Product review: Yamaha RXA2060 AV receiver

Yamaha’s cruiserweight AV receiver is now available and (as expected) it’s very impressive! We get hands-on to really test out its capabilities, and to see if our demonstration room can contain it…

The RXA2060 is built like an absolute tank. Yamaha certainly didn’t cut any corners when it came to build quality – from its reassuringly think and chunky aluminium facia to its internally-braced H shaped frame. Speaking of the facia – it looks incredibly sleek, hiding any clutter from the front of your receiver by way of a drop down panel. Reinforced for rigidity, the RXA2060 has no vibration issues either.

Inside is a similar story; Yamaha doesn’t just deploy any old components. The RXA2060 uses symmetrical power amplifiers, ensuring both channels are physically and electrically isolated to maximise channel separation, offering a wider soundstage.

It certainly wont leave you short of connectivity either. Around the back of the unit there’s more inputs and outputs than you can shake a stick at. Firstly are the 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, 7 of which support HDCP 2.2 4K video at 60 frames per second and BT.2020.

Alongside these we have 9.2 (or 7.2.2… or even 5.2.4) channels, fully compatible with the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. There’s plenty of analogue inputs too (nine in total!) and even a phono-stage, should you wish to blow the dust off that turntable and breathe some new life into it!

As you would expect the RXA2060 is fully network compatible via Wi-Fi. This opens up a whole new world of music at your finger tips. Taking advantage of any one of the many wireless streaming methods built in to the 2060 couldn’t be easier either. First off is Apple’s flawless AirPlay, a service designed for those who are keen Apple users. Another popular alternative is included, in the shape of Spotify Connect.

The real star of the show is Yamaha’s fantastic new multiroom, MusicCast. This feature allows the user complete wireless control of the music on up to 9 MusicCast devices in one home, though a dedicated app available on both Apple or Android devices. You can expand your system with additional Yamaha MusicCast speakers or receivers.

If you’re a little worried about setting up a unit of this caliber, then fear not! The RXA2060 (and Yamaha AV receivers in general) are very straight forward, thanks to the YPAO set-up microphone supplied. When plumbed in the YPAO mic’ will optimise your speakers, taking in to consideration whatever configuration you may have, and finely tune the sound for your environment. You have full control over the final sound, but the automatic set-up configuration is as dammed near perfect as I could get it and takes a fraction of the time with no further head aches.

To test out the Yamaha RXA2060 I opted for Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War. I wanted to put the AV receiver though its paces, and anything with Marvel on the front of it seems perfectly suitable for that role. It did a fantastic job of filling our little room with sound. We rigged it up in a 5.1.2 configuration (5 surround speakers, 1 subwoofer and 2 ceiling speakers). I was very impressed with how the Yamaha threw the sound around, creating a fantastic sense of spacial awareness.

During the fight scenes between The Cap, Iron Man and The Winter Solider I was engrossed in the moment. As Captain America throws his shield (as he always does) you could well be sat in the middle of the dramatic feud. It was that immersive. I was very impressed.

From a music stand point I’ve often said the Yamaha AV receivers are very musical, and thanks to a high quality ESS 192 / 24bit DAC the RXA2060 is no exception. The Yamaha delivered a punchy and well detailed sound. I found that during some more acoustic music the vocals where incredibly natural with very little wrong. I did have a little tinker with the EQ settings and would really like to have spent some more time to get the best out of it. Overall I was very impressed. The RXA2060 offered me a sound that rivals a pretty decent hi-fi.

It really is a master of all trades! The MusicCast is a fantastic system to use. If, like us, your cinema room is a bit compact then the RXA2060 could be a little too much for you. It’s a shame I couldn’t push it as hard as I would like, but regardless I was certainly impressed with what I heard.

Tap this link to view the full specifications of the Yamaha RXA2060 AV receiver.

If you would like any more information or a demonstration, please feel free to call your local store today!

Author: Garrett, Plymouth store