Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A was introduced in 2020. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz and upscales up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 89 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluation section.

Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Yamaha RX-A2A vs RX-A880 vs RX-A870 vs RX-A860 vs RX-A850 vs RX-A840.

In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A.

In 2020 Yamaha released 3 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Yamaha RX-A2A vs RX-V6A vs RX-V4A.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A has replaced RX-A880. Here we present differences between these two models.

UPGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A	vs	Yamaha RX-A880
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization		vs
HDR10+		vs
QMS		vs
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through		vs
VRR		vs
QFT		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4	vs	up to 4K/60p 4:4:4
More 8K Inputs	7	vs
Lower THD	0.04% (AUDIO 3 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)	vs	0.06% (AV 2 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
Higher Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line)	2.4 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)	vs	2.3 V (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)
Higher Maximum Preout Level and Impedance	2.0 V	vs	1.6 V
Higher FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/68 dB	vs	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB

DOWNGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A	vs	Yamaha RX-A880
Less Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	YPAO sound optimization with Multipoint Measurement	vs	YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion		vs	Component**, Composite
Less HDMI Outputs	1	vs	2
Less Optical Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1	vs	2
Less RCA Line Inputs	3	vs	4 (1 front)
Less RCA Pre-Outs	2.2	vs	7.2
Less Composite Video Inputs		vs	1
Less Component Video Inputs		vs	1
Front A/V Inputs	USB	vs	USB, mini-jack Audio
Zone B Video Output		vs	HDMI
RS-232C Interface		vs
Smaller Power Supply	360 W	vs	400 W
Lower Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	105 W (0.9% THD)	vs	110 W (0.9% THD)
Lower Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven)	125 W (0.9% THD)	vs	130 W (0.9% THD)
Lower Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA)	150 W (10% THD)	vs	160 W (10% THD)
Lower Maximum Input Sensitivity (Phono)	45 mV (1 kHz, 0.5% THD)	vs	60 mV (1 kHz, 0.1% THD)
Lower S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	95 dB	vs	96 dB

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A vs RX-A880.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
• 2-ch Bi-Amp: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

Dolby Atmos

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A supports Dolby Atmos with Surround Upmixer and Atmos Height Virtualization.

• Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.
• Atmos Height Virtualization is a digital signal processing solution that leverages Dolby's deep understanding of human audio perception to create the sensation of overhead sound from the listener-level speakers.

DTS:X

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A supports DTS:X with Neural:X.

• Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.
• DTS Dialog Control: This function adjusts the dialog levels during playback of the DTS:X stream. It allows you to separately increase the dialog levels in contrast with the background sound and hear dialog easily even under noisy circumstances.

DECODING
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A features 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K support. It has 1 output.

• 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4 video signal.
• 4K Upscaling: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A can upscale up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 from HDMI sources.
• BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
• HDCP 2.3 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.3 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• Quick Media Switching (QMS): With HDMI 2.1a, Quick Media Switching for movies and video uses the HDMI VRR mechanism to eliminate the blackout period when an HDMI Source device switches its video mode. As long as the resolution remains the same and only the frame rate changes, QMS will instantly switch between frame rates. QMS eliminates A/V blackouts by using VRR technology to change frame rates, allowing instant changes from 24Hz to 60Hz frame rate, and anywhere in-between. The viewer never sees blank screens and gets a seamless experience.
• 3D Ready: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma via HDMI ports. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)

Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature allows the compatible TV to send audio signal to the a/v receiver through the same HDMI cable which is used to send audio and video signals to the TV. So one HDMI cable is used to transfer audio signal in both directions. New Enhanced ARC will support uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio whereas the previous ARC could support only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.

Gaming Features

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) for lag-free and smooth gaming.

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDMI Version	2.1
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
HDCP Version	2.3
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A comes with YPAO with Multipoint Measurement room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

• YPAO: The Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) function detects speaker connections, measures the distances from them to your listening position(s), and then automatically optimizes the speaker settings, such as volume balance and acoustic parameters, to suit your room.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.

Zone 2

• Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.

Audio

• Phono Input: There is an MM phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the a/v receiver.
• Analog Pre-Outs: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A has 2.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
• Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

Video

• HDMI:
Inputs: 7   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 7

Front A/V Inputs

• USB

For the complete list of specifications please go to the next page: