Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board

In case those RX receivers we saw last month weren't powerful enough for you, Yamaha's unleashing a couple of new beasts that may just meet all of your home entertainment demands. Similar to its V573 and V473 siblings, the RX-V773WA and RX-V673 are AirPlay-friendly and pack a 4K passthrough feature -- though, these also carry some PT action in 3D. Save for the YWA-10 WiFi adapter and an aluminum front panel on the V773WA, both newcomers are sporting identical traits. Among these are 7.2 channel audio, an enhanced YPAO calibration system, seven "intelligent" assignable amplifiers, six HDMI ports on each unit and an ECO mode to help reduce power usage. As far as pricing, you'll have to shell out $849.95 for the higher-end RX-V773WA and $649.95 for the RX-V673 when they hit shelves in June and later this month, respectively.

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Yamaha Unveils Top Models of its Market-Leading Receivers; RX-V673 and RX-V773WA are 'Simply Sophisticated'

-Network Models offer AirPlay, direct connectivity to iPads, improved
Control App, intelligent amps, HDMI 4K and 3D pass-through and improved YPAO-

BUENA PARK, Calif. - Yamaha Electronics Corporation today unveiled the
top model updates to its market-leading RX-V series AV receivers – the
7.2-channel RX-V773WA and RX-V673. Offering a perfect balance of
sophistication and simplicity, the models boast robust performance,
setup and control features including AirPlay compatibility with Apple
iOS devices, direct connectivity to iPads, iPhones and iPods via front
panel USB ports, intelligent assignable amplifiers and the company's
proprietary YPAO system calibration. System control has been made more
convenient throughout the line via the recently updated Yamaha AV
controller app, which include native iPad and tablet versions, for iOS
and Android devices. Providing wide access to content from virtually
any source, these network receivers also deliver audio from Internet
radio and DLNA-certified devices. A WiFi adapter is included with the
RX-V773WA for the wireless streaming of content and system control.

The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 follow the introductions of the rest of the
RX-V series receivers, including the 7.1-channel RX-V573, 5.1-channel
RX-V473 and 5.1-channel RX-V373, which were introduced over the last
month.

"These network AV receivers represent the culmination of our RX-V
series and our belief that consumers seek sophisticated high
performance features with simple intuitive source connectivity and
operation," said Tom Sumner, senior vice-president, Yamaha Corporation
of America. "This belief was the basis for our approach to the entire
RX-V series line. The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 go a step further, adding
a suite of multi-zone installation and setup features usually found in
higher end models at moderate price points."

The free top rated Yamaha AV controller app available for iOS
(iPad/iPhone) and Android devices offers control over these AV
receivers and access to music stored on smart phones and tablets. With
the popularity of the Kindle Fire, Yamaha developed a native app that
is now available from the Amazon Appstore as well. The App is designed
to provide a portrait or landscape mode interface, depending on the
device, for easy visibility and use.

Both future proof models will provide 4K video pass-through from
yet-to-be-introduced source components that will deliver content with
four times the resolution of 1080p. All models also provide 3D video
pass-through with Audio Return Channel (ARC).

The flagship RX-V773WA model also features an improved YPAO room
calibration system, YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control), which
offers automatic multi-point room measurement to determine speaker
positioning for the highest degree of sound optimization possible. The
RX-V673 offers YPAO R.S.C. for automatic single-point room
measurement. The YPAO system now ensures more accurate room
measurements by confirming the subwoofer is fully responding before
making audio adjustments.

The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 feature seven intelligent assignable
amplifiers that direct output for surround back, front presence or
Zone 2 speakers per listeners' preferences without changing speaker
connections. The seven discreet assignable amplifiers of these models
also enable a home entertainment system to deliver 7-channel surround
sound in one zone, or to bi-amp and double power to main speakers, or
to provide audio to Zone 2. The 7.2 channel RX-V773WA also provides
party mode and Zone B dual HDMI outputs that give users unprecedented
options and flexibility for enjoying audio and video content
throughout the home.

The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 offer gamers Video Direct Mode which
bypasses the models' video processing chips to speed up video by two
frames per second and eliminating distracting delays to play action.

Both models have advanced multi-language on-screen displays that
overlay onto HD and 3D video signals to depict system control and
setup prompts, as well as album art from content played via connected
components and devices.

Ensuring surround sound realism, the RX-V773WA and RX-V673 feature
Dialog Lift that ensures dialog is positioned to come from the center
of the viewing area for movies and television programming. A Virtual
Dialog Lift on these models can also accomplish this with systems that
are not set up with presence speakers. Dialog Level Adjustment enables
listeners to fine-tune the balance of sound for dialog and vocals. The
RX-V773WA and RX-V673 also have a Virtual Presence Speaker function
for achieving full CINEMA DSP 3D surround without front presence
speakers.

Superior sound quality from iPods, iPhones and iPads is delivered via
convenient front panel USB inputs that enable direct digital
connectivity. Once connected, song titles are shown on the receivers'
attractive on-screen displays. Connected iPods, iPhones and iPads will
also charge automatically for later use on the go.

Both models offer a full complement of HD Audio format decoding,
including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

Other notable performance and convenience features of the RX-V773WA
and RX-V673 include:

ECO Mode that reduces the model's power consumption by 20 percent. The
model has extremely low power consumption in standby mode and Auto
Power Down can be set for 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours;

A subwoofer level adjustment that enables listeners to increase the
bass without disturbing the system's crossover point. The result is
that vocals and high frequency sounds do not end up "boomy" or "muddy"
from being misdirected through the subwoofer;

A High speed HDMI switching function that remembers the settings of
all connected sources, eliminating the time it normally takes to
adjust to each when they are selected;

Four convenient SCENE Mode buttons that automatically power on the
appropriate components and make system adjustments for specific
entertainment options.

The RX-V773WA and RX-V673 offer a full suite of proprietary audio
features that give users flexibility and control in setting up the
best possible audio experiences. CINEMA DSP 3D, with 17 DSP programs,
enables users to adjust the listening experience precisely to their
preferences. SILENT CINEMA makes it possible to hear large-scale
surround sound through ordinary headphones. Virtual CINEMA DSP lets
consumers enjoy the effects of CINEMA DSP surround sound without using
surround speakers. It can be used with the front / center / presence
speakers or even with two front left and right speakers. Yamaha's
proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology with CINEMA DSP
restores lost detail in compressed music files, providing users with a
natural sounding listening experience when enjoying their favorite
music from an iPod, iPhone or other compressed music source.

The RX-V773WA also has an attractive aluminum front panel that
eliminates electrical interference from other components.

The RX-V773WA will be available in June for $849.95 MSRP, and the
RX-V673 will be available in May for $649.95 MSRP.