Yamaha Aventage RX-A550

    73
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    USA and Canada Korea Australia
    UK and Europe
    Asia

    Highlights

    • 5.1 Channels
    • 5.1 Channel Processing
    • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough
    • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 1080p video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v 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.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. 2015 Lineup
    4. Successor
    5. Audio Section
    6. Video Section
    7. Multi-zone Playback
    8. Inputs and Outputs
    9. Evaluation
    10. Specifications  

    Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

    Evolution of the series
    Model Year Chann. Power Dolby Atmos DTS:X HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision Pass. Price
    RX-A680 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2018 7.2 80 W 4K
    RX-A670 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2017 7.2 80 W 4K
    RX-A660 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2016 7.2 80 W 4K
    RX-A550 Image cannot be found 2015 5.1 80 W 4K

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Yamaha RX-A680 vs RX-A670 vs RX-A660 vs RX-A550.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.

    PROs

    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   Bluetooth
    •   Works with Amazon Alexa
    •   USB Input
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   Analog Tuner
    •   Spotify

    CONs

    •   Few Channels - 5.1
    •   Low Power Output - 80 W
    •   5.1 Channel Processing
    •   No Dolby Atmos
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No DTS:X
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No HDR10
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No Dolby Vision
    •   No eARC
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   1 HDMI Outputs
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No Phono Input
    •   No RCA Pre-Outs
    •   No Zones
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Pandora
    •   No Tidal
    •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   6 HDMI Inputs
    •   RCA Line Inputs

    Yamaha 2015 Lineup

    In 2015 Yamaha released 6 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Yamaha 2015 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioHDRZones Price
    RX-A3050 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2150 W11.211.2 YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with 3D, Multipoint and Angle measurement)Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		HDR104
    RX-A2050 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.17.2 YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		HDR104
    RX-A1050 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2110 W7.17.2 YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		HDR102
    RX-A850 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2100 W7.17.2 YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)Dolby AtmosHDR102
    RX-A750 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.1 YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C.)HDR102
    RX-A550 Image cannot be found 5.180 W5.1 YPAO sound optimization1

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Yamaha RX-A3050 vs RX-A2050 vs RX-A1050 vs RX-A850 vs RX-A750 vs RX-A550.

    Successor

    In 2016 Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 was replaced by Yamaha RX-A660. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Yamaha 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
    Dialog Level Adjustment vs
    Dialogue Lift no presence speakers required vs
    HDR10 vs
    BT.2020 color space vs
    Zone B Video Output vs
    More Speaker Terminals 7 vs 5
    More Large Speaker Terminals 7 vs 5
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 2 Ω, Front) 190 W vs 160 W
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 4 Ω, Front) 170 W vs 130 W
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 6 Ω, Front) 140 W vs 110 W
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 8 Ω, Front) [] vs []
    DOWNGRADES Yamaha RX-A660 vs Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
    Dolby Pro Logic vs PLII
    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-A550 vs RX-A660.

    Audio Section

    5 channel Amplifier

    Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels5.1
      Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability

      Speaker Configurations

      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550's 5 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • 5.1 with internal amplifier.
      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
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      DECODING
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      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

      Sound Processing

      • 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 Calibration

      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 comes with YPAO room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      • YPAO: The Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) function detects speaker connections, measures the distances from them to your listening position(s), and then automatically optimizes the speaker settings, such as volume balance and acoustic parameters, to suit your room.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p 4:2:0 video signal.
      • 1080p Upscaling: Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 can upscale up to 1080p from HDMI sources.
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
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      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      HDCP Version2.2
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p 4:2:0
      Video Signal Upscaling up to 1080p
      >

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 2 coaxial inputs are available for digital audio connection.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Inputs: 6   Outputs: 1
        8K Inputs: 0
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Inputs: 4   Outputs: 1
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 supports up to 1080i resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

      Front A/V Inputs

      • USB, mini-jack
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      TERMINALS
      HDMI Inputs6
      HDMI Outputs1
      8K Inputs
      USB InputiPod® / iPhone®, USB memory, portable audio player
      USB DC Out Port
      Optical Inputs1
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs2
      RCA Line Inputs4 (1 AUX Jack in the front)
      RCA Line Outputs
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs0.1
      XLR Pre-outs
      Composite Video Inputs4
      Composite Video Outputs1
      S-Video Inputs
      S-Video Outputs
      Component Video Inputs2
      Component Video Outputs1

      Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 Evaluation

      We evaluate Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 and give score of 73 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


      OVERALL
      73

      Amplifier

      GOOD
      79

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 79 for Amplifier features.

      •   Few Channels - 5.1
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W

      Audio Features

      AVERAGE
      69

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 69 for Audio Features features.

      •   Few Channels - 5.1
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   DSD via HDMI

      Video Features

      AVERAGE
      69

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 69 for Video Features features.

      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough

      Connectivity

      GOOD
      80

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 80 for Connectivity features.

      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

      Zones

      AVERAGE
      55

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 55 for Zones features.

      •   No Zones

      Radio

      GOOD
      82

      We give Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 a score of 82 for Radio features.

      •   Analog Tuner
      •   No Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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