DSP-A1G not avialible at $1,765 anymore from www.Xeltech.com.hk


Now at something like $1,855

I have owned this Int. Amp for 2 months now and find it a joy to listen to. I began using the A1 flat, without any DSP but now find myself using the DSP's more then I ever thought. The use of the front effects speakers really do inlarge the soundfield and add a bigger theater-like feel. Listening to James Taylor's DVD - Live at the Beacon Theater makes it feel and sound like your 5th row center. The sound is full, detailed, and unfatiguing. I prefer brighter sound and coupled with the Polk RT55(mains), CS400(center), F/X500(rears), M1(front effects), and a Def Tech PF15TL sub, the sound delivers everything I have paid for and more, overwhilming all who experiences it. Of course, like most audio enthusiasts it can always be better and I feel that the Paradigm reference 80/100's would take this amp to an even higher level. I currently use a Panasonic DVD A100 (1st gen) player and don't know if a current gen. player would make a noticable difference in sound although a coax out most likely would, over the toslink. My Yamaha CDC-665, matched with the A1, plays well recorded discs with very good tonal qualities. I also look forward to getting some DTS audio discs to test the system. The build quality of the unit is par for the price, very good, one turn-off of the RV-X2095 is the plastic select knob, anything over $500 and you sould get all metal.
The only disappointment of the A1 is the remote, I hate the "door" and in the dark it's impossible to find any of the tiny buttons.

Overall a Int. Amp this versatile for what I paid ($2000.00), is an excellent value. Until the B&K AVR202 or the Denon AVR-5700THX receivers can be had for this price, nothing comes close!

Compared DSP-A1 to B&K. The B&K sounds great, would have bought it, but you can fry eggs on it. B&K needs to learn how to dissipate heat. Very pleased with A1. Using Monitor Full Metal Theatre. Not inexpensive speakers but a great match for A1, respect to sensitivity, timbre, etc.

(I think I previously posted this review in the wrong place so am trying again)
I have owned an A1 for about ten months now, and think it is great. I am interested in upgrading my speakers and have listened to several pakages but am unsure what to buy.
I listened to the JBL HT1 mk II and the new KEF THX speaker packages, and thought they were alright, but the bass was hard to integrate (the bass sounded much more balanced using
an amp with THX processing), + the sound was not good with music. Instead I decided to look at hi-fi type speaker packages instead.
I listened to Proac 2.5's/cc centre/tablette 50's which was very good.
I also listened to Dynaudio contour 1.8's/contour centre/contour 1.1mkII's which was also very good. The Yamaha drove both of these speaker packages with ease (+ with the option of
adding better power amps to improve the sound later) Unfortunatly I listened to these systems in different listening rooms and am unable to choose between them. Does anyone have
experience of hearing these systems?
Does anyone have any more speaker recommendations at around this price level? (is there anything good available in the states that is not available in the UK?)

I have to say that the Yamaha packs a ton of features and "tunability" into the DSP-A1. I also have to say that although the DSP-A1 sounds very good, for the money, I'd rather choose the Nakamichi IA-1z. In my own listening tests, the Nak had much better sound in both stereo and in DD/DTS. One thing to note, however, is that the Nak is a straight up decoder/amplifier. There are no DSP modes, no "effects" channels, no spacey looking remote, no tuner, etc. etc. What it does provide is excellent sound with both DD and DTS decoding. I currently own both the Yam RX-2092 and the Nak IA-1z, and there is no comparison when it comes to sound quality. I had all intentions of purchasing the DSP-A1 .. until I heard the Nak. Go ahead and give it a listen, and unless you are one of those types who are "feature over function", you will definitely agree that the Nak is the better purchase.

Jeff,
While the Nakamichi looks very good, I see a few things against it when comparing it to the Yamaha DSP A1.
1) 20bit DAC's as opposed to 24 bit DAC's on the Yamaha DSP A1
2) 12 dB/Octave low pass filter on sub out. Yamaha DSP A1 has a 24 dB/Octave low pass filter compliant to THX and the steeper slope really makes a difference.
3) Claims of high current design yet the power supply filtering capacitance is less than the Yamaha DSP A1. The Nak has a total of 60,000 uF while the Yamaha DSP A1 has a total of more than 73000uF. I realize that the DSP A1 has 7 channels but it still doesn't make that much of a difference.

The Nak looks really good however and I would be interested to hear it.
I hope when you made the comparison between the DSP A1 and Nak that you didn't have a switch box hooked in the loop. This would make a significant difference as I heard lower models of the same company sound far better than their big brother because of this connection problem. Please provide me with your test set up. Thanks.

