Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3010 review. Long over due!

pearsall001

Well, it's been a good 4 months now that I've had the Yamaha RX-A3010 AVR in my system & I'm ready to pass on my over due review.

First off this thing is a 40lb+ beast, built like a tank & easy on the eyes to boot. I did a lot of homework & must have looked at over a dozen or so units including processors. The list however dwindled rather quickly when I decided to go with an 11.2 system. The old saying...go BIG or go HOME fits this scenerio to a tee.

I don't know how many of you have experienced an 11.2 home system but it will have you scratching your head looking for words to describe it. Coming form a 5.2 system to this is simply amazing. When playing a BD movie I'll switch back to the 5.2 mode & the room simply collapses & sounds completely empty. Flip the switch back to 11.2 & all hell breaks loose. Yamaha really does an outstanding job with their DSP programs along with their front & rear presence speakers. There is nothing artifical about it all. Just balls to the wall enveloping sound!!

Another reason I went with the AVR vs Processor is simply the power requirements. I didn't want to have to deal with multiple amps to get the job done. With the Rotel handling the 5 main speakers & the Yammie powering the rest is just perfection.

The sound quality for HT is very, & I mean very dynamic. The unit kicks in hi hear with effects that you didn't think were possible. I simply can't say enough about how enveloping the sound in my room is with the 11.2 engaged. From the slightest rain drop falling to the quitest vocals, to the wall shattering explosions...the sound is simply astounding.

But how is it for 2 channel listening you ask??? Simply awesome. Yamaha really pulled put all the stops with their design & I can honestly say the pre section in 2 channel mode is utterly transparent, neutral & just gets out of the way & presents the music as pure as can be. That's what I look for in a pre...no coloration of the music signal. My opinion is that's not what a pre is supposed to do. It is simply a control center that should pass everything fed to it without adding to it. As a true audiophile will tell you...the best pre is no pre. The RX-A3010 does just that.

I am overly impressed with the unit & can give it a full 5 thumbs recommendation. Anyone looking for a new AVR or Pre & wants to go "BIG"...as in 11.2 I say "Just Do It"

larry777

Looking at your signature...Go Big or Stay Home pretty well sums it up. Nice review of the RX-A3010.

gce

I was pricing the A3010 today But for the wrong reasons. After thinking about it I think I'll just go with an external amp, Probably a Parasound. My A810 Sounds fantastic and I'm not going over 5.1 so getting a A3010 is overkill. I can say that I agree that when you put this Yamaha on Pure Direct that the 2 channel sound is really good. So a Parasound amp added to the mix should do me just fine.

Glad you're enjoying your A3010 and all those speakers! :cool:

polkfarmboy

Good read and thanks for putting in the time, receivers just seem to be getting better and better these days. I would love some one to just get a whole bunch of great gear and do a comparison

leroyjr1

Some audio **** would be nice.

F1nut

When playing a BD movie I'll switch back to the 5.2 mode & the room simply collapses & sounds completely empty. Flip the switch back to 11.2 & all hell breaks loose.

So, in 5.2 it's just like any other AVR. Got it.

pearsall001

F1nut wrote: »

So, in 5.2 it's just like any other AVR. Got it.

Not even close.

cnh

Nice review, Phil! I think these new Aventage units have really brought life back into the Yamaha AVR game (it was losing the race for a while, there). Jesse's comment is funny! As you know most soundtracks are struggling to get to 7.1 or 7.2 on BR, many are still just 5.1. So essentially, the Yamaha is faux processing 11.2 (but it looks like it's doing a great job).

When I say faux, I should add that I really love the Neo-THX option for processing TV sound on my Onkyo. That is a kind of faux processing as well-but it sounds better than the TVs Dolby Digital.

If I were in the market for a new AVR (and my "wife" says I'm "not"). Yamaha would be a consideration, only the Aventage series though, because I think Onkyo still blows them out on the lower end. And even up top. Onkyos are still over 50 lbs. lol

I also have NO room for 11.2. But am waiting for TOTAL MEMBRANE surround. Which I've described elsewhere. It is a way of simulating the "womb" experience where the fetus receives sound from a habitat that distributes it to ALL parts of its body. In this scenario, all six sides of your room are vibrating sound producing membranes and the floor is reinforced by dozens of bass shakers and riddled with in floor subwoofers (wall to wall in fact). Using the TOTAL MEMBRANE system we can and do SURROUND you from all possible sides, heights, widths and we TERRORIZE any pets you may have (produce an anxiety ridden fear that prevents them from even thinking about entering the room.

