Yamaha RX-A4A vs Yamaha RX-A870

      Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A870
      90
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      89
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      USA and Canada
      UK and Europe Australia China Korea Asia General
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      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Yamaha RX-A4A
      4. Advantage of Yamaha RX-A870
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Inputs and Outputs
      7. Audio Section
      8. Video Section
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Yamaha RX-A4A to Yamaha RX-A870 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 7 channel amplifiers with Yamaha RX-A4A's being more powerful.


      Yamaha RX-A4A Yamaha RX-A870

      Yamaha RX-A4A was introduced in 2021. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 110 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.

      Yamaha RX-A870 was introduced in 2017. 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 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 video signal.

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • HDMI 2.1
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
      • 8K Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      We evaluated Yamaha RX-A4A and Yamaha RX-A870 and gave them scores of 90 and 89 out of 100 recpectively. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

      Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A870

      Amplifier
      90
      Amplifier
      89
      Audio Features
      88
      Audio Features
      84
      Video Features
      99
      Video Features
      95
      Connectivity
      88
      Connectivity
      87
      Zones
      80
      Zones
      82
      Radio
      97
      Radio
      97
      OVERALL
      90
      OVERALL
      89

      For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluations page.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha RX-A4A and Yamaha RX-A870.

      PROS

      Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A870

      •   High Power Output - 110 W
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   DTS:X
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   HDR10+
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   HDMI Version
      •   eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through
      •   VRR
      •   QFT
      •   8K Passthrough
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   Google Assistant
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   4 HDMI Outputs
      •   7 8K Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   DTS:X
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal

      CONS

      Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A870

      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Composite Video Inputs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A870

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   2 Zones
      •   Bluetooth 4․2
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 100 W
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   2 Zones

      Advantage of Yamaha RX-A4A

      Yamaha RX-A4A
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-A4A over Yamaha RX-A870.

      Yamaha RX-A4A vs Yamaha RX-A870
      Higher Power Output 110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) vs 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Surround:AI™ vs
      Higher DAC Specs 384 kHz/32 Bit vs 192 kHz/24 Bit
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization vs
      Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB up to 384 kHz/32 Bit vs up to 192 kHz
      High-resolution Music Enhancer vs
      CINEMA DSP HD3 vs 3D
      DSP Programs 24 vs 17
      Independent Subwoofer Outputs vs
      HDR10+ vs
      Newer HDCP Version 2.3 vs 2.3
      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
      AirPlay AirPlay 2 vs AirPlay
      More HDMI Outputs 3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2) vs 2
      More 8K Inputs 7 vs
      +12V Trigger Output 2 vs 1
      More Scenes SCENE (8 sets) vs SCENE (4 sets)
      Bigger Power Supply 410 W vs 400 W
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 110 W (0.06% THD) vs 100 W (0.06% THD)
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC) 120 W (0.9% THD) vs 110 W (0.9% THD)
      Higher Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven) 135 W (0.9% THD) vs 130 W (0.9% THD)
      Higher Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA) 165 W (10% THD) vs 160 W (10% THD)
      Lower THD 0.05% (AUDIO 2 etc. to Speaker Out, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 55 W, 8 Ω) vs 0.06% (AV 2 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
      Higher Damping Factor 120 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω) vs 100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 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
      Better Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (LINE) 75 dB/61 dB vs 75 dB/50 dB
      Better Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (PHONO) 75 dB/60 dB vs 60 dB/55 dB
      Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB 11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz vs 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
      Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac vs IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
      Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
      Newer Bluetooth Version 4․2 vs 2․1 + EDR
      Higher FM S/N Ratio Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/68 dB vs Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Yamaha RX-A4A.

      Yamaha RX-A6A
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-A8A
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      11.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-V6A
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A1080
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1020
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1050
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A2060
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A1070
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1060
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Onkyo TX-NR545
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      7.2 channel

      65 W

      Yamaha RX-A1040
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1010
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Advantage of Yamaha RX-A870

      Yamaha RX-A870
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-A870 over Yamaha RX-A4A.

      Yamaha RX-A4A vs Yamaha RX-A870
      DTS Neo vs Neo:6
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion vs Component**, Composite
      More HDMI Inputs 7 vs 8 (1 front)
      More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs 1 vs 2
      More RCA Line Inputs 3 vs 4 (1 front)
      More Composite Video Inputs vs 1
      More Component Video Inputs vs 1
      Front A/V Inputs USB vs HDMI, USB, mini-jack Audio
      Zone B Video Output vs HDMI
      RS-232C Interface vs
      Lower THD (Phono) 0.04% (Phono to PRE OUT, 1 kHz, 1 V) vs 0.02% (Phono to SPEAKER OUT (Front), 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 V)
      Higher Maximum Input Sensitivity (Phono) 45 mV (1 kHz, 0.5% THD) vs 60 mV (1 kHz, 0.1% THD)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Yamaha RX-A870.

      Yamaha RX-V683
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      90 W

      Yamaha RX-A2A
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-V383
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      5.1 channel

      70 W

      Yamaha RX-A880
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A810
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-V385
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      5.1 channel

      70 W

      Yamaha RX-A860
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-V583
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A830
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A3070
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-A3040
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-A2070
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Yamaha RX-A4A Yamaha RX-A870
        Dolby Atmos up to 5.1.2
        DTS:X up to 5.1.2
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. YPAO sound optimization with R.S.C., Multipoint, 3D, 64-Bit High Precision EQ Calculation, Low Frequency mode and Angle measurement YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)
        HDR10
        Dolby Vision
        eARC
        New HDCP Version2.32.3
        Wi-Fi with Wireless Direct
        Bluetooth SBC, AAC SBC, AAC
        Works with Amazon Alexa on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo or Echo Dot)
        Many HDMI Inputs78 (1 front)
        USB InputUSB memory, Portable Audio PlayerUSB memory, portable audio player
        Phono Input
        RCA Pre-Outs7.27.2
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Tidal
      WEAKNESSES Yamaha RX-A4A Yamaha RX-A870
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No Digital Radio

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input on Yamaha RX-A4A and Yamaha RX-A870 with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the receiver.
      • Analog Pre-Outs: Yamaha RX-A4A and Yamaha RX-A870 have 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the receivers to the external power amplifiers. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, both receivers have 7 channel processing but have only 7 channel amplifiers, so they need external amplifiers connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach their maximum speaker configurations.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 pair of line inputs on Yamaha RX-A4A and 4 pair of line inputs on Yamaha RX-A870 for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 1 coaxial input are available on Yamaha RX-A4A and 2 optical inputs and 2 coaxial inputs are available on Yamaha RX-A870 for digital audio connections.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Yamaha RX-A4A
        Inputs:         7   Outputs: 3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)
        8K Inputs: 7.
      • Yamaha RX-A870
        Inputs:         8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Yamaha RX-A4A
        Inputs:         0   Outputs: 0.
      • Yamaha RX-A870
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Yamaha RX-A870 supports up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Yamaha RX-A4A
        Inputs:         0   Outputs: 0.
      • Yamaha RX-A870
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Yamaha RX-A4A: USB
      • Yamaha RX-A870: HDMI, USB, mini-jack Audio

      Yamaha RX-A4A

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      Yamaha RX-A870

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