0704wv14 Yamaha RX-SL100RDS

5/17/04

4:32 pm

Page 101

FACT FILE

q 6 x 70W all-digital

amplification

q Dolby Digital/EX,

q q q q
DTS/ES, Dolby Pro-Logic II/IIx, DTS Neo:6, 28 Yamaha DSP modes Scart sockets in place of phono and S-video leads Assignable digital inputs RDS-equipped AM/FM tuner with 40 presets Learning remote

Yamaha RX-SL100RDS

resh from making one of the largest integrated home cinema amplifiers around (the 3,300 DSP-Z9), Yamaha has also made one of the slimmest. The 460 RX-SL100RDS is just 55.5mm high, yet delivers 70W per channel RMS to all six channels and is extremely well featured. In fact, it is so slim, you can partner both the receiver and the matching 170 DV-SL100 DVD player in one standard home cinema shelf space. Instead of converting the digital audio signal from a DVD player into analogue, the RX-SL100RDS keeps the sound in the digital domain essentially right up to the speaker terminals. This means the sound of the amplifier circuits is less crucial and the circuit does not need to be hot running (although the receiver is extremely well ventilated and sports a rear-mounted fan) and the case can be very small. The small case has a downside, though. It means the regular 4mm speaker terminals are too large to fit. Instead, Yamaha supplies a series of small cable terminators. Fortunately, these are colour coded to allow easy speaker connection. Even a full set of phono sockets is missing due to size theres just a Scart socket input from the DVD player and another out to the TV monitor. There are three digital inputs two optical, one coaxial and a further digital optical connector on the front panel, alongside the composite video and stereo phono inputs. Fortunately, the digital inputs are fully assignable and the Scart will convert the composite video signal from the front panel. Elsewhere, the RX-SL100RDS is specified as a full-sized, full-featured model. It sports a comprehensive AM/FM tuner stage (with RDS and 40 presets), Dolby Digital/EX,

AV receiver 460

Dolby Pro-Logic II/IIx, DTS/ES and DTS Neo:6 surround sound formats, as well as a brace of Yamahas own DSP surround sound systems. These are all driven by a comprehensive remote (that can control up to 11 other products, with codes for driving the TV, VCR and DVD players) and a paged onscreen menu. The RX-SL100RDSs slim profile limits the number of buttons on the front panel, so the volume control doubles up as a selection and tuning dial at times. This makes usage very slightly more complex in reality but not dramatically so.
The overall sound is fresh, clean and precise
Set-up is quick and easy colour coded speaker terminals and Scart plugging make install a doddle, while the onscreen menu guides the user through balancing the sound accordingly. However, you do have to repeat some button pushes too frequently. This isnt a major problem but highlights the style over substance approach that is a feature of some aspects of the RX-SL100RDS.
If not as full-sounding as some, the amplifier does give Master and Commander enough air to give you mild nausea in the below decks scenes. This is thanks to very good steering and strong, stark detail across the frequency range. The RX-SL100RDS seems to work in a different manner from other receivers, perhaps due to its digital design. Conventional amps sound a bit woolly at low volumes and then come to life at normal listening levels only to become hard and fierce at high-levels. The Yamaha is good from the outset, although there is a mild steeliness to the sound at very low levels which comes back more dramatically at the other end of the volume dial. In almost every respect, the RX-SL100RDS is the perfect step up for the buyer of all-in-one systems. Our only (minor) qualms are the inclusion of just one Scart socket (the Pioneer sports three) and the slightly cold sound. Otherwise, it has the right looks and size, its easy to set up and offers something altogether more detailed and alluring than a one-box package system. Add to this the fact that its the only model in the test to sport Dolby Pro-Logic IIx and youre onto a winner. Alan Sircom

FEATURES 6 x 70W (RMS) amplifier power; 96kHz/24bit D/A converter; Dolby Digital/EX, DTS/ES, Dolby ProLogic II/IIx, DTS Neo:6; Yamaha DSP (28 modes, 48 variations) processing modes; Virtual Cinema DSP; Silent Cinema; Night Listening mode; onscreen display; remote Control with preset manufacturer codes; colour-coded speaker terminals with cable tags; dimensions: 435(w) x 55.5(h) x 330(d)mm; weight: 6.4kg SOCKETS Front: optical digital audio; stereo phono audio; composite video phono inputs Rear: Scart in, Scart out; 2 optical digital audio and coaxial digital inputs; AM/FM aerial inputs; subwoofer output; six channel speaker outputs CONTACT www.yamaha-audio.co.uk TEST DATA Manufacturers output: 70W per channel (1kHz, 6, 1% THD) Power output @ 1kHz: 50W (8, 0.1% THD); 65W (4, 0.1% THD) Fidelity firewall: 10W @ 0.05% THD (8) Distortion @ 50W: 0.1% (8, 1kHz) Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz 1.4dB For a full explanation of test data, see page 132

WHATS GOOD

Very slim profile; vivid sound; all digital design; easy installation

WHATS BAD

Single Scart; could be warmer sounding

PERFORMANCE

Normally, Yamaha products have a distinctive richness to the sound produced but that is kept well in the background here. The overall sound is fresh, clean and precise, if slightly clinical. Its not that up-front sounding though, and the sound is in the main very well balanced and a fine trade-off.
SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE

77777 77777

OVERALL VERDICT
All digital design keeps the Yamaha slim but only one Scart severely limits video flexibility