Add to that a paper thin OLED wall size 3D screen that is also one of the 6 total wall membrane speakers and you are in the WOMB. MATRIX move to the side. The man cave has become the AV return to the womb experience. Total "dreaming" all the time. Some will simply lose their minds and be unable to leave the room! Because ordinary reality will pale compared to the Total Membrane experience. Amplification! Who knows (probably many 10,000s of watts since you have so much surface to move).



Good Stuff!

cnh

heiney9

cnh wrote: »

Nice review, Phil! I think these new Aventage units have really brought life back into the Yamaha AVR game
cnh

That right there is more truth than Phil's. There is no AVR unit that could possibly match a well designed high end pre-amp for 2 channel duty, even though Phil swears there is.

Not taking anything away from the Yammy AVR.

That's like saying a cross-over vehicle is as good on a race track and a full blown race car.

H9

dkg999

heiney9 wrote: »

That right there is more truth than Phil's. There is no AVR unit that could possibly match a well designed high end pre-amp for 2 channel duty, even though Phil swears there is.

Not taking anything away from the Yammy AVR.

That's like saying a cross-over vehicle is as good on a race track and a full blown race car.

H9

I think the new Bryston AVR may challenge your hypothesis a bit. It's 2 channel pre-amp section was designed by Nelson Pass :razz:

heiney9

I'm sure both the Bryston and Yammy are nice, but they wouldn't compare to a Pass Labs pre-amp. But then I guess that would depend on what your end goal is, since we all have different goals and are willing to compromise in some areas. If HT and 2CH out of the same rig is the compromise, then perhaps some of these AVR's might float one's boat.

Weird that he would design a pre-amp stage as Wayne Colburn has been handling that task at Pass Labs for about a decade. Perhaps NP had some input or they are using one of his designs, but for him to do like he did with Adcom, these days, would seem counter productive as he's concentrating his efforts elsewhere.

He certainly has a great deal of input into the Pass Labs pre's, but Wayne is the day to day tasker when it comes to the final pre-amps at Pass Labs.

H9

dkg999

H9 - I might been joking on that Nelson Pass thingy! You never know what might appear on the internet and be taken as the truth. Bryston probably has sold several units because people found my above post!

pearsall001

heiney9 wrote: »

That right there is more truth than Phil's. There is no AVR unit that could possibly match a well designed high end pre-amp for 2 channel duty, even though Phil swears there is.

Not taking anything away from the Yammy AVR.

That's like saying a cross-over vehicle is as good on a race track and a full blown race car.

H9

That's an awful lot of assumptions in a single post. Of course nothing to back it up but opinion. Never, ever assume...you know how that always ends.

mantis

heiney9 wrote: »

That right there is more truth than Phil's. There is no AVR unit that could possibly match a well designed high end pre-amp for 2 channel duty, even though Phil swears there is.

Not taking anything away from the Yammy AVR.

That's like saying a cross-over vehicle is as good on a race track and a full blown race car.

H9

B&K , NAD , Rotel , Anthem , Arcam , McIntosh, Sherbourn all make AVR's that can challenge many high end Pre's. And in anyone's opinion , a Yamaha , Onkyo , Integra , Pioneer Elite can make for a stellar preamp with the right amps , speakers , cables , a good room and a proper calibration.

mantis

heiney9 wrote: »

I'm sure both the Bryston and Yammy are nice, but they wouldn't compare to a Pass Labs pre-amp. But then I guess that would depend on what your end goal is, since we all have different goals and are willing to compromise in some areas. If HT and 2CH out of the same rig is the compromise, then perhaps some of these AVR's might float one's boat.

Weird that he would design a pre-amp stage as Wayne Colburn has been handling that task at Pass Labs for about a decade. Perhaps NP had some input or they are using one of his designs, but for him to do like he did with Adcom, these days, would seem counter productive as he's concentrating his efforts elsewhere.

