Yamaha RX-A850 Review

Yamaha RX-A850
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Rating 3 3
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Yamaha RX-A850 review

When planning to purchase an AV receiver, a future user is faced with numerous questions that cannot always be dealt with without a specialist. We will try to answer many of these questions in a review of one of the receivers - Yamaha RX-A850. During the review, we evaluated the technical characteristics and features of the device. 7.8 out of 10 - this is the estimate that we consider fair. The release of this receiver took place in 2015. The model from Yamaha can process 7.2-channel sound.

Yamaha RX-A850 Pros

  • The receiver has a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
  • Bluetooth is now one of the key wireless communication protocols. In AV receivers, it is used for audio signal transmission or remote control. And it is in the model under review that Bluetooth support is implemented.
  • The presence of a USB port allows the receiver to play content from external media.
  • DLNA is a feature that gives the receiver the ability to transmit and receive various media content over the home network, as well as display it in real time.
  • Like any modern receiver, RX-A850 has a Phono (MM) input for connecting a phonograph or turntable.
  • Dolby Atmos technology has been included in this model specifically to create a 3D effect when watching movies, which reveals all its features with a minimum 5.1 configuration.
  • With HDR pass-through support, it is possible to transfer data over RX-A850 with a much wider range of colors.
  • With 4K/60Hz pass-through support, it is possible to pass data through this model without degrading image quality.
  • ARC feature eliminates the need for an additional composite or optical cable when connecting this unit to a TV.
  • The manufacturer claims support for CEC in Yamaha RX-A850 and therefore you can control any HDMI-connected device using one remote control.
  • This receiver supports the data encryption protocol HDCP 2.2 which allows licensed devices to play high definition audio and video.
  • Can stream audio using the AirPlay protocol.
  • Stream music from one of the most popular services Spotify directly on the Yamaha RX-A850.
  • This receiver consumes less power thanks to ECO mode.
  • Yamaha RX-A850 uses bi-amping to amplify each dynamic in a speaker separately, resulting in clearer, better sound.
  • The reviewed receiver has a Pure Direct mode, when used it feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
  • This AV receiver is able to use 2 zones to send a source signal to speakers or a separate audio system in different locations.
  • With the included microphone, the Yamaha RX-A850 can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.

Yamaha RX-A850 Cons

  • Can not manage the DTS:X surround format.
  • HDMI eARC function not implemented.
  • Yamaha RX-A850 is unable to use Amazon Music.
  • There is no voice control function.
  • Has no speaker A/B switching function.
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Yamaha RX-A850 back and front view

Yamaha RX-A850 Yamaha RX-A850

Yamaha RX-A850 specs and features

Amplifier

Channels 7.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm 110/8
Output impedance, Ohm 8
Frequency response 10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, % 0.06

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC) Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibration YPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio features Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
USB 1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45) 1
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay) AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming services Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, JUKE, Rhapsody

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output 8/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP) HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE) 2
Headphone output 1 x 6.3
Optical digital input 2
Coaxial digital input 2
Composite input 5
Component input/output 2/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectors USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)
4K signal pass-through 4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion analog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video features DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control
App control iPhone, iPod, Android
Display fluorescent
Tuner AM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware update network, USB
Other additional features has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones 2
Zone audio output speaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room control MusicCast
RS-232 1
Remote control input/output (IR) 1/1
DC trigger output (12V) 1

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other) Dolby Digital Plus,Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other) DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3
WMA
AAC
WAV
FLAC
ALAC
Other audio file formats AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W 400
Standby consumption, W 0.1
Removable power cord

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches 43.5 x 17.1 x 38/17 x 6.7 x 14.6
Weight, kg/lbs 10.6/23.4

Other

Release year 2015