Shortly after releasing the RX-V series, Yamaha decided to revamp its range of Yamaha Aventage AV receivers. Let’s go over the differences between these two series of AV receivers first. Esthetically speaking, the Yamaha Aventage and Yamaha RX-V are basically twin series. Moreover, they benefit from very similar functions. The Yamaha Aventage range was actually designed many years after the original release of the RX-V series.
The manufacturer’s objective was to design a series of receivers of an even higher quality, as well as a flagship model specially developed to drive particularly demanding speaker systems.
Yamaha took a surprising angle when advertising this new series as the brand mainly focused on the new, sturdier chassis and the addition of a 5th anti-vibration pad to the Aventage receivers. Are these new features really enough to justify the price difference? Is this really enough to set the Aventage receivers apart from the RX-V range? The answer is clearly no.
Truth be told, the Yamaha MusicCast RX-A680, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A880, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A1080, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A2080 and Yamaha MusicCast RX-A3080 actually ensure better results since they benefit from higher-quality electronic components. This is an important, even essential difference. The result is a softer and more stable sound restitution as well as an extended dynamic range…The Yamaha RX-V range is your golden ticket to a high-quality home theater experience.
The main novelty in this 2018 range is the addition of wireless surround channels, which ensure compatibility with the Yamaha MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 speakers (to use as surround speakers), as well as the Yamaha MusiCast SUB 100 subwoofer. This extremely practical function lets you enjoy a 5.1 system without the hassle of wires running across the room while opening the receiver’s surround channels.
All the receivers in the Yamaha Aventage 2018 range are compatible with Yamaha MusicCast. Every model is fitted with a double network controller as well as an Ethernet port, and features WiFi connection to ensure access to Internet radios and files shared on a local network. For wireless streaming, the Yamaha control app for iOS and Android handles the Yamaha MusicCast protocol and lets you enjoy music streaming services such as Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz (paid membership required).
The Yamaha MusicCast RX-A680, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A880, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A1080, Yamaha MusicCast RX-A2080 and Yamaha MusicCast RX-A3080 receivers are compatible with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround (multichannel upmix and vertical Atmos), DTS:X and DTS Neural:X (multichannel and vertical upmix, even with a mono track!). All current audio formats are handled and may be read from UHD Blu-ray discs and VOD services such as Netflix and Amazon.
The Yamaha MusicCast RX-A680 is a seven-channel receiver rated at 115 W in peak. This model is recommended for driving compact speakers and a subwoofer.
This seven-channel receiver is rated at 160 W and features the YPAO R.S.C advanced acoustic calibration technology as well as a more comprehensive range of connectors (zone 2 amplified, pre-out 7 channels). This receiver may even drive floorstanding speakers.
The Yamaha MusicCast RX-A1080 is a seven-channel receiver rated at 170 W in peak and fitted with high-quality ESS Sabre DACs. It features a comprehensive range of connectors and benefits from Surround A.I. smart technology, which ensures dynamic sound placement of the surround channels based on the content.
The Yamaha MusicCast RX-A2080 is a nine-channel receiver rated at 220 W. It is the first “larger” receiver of the Aventage series and will surely become a major reference for people who enjoy watching movies at high volume while maintaining a spacious and soft sound restitution.
Last but not least, the Yamaha MusicCast RX-A3080 is the flagship model of the Yamaha Aventage 2018 series. Rated at 230 W in peak this receiver features a large power supply and should be able to drive any type of speaker.
