We have been bragging about the Yamaha Aventage series since the RX-A3010 model was released back in 2011. These AVRs are incredibly powerful and perfect for teaming up with your favorite audiophile or large-scale home theater setups. Now, Yamaha is gearing up for the launch of its latest generation of models within the series, including the new Aventage RX-A8A flagship.
The RX-A8A is another 11.2-channel AVR from the company with a rated output power of 150W (8 ohms) and support for your favorite modern formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro 3D (via a firmware update), and more. Like its other Aventage models, each speaker can be calibrated for distance/delay, size, and volume. It comes with the same YPAO microphone approach (an automated process) to make that process easier for those who are unfamiliar with calibrating manually.
It supports up to 8K@60 (up to 120Hz at 4K) with HDR10+ passthrough, making sure it is ready for every projector and TV in the market (currently). There is support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MusicCast multi-room audio, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect. Then you have all of your favorite streaming solutions as well, including Pandora, Spotify, Napster, SiriusXM, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD. We absolutely love listening to SiriusXM’s Coffee House with the Aventage line paired to the right speakers (ie, B&W or Paradigm)
It is absolutely riddled with features, all of which you can find at the bottom of this article under specifications.
The price has gone up these last 10 years though. Where the flagship in the series was normally around $1,999.95 – $2,199 at launch, the MSRP will be $2,999 this round. Oh, how things have changed. It is one incredibly powerful receiver though and likely worth every penny (assuming you have good enough speakers to match it to).
The new generation of Aventage models will be dropping in October 2021 (just a few months). Most retailers haven’t added them just yet, including Best Buy and Amazon who simply show it as out of stock. However, there are a few well-known stores that are offering the ability to pre-order the RX-A8A now. You’ll find the buttons/links for both below.
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| Release Date October 2021 | Average Price* $2999.99 |
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
Specifications:
| Amplifier Section | |
| Channels | 11.2 |
| Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven) | 150 W (8 ohms, 0.06% THD) |
| High Slew Rate Amplifier | Yes |
| Surround Sound Processing | |
| Surround:AI | Yes |
| Cinema DSP | Yes (HD3) |
| DSP Programs | 24 |
| Dialog Level Adjustment | Yes |
| Virtual Presence Speaker | Yes |
| Virtual Surround Back Speaker | Yes |
| Dialogue Lift | Yes |
| SILENT Cinema / Virtual Cinema DSP | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Yes |
| Dolby TrueHD | Yes |
| Dolby Digital Plus | Yes |
| Dolby Surround | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes |
| DTS-HD Master Audio | Yes |
| Auro 3D | Yes (via firmware update) |
| Audio Features | |
| File Format | MP3 / WMA / MPEG-4 AAC, ALAC: up to 96 kHz / 24-bit, FLAC: up to 384 kHz / 24-bit, WAV / AIFF: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit, DSD: up to 11.2 MHz |
| Pure Direct | Yes |
| Compressed Music Enhancer | Yes |
| High-resolution Music Enhancer | Yes |
| YPAO Multipoint Measurement | Yes with R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control), 3D, 64-bit High Precision EQ Calculation, Low Frequency mode and Angle Measurement |
| YPAO Volume | Yes |
| Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) | Yes |
| Initial Volume and Maximum Volume Setting | Yes |
| A.R.T. Wedge | Yes |
| Bi-amp Capability | Yes |
| Audio Delay | Yes (0-500 ms) |
| DA Converter | 384 kHz / 32-bit ESS Hyperstream DAC ES9026PRO x2 |
| Video Features | |
| HDMI eARC | Yes |
| HDMI Audio Return Channel | Yes |
| HDMI Pass-through | 4K120AB*, 8K60AB* and 4K60 (*via future update) |
| HDMI Upscaling | Yes, up to 8K (via firmware update) |
| HDMI Up-conversion | Yes (Analog to HDMI) |
| Dolby Vision | Yes |
| HDR 10+ | Yes (via firmware update) |
| VRR/ALLM/QMS/QFT | Yes (via firmware update) |
| Video Adjustment | Yes |
| Connectivity | |
| MusicCast Surround | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4 / 5 GHz) |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC / AAC) |
| Phono Input | Yes |
| XLR Terminal | Yes |
| Component Video Input/Output | Jan-00 |
| Extensive Connections | |
| HDMI Input/Output | 7 / 3 (HDMI 2.1 / HDCP 2.3) |
| HDMI CEC | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Network Port | Yes |
| Front AV Input | USB |
| Digital Audio Input / Output: Optical | Mar-00 |
| Digital Audio Input / Output: Coaxial | Feb-00 |
| Analog Audio Input / Output | Jun-00 |
| Composite Video Input / Output | Feb-00 |
| Preout | 11.2-ch |
| Headphone Output | 1 |
| Tuner Section | |
| FM / AM Tuner | Yes |
| User Interface | |
| On-Screen Display | Graphical User Interface |
| SCENE | SCENE PLUS (8 sets) |
| App Control | Yes (iPhone / iPad / Android phone / tablet) |
| Web Browser Control | Yes |
| Remote Control Unit | Yes |
| Zone Control | |
| Zone 2 Audio Output | Preout / HDMI |
| Zone 3 Audio Output | Preout |
| Zone 4 Audio Output | HDMI |
| Powered Zone | Zone 2 / 3 |
| Zone Video Output | HDMI |
| Zone B Output | HDMI |
| Zone GUI | Yes |
| RS-232C Interface | N/A |
| +12V Trigger Output | 2 |
| Remote (IR) Input/Output | 1-Jan |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| General | |
| Standby Power Consumption (IR only) | <0.4 W |
| Auto Power Standby | Yes |
| ECO Mode | Yes |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17-1/8″ x 7-1/2″ x 18-3/4″ (with antenna up:17-1/8″ x 10-5/8″ x 18-3/4″) |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs. |
