Sound Performance Since 1887

Yamaha has a genuine commitment to providing absolutely the finest sound quality possible in every component they make. With over a century of experience in sound production (Yamaha made their first reed organ in 1887) and their status as a world leader in acoustic and electronic musical instruments, they are passionate about creating and reproducing sound in the most beautiful and natural way. With each new series of receivers, audio performance has been improved and refined. Yamaha's RXV861BL 7.1-channel, 735-watt (105 W x 7) digital home theater receiver maintains this tradition of performance with an impressive array of technology and features.

Making It All Look (And Sound) Better

There are almost as many options for video and audio content formats as there are stars in the sky. Well, maybe not that many, but certainly more than one person should have to keep track of. Television programming can range from 480i to 1080p, with all four steps in between. DVDs have different formats than the new high definition DVDs. Televisions are capable of displaying the highest quality video content, so wouldn't it be nice to provide your HDTV with the best possible content? The RXV861BL will let you do that with its high definition video upscaling and deinterlacing. This receiver will take your content from 480i or 480p and upscale it to 720p or 1080i. Similarly, when music is encoded in a digitally compressed format like MP3, frequency response suffers in the high and low ranges. Yamaha's exclusive Compressed Music Enhancer uses sophisticated digital signal processing algorithms to restore the original, live sound of your music--especially deep, strong bass.

Like Nothing You've SCENE Before

Four SCENE buttons make operating the receiver easier than ever. They are initially set to default settings for DVD Viewing, Disc Listening, TV Viewing, and Radio Listening. Pressing a SCENE button automatically launches a number of operations that initiate play of the source controlled by that button. Other SCENE settings are also avaialable, such as iPod Listening, XM Listening, TV Sports Viewing, and Action Game Playing. Browsing and selecting the settings is quickly accomplished by rotating the Input knob and watching the on-screen display. The settings can be selected for one-time use, or they can replace the original default settings. The SCENE names can be changed also.

You've Got Connections

And you know that, in order to get anywhwere in this world, connections are what make it happen. Lucky for you, the RXV861BL comes with the most advanced AV connections available today--HDMI. There are two HDMI inputs and one output. High Definition Multimedia Interface means you can run the highest definition video and audio content from one component to another through only a single cable. Want that 1080p signal and 7.1 surround sound to be transferred from your new Blu Ray Player to your new flat screen TV? No problem, just hook up the HDMI cable. And, because most of us still have home theater components from before the whole digital revolution began (think VCRs), the RXV861BL also includes five S-video and three component video inputs. So you're connected all the way around.

Accentuate The Digital, De-Emphasize The Analog, Latch On To The Affirmative, Don't Mess With Mr. In-Between

With apologies to songwriter Johnny Mercer, lyricist Harold Arlen, and their 1945 #1 hit "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive," Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) is what Yamaha calls the no-compromise design philosophy whose goal is to maximize digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The culmination of Yamaha's long experience in digital engineering and design, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding A/V components available on the market. Digital ToP-ART covers not only the electronic elements of the RXV861BL, but the mechanical elements as well. Large, anti-resonance, aluminum-extruded, and black anodized heat sinks have an alumite finish; and are located on the base frame with the power amplifier circuit boards to prevent interference with the preamplifier and digital processing sections. Supporting the heavy heat sinks, transformer, and circuit board is Yamaha's ToP-ART base, which also has exceptional anti-resonance and damping characteristics. Beneath this base is the bottom of the power amplifier, part of the heavy chassis also designed for maximum vibration damping.

Higher Current Trumps Higher Power Every Time

Although power rating is often the first thing customers look at in a receiver, high power output doesn't necessarily mean better sound. High current level is a much more important factor. Yamaha receivers have always had fairly high current levels, but performance has been improved even more. Yamaha High Current Amplification achieves low impedance, high current power from input (power supply circuit) to output (speaker terminals). This drives the speakers much more smoothly and dynamically, for better sound from all sources, including 2-channel audio. The RXV861BL is capable of delivering large amounts of reserve power for accurate reproduction of the high energy peaks that are especially prevalent in digital audio sources. This emphasizes the music's dynamic qualities and provides a sharper sound image. Level variations at high amp impedance tend to reduce an amplifier's damping factor, and frequency variations cause it to fluctuate. Yamaha's Linear Damping Circuit cancels the effect of these variations, maintaining a high, stable damping factor, for superior articulation of all sounds and better frequency response.

Out With The Old, In With The Best

In order to realize the goals of massive power and superlative sound quality, Yamaha engineers completely re-evaluated all the parts used in previous receivers. As a result, many were replaced with more expensive or custom-designed units. The RXV861BL uses extremely high performance 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for multichannel audio inputs, providing outstanding separation and precise musical delineation. They deliver superior low level linearity with excellent full-scale performance under varying operation conditions. It's superior parts like these that allow an extremely wide frequency range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, capable of delivering the full potential of new digital audio sources like DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD.