He certainly has a great deal of input into the Pass Labs pre's, but Wayne is the day to day tasker when it comes to the final pre-amps at Pass Labs.


H9

Honestly it really comes down to the user. I agree just about all dual purpose rigs are a compromise in one way or another. It's so hard to get both right in the same system. But it can be done.

mantis

pearsall001 wrote: »

That's an awful lot of assumptions in a single post. Of course nothing to back it up but opinion. Never, ever assume...you know how that always ends.

It's cool man , everyone has an opinion and his is based off his experience. When one has not tried , one doesn't know. Just be happy with your rig dude , I gotta get over for a demo , I'm sure it's fantastic and lives up to your standards. Thats the end goal anyway , being happy with your system you spend so much time and effort assembling.

pearsall001

mantis wrote: »

It's cool man , everyone has an opinion and his is based off his experience. When one has not tried , one doesn't know. Just be happy with your rig dude , I gotta get over for a demo , I'm sure it's fantastic and lives up to your standards. Thats the end goal anyway , being happy with your system you spend so much time and effort assembling.

The door's open & the Octoberfest beers are awaiting!!!

billbillw

I have to say, I'm enjoying my a3010 as well. I won't try to say its going to replace my BAT tube preamp for 2-channel listening, but it does seem pretty clean. My HT setup is just not setup for critical 2-ch listening so I doubt I will ever use it in that fashion. I am also a bit confused by Phil's posts talking about 11.2 sounding so great. I was under the impression that the A3010 was only a 9.2 receiver based on the Yamaha brochures, etc. Without digging through every page of the manual, have you found a way to do 11.2 with this receiver or was that a typo?

Also, wanted to mention, the Yamaha smartphone app (Android or iOS)is simply awesome! It is clean, simple, fast, yet informative, and often works better than the onscreen menus for making quick settings changes. This app works with many of the newest network capable Yamaha receivers. Up until I got the A3010, I didn't think I had a use for the network features, but I have now changed my mind. Pandora is simply amazing for background listening (the SQ is not up to par for critical listening) and for more critical listening, it can stream/play FLAC files from my PC. That is awesome! I have yet to hook my iPod to the receiver, but supposedly, it has a nice direct control feature.

I must also say, even though this Yamaha is their top of the line and weighs 40lbs, it is not a beast IMO. It is sufficient for most home theaters and can match the power output from pretty much any of the other current/recent year top receivers, but it simply does not match my previous Onkyo SR805 in weight or power output. Luckily, my current HT speakers are easy to drive (8 ohm, ~90dB sensitive) and the Yamaha has no problem achieving reference sound levels. However, if I had 4 ohm speakers or ones with lower sensitivity, I think the Yamaha might struggle. The Onkyo would not have trouble with either. Its a shame that all (even Onkyo) of the current mainstream receivers are not capable of the kind of continuous current/power output that the receivers of yester-year were capable of. Just try and find a current year model that can do 150w into 7 channels driven like the old SR805 could do. You won't find one.

heiney9

pearsall001 wrote: »

That's an awful lot of assumptions in a single post. Of course nothing to back it up but opinion. Never, ever assume...you know how that always ends.

Right, and you have heard 1/2 dozen or more really high end pre-amps in your system to make your statement a fact and not your opinion?

Look Phil, I'm just discussing, it's nothing personal and I realize we are on differnt journeys and have different expectations, and we all like what we have or we wouldn't have it. Not calling anyone out or any piece of gear of manufacturer. I never implied it sounded poor or wasn't a great AVR......just that it's unrealistic for you to say (you said the same thing about your NAD AVR) that it's as good in 2CH as high end seperates. I'm sure it is better than some seperates that are available.

Really, you think it could run with the big boy's? You said that about your NAD receiver and apparently this is even better in 2CH, no? So if the NAD was the bee's knee's and couldn't get any better as you once said, apparently an AVR can better the NAD. Don'tcha think really well designed seperates could beat the Yammy?

