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It’s been a few months now that Yamaha released the latest models in the Aventage lineup with it’s RX-A 80 series that is supposed to offer premium quality compared to the rest of their models. Now although we are a bit late to the party with our article we decided to make a comprehensive list of the RX-A 80 series since we were getting a few questions lately concerning these models and we wanted our readers to be able to easily distinguish the differences between each one of them.
The Aventage series for 2018 consists of 6 models and Yamaha made sure to scale them equally in order to offer both quality and features at an appropriate price. There are some key features that are included in all 6 models and these are as follows.
Common Key Features
- Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Aluminum Front Panel, High Quality Parts and Anti-Resonance Technology
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), 4K UHD and BT.2020
- WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay and MusicCast
- Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM Internet Radio, TIDAL, Deezer, Napster streaming services
- Voice control via Amazon Alexa equipped devices
- MusicCast surround capable
- Phono Input
All other features are specific to each model and we will analyze them in each model’s section. At the end of the article we have a comprehensive chart where you can see all the key differences between the 6 models.
Yamaha RX-A680
The first model in the series is an 80W 7.2 channels av receiver with which you can create a 5.2.2 audio setup. It also features YPAO, Yamaha’s calibration system to it’s most basic form and has 4 HDMI inputs.
Click on the link to read our in-depth review of the Yamaha RX-A680.
Key Features
- 7.2 channels at 80W power
- 4 HDMI Inputs / 1 HDMI output
- YPAO
Yamaha RX-A780
The next model in the lineup is a 95W 7.2 channels av receiver and adds a few more features like Zone 2 audio, ups the HDMI inputs to 5 and outputs to 2 as well as having YPAO – R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) which is a more advanced version of Yamaha’s calibration system that can correct early reflections for studio-quality surround sound.
You can read our detailed analysis of the RX-780 HERE.
Key Features
- 7.2 channels at 95W power
- 5 HDMI Inputs / 2 HDMI outputs
- Zone 2 support
- YPAO – R.S.C
Yamaha RX-A880
The next model is still a 7.2 channels receiver but ups the power even more with 100W per channel, has 7 HDMI inputs, 2 HDMI outputs and includes an even more advanced calibration system called YPAO – R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) with Multipoint Measurement.
You can find our detailed review of the RX-A880 HERE.
Key Features
- 7.2 channels at 100W power
- 7 HDMI Inputs / 2 HDMI outputs
- Zone 2 support
- YPAO – R.S.C and multipoint
Yamaha RX-A1080
The RX-A1080 is a 7.2 channels receiver with 110W per channel but compared to the lower models this one uses the ESS SABRE ES9007S Premier Audio DAC for high performance conversion. This is also the first model we get Surround:AI technology that automatically optimizes the sound in real-time as well as Cinema DSP HD3. It ups the HDMI outputs to 3 while the YPAO calibration system get yet another update to include precision EQ calculation to achieve the most natural room acoustics.
Check our in-depth review of this unit HERE.
Key Features
- 7.2 channels at 110W power
- 7 HDMI Inputs / 3 HDMI outputs
- Zone 2 support
- YPAO – R.S.C, multipoint and Precision EQ
- Cinema DSP HD3
- ESS SABRE ES9007S Premier Audio DAC for high performance conversion
- Surround:AI technology automatically optimizes the sound in real-time
Yamaha RX-A2080
Moving up we get the RX-A2080 which ups the channels to 9.2 enough for a 7.2.2 or a 5.2.4 audio setup. Power gets a further boost to 140W per channel, features dual ESS SABRE ES9007S Premier Audio DACs while it gets expanded Zone 2/3/4 support. Also YPAO 3D provides automatic sound parameter optimizations that maximizes the 3D sound field effectiveness of CINEMA DSP HD3 as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
On the link HERE you can read our detailed review.
Key Features
- 9.2 channels at 140W power
- 7 HDMI Inputs / 3 HDMI outputs
- Zone 2/3/4 support
- YPAO – R.S.C with 3D, multipoint and Precision EQ
- Cinema DSP HD3
- Dual ESS SABRE ES9007S Premier Audio DAC for high performance conversion
- Surround:AI technology automatically optimizes the sound in real-time
Yamaha RX-A3080
At the top of the Aventage series we find the RX-A3080 which again is a 9.2 channels receiver but here we get the option to expand to 11.2 channels by using an external amp. Power gets a further boost to 150W per channel while the DACs used get an update by using an ESS SABRE PRO ES9026PRO Ultra DAC and a SABRE ES9007S DAC. Lastly 64-bit precision EQ calculation achieves the most natural room acoustics possible.