A dozen remotes in one

July 2004 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV 101

0407WHC07 YAMAHAH/ELAC SYSTEM

5/21/04

11:29 am

Page 26

Yamaha/Elac System # Separate Components
Yamaha DV-SL100 DVD player 160 Yamaha RX-SL100RDS amp 400 Elac Cinema 05 ESP speakers 300
This blend of Yamaha and Elac components may not be particularly exciting to look at, but can it deliver an attention-grabbing performance for around 860?
Black levels are strong and theres no obvious fringing or patterning on details thanks to progressive scan
hese Yamaha and Elac components may look understated (especially when compared to our Cambridge Audio/KEF separates on page 24), but will appeal to anyone after a fuss-free setup. The Yamaha DV-SL100 DVD player and RX-SL100RDS amp are housed in slender, sliver units measuring just 5cm high and, while the low button count may seem a bit Spartan, behind the less-than-exciting exteriors lie some of the most up-to-date features around. The partnering speakers comprise Elacs Cinema 05 ESP the German brands most affordable package yet. The satellites have a reassuringly solid build and their sliver cabinets blend perfectly with the Yamaha electronics. The compact, ported
subwoofer is similarly finished, and has a useful set of controls on the back to control its output. To get these components working together youll need to invest in a set of speaker cables, as well as connections between the DVD player and TV and DVD player and amp. DVD player setup is taken care of by an on-screen menu system, but the amplifiers setup menus are via the front panel display using the remote control not the most intuitive method we have seen. Still, the remote can control both components, and has backlit controls for use in the dark.

Six of the best

The RX-SL100RDS employs six channels of digital surround sound amplification, rated at a powerful 100W each. It can the handle 6.1-channel surround sound formats Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES and DTS ES Discrete, and utilises a sixth channel positioned at the rear centre to provide more convincing wraparound effects and fly-overs. Of course, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks are also taken
care of, for when it is connected to a five-speaker system. Stereo sources, meanwhile, can be converted into near-digital 5.1 surround sound using Dolby Pro-Logic II and DTS Neo:6 processing. Moreover, this amp is the first model we have seen to incorporate Dolbys latest processing incarnation: Pro-Logic IIx, for converting stereo sources into near-digital 6.1-channel surround sound. Yamaha is known for its sophisticated processing modes, and the RX-SL100RDS adds a whopping 43 digital signal processing (DSP) variations on a home cinema theme, plus five DSP modes for hi-fi listening in surround sound. Most are intended to give a more accurate acoustic representation of a movie theatre. The DV-SL100 DVD player has a similarly high specification. Its a progressive scan model, which means it offers superior images to a suitably-equipped screen via its component video output. RGB, S-video and composite video signals are also available. It has flexible disc capabilities, too, and
What Home Cinema July 2004

11:30 am

Page 27
Yamaha/ELAC System # Separate Components
will playback DVD+RW/R and DVD-RW/R self-recorded discs as well as JPEG files stored on CD-R and CD-RWs. Sadly, though, theres no capability for playback of Super Audio CD or DVD-Audio high-resolution music formats.

Job well done

Picture quality is very impressive, with the Venice setting of the opening sequences of our test disc The Italian Job demonstrating the Yamahas almost flawless capabilities. Colours are rich and PERFECT PARTNERS
mostly natural, and the citys canals are their distinctive turquoise colour. Black levels are particularly strong, and theres no obvious fringing or patterning on intricate details on buildings thanks to progressive scan. The only criticism we can muster concerns a slightly soft-focused picture presentation and the slightly geared-towards-red colour palette. But these are minor quibbles, and picture settings can easily be adjusted via the players menus. TEST SCENES

PLASMA OR PROJECTOR

THE ITALIAN JOB

HITACHI 42PD5200 3,000

Hitachi have included their ALiS technology into this 42in widescreen plasma that enhances picture quality

ITALIAN CHIT CHAT

Dialogue has excellent clarity and depth, which in loud explosive movie like The Italian Job is vital to the home cinema experience

TOSHIBA TDP-MT100 1,450

This DLP projector makes good use of the progressive scan facility included on the Yamaha/Elac combi system

FLYING MINIS

Surround effects are expertly placed during the carchase sequences, and echo around the room
Elacs Cinema 05 ESP fivespeaker package makes an ideal partnership, and provides an open and detailed sound that fits well with the sonic characteristics of the Yamaha amp. It creates a wide soundstage, and action effects move accurately from speaker to speaker during the speedboat chase sequence on Venices canals. Dialogue, meanwhile, has good clarity and depth, but the subwoofer does exhibit minor flaws. Its a little enthusiastic, over-powering the satellites, and is one of the few models where we have had to reduce its output level to achieve an even balance between bass and treble. Music, however, sounds good, and is particularly impressive when listening to Zero 7s Simple Things using Dolbys Pro-Logic IIx music processing mode (when connected to a six-speaker package). The system creates an evocative soundstage that is easy to listen to. In plain stereo mode the combi also proves a capable performer, with drive and energy. These Yamaha and Elac separates match aesthetically and sonically to deliver a top performance. Minor picture and sound criticisms aside, the combi makes for an unassuming yet highly-specified home cinema system and, at around 860, it is a very attractive setup. WHC

GOOD POINTS

Yamaha components have outstanding specification and performance, and Elacs speaker system makes an ideal sonic partner

BAD POINTS

Noisy cooling fan can be intrusive and DVD display is difficult to read. Slightly soft picture performance and overly red colours

OVERALL

One of the most future-proof separates combis we have seen. Good performance from individual components combines to produce a home cinema setup with sonic synergy and strong pictures

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall ########$$ ########$$ #########$ #########$ #########$ #########$ #########$