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Yamaha RX-Z7: Review

Posted to Audio Components 2009-08-14

The Yamaha RX-Z7 Home Theater Receiver is Yamaha's latest offering in their high-end Z-series of A/V receivers. It offers the latest digital features for the ultimate home theater system. The RX-Z7 features 7-channel output with 980W of total power, 4-zone operation with versatile control, a built-in web server for control, and an HD radio tuner.

In addition, the receiver features operation as a network receiver, 1080p HDMI capability with dual HDMI simultaneous outputs, and full 1080p upconversion of existing analog and digital content. I/O options include 4 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, 3 component video inputs and 1 output, 5 optical 3 coaxial digital inputs, and 2 optical outputs. There are 2 USB ports, an RJ-45 Ethernet LAN port, and 2 IR ports. The unit includes a full-function universal remote control with learning and macro capability.

Rating:

5.0 out of 5

Features

The RX-Z7 has as many features as you will find on a home theater receiver. The receiver can be controlled from your PC using the built-in web server, and can also stream Internet radio, Sirius and Rhapsody content from a PC running Windows Media Center 11. It has all the I/O you could possibly need, and the 7 amplifiers can be assigned to multiple zones. It can also output video to 2 zones simultaneously and supports every Dolby format in existence.

Performance

The RX-Z7 delivers top notch audio and video quality, as one would expect with a receiver costing this much. That being said, there are a lot more expensive receivers on the market that don't have all of the features of this unit. The exclusive Yamaha YPAO system uses a small microphone and sophisticated equalization to tune the unit to its environment, and you can save up to 8 listening positions. And the 4-zone capability makes whole house audio a possibility.

Summary

It is hard to find anything to complain about with the RX-Z7, except for possibly the price. But you won't find more features on a set at any price, and performance is excellent. If you're in the process of building a high-end A/V system, definitely give the RX-Z7 a test-drive. The sound and video quality are outstanding, and the 1080p upconversion is as good as it gets. All in all a really excellent offering from Yamaha.

Pros

7 channel 980W power output
4 zone capability
Built-in web server
Simultaneous dual HD video out
Very generous I/O options

Cons

There are no cons for this product