0308HCC02 Yamaha RX-V540 P

29/5/03

1:38 PM

Page 98

AVReceiver
YAMAHA RX-V540RDS N 380 (APPROX) N N www.yamaha-audio.co.uk
Build quality is high for this price point

Wham bam, thank you Yam!

TIRED OF FUSSY, PRISSY AV RECEIVERS THAT LEAD YOU ON AND DONT PUT OUT? MARTIN PIPE DELIGHTS IN THE SAUCY YAMAHA RX-V540RDS WHICH JUST GETS RIGHT DOWN TO IT
between manufacturers like Yamaha, Denon and Harman Kardon has brought steadily improving gear within reach of those with more sense than money. Todays 400 amp is equipped with luxuries like component video switching, Dolby Pro-Logic II and 6.1 decoding. Not so long ago, such features would have been restricted to the mid-range and upwards. The new RX-V540RDS from Yamaha is a case in point. It replaces the RX-V530RDS, a well-specified budget model, with all of the above goodies.
No backlit buttons or learning ability on the remote, though
here are a fair number of AV amps and receivers under 400 to choose from. Competition
conventional five channels of amplification (theres a DTS-ES/Dolby Digital EX 6.1 decoder, but this has to operate in a virtual rear-centre mode there isnt even a line-level rear-centre upgrade output for the true 6.1 experience), the new 540 gives you the full complement of six channels as standard. Yes, this new Yammy is one of the most affordable EX/ES amps you can currently buy. And it sells for only 10 more than last years model. We expect that Yamahas rivals will follow suit, with similar six-channel kit. What else has changed? There are now two sets of front-channel speaker outputs. Okay, theyre not capable of true

LAB REPORT

Manufacturers rated output: 70W per channel (20Hz-20kHz, 8, 0.06%THD) Measured power output @ 1kHz (2 channel): 90W (8, 0.1% THD); 70W (4, 0.1% THD) Measured power output @ 1kHz (5-channel): 35W (8, 0.1% THD); 30W (4, 0.1% THD) Fidelity firewall: 80W @ 0.05% THD (8) Distortion @ 50W: 0.01% (8, 1kHz) Frequency response: 20Hz20kHz +/- 0.1dB
presence is far better than nothing. After all, we would all like the opportunity to have music in the next room! A look at the trademark Yamaha front panel shows up other differences. There are now two large rotary controls, the volume control having been joined by an equally tactile source selector far superior to the predecessors buttons. The 530s convenient bass and treble knobs have gone; tone adjustment is now menu-driven. But this change is more than compensated for elsewhere on the tone control front. Unusually in this price range, the centre channel benefits from a five-band graphic equaliser. Its tonal characteristic can thus be modified. Those who hide their centre speakers behind a projection screen (or
Conveniently placed front AV inputs

ALL THE WAY

But it goes one further quite literally, in fact. While the old 530 has the
multi-room operation: you cant listen to a different source using a pair of speakers connected to the second set of outputs. But their

AUGUST

1:39 PM

Page 99

Tried&Tested
Consider this a thoroughbred movie machine and you wont be disappointed
use aftermarket speakers that may differ timbrally from the rest of the system) now have some redress. Another interesting and potentially useful feature is background video. Here, you can watch pictures from a video source while listening to an independent audio source. Monitoring the football results (or a security camera) while listening to a CD is thus possible! (assignable) component video inputs. But no conversion is available here; the front-panel inputs are restricted to composite video and stereo audio. Theres only one coaxial electrical digital input, but Yamaha has made up for this by including no fewer than three optical ones (plus an output). Digital inputs can be assigned to the sources of your choice, courtesy of the front-panel menus (note that the 540 doesnt make use of onscreen displays). These menus are organised fairly well and provide all manner of adjustments. Even the front panel display brightness can be altered! All the usual surround setup parameters (room size, speaker complement, levels and distance/delay) are present, as is a test noise sequencer. You should be up and running in half an hour. Note that theres no overall audio delay. But how many of these amps will be partnering 2K-plus plasmas? Surround modes are a traditional Yamaha strong point, thanks in part to the digital signal processing chippery (in this case, a proprietary YSS-938) that the

company develops in-house. With Yamahas heritage in mind, it shouldnt shock you to learn that all of the important formats Dolby Digital/EX, DTS/ES (Matrix and Discrete), DTS Neo:6 Music/Cinema, Pro-Logic, Pro-Logic II Music/Movies are here. The only thing of any significance that isnt supported is DTS 24/96. And have you found any compatible software? No, didnt think so! In addition to all of this are Yamahas famous hi-fi and cinema DSPs, of which there are some 34 variations.

RATINGS

Highs: Solid performer, plenty of features, versatile connectivity Lows: Lacks transparency with music
Picture Sound Features Overall #### #### ####12 ####12

FEATURES

40-preset FM/AM tuner with RDS; universal remote; centre-channel EQ; composite to S-video conversion; dynamic range compression; 24bit/96kHz DACs; freely-assignable digital inputs; background video mode Surround formats supported: Dolby Digital/EX; DTS/DTS-ES (discrete/matrix); DTS Neo:6; Pro-Logic; Pro-Logic II; Silent Cinema (virtual headphone surround); 5 hi-fi DSPs; 9 Cinema DSPs (34 variations) Connections (AV): 4 stereo audio (1 front), composite/S-video; composite, 2 assignable component video Connections (audio): Recorder, CD, 5.1 input; 4 assignable digital inputs (3 optical, 1 coaxial); optical output; binding posts 6 mains + 2nd set of fronts ( also accept 4mm banana plugs); component, composite, S-video outputs for monitor; 1/4in headphone output Dimensions: 435(w) x 161(h) x 390(d)mm; Weight: 11kg

