Yamaha RX-V393 AV-receiver
The Yamaha RX-V393's built-in DSP (Digital Sound Processor) has six modes designed to enhance the spatial sound effect of conventional stereo recordings. There's even a mono mode, which can come in handy when watching old movies and TV broadcasts. Common Pro Logic, apparently, did not suit Yamaha RX-V393 developers and they in addition installed a decoder Dolby Pro Logic Enhanced, which is a hybrid of standard DPL and DSP (by the way, in terms of control and tuning both "Prologic" do not differ from each other). If even these are not enough for you, there are six inputs on the rear panel for connecting a decoder of the AC-3 digital surround sound system.
A bit unusual in appearance, the remote control is easy to handle and allows you to perform basic, frequently used operations: controlling the amplifier, CD-player and tape recorder, and tuner fixed station search. The power off button is inconveniently located next to the frequently used volume controls, so you have to be careful not to accidentally mix it up. You won't be able to adjust the volume of the surround channels with the remote, and you'll have to tweak the knobs on the front panel of the Yamaha RX-V393 receiver every time.
Pro Logic does its job well: in scenes where all sources are in front of you, determining the direction to them is not a problem. And sometimes it seems as if you can localize even the source behind you, though this illusion probably arises because the apparent size of the source remains correct. In the same segment, turning on Pro Logic Enhanced resulted in a slight rescaling of the source to a size proportional to the distance between the rear speakers. Side-to-side or diagonal motion is not quite smoothly reproduced. In these cases, changes in volume are observed, which cannot always be compensated for by adjusting the channels. The aforementioned add-on - Enhanced - gives a tangible gain in scenes where clearly audible reverberation effects that increase the volume "figures" of the sound are important. By the way, the DSP modes (especially Concert and Stadium) do give a noticeable expansion of space in this respect. This feature is evident in Yamaha RX-V393 receiver even when working with front speakers only; when the rear speakers are connected the effect becomes even brighter. By the way, it's worth mentioning that none of the tested receivers has such effective DSP modes.
The experts liked the musicality of the Yamaha RX-V393 when playing regular stereo records. The proper arrangement of symphony orchestra instruments was well complemented by the freedom of sound. There was no lack or imbalance in either high or low frequencies. Plans were well separated by stage depth. Front row strings didn't mingle with the brass and the powerful drum beats didn't overshadow the timid melody of the flutes.
The Yamaha RX-V393 receiver tuner leaves an impression of a mediocre unit: not the best, but not the last either. The position of the antenna when receiving FM stations noticeably, but not significantly, affects the reception quality. Capture stations in auto-tuning mode is confident enough, so that the available fine-tuning indicator is perceived as a free addition.
