Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 Review and Specs

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 Overview

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 43 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

66

VIDEO FEATURES

27

AUDIO FEATURES

23

CONNECTIVITY

44

MULTIZONE

48

MISCELLANEOUS

38

RADIO

62

OVERALL

43

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-A820.

PROS
DSD via HDMI					👍
4K or 8K Video Passthrough					👍
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling					👍
DLNA 1.5					👍
Ethernet					👍
Wi-Fi					👍
New HDCP Version					👍
Many HDMI Inputs					👍
USB Input					👍
Composite Video Inputs					👍
Component Video Inputs					👍
Analog Pre-Outs					👍
Zones					👍
Analog Tuner					👍
Internet Radio					👍
Pandora					👍
SiriusXM Internet Radio					👍

CONS
No Front Wide Channel Support					👎
No Dolby Atmos					👎
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization					👎
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 Audyssey Dynamic EQ					👎
No Audyssey Dynamic Volume					👎
No Audyssey LFC					👎
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT					👎
No HDR10					👎
No HDR10+					👎
No Dynamic HDR					👎
No Dolby Vision					👎
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through					👎
No VRR					👎
No QFT					👎
No MHL Input					👎
No FireConnect					👎
No FlareConnect					👎
No MusicCast					👎
No Chromecast Built-In					👎
No DTS Play-Fi					👎
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa					👎
Does Not Work with SONOS					👎
No Bluetooth					👎
No eARC					👎
No Phono Input					👎
No Multi-Channel Input					👎
No Spotify					👎
No Tidal					👎
No Deezer					👎

Major Changes from its predecessor

Here we are comparing Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 to its predecessor RX-A810 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A820	Yamaha Aventage RX-A810
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	✔ YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)	✔ YPAO sound optimization with Multipoint measurement
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K	up to 1080p
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K	✔ up to 1080p *
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay	✖
Wi-Fi	✔ via optional YWA-10 adapter (sold separately)	✖

DOWNGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A820	Yamaha Aventage RX-A810
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✔ (Component**, Composite) to (Component, Composite)
Bluetooth	✖	✔ via optional YBA-10 adapter (sold separately)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 vs Yamaha Aventage RX-A810.

Selected Features

Amplifier

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 30p and 4K upscaling up to 30p.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 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-A820 comes with YPAO (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement) room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or wirelessly via optional YWA-10 adapter (sold separately). The Receiver supports AirPlay. It has 8 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 7.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI, USB, analog audio and composite inputs.

Detailed Specifications

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Yamaha Aventage RX-A820.

BASICS
Brand	Yamaha
Series	Aventage
Model	RX-A820
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA and Canada
Release Year	2012

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support	✖
THX™ Certification	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✔

AUDIO
Surround:AI™	✖
DAC	Burr-Brown
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLIIx
Dolby Digital 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, WAV, FLAC
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	WAV, FLAC
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖
Gapless Playback	✖
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖
USB DAC	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✖
Dialog Level Adjustment	✔
Dialog Normalization	✔
Dialogue Lift	✔ no presence speakers required
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔
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	✖
Straight Decoding Mode	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✔ with video on mode
CINEMA DSP	✔ 3D
DSP Programs	17
SILENT CINEMA / Virtual CINEMA DSP	✔
Virtual Speakers	✔

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C. with Multipoint measurement)
YPAO Volume	✖
PEQ for SUB	Down to 31 Hz

VIDEO
Video Signal Type	NTSC
Video Signal Format (Video Covnersion)	NTSC/PAL
HDR10	✖
HDR10+	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖
BT.2020 color space	✖
Dolby Vision	✖
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖
3-D Ready	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Component**, Composite
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	✖
Works with SONOS	✖
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	✔ (iPhone/iPad, Android™ phone/tablet, Kindle Fire™)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖
Ethernet	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖
Wi-Fi	✔ via optional YWA-10 adapter (sold separately)
Bluetooth	✖
HDBaseT Compatible	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2
USB Input	iPod^®/iPhone^®/iPad^®, USB memory, portable audio player (MP3, WMA, AAC up to 48 kHz / 16-bit, FLAC/WAV up to 96 kHz / 24-bit)
USB DC Out Port	✔ (USB DC output 5 V / 0.5 amp)
Analog Audio Line Inputs	5 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	2
Phono Input	✖
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	2 / No
Composite Video Inputs	5 (1 front)
Composite Video Outputs	2
S-Video Inputs	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖
Component Video Inputs	2
Component Video Outputs	1
PC In	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	7.2
XLR Inputs	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, analog audio, composite
Speaker A/B	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	2
Powered Zones	Zone 2
Zone 2 Outs	Line Out
Zone B Video Output	✔ (HDMI)
Zone GUI	✖
RS-232 Interface	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✔ (1)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1
Party Mode	✔

MISC
On-Screen Display	Graphical user interface
SCENE	✔ (four sets)
Web Control	✔
PreAmp Mode	✖
Remote Controller	✔ (Preset)
Detachable Power Cord	✔
dockport	✖

RADIO
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM
Presets	40
Digital Radio	✖
Internet Radio	✔
Pandora	✔
Spotify	✖
Tidal	✖
Deezer	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✔

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front	Aluminum
A.R.T. Wedge	✔
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	400 W/500 VA
Standby Power	0.1 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function	✔
Auto Power Standby	✔
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 171 mm x 369 mm 17-1/8" x 6-3/4" x 14-1/2"
Weight	10.8 kg (23.8 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	100 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	110 W (0.9% THD)
Rated Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven)	130 W (0.9% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven, JEITA)	160 W (10% THD)
Rated Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel Driven)	160 W (0.9% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (2 Ω, Front)	250 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	210 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (6 Ω, Front)	180 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	140 W
THD	0.06% (AV 5 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
Damping Factor	100 (Front, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ
Maximum Input Sensitivity (Line)	2.3 V
Rated Lineout Level and Impedance	200 mV/1.2 kΩ (REC OUT)
Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance	100 mV/560 Ω (AV 5 etc., 1 kHz, 50 mV, 8 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	100 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)	60 dB/45 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	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	100BASE-TX
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5 V, 2.1 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: 71 dB/69 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.3%/0.5%
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 2013 Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 was replaced by RX-A830. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A830	Yamaha Aventage RX-A820
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 192 kHz	✔ up to 96 kHz
MHL Input	✔	✖
Bluetooth	✔ via optional YBA-11 adapter (sold separately)	✖
Spotify	✔	✖

DOWNGRADES	Yamaha Aventage RX-A830	Yamaha Aventage RX-A820
Less Analog Audio Line Outputs	1	2

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Yamaha Aventage RX-A830 vs Yamaha Aventage RX-A820.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 (USA and Canadian versions)

Highlights