Yamaha RX-V473 Network AV Receiver
Ok so as time goes on it appears that the big manufacturers are finally getting that when someone buys a piece to be the centre of their setup they really want it to integrate nicely with their personal way of using equipment. With Yamaha RX-V473 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver the design team at Yamaha seem to have spent a lot of time making integration and ease of use, streaming from wireless devices and remote operation with same iOs or android devices of primary concern.
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The Yamaha RX-V473 has all the standard I/O a traditional receiver requires (HDMI 4 in/1out w pass thru, usb with ipod charging even when in standby, rj45 network port, 2 coax, 2 digital, analog 4/1, component 2/1, composite video 5/1, etc) but where it really shines is its handling of streaming and the now standard streaming protocols. The Yamaha RX-V473s response to Airplay is second to none during my testing period I was delighted with how quick it was and in terms of streaming speed and reliability also how excellent remote control via the iOs app was. What you will find is that your iPad/iPhone makes for an exceptional remote control, its both easy to use and has pretty much every option you could hope for. Its bpossible to power up and down the unit, change EQ settings, select inputs, control both the traditional FM and internet radio tuner playback, stream from your airplay services (Pandora, Sirius, etc) and of course stream media form your iOS device itself.
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So outside of functionality and ease of use how is the basic sound & video quality of the Yamaha RX-V473? Well I have to say for a sub $500 model the Yamaha RX-V473 kicks some serious butt in terms of both clarity and power pair the Yamaha RX-V473 receiver with a speaker set like the Energy 5.1 Take Classic system as I did and you will get a serious bang for the buck performance. I found surround positioning to be well handled and realistic, loud passages were handled well with a sense of tightness and impact without any unwarranted boomyness you can get from systems that over accentuate the bass end in order to get over power issues. With the power rating of 5x 105watts loudness and power handling isn’t an issue you are likely to have in anything but the largest rooms. The mid range is smoothe and without discernible artefacts with a slight downward notch applied in the area of sibilant noise helping to make vocals and sppech veryclearand discernable. All in all I was very please with audio playback quality from all the audio and video sources I tried. The video rendering of the RX-V473 is similarly impressive in this price range, blacks are rendered well, colours passing though kept their vibrancy on screen and no artefacts we could find were added by the unit. An extremely satisfactory result.
All in all my feeling are that Yamaha have a solid performer that is very good value for money on their hands with the RX-V473. Don’t shirk on quality speakers to match the receiver and you will have an extremely solid, attractive and easy to use AV system for years to come. A big thumbs up for those after a decently priced system with a modern take on media playback and control.
Technical Details
- 5-channel powerful surround supported in HD Audio format decoding: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
- Network recceiver with AirPlay, allows music streaming from Mac, PC, iPod, iPhone, iPad
- 4K pass-through for next generation super high resolution displays, and HDMI (4 in/1 out) with 3D and Audio Return Channel
- AV Controller app for operating various functions from an iPod, iPhone, iPad or Android phones
- YPAO sound optimization for automatic speaker setup
- Audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video input
- Front panel mini jack input for connecting portable audio player
- Audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video input
- 9 selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies
- Subwoofer phase select / Subwoofer out
- Initial Volume Setting and Maximum Volume Setting
- Audio Delay for adjusting Lip-Sync (0-250 ms)
- 40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning
- Background Video feature (for Radio only)
- RRP: $449.95 (Check Latest Pricing on Amazon)
June 29, 2012
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Aiki В· 
One Comment
Tags: 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver, Network AV Receiver, Yamaha RX-V473, Yamaha RX-V473 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver В· Posted in: Receivers
One Response
I’m a little disappointed in how reviewers don’t highlight a very important point. I almost bought one of these but luckily found out at the last moment that the units don’t have built-in Wi-Fi. That’s a deal breaker. The way my house is set my wireless access point nowhere near my entertainment system – and I’m sure that’s true for a lot of people out there. They offer a Wi-Fi add-on for $99, but then why not just get an Apple TV?
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