Yamaha just introduced their lowest priced A/V Receiver to its RX-V lineup. The new 5.1-channel entry-level RX-V381 home theater receiver brings the cost of HDMI 2.0a compatibility down to $299. This model replaces last year’s budget RV-V379 receiver, which is priced and looks the same, and keeps the same specs on the audio side. The upgrades on the video side are as follows:
| RX-V379 | RX-V381 |
|---|---|
| HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.0a |
| 4k/60p 4:2:0 | 4k/60p 4:4:4 |
| 1 input HDCP 2.2 | 4 input HDCP 2.2 |
| – | HDR |
The Yamaha RX-V381 boasts built-in Bluetooth for wireless music playback, full 4K Ultra HD video pass-through via HDMI 2.0 4K/60p 4:4:4 (4 inputs/1 output) and features high dynamic range (HDR) with BT.2020 compatibility. This provides spectacular detail for both dark and bright image content, as well as a wide spectrum of color for 4K picture quality.
“Yamaha has packed a lot of advanced technology into a very affordable, solidly-built AV receiver”
— said Bob Goedken, general manager, AV division, Yamaha Corporation
On the audio side, the RX-V381 features a discrete 5.1-channel amplifier design that outputs 70-watts per channel. It includes a Compressed Music Enhancer for improving the sound of mp3 songs. The receiver also features the Yamaha exclusive YPAO automatic calibration system, which uses a microphone to listen and analyze the sound of each speaker, then tunes the sound system to create the best possible listening experience in any type of room.
Pricing and Availability
The Yamaha RX-V381 will ship in March 2016 for $299.95.