I have listened carefully almost 20 receiver in the last two month. I read almost 100 reviews inthe principals' Home theater magazines. I did this because I wanted to have the best Home
theater receiver (my old stereo is a Carver). I was willing to pay up to $3000 for a receiver. After
the two month my conclusion was that the two better options was the Yamaha DSP-A1 and the
B&H AVR202. I started to pay more attention to these units. I bought the to units and I installed in
my home for two weeks. I did all king if text with different speakers and my conclusion was that
the Yamaha DSP-A1 has better performance than the AVR202 (The Home Theater Magazine gave them the same performance points evaluation. AVR202=96 and DSP-1=96) . I never had any problem with
HUM neither problems that I read in the reports about the AVR202 (They fixed - Serial 56400 or
higher).
The reason that I prefer the DSP-1 is:
1- You have better sound quality using the Dolby Digital or DTS (you're getting 24bit/96KHz 128x
oversampling instead of 20bit offered by the AVR202).
2- The DSP-A1 has different option of EQ that allow you to make the equalization of your room
and adapt it better to the respond of your speakers and ears. The AVR202 doesn't have any kind of EQ neither
Bass or treble controls (B&K said the reason is to avoid the degradation of the signal. Mmmm!!!)(with the DSP-1 you can use the Bass or treble controls or simplelly by-pass it).
3- DSP-A1 has more natural sound.
4- The DSP-A1 has the DSP option that is incredible if you know how to use it.
5- The B&K units doesn't have Un-switched and switched AC terminal in the back of the units
(you don't have any control of the AC power from the receiver).
6- Yamaha is a very solid company that you know that going to be in market for a long time (I'm
having some problems with my CARVER stereo because the company changed).
7- You can run this monster for hours and hours with hight Volumen in an enclosure furniture and you never will have any problem with the temperature.

The good points in the AVR202 is:
1- Longer warranty (5 years - Yamaha is 2 years).
2- Gold connectors in the back.
3- Very good construction (the DSP-A1 is almost similar).
4- Smaller size than DSP-A1
5- A little better details in the sound when you use Analog Stereo input (CD).
Now, Is your decision but I still keeping the DSP-A1 (I send the B&K back to the store)
Both units are great, but personally, I Prefer the DSP-1

It's an extraordinary equipment!!!

Well...
After having a Yamaha A-990 for just over 2 years I took the plunge ( a real plunge with UK pricing, despite a very good dealer ) and this is the business. Denon eat your heart out, this thing is just to good to describe. Yamaha have constructed another cinema amp that will rule the home cinema front for quite a time while Denon et all go back to the drawing board scratching their heads.

I'd rather the remote control was black though.....

I sold both the DSP-A1 and the RX-V2095 and they both are great pieces of equipment. I personally have the 2095, but can only give the A1 a five star rating, this is based on the reviews my customers gave me after they purchased the A!, Yamaha has outdone themselves again.

I purchased a DSP-A1 from Uncle's Stereo about a month and a half ago. When I received it, it came with the wrong remote. "Hmm???" Well I called them and they sent me the correct remote, but it had a scratch on the flip lid. Other than that, it worked perfectly. I suppose that's what you get when you deal with Uncle's Stereo. Never again. On the other hand, I am glad that I did get the DSP-A1 because it is a fantastic performer! Beats the hell out of the Sony ES receiver I had before, which is now boxed up in the garage. Good on music, fantastic with movies, it is truly just what I was looking for. I considered the BK 202 and the Denon 5700, and although each of these have their strengths and weaknesses, I felt that the Yammy matched up the best with my speakers, which are Definitive Technology's BP2002s for the mains, CLR2002 for the center, and BP8s for the rears. I get amazing sound out of my system, especially on DVDs....even at high volumes there is no hiss at all. Some "purists" dislike the DSP modes, but I like the Home Theater DSP modes, especially Adventure. I am even seriously considering getting some BP1X speakers for those front effects channels that the Yammy has. Even though there are alot of options and parameters that you can adjust (and I have yet to try everything!), it never really seems overwhelming. The only gripe I have is the awful remote, but then again most people don't use stock remotes any more....do what I did and pick up a Marantz RC2000mkII and you will never even think about all your other shitty remotes. One final note: don't let all the hype influence your buying decision....go to a store and test the contestants, esp. with the speakers you have, if possible....then make your decision and check the net for the best deal (except from Uncle's Stereo!).