f o c u s

AV RECEIVERS LAN terminal, a USB terminal this one is on the front panel a dock terminal for optional YDS-10, optical and coaxial digital inputs, a six channel external decoder input, a Zone 2 out, and speaker connectors for eight speakers (6.1 plus speaker B). The only slight problem I had during installation and set-up was trying to get the RX-N600 to speak to my PC. It turns out that if youre not connecting your receiver to a network, but directly to a PC, you need a cross connect cable and not a conventional cable. I didnt know this, but Mike from Balanced Audio did. I certainly appreciated speaking to someone who knows his products, and could help me set the receiver up correctly. Generally, the RX-N600 is simple to use, and despite the supplied remote having lots of buttons, these are logically grouped, and large enough use without pressing more than one at a time. Sonically it proved to be a good receiver to listen to too, with good control over all connected speakers at all but the absolutely highest levels. Effect steering was another receiver highlight, particularly when it was used in extended surround mode and surround rear speakers fitted. (I wired two speakers in series and connected these to the surround back channel). My preferred mode when listening to stereo music was the direct stereo mode, as this seemed to deliver slightly more detail. I did try some of the units surround modes, but opted to stick to basic DTS, Dolby, or stereo. Once correctly wired, the networking side of the RX-N600 certainly added another dimension to listening to music, and when Internet connectivity becomes more affordable, this networking aspect of the receiver should certainly be of even greater value than it is now. The Yamaha RX-N600 can certainly be considered as one of the products that are leading the convergence race. It brings together numerous technologies and once set up makes them accessible to your average and less tech-savvy consumer.

Joel Kopping

YAMAHA RX-N600

Making connections

onvergence is a buzzword that has been around for quite a while. It alludes to the fact that products from traditionally disparate industries are becoming capable of being linked, and that they share traits that until recently would have been considered out of place. Examples of convergence in the A/V industry abound. We have components that can play many of the audio and video compression formats that until recently were in the domain of the techno computer geek, there are components that have USB inputs, and we have projectors, monitors, and televisions that utilise PC and DVI inputs that allow these products to be connected to a computer. We now also have from Yamaha the RX-N600 AV receiver, with network receiver functions that use Windows Media Connect ver.2 technology. This lets you play MP3,WMA and WAV music from a remote PC that theoretically doesnt even have to be in the same country or listen to any of the thousands of stations available on Internet radio. Apart from the above, the RX-N600 is a fullyfledged AV receiver that has a rated power output of 95 watts into each of its six channels, has a frequency response of 10 Hz - 100 kHz, and a total harmonic distortion rating of 0.06 %. It is also equipped with component video up-conversion, digital video processing with TBC (Time Base Correction), Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification, 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels, a Phono input, QuadField CINEMA DSP, is compatible with iPod via an optional YDS-10, has a compressed music enhancer, 14 surround programmes, and an Audio Delay for adjusting lip-sync. Naturally the RX-N600 has a whole slew of additional features, but listing all of them would virtually fill this entire page. I will however add that it measures in at 435 mm wide, 171 mm high, and 393 mm deep, and that it weighs in at 11.7 kg. Installing the good looking RX-N600 into a system should prove to be relatively easy. Partly as its manual is reasonably clear on how and where things should be connected, and partly as during set up it can be configured to work the way you want it to. There is no shortage of connections, which include on the video side three HDTV compatible component video inputs, and lower resolution composite and S-video inputs.Video up-conversion also means that you can reduce the wire count going to your television. You wont be disappointed when you look at its audio connections either, and these include a

p e a k s

VERDICT Apart from being a more than capable AV receiver, the Yamaha RX-N600 brings network connectivity to your entertainment party. PRICE.. RSUPPLIED BY Balanced Audio 011-314-0760

WEBSITE

www.balancedaudio.co.za

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