Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 (USA and Canadian versions)

Highlights
- 5.1 channels
- 5.1 channel processing
- 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- 1080p Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
- AirPlay, DLNA, MusicCast
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB input
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Overview
Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing.
We evaluated the Receiver and gave 73 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.
Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.
PROS |
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👍 Dolby TrueHD |
👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
👍 Dolby Pro Logic |
👍 DTS Neo |
👍 DTS-HD Master Audio |
👍 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio |
👍 DTS 96/24 |
👍 DTS Express |
👍 DTS-ES |
👍 High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network |
👍 Gapless Playback |
👍 DSD via HDMI |
👍 DSD via USB |
👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
👍 Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) |
👍 Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
👍 3-D Ready |
👍 4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
👍 DLNA 1.5 |
👍 MusicCast |
👍 Works with Amazon Alexa |
👍 Ethernet |
👍 Wi-Fi |
👍 Bluetooth |
👍 New HDCP Version |
👍 USB Input |
👍 Composite Video Inputs |
👍 Composite Video Outputs |
👍 Component Video Inputs |
👍 Component Video Outputs |
👍 Zones |
👍 Analog Tuner |
👍 Pandora |
👍 Spotify |
CONS |
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👎 Not Certified 4 Ω Performance |
👎 No Bi-amp Capability |
👎 Few Channel Processing |
👎 No Dolby Atmos |
👎 No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
👎 No Dolby Surround Upmixer |
👎 No DTS:X |
👎 No DTS Neural:X |
👎 No DTS Virtual:X |
👎 No IMAX Enhanced |
👎 No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
👎 No DTS Dialog Control |
👎 No High-resolution Music Enhancer |
👎 No HDR10 |
👎 No HDR10+ |
👎 No BT.2020 color space |
👎 No Dolby Vision |
👎 No Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) |
👎 No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling |
👎 No Chromecast Built-In |
👎 Does Not Work with SONOS |
👎 No eARC |
👎 Few HDMI Outputs |
👎 No Phono Input |
👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
👎 No Analog Pre-Outs |
👎 No Tidal |
👎 No Deezer |
👎 No Napster |
👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
👎 Old Bluetooth Version |
Amplifier
Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 has 5 channel amplifier and delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).
Video Features
The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 1080p upscaling.
Adaptive DRC
Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 features Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) which automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.
Room Correction
Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 comes with YPAO room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.
Connectivity
Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay. It has 6 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection.
Front panel has USB and mini-jack inputs.


Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.
BASICS | |
---|---|
Brand | Yamaha |
Series | Aventage |
Model | RX-A550 |
Type | A/V Receiver |
Country | USA and Canada |
Release Year | 2015 |
AMPLIFIER | |
---|---|
Channels | 5.1 |
THX™ Certification | |
Continuous 6 Ω Rated | |
Certified 4 Ω Performance | |
Bi-amp Capability |
AUDIO | |
---|---|
Surround:AI™ | |
DAC | Burr-Brown |
Maximum Channel Processing | 5.1 |
Air Studios Monitor Certification | |
Dolby Atmos | |
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | |
Dolby TrueHD | |
Dolby Digital Plus | |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | |
Dolby Pro Logic | PLII |
Dolby Digital EX | |
Surround EX | |
DTS:X | |
DTS Neural:X | |
DTS Virtual:X | |
DTS Neo | Neo:6 |
DTS-HD Master Audio | |
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio | |
DTS 96/24 | |
DTS Express | |
DTS-ES | Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1 |
IMAX Enhanced | |
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer | |
PCM | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
Music Playback via USB | MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network | up to 192 kHz |
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB | Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB | |
Gapless Playback | |
DSD via HDMI | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
DSD via USB | 2-ch Input |
DSD to PCM Converter | |
USB DAC | |
DTS Dialog Control | |
Dialog Level Adjustment | |
Dialog Normalization | |
Dialogue Lift | |
Compressed Music Enhancer | including for Bluetooth® |
High-resolution Music Enhancer | |
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) | |
Initial Volume & Maximum Volume Setting | |
Audyssey Dynamic EQ | |
Audyssey Dynamic Volume | |
Audyssey LFC | |
Audyssey Sub EQ HT | |
Audyssey DSX | |
Direct Mode | |
Straight Decoding Mode | |
CINEMA DSP | 3D |
DSP Programs | 17 |
SILENT CINEMA / Virtual CINEMA DSP | Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
Virtual Speakers |
CALIBRATION | |
---|---|
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | YPAO sound optimization |
YPAO Volume | |
PEQ for SUB | Down to 31 Hz |
VIDEO | |
---|---|
Video Signal Type | NTSC |
HDR10 | |
HDR10+ | |
BT.2020 color space | |
Dolby Vision | |
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) | |
QMS (Quick Media Switching) | |
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) | |
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | |
QFT (Quick Frame transport) | |
3-D Ready | |
Video Signal Passthrough | up to 4K/60p 4:2:0 |
