Yamaha RX-A8A AV Receiver

The Yamaha RX-A8A AV receiver is designed for sophisticated home cinema and music systems. Eleven built-in amplifier channels can directly power a 7.1.4 speaker system without requiring an additional power amplifier. Two subwoofer outputs accommodate two subwoofers, while the 11.2-channel pre-outs allow external power amplifiers to be connected.

Construction and installation space

The High Slew Rate amplifier design is complemented by Yamaha’s A.R.T. Wedge support. The receiver is 477 mm deep, so additional room must be left behind it for cables. The chassis is 192 mm high, increasing to 271 mm when the wireless antennas are raised.

Surround sound and room calibration

Surround:AI adjusts the surround effect in real time, while CINEMA DSP HD3 provides 24 DSP programmes. Supported formats and technologies include Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Surround, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio and Auro-3D.

YPAO room acoustic correction uses multipoint, 3D and angle measurements together with R.S.C. and 64-bit precision equaliser calculation. YPAO Volume, Adaptive DRC, dialogue level adjustment and Dialogue Lift provide further ways to tailor the sound to the room and listening preferences.

Video and television connections

Seven HDMI inputs and three outputs support HDCP 2.3 and bandwidth of up to 40 Gbps. The receiver supports 8K60AB and 4K120AB pass-through, upscaling to 8K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, eARC, ARC and HDMI CEC. Gaming features include VRR and ALLM. QMS is not supported and cannot be added through a firmware update.

Audio sources and network functions

The front-panel AV input is USB. The receiver also provides analogue, optical, coaxial digital, phono and XLR connections, along with connections for legacy video equipment. The phono input is intended for a turntable. Two ESS Hyperstream ES9026PRO chips perform digital-to-analogue conversion. Compressed Music Enhancer is intended for compressed audio files, while High-resolution Music Enhancer is designed for high-resolution music.

MusicCast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, MusicCast Surround, Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi provide network and wireless playback options. Built-in amplifier channels can power Zones 2 and 3, while Zone 4 audio is carried over HDMI. The receiver can be controlled through an app on iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Availability of Alexa and Google Assistant control, as well as FM, AM and DAB tuners, depends on the region.

Power output and how to interpret it

The stated 150 W output is measured into 8 ohms across the 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency range, with two channels driven and 0.06% THD. It does not mean that all eleven channels continuously deliver 150 W each at the same time.

Technical specifications

FAQ

Can a 7.1.4 speaker system be connected directly?

Yes. The eleven built-in amplifier channels can power seven main channels and four height channels.

When is an external power amplifier needed?

It is not required for a 7.1.4 system, although external power amplifiers can be connected to the 11.2-channel pre-outs.

How should I connect a television?

The most convenient approach is to connect the television to the eARC-compatible HDMI connection. This allows sound from the television’s apps to return through the same cable.

How do I begin room acoustic calibration?

Perform a YPAO multipoint measurement at the main listening positions, then check the channel levels, speaker distances and bass balance.

Is the receiver suitable for stereo music?

Yes. It has a Pure Direct mode, a phono input and XLR connections, and it supports high-resolution audio files.

How can I distribute audio to other rooms?

Zones 2 and 3 can use the built-in amplifier channels, MusicCast supports a compatible wireless multi-room system, and Zone 4 uses HDMI.

How much space is required in an AV cabinet?

Allow for the 477 mm chassis depth, additional space behind the receiver for cables and a height of 271 mm when the antennas are raised.