Yes folks, it's that time of year again. Yamaha's mid range receiver gets a makeover. There's not a lot of difference between the old model (RX-V1400) and the new RX-V1500 - EXCEPT - for some strange reason, it seems to sound better. It uses the same YSS 930 DSP chipset, so that can't be the reason, it has an extra 10 Watts per channel (120 Watts X 7) which certainly isn't enough to make a difference, same linear damping factor of 140 and same THD of 0.04% and yet, using exactly the same speaker system in the same room with the same DVD Player, the RX-V1500 sounds better than the RX-V1400!

           Let's run through the features first. The YPAO automatic set up system is still here including a microphone which is placed in your listening position and after a series of pop's and squarks the receiver sets the speaker size and equalisation to suit the room acoustics (it's a gimmick that really doesn't work, but as Marantz, Denon etc. have it - I guess Yamaha has to follow suit) At least they've cut the setup time down to 3 minutes whereas the previous model took over 5 minutes of annoying noise to do its thing.

          There's plenty of connectivity options with 8 digital inputs, video conversion to S-Video or Component, selectable 9 band subwoofer crossover, powered zone 2 speakers with multi source (assuming you're running 5.1) and zone 3 line level output. The major upgrade is the audio delay for lip sync (0-240ms) which doesn't sound like much but really makes a difference on some sources, and the remote control which has gone from pretty good (RX-V1400) to bloody good. It's a learning remote which can be configured to control absolutely everything (actually, that's not quite true - it won't control my kids) It even remembers Foxtel Digital codes which very few other learning remotes can do.

         Now to the sound (after all, that's what it's all about). My system at home is a pair of Paradigm Studio 60's as mains, Paradigm Studio 20's as surrounds, Jamo D4 Centre, Yamaha YST-SW1500 Subwoofer, Marantz DV-6400 universal DVD Player, Foxtel Digital (satellite), Panasonic HD Set Top Box and a Panasonic 56" HD rear projection TV using Gecko cabling throughout.

        I was using the Yamaha RX-V2400 as my receiver until I took home the Marantz SR-7400 for review and liked it so much I kept it in preference to the Yammy. I guess I wasn't alone in my choice there as Sound and Image magazine gave the nod to the Marantz SR-7400 as the best A/V receiver available under $3000. As soon as I hooked up the RX-V1500 and played an episode of Roswell season 2 the difference was apparent to not only myself, but the rest of the family. The vocals seemed clearer and the sound stage more open. Bass control via the subwoofer was also tighter which was more obvious when playing my favourite DVD concert - Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Live in London - I've played the disc that often that it's easy to pick up differences in equipment and room acoustics.

        So why does it sound better than it's predecessor? I honestly don't know, I've checked all the settings and nothings changed from the way I had the RX-V2400 set up. One other interesting fact - Yamaha have dropped the price from $2299 (RX-V1400) to $1999 RRP (call for our current discount price).

        Is this the best A/V under $2000 - Absolutely. The Marantz still has a slight edge on some music but no where near the lead it had over the RX-V1400, remembering the Marantz retails for $2399. You really need to get the Sherwood R-865 (RRP $2500) to get as good a unit. Value for money, the Yamaha RX-V1500 is IT. That is, of course, until the Marantz SR-7500 is released in December, then we'll have a new fight on our hands.