Video Signal Upscaling | up to 1080p |
Analog To HDMI Upconversion | |
Component Video Upscaling | |
Analog to Analog Video conversion | |
Component Video Maximum Resolution | 1080i |
Video Parameter Adjustments | |
isf Certified Calibration Control |
CONNECTIVITY | |
---|---|
MHL Input | |
DLNA 1.5 | |
FireConnect | |
FlareConnect | |
MusicCast | |
Chromecast Built-In | |
DTS Play-Fi | |
Works with Amazon Alexa | on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo, Dot, Tap and Show) |
Works with SONOS | |
AirPlay | AirPlay |
Apple Product Connection | iPod, iPhone and iPad |
Remote App | (iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet) |
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue | |
Ethernet | |
Ethernet Switch | |
Wi-Fi | with Wireless Direct |
Bluetooth | |
HDBaseT Compatible | |
Enhanced ARC | |
HDCP Version | 2.2 |
HDMI Input | 6 |
HDMI Output | 1 |
USB Input | iPod® / iPhone®, USB memory, portable audio player |
USB DC Out Port | |
Analog Audio Line Input | 4 (1 AUX Jack in the front) |
Analog Audio Line Output | |
Phono Input | |
Optical In | 1 |
Optical Out | |
Coaxial In/Out | 2 / |
Composite Video Input | 4 |
Composite Video Output | 1 |
S-Video Input | |
S-Video Output | |
Component Video Input | 2 |
Component Video Output | 1 |
PC In | |
Multi-Channel Input | |
Analog Pre-Outs | 0.1 |
XLR Inputs | |
XLR Pre-outs | |
Front A/V Inputs | USB, mini-jack |
Speaker A/B | |
Headphone Out | 6.3 mm |
ZONES | |
---|---|
Zones | 1 |
Zone B Video Output | |
Zone GUI | |
RS-232 | |
+12V Trigger Output | |
Remote (IR) Input/Output | 0 / 0 |
Party Mode |
MISC | |
---|---|
On-Screen Display | color OSD |
SCENE | SCENE (4 sets) |
Web Browser Control | |
PreAmp Mode | |
Remote Controller | |
Detachable Power Cord | |
dockport |
RADIO | |
---|---|
Analog Tuner | FM/AM |
Presets | 40 |
Digital Radio | |
Internet Radio | vTuner |
Pandora | |
Spotify | |
Tidal | |
Deezer | |
Napster | |
SiriusXM Internet Radio |
CONSTRUCTION | |
---|---|
A.R.T. Wedge | |
Speaker Terminals | 5 |
Large Speaker Terminals | 5 |
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals | |
Gold plated RCA terminals |
POWER | |
---|---|
Power Supply | AC 120 V, 60 Hz |
Power Consumption | 260 W |
Standby Power | 0.1 W |
GENERAL | |
---|---|
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function | |
Auto Power Standby | |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 435 mm x 161 mm x 327 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 221 mm x 327 mm) 17-1/8" x 6-3/8" x 12-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 8-3/4" x 12-7/8") |
Weight | 8.1 kg (17.9 lbs) |
Warranty | 3 Years |
SPECS | |
---|---|
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 | 80 W (0.09% THD) |
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 | 95 W (0.9% THD) |
Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven) | 115 W (0.9% THD) |
Maximum Effective Output Power (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA) | 140 W (10% THD) |
Dynamic Power per Channel (2 | 180 W |
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front) | 160 W |
Dynamic Power per Channel (6 Ω, Front) | 130 W |
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front) | 110 W |
Damping Factor | 100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω) |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line) | 200 mV/47 kΩ (1 kHz, 100 W/6 Ω) |
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line) | 2.3 V |
Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance | 100 mV/560 Ω (AV 4 etc., 1 kHz, 50 mV, 8 Ω) |
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 110 dB |
Frequency Response (Analog In) | +0/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz) |
Residual Noise (IHF-A Network) | 150 µV (Speaker Out) |
Channel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz (LINE) | 75 dB/50 dB |
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI | 2.8 MHz |
DSD Sampling Rates via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz |
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance | 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite) |
Video Maximum Input | 1.5 Vp-p |
Video Frequency Response | 5 Hz to 60 MHz, -3 dB (Component) |
Video S/N Ratio | 50 dB |
Ethernet Standard | 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 2.1 + EDR |
USB Terminal | USB2.0 5 V, 1 A |
FM Frequency | 87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz |
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.) | Mono: 3 µV (20.8 dBf) |
FM S/N Ratio | Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/64 dB |
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz) | Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6% |
AM Frequency | 530 MHz - 1710 MHz |
* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted
Successor
In 2016 Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 was replaced by RX-A660. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.
UPGRADES | Yamaha Aventage RX-A660 | vs | Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 |
---|---|---|---|
More Channels | 7.2 | vs | 5.1 |
Bi-amp capability | vs | ||
More Channel Processing | 7.1 | vs | 5.1 |
Dolby Atmos | up to 5.1.2 | vs | |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | vs | ||
DTS:X | up to 5.1.2 | vs | |
DTS Neural:X | vs | ||
DTS Dialog Control | vs | ||
HDR10 | vs | ||
BT.2020 color space | vs |
DOWNGRADES | Yamaha Aventage RX-A660 | vs | Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 |
---|---|---|---|
Video Signal Upscaling | vs | up to 1080p | |
Less HDMI Inputs | 4 | vs | 6 |
Less Component Video Inputs | vs | 2 | |
Less Component Video Outputs | vs | 1 |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Yamaha Aventage RX-A660 vs Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.