YPAO, Pronounced WOW!

Yamaha's unique YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Acoustic Optimizer) System uses a small microphone (included) to detect pink noise and short sweep tone bursts emitted by the receiver to evaluate the acoustics of your room and adjust various speaker parameters to provide the optimum sound at the selected listening position. It's like having a professional audio engineer tweak your system, but this little guy is done in under three minutes. In any room, with any speaker placement, YPAO assures that you get the best audio possible.

Some People Still Like Stereo Best

Pure Direct is a special listening mode that provides the highest possible signal purity. It can be used for both analog and digital sources, with two-channel or multichannel inputs. When it's selected, the signal follows the most direct path, and power to the video circuit is shut down. Certain functions are not operational with Pure Direct; and even the display is turned off, lighting for only a few seconds when a function is used. Direct Stereo causes the input stereo signal to bypass the DSP circuitry so the pure signal is output without any processing or data loss whatsoever.

Extra Sound Options

The optional Yamaha YDS-10 Universal Dock (not included) lets you connect your iPod (click and wheel, iPod mini, and iPod nano) to the RXV861BL receiver through a single cable so you can listen to iPod music through your home theater speakers and watch iPod images or movies on your TV. You operate the iPod with the receiver's remote, view iPod menus via the receiver's on-screen display, and even charge your iPod while it's connected. If a home entertainment product, like this RXV861BL receiver, is labeled XM-Ready, it means the product has everything you need to play XM Satellite Radio once you connect the optional CNP-1000 XM Connect-and-Play unit (not included). No other accessories are needed. XM Connect-and-Play is an integrated antenna/receiver in one discreet package, based on a brand new technology platform that creates a low-cost, standard interface for playing XM through a variety of consumer electronics products. Plus, now you can treat yourself to XM HD Surround, powered by Neural Audio. Because the Connect-and-Play is an XM receiver, it does require an activation and subscription fee. Please visit the XM Satellite Radio website at www.xmradio.com for more information.

Included With Purchase

YPAO Sound Optimization microphone, remote control, AA batteries (2) for remote, AM loop antenna, indoor FM antenna, and Owner's Manual.

Comparison Specifications

• Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS ES, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24 Decoding Formats
• 105 W x 7 RMS Output Power, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.06% THD, 8 Ohms
• HDMI Inputs (2), Ouput (1), HDTV-Compatible Component Video Inputs (3), Output (1)
• Digital Optical/Coaxial Audio Inputs (4/2), Output (1/0)
• External Discrete Multichannel Decoder Audio Inputs (8)
• S-Video In/Out (5/2), Zone 2 Audio Out
• 17 Digital Signal Processing Modes (10 Movie/Video, 7 Music)
• 17 Surround Sound Programs
• On-Screen Display
• Preset Remote Control

Additional Specifications

• High Definition Video Upscaling (480i Or 480p To 720p/1080i) And Deinterlacing (480i to 480p) Through HDMI Output
• Fully Independent Zone 2 Output (Audio Only), Main/Zone 2 On/Off Switch
• Video Upconversion And Component Video Output With Time Base Corrector
• Digital ToP-ART/High Current Discrete Amplifier Design
• High Dynamic Power, Linear Damping, Assignable Power Amp
• 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs For All Channels
• 4 SCENE Buttons On Front Panel And Remote For Easy Operation
• Virtual CINEMA DSP (DSP Modes Without Surround Speakers)
• Improved YPAO Sound Optimization, Pure Direct Stereo Mode
• Speaker A, B, Or A + B Selection, Audio Delay (0-160 ms)

Manufacturer Specifications

• Subwoofer Output/Phase Select
• Selectable Subwoofer Crossover Frequencies (9-Band)
• AM/FM Manual Or Automatic Tuner With 40 Station Presets
• XM Satellite Radio Ready, Requires XM Connect & Play (Not Included)
• XM HD Surround Sound Powered By Neural Audio
• iPod Compatible, Requires Yamaha YDS-10 Universal Dock (Not Included)
• Compressed Music Enhancer Regenerates Missing MP3 Artifact Harmonics
• SILENT CINEMA, Night Listening Enhancer, Sleep Timer
• Front Panel Video Aux (With Optical, S-Video)/Mini Jack Inputs
• Initial Volume Setting, Max Volume Setting For Volume Control

Dimensional Specifications

• Dimensions: 17.13" W x 6.75" H x 16.56" D
• Weight: 34.2 lbs

Yamaha RX-V861BL Warranty Details

Two-Year Parts And Labor Warranty