Yamaha Cinema Digital DSP-AX759SE 7.1 Channel Natural Sound A/V Receiv

Description

Yamaha DSP-AX759SE Power Amplifier Receiver - Dolby Digital
Cinema DSP 7.1 Channel
Natural Sound Sound Dolby Digital Theatre ,A/V Receiver + Original Remote.
Near new condition.

The Yamaha DSP-AX759SE is a 7.1 channel amplifier designed for extremely high sound quality and featuring CINEMA DSP and iPod compatibility using the optional YDS-10.

The Yamaha DSP-AX759SE also features YPAO sound optimisation system which automatically analysis the acoustics of the room and adjusts the various sound parameters to provide the optimum sound at the listening position.

The Yamaha DSP-AX759SE benefits from a special sound quality circuit design with performance in other high end Yamaha receivers. A jitter reduction circuit ensures a clear sound image and detailed sound expression capability during play back of digital sources like DVD, satellite, cable and freeview TV. A low noise power supply contributes to a powerful sound with a broad and spacious sound field.

Component video up-conversion
3 HDTV compatible component video inputs
Dolby digital, Dolby EX, PRO LOGIC IIx, DTS 96/24, ES and NEO6
iPod compatibility via optional YDS-10
7 Channel, 700W powerful surround sound (100W x 7)

Yamaha
Product Specifications
Finish
titanium
12v Trigger Terminal
Yes
Component Input
3
Component Output
1
Front Input
optical, SVHS, composite
Remote Control
Yes
Digital Input
4 optical, 2 coax

Yamaha's DSP-AX759SE landed on our test bench with a lot to live up to: its predecessor bagged a Gold Award in our Awards Issue last year. Even a cursory look over the new unit reveals that Yamaha is working on an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.

The '759SE is a UK-tuned design. It covers all the AV decoding formats you could need, boasts a claimed 100 watts for seven channels, Yamaha's Top-ART amplifiers and the YPAO auto-set up and equaliser circuitry. Don't expect frills like HDMI switching, but it's a lot of amp for £500.

The improvements over last year's model are aimed at further enhancing its sonic abilities. The power supply has been upgraded, the DACs are now highly respected Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-Bit devices and there has been a complete re-mapping of the internal wiring and circuits to shorten signal paths, further improve S/N ratio and reduce cross talk.

Set-up is about as basic as the genre gets. Sadly, you can't engage the auto set-up routine without the 'Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer' (YPAO) implementing its thing too. The YPAO system here is a basic parametric filtering network, and there is little in the way of fine tuning to be had over the YPAO's filtering post-op, so it's usually best left switched out.

Sound quality
Cutting to the chase, last year's Award-winning sound has matured nicely, gaining more grace and charm with a wider range of material. It's a smooth sound, far more subtle and refined than any of its competitors at this price, with bass that is tight and dry.

Compared to its peers, which generally offer portly and gung-ho low frequency reproduction, the Yamaha is a little lightweight, but its bass is fast and tuneful and has far better resolution of individual tones.

Yamaha has made much of its Pure Direct mode, which shuts down all video processing and display functions to leave only the analogue stages powered-up. The benefit is an immediate and tangible reduction in high frequency hash and that brings a subjective increase in the airiness of the soundstage.

Relative to its class-leading musical performance, some home cinema buffs might find the '759SE's home cinema performance a tad disappointing. It lacks the clout of some compitors, and can sound a little bit soft and lightweight with high-octane movie material. However, more subtle soundtracks revel in the Yamaha's smooth and refined character, allowing fine detail to shine through.

There is music at the heart of this UK-tuned Yamaha, a statement borne out not only in the smooth and refined sound but also in Yamaha's decision to blow the R&D budget on up-rated power supplies and high-class audio DACs rather than HDMI switching. If you're a hi-fi fan looking for an affordable home cinema solution, the '759SE has much to offer.

Posted: 5 hours ago

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