If you say no, you and Dan are delusional. :razz:

It's funny because you and Dan are about the only two here that think an AVR can run with really good seperates. Many people have used what Dan has described for pre-amps, and in almost every case moving to even modest seperates made a marked difference to them. This is in many cases......I guess they are all wrong or mistaken or have a placebo effect.

Anyway as always, enjoy what you have and listen to tunes.

H9

P.s. I am in no way trying to be elitest or condescending in my reply.

gce

billbillw wrote: »

I was under the impression that the A3010 was only a 9.2 receiver based on the Yamaha brochures, etc. Without digging through every page of the manual, have you found a way to do 11.2 with this receiver or was that a typo?

I believe you have to add an Amp. to the mix for 11.2.

leroyjr1

gce wrote: »

I believe you have to add an Amp. to the mix for 11.2.

Correct, the AVR only powers 9 of the 11 channels. A external amp is needed.

pearsall001

heiney9 wrote: »

Right, and you have heard 1/2 dozen or more really high end pre-amps in your system to make your statement a fact and not your opinion?

Look Phil, I'm just discussing, it's nothing personal and I realize we are on differnt journeys and have different expectations, and we all like what we have or we wouldn't have it. Not calling anyone out or any piece of gear of manufacturer. I never implied it sounded poor or wasn't a great AVR......just that it's unrealistic for you to say (you said the same thing about your NAD AVR) that it's as good in 2CH as high end seperates. I'm sure it is better than some seperates that are available.

Really, you think it could run with the big boy's? You said that about your NAD receiver and apparently this is even better in 2CH, no? So if the NAD was the bee's knee's and couldn't get any better as you once said, apparently an AVR can better the NAD. Don'tcha think really well designed seperates could beat the Yammy?

If you say no, you and Dan are delusional. :razz:

It's funny because you and Dan are about the only two here that think an AVR can run with really good seperates. Many people have used what Dan has described for pre-amps, and in almost every case moving to even modest seperates made a marked difference to them. This is in many cases......I guess they are all wrong or mistaken or have a placebo effect.

Anyway as always, enjoy what you have and listen to tunes.

H9

P.s. I am in no way trying to be elitest or condescending in my reply.

I must say Brock, you didn't dissapoint in your response. I think maybe our definition of what a preamp is supposed to do is our main sticky point. I want transparancy, & I look for a neutral piece that simply does not impart a signature sound on the music. For my listening critique the moment a preamp adds it's own sound into the mix I consider that piece as more of a processor than a preamp. My ideal preamp is simply a control center that passes the music thru unaltered, & I can say that both my NAD & now the Yamaha due exactly that. They simply get out of the way & let the music flow. If I want to change up my sound I have other ways I can do that. I just like things simple.

And for those that swear a preamp gave them a new found music presentation coming from their AVR they most likely are correct. The pre acted as a processor & imparted it's signature sound & the listener liked the new sound better. No argument here...we like what we like & I personally don't feel the need that I have to go the separate route to accomplish my goal. I still stand by my statement that the AVR can go toe to toe with a separate pre & not interfere with the sound. Tunes are awaiting...gotta go!!

mantis

heiney9 wrote: »

Right, and you have heard 1/2 dozen or more really high end pre-amps in your system to make your statement a fact and not your opinion?

Look Phil, I'm just discussing, it's nothing personal and I realize we are on differnt journeys and have different expectations, and we all like what we have or we wouldn't have it. Not calling anyone out or any piece of gear of manufacturer. I never implied it sounded poor or wasn't a great AVR......just that it's unrealistic for you to say (you said the same thing about your NAD AVR) that it's as good in 2CH as high end seperates. I'm sure it is better than some seperates that are available.

Really, you think it could run with the big boy's? You said that about your NAD receiver and apparently this is even better in 2CH, no? So if the NAD was the bee's knee's and couldn't get any better as you once said, apparently an AVR can better the NAD. Don'tcha think really well designed seperates could beat the Yammy?

If you say no, you and Dan are delusional. :razz:

It's funny because you and Dan are about the only two here that think an AVR can run with really good seperates. Many people have used what Dan has described for pre-amps, and in almost every case moving to even modest seperates made a marked difference to them. This is in many cases......I guess they are all wrong or mistaken or have a placebo effect.

Anyway as always, enjoy what you have and listen to tunes.