AURAL STIMULATION

In use, the 540 dramatically outperforms its price point. Movie atmosphere, placement and depth are all conveyed well. So too are dynamics, certainly at reasonable listening levels. As soon as the volume is wicked up, though, the cracks begin to show. Steering remains excellent, but higher frequencies take on a noticeably edgy quality. We suggest you partner the 540 with a sensitive speaker array. When it comes to audioonly sources, I found the 540 strangely given the strong movie performance to be emotionally uninvolving (there are no tone defeat or source direct modes on this model, by the way). But should we expect perfection for 380? Consider this a thoroughbred movie machine and you wont be disappointed. In our view, the 540 is a steal at the price I

ANY WAY YOU WANT

On the subject of connectivity, the 540 doesnt disappoint. Yamaha has made (analogue) provision for a CD player, tape deck and 5.1 audio source (SACD/DVD-A). The internal 40-preset radio tuner covers both VHF/FM and AM/MW and supports RDS. On the AV front, a VCR (rec/play loop), DVD player and TV tuner are catered for S-video terminals join the composite and stereo audio terminals that would be expected of a sub-400 product. Unusually, the 540 will up-convert to S-video. As a result, you wont need to run two sets of cables to your display. There are also two
H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 99

0308wv06 Yammy Amp grp

12/6/2003

11:39 am

Page 111

group t est

YAMAHA RX-V540RDS

AV receiver

Specification
FEATURES 6.1-channel FM-RDS/MW receiver; 80W per channel, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06% THD, 8 single and paired channels; second zone, second source capability; Dolby Digital 5.1/EX, Dolby Pro-Logic, DPL II music/movies, DTS 5.1/ES Matrix/ Discrete, DTS Neo:6 Music/Cinema; 15 DSPs with 44 variations; coded multi-component remote control SOCKETS Audio only: 1 line, 1 tape; AV: 2 line, 1 tape, composite video & S-video; 6-channel audio input; 2 assignable component video inputs; digital inputs: 3 optical, 1 electrical, all assignable; 1 optical digital output; 8 pairs of speaker terminals, including second main speaker pair; aerial inputs; analogue audio & composite video in; headphone socket DIMENSIONS 161(h) x 435(w) x 390(d)mm

Yam raid

This Yamaha receiver is replete with DSP processing modes, but are they compensating for hidden weaknesses?
If you want to spice up your recordings with everything but the sight and smell of a jazz club, concert hall or movie theatre, Yamaha will be your first port of call. Yamaha was the first to sample real-life acoustics from around the world and code them onto silicon. You can use them, or switch them off your choice. Others have followed Yamahas lead, but very few offer the same variety or adjustability of soundfields. There are 15 basic sound patterns in this case, with 44 variations. Some wouldnt live without this feature, while others see it as a gimmick one that can mask subtle information in the soundtrack. Personal taste is the key here. Finished with a moulded front panel which rather optimistically
Well-differentiated control groups make the learning experience painless
announces itself as titanium, this is a 6.1-channel, Top-ART receiver. Top-ART is a loosely connected package of measures which address sound quality. The list includes an isolated chassis and a symmetrical internal channel layout, along with certain enhancements to the digital processing. Yamahas YSS-936 32-bit floating-point processor is responsible for the complex tasks of real-time soundfield creation and steering. The power rating is 115W per channel, but this is according to the DIN standard, which tends to yield inflated figures. Handy sockets include front audio and composite video inputs, great for camcorder users. S-video and digital audio inputs are only available on the back panel, though. Silent Cinema is Yamahas answer to Dolby Headphone, which purports to give a multichannel effect from stereo headphones. A five-band graphic equaliser helps correct voicing disparities affecting the centre speaker. A worthy aim, and sometimes sorely needed, but there are severe limitations to this approach. Setup is somewhat obtuse, to which Yamaha would probably counter until you know how to do it. Maybe, but some of the difficulties are unnecessary and make this procedure unintuitive.

PERFORMANCE

The RX-V540RDS is a decent receiver, with a respectable performance. It is not one of the front-runners in this group test, though in its favour, it is priced a little below group average. Its main failing is that the bass sounds rather tubby and uneven, adding colouration to the sound. This is especially problematic with music, which can sound curiously opaque and plasticky. Similar effects are also apparent with the speech and special-effects portion of some film soundtracks. Specials effects lack their customary sparkle and authority and, although many films are not obviously affected, the overall results are disappointing. More positively, DSP effects are gloriously effective. The soundfields generated by mixing Dolby Digital and DTS with the Movie Theatre DSP are particularly effective. There is a noticeable increase in sonic depth and space. Whether the enhanced sound is your cup of tea is something only you can discern. But we feel they add a unique flavour that compensates for this receivers deficiencies s

WEIGHT 11kg CONTACT Yamaha Electronics (UK) Ltd www.yamaha-audio.co.uk TEST DATA Manufacturers output: 80W per channel (20Hz-20kHz, 8, 0.06% THD) Power output @ 1kHz: 35W (8, 0.1% THD); 30W (4, 0.1% THD) Fidelity firewall: 85W @ 0.05% THD (8) Distortion @ 50W: 0.01% (8, 1kHz) Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz 0.06dB

What we think

WHATS GOOD DSP modes; image steering WHATS BAD Not as focussed or transparent as some
SOUND. FEATURES. EASE OF USE VALUE. 77777. 77777. 77777. 77777

Verdict 77777

Hugely impressive DSP processing, but sound quality could be better
August 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT 111