black and shades of gray, and only the main controls remained on the front panel: an input switch, a volume knob and a power button. Everything else, incl. connectors for quick connection, hidden under a hinged cover. The upper part of the facade is occupied by a display, by the symbols of which you can control the receiver and change most of the settings, but it is better, of course, to navigate through the graphical interface on the TV screen. Moreover, it was developed specifically for the new line and is a colorful guide to all sections of the menu, with a logical structure and hint drawings. By the way, ease of communication and friendliness towards the user is one of the main components of the Yamaha concept, since any modern receiver combines several complex devices with an abundance of specific settings. Therefore, the instruction is not included in the form of a book, but on a CD-ROM, which made it possible to make it in color and with instant links.

Speaking of ergonomics, one cannot fail to mention the proprietary SCENE PLUS option, which reduces the number of operations before watching a movie. Now, when you press just one button, the desired source is turned on, the corresponding input is activated in the receiver, all the sound and image settings recorded in advance are called up. There can be 12 such macros in total, 4 of which are for zones 2 and 3.

The RX-V2067 video path is built on the advanced HQV VHD1900 chipset and operates in 1080p format with support for extended color gamut with a signal resolution of up to 36 bits. It includes a scan converter, a scaler, a noise suppressor and is able to remember up to 6 individual image settings. Eight (!) inputs and two HDMI 1.4a outputs with an audio return channel are designed for switching 3D sources. All inputs, including audio, can be assigned their own names.

The sound section has a 7.1 configuration with 7 x 130 W output amplifiers and very low distortion. Burr-Brown DSD1796 DACs - the same ones used in the flagship Z11 model - work in 192/24 format. The receiver has taken special measures to combat jitter and the principle of "double ground", which allows to reduce the level of RF interference in the audio path. The Cinema DSP 3D sound processor is loaded with 23 surround programs for all occasions. There is a proprietary decompression mode for audio files Compressed Music Enhancer with the restoration of lost information. The decoders support surround sound including the latest Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS HD Hi-Resolution.

The advanced YPAO-R.S.C auto-calibration system with an external microphone builds the sound field, taking into account both direct emission and early reflections (implemented only in the older models RX-V2067 and RX-V3067), which significantly increases the accuracy of recreating the spatial sound panorama.

And one more touch to complete the picture - you can connect both an iPod and a turntable with an MM head to the receiver.

No other receiver I've ever dealt with has perhaps as much networking capability as the RX-V2067. The unit supports DLNA Ver.1.5 protocols certified for Windows 7 and Ethernet, and can be controlled using Windows Media Player 12 or via a web browser. In this case, the files are decoded in the receiver from mp3, WMA, WAV, MPEG-4, AAC and FLAC 96/24 formats. Thanks to this, another very convenient and promising source of audio and video information is added to the AV system - a computer or a server. Playback of files from USB-devices and sounding of three independent zones is provided, incl. and in Party mode, when the same content is served to all rooms.

The band of the low-frequency channel is limited to values of 40, 60, 80, 90, 100 and 110 Hz. At night, in order not to disturb anyone, you can watch movies in Silent Cinema mode, when all channels are mixed to a stereo headphone output.

The built-in FM tuner has a memory of 30 stations and is capable of receiving information in RDS format.

The speaker terminals on the rear wall are screw-type, but due to the rather dense arrangement, it is convenient to connect only bare wire or "bananas" to them.

For the new line of receivers, remote controls with improved ergonomics and a sealed coating have also been specially developed. The main one, from which all functions and modes are available, is a learner, with an LCD display and freely located buttons, divided into three zones (inputs, settings, source and TV control). It is really comfortable and, despite its solid dimensions, does not pull the hand. The second remote control is quite small, designed for everyday use in a well-established system.

The receiver was tested with a Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player, Panasonic TX-LR32D25 32" LCD TV and all HDMI connections. The video processor in the RX-V2067 is really powerful, the output image remained as clear and juicy as the input, and when converted from 576i to 1080p it became even better. There were not even slight puffs and blurring of the contours during fast movement. It makes sense to turn on the noise suppressor only when watching on-air programs, the image from a BD or DVD player is slightly washed out.

The sound character of the receiver is reminiscent of Yamaha's top-end amplifiers, it is just as comfortable and balanced, but seems more intelligible and specific. He easily demonstrated powerful dynamics and a stunning lower register with a rather tight Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20 front-facing speaker system. It's good that impulse amplification was abandoned in the new line - the upper range is clean, rich in nuances and does not seem hard or too bright. When converting a stereo soundtrack to a multichannel one, the DSP adds a bit of "numbers", but this is unavoidable. In the Silent Cinema mode, the sound in the headphones is soft, not fatiguing. The class of the receiver is indicated by the fact that when bypassing all the processing in Pure Direct mode, the difference in sound is not too noticeable.

The sound of the RX-V2067 is both something familiar and something completely new, something that Yamaha has never seen before. Stunning absolute dynamics, impeccable low-frequency control and, alas, light transistor coloring, due to which the system does not sound as plastic as we would like - this is family. However, this receiver can be forgiven a lot for its fantastic clarity in drawing the entire low-mid band, for exceptionally sharp three-dimensional localization and amazing (one might even say - specified) microdynamics. No other Yamaha theatrical receiver has come close in musicality to the best audiophile integrated circuits.

The music sounded nice from a USB flash drive, but at a high bitrate, it's better not to turn on the Music Enhancer - the upper range becomes less natural.

The power reserve is sufficient to create an inseparable circular field in a decent-sized cinema hall. YPAO-R.S.C. builds a spectacular panorama even in a 4.1 configuration without a center channel.

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders give the sound an "analog" character, which is especially noticeable on music soundtracks. In cinema, the transition to HD-format is felt in the dialogues, which acquire additional timbre and emotional nuances.

Finally, I note that the Yamaha RX-V2067 receiver left the impression of a comprehensively balanced device with an optimal set of functions for most applications. Yes, and they are implemented at a modern quality level.

The high class of the device is also indicated by the equally high quality of playback when comparing direct 7.1 input with digital ones. DSP, DACs and other parts of the path on board the RX-V2067 may well compete in quality with advanced external converters. We compared long and carefully. Yes, the detailing on the trebles is a bit simplified, the bass overtones are somewhat stingier - that's all the nuances! The timbre richness, spatial accuracy, and ability to form unsmeared and fleshy images of the RX-V2067 match what our reference Bryston CD player provides with its own transducers. Note that the sound does not seem to be defective even when playing compressed files, and this is a really serious achievement. So for those who dream of building not just a theater at home, but a full-fledged music system tied to the Internet and digital content without physical media, the RX-V2067 will be the most profitable and correct purchase.

Yamaha RX-V2067 AV-receiver photo