H9

P.s. I am in no way trying to be elitest or condescending in my reply.

It's all a matter of opinion man. I've been around a long time and have own and Installed just about everything under the sun. I've done 750k theater and 500k 2 channel systems in my days.
I've also done Bose systems , theater in the box , entry level receivers and speakers in less then ideal rooms.
What I'm saying is there are a few AVR's on the market that have a pre type sound. Not many as I totally agree with a general AVR statement. Honestly I'm no fan of using a AVR as a pre but I have found a few that shocked me.
Phil seems very happy with his decision and his system is sounding the way he wants it to. Coming from NAD and going Yamaha as a pre speaks volumes when that person is very happy. I also came from a pre to a receiver as a pre and was shocked with my personal results from Rotel to Pioneer Elite. Not all preamps sound better then high quality AVR's as a pre. Most do however as many AVR's as a pre or as a AVR kinda have that noisy AVR sound. It transfers into the external amp and still sound exactly like it did when it was just a AVR. I have done that many times and thats where I formed my opinion that if you want to go separates , then go separates , don't add a amp to a AVR.
I think however this is a very good topic and should be started into a new thread. I wouldn't mind if you started it as many could express their opinions on this matter. I for one have many stories to tell on this topic.

mdaudioguy

If I had the coin, I'd upgrade now. The ONLY thing I don't like about my RX-A1000, is the inability to run 9.1. It's either standard 7.1, or 5.1 plus 2 presence... i.e. you have to choose a mode that allows presence OR back surround - not both. :sad: I've never understood why they didn't make this a possibility with the user's addition of at least a 2-channel amp. My understanding is that I should have gone one up in the line to get this capability. Other than that, I can't say enough good things about the AVENTAGE line. Wonderful AVRs, and worthy competitors to the Pioneer Elite SC line, IMO.

DrkHwk

Currently own the 3010 and can't say enuff about it. Love it. Had a onkyo 809 and ended up takin it back. Always felt I had to tweak it to make it sound right, no so with the 3010

nolec5

I've got the upgrade bug and think I've narrowed down to three receivers. I currently have an onkyo 607 with monitor 70s and am thinking about an onkyo 818, aventage 2020 or 3020. I really like the way the 3020 sounds but not sure if I can justify the cost. I also think I would like air play whih is why I think I'm leaning towards a yamaha.

Are we getting to the time of year when some of these models will start to come down in price?

billbillw

nolec5 wrote: »

Are we getting to the time of year when some of these models will start to come down in price?

We are at the time when LAST year's models are steeply discounted, but expect the current model year receivers to be near full price. The 2010 and 3010 are going cheap now. I less than 1/2 retail price for my A3010 floor model at Magnolia (that was with all accessories included). You won't get Airplay with the Ax010 models though.

badchad

dumb noobish question, but how does airplay differ from basic networking capabilities?

I have the ios app for my 2010, and I'm impressed with it.

pearsall001

nolec5 wrote: »

I've got the upgrade bug and think I've narrowed down to three receivers. I currently have an onkyo 607 with monitor 70s and am thinking about an onkyo 818, aventage 2020 or 3020. I really like the way the 3020 sounds but not sure if I can justify the cost. I also think I would like air play whih is why I think I'm leaning towards a yamaha.

Are we getting to the time of year when some of these models will start to come down in price?

If you can get away without Airplay then you can can get a great deal on the A3010. Which is the same as the A3020 minus the Airplay. Other than that you'll have to wait awhile till the new units start getting discounted.

nwohlford

badchad wrote: »

dumb noobish question, but how does airplay differ from basic networking capabilities?

I have the ios app for my 2010, and I'm impressed with it.

Airplay allows you to play audio directly from an iOS device. For my Marantz SR-7005, when I select the Marantz from the Airplay icon on the toolbar it turns on the avr and I can control the AVR volume directly from the Airplay volume. I find it really convenient for streaming spotify, since within the Spotify app, I can turn on the AVR and control the volume.

You can also stream from iTunes and some other programs from your pc/ mac.

nolec5

If it were you would you how with an onkyo 818 ($799 at afl) or aventage 3010 ($1,400 at amazon)?