Monday, August 4, 2008

Yamaha RX-Z11BL 11.2-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver


From the ManufacturerYamaha introduces a new benchmark for home theater receiver performance: the RX-Z11. This takes high end receiver evolution to a higher level with an enormous range of exciting features, capabilities and new cutting edge technologies. The RX-Z11 performance sets a new standard in home theater experience.Trilateral Sound DevelopmentYamaha set ambitious goals for the sound performance of the RX-Z11, and succeeded in achieving them through a trilateral sound development program. The three aspects of the program were technology, engineering and artistic sensitivity. Technology refers to the technologies that enable us to create the level of sound quality suitable for total audio enjoyment in the present digital audio era. Engineering refers to upgrading functions and specifications, which are the foundation of the overall quality. And of equal or perhaps even greater importance is artistic sensitivity, which is how we go beyond the specifications to create, tune and refine the sound based on the musical acuteness of our most experienced audio technicians. The result is that the RX-Z11 achieves an unprecedented level of audio performance. Sound that is not only clear and high resolution, but finely textured. Able, for example, to realistically convey the sound of light rain, rustling cloth or breaking glass. Surround sound that is not only spacious but has a sense of magnificence. Sound that is not only well localized, but sharply focused in every area of the immense CINEMA DSP HD3 sound field. And finally, sound with an optimum balance among the three key elements of resonance, deep bass and responsiveness, for best compatibility with all types of sources.
11.2-channel surround means absolute sound immersion11.2-Channel High Density Surround SoundThe RX-Z11 delivers 140W x 7 channels plus 50W to the four presence and rear presence channels. It also allows the simultaneous use of two subwoofers (hence 11.2 channels). In addition to Yamaha’s latest CINEMA DSP HD3 technology for high density, incredibly detailed surround sound, it provides extensive zone customization functions, enabling the 11 amp channels to be allocated to zones 2, 3 and 4 in various configurations.Digital ToP-ART and High Current AmplificationYamaha’s Digital ToPART design concept ensures that the receiver is fully capable of handling the transmission of high volume digital sound data at speeds up to 192kHz. The interior layout thoroughly isolates the digital, analog and video sections and provides the shortest possible signal routes. To achieve the quality demanded by the latest lossless compression formats received via HDMI bitstream transmission, circuit board designs were radically revised and parts selection was reevaluated. The RX-Z11’s superior parts include Burr-Brown DSD1796 DACs, an op amp, custom-made 27,000µF block capacitors and Schottky barrier diodes. A Variable Volume Control helps provide the best possible S/N ratio. High Current Amplification circuitry achieves high current power with low impedance for superior amplifier performance.The power amplifier uses current rather than voltage for feedback in all channels. Because there is virtually no phase shift, phase compensation can be kept to a minimum. This contributes to the RX-Z11’s excellent transient response, allows frequency response to remain unchanged even when the gain changes, and creates a warmer, texture-rich sound.HDMI 1.3a CompatibilityThe RX-Z11 is compatible with the newest version of the HDMI standard, 1.3a, providing the benefits of Deep Color (30/36bit) and the xvYCC color standard. Digital video and audio signals can be transmitted via a single HDMI cable and it accepts the lossless audio formats DolbyTrueHD and DTS Master Audio. There are five HDMI inputs, one of which is on the front panel, as well as two HDMI outputs that allow images to be simultaneously displayed from two devices, such as a flat panel monitor and aprojector. HDMI 1.3a means the RX-Z11 can handle the high 1080p/24Hz resolution of Blu-ray Discs, and also provides an Auto Lip-Sync function that automatically adjusts the lag between video and audio and a double speed Refresh Rate of 120Hz.Network Receiver CapabilitiesLike other Yamaha network receivers, the RX-Z11 can be connected to a PC or Yamaha MCX-2000, and can access Internet Radio via a LAN. It also has an HD Radio tuner and can display HD Radio information on the front panel or on a monitor. Two USB ports are provided, on the front and rear, with 500mA power support. It is compatible with PlaysForSure devices, Windows Vista, Yamaha Music CAST and various audio Codecs such as MP3, WMA, WAV and MPEG4 AAC. And the Compressed Music Enhancer restores the sound of the original music from digitally compressed formats such as MP3. The RX-Z11 offers an improved version that processes multi-channel signals with a DSP algorithm, so all channels (rather than just two) are enhanced, for more accurate reproduction and a more expansive sound.Advanced YPAO Sound OptimizationYamaha’s YPAO Sound Optimization system analyzes the room acoustics and various system factors, then makes adjustments to provide optimum sound quality. In addition to the previous adjustments for speaker size, distance and wiring, plus equalization and level, this Advanced YPAO has four new capabilities. The first is measurement at multiple locations (up to eight). It does not average the results but performs analysis weighted in accordance with the state of each location to calculate compensation values. This results in a larger "sweet spot" at the listening position. The second is the use of parametric equalization to cancel the effects of standing waves, which degrade bass response. The third is speaker angle measurements to optimize CINEMA DSP effects. And the fourth is an Easy Starter feature that activates YPAO when the microphone is inserted and the Enter button is pressed, with information shown on the display.Super-Versatile Zone ControlThe RX-Z11 has extensive zone control capabilities, which are too numerous to explain here. The most important point is that the 11.2 channels can be assigned in a wide variety of configurations to four zones. The presence, rear presence and extra (by surround back amp) speaker terminals can be assigned to each zone. It provides Intelligent Power Amplifier Assignability (surround back amp assignment) and Independent Zone Amplifier Assignment with 7.2-channel main zone playback. Also important is that Zone 2 can distribute bitstream signals and also offers component video output that up converts composite and S-Video signals. Some other convenient zone functions include: a Party Mode that permits audio of the same input source in the main room to sync with and other three zones with one-button operation, a Zone OSD function that lets you browse information about the songs or AM/FM/XM/HD radio broadcasts that are playing, Zone Mono that provides compatibility with one-speaker or three-speaker installation environments, and a Preamplifier Mode that permits the entire 11-channel amplifier to be allotted for three-zone use (main zone powered by an external amp).

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