RX-V2400   Retail $2999

RX-V1400   Retail $2299                                                             

    Can't pick the difference eh? That's OK you can't hear the difference either. These new receivers from Yamaha are joined at the hip with the 2400 aimed at the custom installation market and the 1400 more the general installation market although the 1400 has plenty of features for the multi - room brigade.

    Firstly, let's look at the basic spec's. Both units are THX Select (a fairly useless attempt at circumventing a perceived negative). They have 7 discrete amplifiers of 110 Watts and 120 Watts respectively with a damping factor of 120 + (this is up from 80 in the old models). They definitely have the sound edge on the older models although the price has risen accordingly. My favourite new feature is the video conversion up to component (from either s-video or composite) which saves a lot of hassles if you have an HD set top box and DVD player hooked up. Both units have a powered zone 2 output for multi room - multi source and the 2400 has video send for zone 2 (a feature that convinced me to keep the 2400 at home). The RX-V1400 has a zillion DSP functions with the 2400 having a zillion + 2 - all of which I totally ignore and consider a waste of time and effort. It is also the first mainstream receiver to have Dolby Pro-Logic IIX, I have no idea what it is or what it does but it must be significant as Yamaha have put a sticker on the front of the receiver saying it's been upgraded to Pro-Logic IIX. Make of that what you will.

    The remote controller is pretty cool with learning and pre programmed functions for most brands, the really neat feature however, is the (drum roll) Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer. Plug in the supplied microphone and place it at your listening position, press the auto set up button and be amazed. This device automatically adjusts room size, speaker levels, speaker size and equalizes the speakers for optimum response including delay times and subwoofer response. The interesting thing was that, when using good speakers (I use Paradigm Reference Series) the set up does not equalize the main speakers but does adjust the centre speaker and surrounds to match the mains (I use a KEF C100) The damn thing actually works! My centre channel now sounds clearer than before and the surrounds are better balanced, quite a revelation.

    Overall I would rate the 1400 / 2400 to sound slightly better than the older 1300 / 2300 models, in fact I would give them the nod over the Marantz SR-7300 which used to be my musical benchmark in the $2000 to $3000 price range. Certainly the sound is still more "clinical" (read accurate) than the slightly softer Marantz or mushier Onkyo sound. It depends on the relationship with the speakers to a large extent, "toppy" (read harsh) speakers such as some Missions and JM Labs may go better with a lay back amplifier but your up front (not boxy) speakers such as B&W 600 series, Paradigm Reference and some Jamo's definitely go better with the Yamaha's.

    These new models have a higher capacity power supply than previous and as such seem to offer a more dynamic sound with more impact for movies than before.

    I'm doing this review in response to customer pressure so I haven't lived with the Yammy for more than a couple of weeks, what I'll do is add my musical and movie opinions in a couple of weeks when I've had a chance to listen for a longer period.

    Yamaha are the world leaders in component Home Theatre sales and it shows through technology and research, the previous upgrades (from RX-V800, 1000, 1200, 1300, 2300) were all about variations on features whereas with the RX-V1400 and RX-V2400 it is the first time in many years that the sound and musicality has actually improved. The killer feature here however is the auto set up using the supplied microphone, it almost makes our installation technicians obsolete (although, thinking about it, our installation guy's have been obsolete for quite some time).

    Unless you need zone 2 video send and lots of custom install features, stick with the RX-V1400, it sounds the same as the RX-V2400 and has all the same cool features, the extra 10 watts per channel is inconsequential and you save $700.

    Yamaha has raised the bar for Home Theatre receivers with these new models - there is nothing currently available on the Australian market this advanced in the under $3000 price range. I haven't found a more cost effective solution for my home system and will be sticking with my new Yamaha until something better comes along - I'll be sure to let you know when it does.