My Review of the "Yamaha RX-V6A"

Yamaha RX-V6A is the audio/video (AV) receiver that I thought would answer all of my prayers. It just recently came out this week and it definitely shows. I originally bought this receiver because I thought it would answer my problems but instead I think I have to wait for the next firmware updates for it to answer my prayers.

Like many of you, I don't like to stick so many HDMI cables into my TV. It's mounted on the wall it looks terrible if there's wires all over the place. I just want one simple wire that goes from my AV receiver to the TV and it will be the end all and be all for my game systems. The AV receiver would act as the HDMI switch between the game consoles and computer. The problem is that HDMI is getting more complicated.

The original HDMI 1.4 just doesn't cut it anymore. That's for older consoles that work with 1080p. We're now in ultra high definition (UHD) with 4k quality images. They pushed the HDMI's to 2.0 for HDR content. This means the AV receiver and the television need to be HDMI 2.0 compliant. Most AV receivers are now compliant with HDMI 2.0 because HDR is the new thing with UHD TV's.

As you all know the newest game consoles now support HDMI 2.1. This is mainly for gaming and future visuals as HDMI 2.1 allows more information to flow through the HDMI chord. It will allow for up to 8k images. The main thing that gamers want from HDMI 2.1 is the variable refresh rate (VRR) and 4k gaming at 120 frames a second. These are basically features that will make the games run buttery smooth on the screen but require a lot of information to flow through the HDMI 2.1 chord.

My solution was to get a television with at least one HDMI 2.1 port and an AV receiver with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports so that I can use it as the switch between consoles. The Yamaha RX-V6A was my solution as it has 3 HDMI 2.1 ports. It also happens to have a whole slew of features that I didn't think I'd love so much.

The instant I open the box I realize that there's a note in the box that says you have to update the firmware immediately to get all the functions for the receiver. It also says that HDMI 2.1 support is coming soon through a future firmware update! I was so disappointed when I saw this. I couldn't believe that they would have this as one of the major reasons for even buying the unit and it doesn't even support it right out of the box.

Still I can handle this. It's still got HDMI 2.0 right? Well, maybe not all of the features that I was hoping for. I know that my Xbox one X works great when it's hooked directly to the TV. I get all of the functions I require so at least I can get all of the visual features if I hook it into the new receiver right? Things can never be that easy.

I hooked the Xbox one X to the receiver and to my dismay noticed that HDR10 only works on movies but not on games. How is this possible? I was dumbfounded to know that even some of the HDMI 2.0 functions aren't even there when I hook them into this receiver. For a gamer this is a terrible solution and I urge you to find another receiver if you want your games to work their best right out of the box. This receiver might work later on if or when it gets better firmware but it isn't right now. How dare Yamaha release something so incomplete!

I blame this on companies depending on firmware updates to fix things on their products. We see this in games all the time and now we're seeing this on hardware. This stuff just scares me when I see new TV's, consoles and other hardware units. Companies are really slacking now.

As for the rest of the receiver that I did like. I love the fact that the sound does sound beautiful on this receiver. The sound is more rich and with substance when I play music off this receiver. The fact that I can play things off of my phone through Bluetooth and have multiple modes to listen to them is amazing. My speakers sound way louder than they used to because I believe the receiver is outputting a lot more power to them.

Overall, there's so much to love about the receiver as an audiophile but as a gamer this receiver sucks. Movies haven't sounded better though. So it's a real toss up for what you want to do with this receiver. If it's for sound for movies and music you hit the jackpot. If you're using this for gaming you'll notice you got yourself a dud. Again this is a week in and they could possibly get new firmware to fix the issues but jeez don't release things when they're not ready like this. I have to give this receiver a 7 out of 10. It is a pleasant surprise for sound but ultimately failed me on its promises.