The Next Generation
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THE BIG car companies refresh their lineups on a pretty regular schedule. Honda, for example, brings out all-new versions of its models every four to five years, and it makes smaller upgrades and improvements in the years between the big changes. How many people know that the A/V receiver manufacturers do pretty much the same thing? Much like a car, an A/V receiver is built on a platform, one that can be upgraded and modified over time as new features are added. But there eventually comes a point where the only practical way forward is to start fresh with a clean-sheet design. That’s where Yamaha’s latest mid-priced RX-V receiver line comes in.
Launched with just two models, the RX-V4A ($440) and RX-V6A ($600), the subject of this review, these all-new receivers offer a fresh design aesthetic, with just two major controls visible on the front panel. Like earlier RX-V series models, The RX-V6A has a composite front panel, and there are rounded side corners to soften the look. A huge central volume knob dominates the front, with a smaller multi-function