You can read our in-depth review of the RX-A3080 HERE.
Key Features
- 9.2 channels at 150W power (11.2 channels with external amp)
- 7 HDMI Inputs / 3 HDMI outputs
- Zone 2/3/4 support
- YPAO – R.S.C with 3D, multipoint and 64-bit High Precision EQ
- Cinema DSP HD3
- ESS SABRE PRO ES9026PRO Ultra DAC and SABRE ES9007S DAC for high performance conversion
- Surround:AI technology automatically optimizes the sound in real-time
Closing
Yamaha has managed to scale the Aventage series nicely by offering something for all tastes. They may not be the most cheap of AV receivers as even the lower model, the RX-A680, costs at the time of writing a little more than $500 but this series was never meant to be cheap. It is designed for those that seek quality and each model packs the necessary technology to achieve that.
Having so many models means that every home theater fan will find the model that suits their space and audio setup as Yamaha continues the trend of offering a series of AV receivers that are worthy of the name Yamaha.
Before closing this part we should mention that you can check our New Product Lineups section for more reviews and articles which we will update as we manage to get our hands on these new releases.
The features are really jaw dropping, I have always wanted a full description of these new product from Yamaha, thanks to you for giving such a detailed and well explained write-up on the features.
iI believe Yamaha Aventage Receivers are one of the best in the market following the prices. Thank you for your good work
The Aventage series is famous for their quality and this hold true to this day.
Dear Stratos,
Wow, what an extensive guide indeed! I thoroughly appreciate the research you must have done to gather and compile so much valuable information. Thanks a lot for the informative and helpful article.
I loved how easy the review makes it for the readers. No additional research needed since you have provide with a wide range of options.
The key features you shared is going to be very helpful in many purchase decision. You left no stone up-turned in explaining how it all works.
Wishing you much Success!
Paul
Thank you Paul. We always try to write our articles in a simple manner so not only experienced consumers but also casual users can understand the difference between them. This way it makes it easier to read and decide what is best for each one.
Stratos,
When I saw the name “Yamaha” I knew I wanted to read your article. I have experience with their musical instruments, primarily their pianos, digital or standard hammer-soundboard models. If their Receivers are anything like their pianos, then we are talking about excellent technology.
You very carefully described each receiver in the Aventage RX-A80 series (6 models) by the increased technology and added features, so that if anyone was actually shopping for a receiver- he/she had adequate side by side descriptions to help in making a decision. I was wondering if you had any one of these in your home and if you had a preference of one of the 6 models you reviewed. That would be a good thing to know if one was in the market. Your review was thorough and well done. Thank you.
Preference is a relative thing Barbara as we always want the best but most of the time we are driven by budget limitations. Therefore even though you would like to have the top of the line this is not easy most of the times. All models in the Aventage series are good and you should go for the one that is within your budget constraints.
I’ve been out of a loop of the “new” technology scene for a while since most of what I have aren’t recent with a few exceptions. So when I see the prices like these, even for the cheapest ones, I’m always surprised. Though to someone else who HAS been keeping up with this stuff, maybe they’d be going “Wow! What a steal!”
The Aventage series is supposed to be the premium series in the whole AV receivers lineup. Of course Yamaha has cheaper AV receivers that offer also good quality but in this article we decided to focus on presenting only the Aventage ones. If you are interested specifically in Yamaha receivers there are many more options to choose from. We have even reviewed some of them so you can check HERE if you like.
Hello Stratos – Thank you for this beautiful introduction to the Yamaha AVENTAGE Receivers RX-A 80 Series! A very sharp model at that. Being a musician, I love that it can play streaming services like Spotify or Pandora and also is Alexa compatible. I didn’t see that the other ones listed had this. I truly appreciate the comparison chart at the bottom of your article. As a consumer, this is very helpful to see which model would best suite my needs.
Which model do you like specifically?
Alexa support is a new thing so only now new AV receivers start to slowly support it but Spotify and Pandora are being supported by almost all receivers nowadays. If budget is of no concern of course I would go for the top of the line RX-A3080 otherwise it depends on the budget constraints I would have.
Hello and thank you for your reviews.
Any recommendation for using with my new Samsung tv and my olds Bang and Olufsen speakers? Now I have 3 but a would like to add more. I also want to have connected a LG proyector.
Some friends have suggest me:
Pioneer SC LX59
Denon AVR X3700
Yamaha RX A8080 or RX V785
Thank you for your replay.
Hey Francis. If you are looking at that price range then I would personally go for the Marantz SR6015.