Yamaha 373 receiver: description, specs, reviews. Overview of receivers

The Yamaha RX-V373 receiver proves that the multifunctional AV amplifier can cost less than $ 400. But many budget models, whose manufacturers tried to do this in the past, were the result of forced compromise, offering half-finished functions that users did not really impress. RX-V371 worth $ 250 is an example of the older generation of AV amplifiers of the Japanese manufacturer, whose possibilities are extremely limited. On the other hand, the Yamaha RX-V373 offers some interesting features that are usually found only in expensive high-end models.

Design

In the field of design, Yamaha is inclined to innovate, but it may not be necessary, because there are many buyers who have long been accustomed to the design performance of this manufacturer's receivers. The model measures 435 x 315 x 151 mm. The style of the amplifier is simple and straightforward. On the front panel there is an increased volume control knob, 4 familiar SCENE circular buttons, built-in radio controls and tone adjustment keys - the standard set that is commonly found in AV receivers.

Connectivity overview

Since this is an entry-level model, there are not so many connection options to the front of the device. On the left is the headphone jack, and on the right, under the cover, is the video input for connecting a camcorder or game console and a USB port. The latter is compatible with iPod and iPhone. You can not view photos or videos through it, but you can play MP3 files from a flash drive or external hard drive. The other connectors are located on the rear panel of the AV receiver, including 4 HDMI input and output connectors, 2 component inputs and outputs, 2 digital optical and 2 coaxial inputs, 4 analog inputs and 2 outputs, a subwoofer jack and a headphone jack.

Equipment

Together with the receiver, the user receives a remote control with two AAA batteries, a calibration microphone and two radio antennas for receiving FM and AM. Also included is a safety brochure, a quick setup guide and a user manual CD.

4K Support

The ability to play 4K-video is one of the most amazing features that have ever appeared in entry-level models, as the market is still dominated by TVs with a resolution of 1080p. On sale, there are still too few screens that support 4K technology , whose resolution is 4 times that of full HD. But as soon as this standard becomes more affordable, the RX-V373 will be ready to transfer any data from the 4K-compatible video source to the display.

HDMI with 3D and ARC

The model is capable of processing 3D signals coming through the HDMI port. This means that any Blu-ray Disc player and HDTV capable of supporting stereo images can be connected to the AV amplifier to enjoy 3D content with optimal performance. In addition, the latest specification of the HDMI standard provides for an audio return channel, so an optical cable will not be needed to listen to audio coming from the display.

The Yamaha 373 receiver supports a 5.1-channel configuration, which is quite common today due to its availability. Its benefits can take advantage of a number of audio formats, including Dolby True HD and DTS-HD. All of them provide support for the CINEMA DSP system, which is great for watching movies.

Yamaha 373 Receiver: Description of the Preset Procedure

To achieve a decent sound quality, you need to properly adjust the speakers. Fortunately, this is easily done with YPAO or the parametric room acoustics optimizer, which is a special sound enhancement system using a small microphone that is included in the package. It is used to calibrate loudspeakers. Any acoustic signal picked up by the microphone is analyzed and used to determine the best parameters for each speaker. This allows the amplifier to easily adapt to different room configurations. The process takes less than 5 minutes, but it's worth it if the user is not sure about their musical abilities. To start the configuration procedure, you should:

• Turn on the receiver and TV, set the latter to display the messages of the amplifier;
• Turn on the subwoofer and set the volume level to 50%, and the crossover frequency - to the maximum;
• Place the YPAO microphone at the height of the listener's ears and connect it to the connector on the front panel;
• The setup menu appears on the TV screen, in which you select Start and press Setup.

You can save the settings by selecting Save and pressing the enter button.

After completing the calibration, the next step is to connect the various components of the home theater to the HDMI ports. The 4 connectors are tied to the SCENE buttons located on the front panel of the amplifier. This makes it easy to switch to other input sources. In addition, the Yamaha 373 receiver provides the ability to reassign any of the SCENE buttons to another source.

Sound Enhancement Systems

The receiver is powerful enough in the sound plan due to a number of functions that allow to improve any 5.1 speaker system connected to it. The dynamics of the speakers can be increased by using the Subwoofer Trim subwoofer control. This technology amplifies low frequencies so that they do not overlap with the outputs of the front speakers. Adaptive DRC Adaptive Control Adaptive Control (DRC) perfectly manages audio levels, so all forms of sound effects are heard: from weak whispering to stunning explosions. This feature can be useful if the user is tired of commercials being broadcast at maximum volume. Silent Cinema technology also allows any pair of headphones connected to the Yamaha 373 AV receiver to significantly increase the volume of the sound.

Instant inclusion

The receiver automatically turns on when one of the SCENE buttons is pressed, select the DSP mode and the source. You can change these settings by selecting other input devices and digital signal processing systems, followed by pressing the SCENE button for more than 3 seconds.

HDMI CEC

If the receiver is connected to a TV with CEC support, it will turn off and turn on with it. Also, the HDMI CEC technology allows you to interact with other compatible components, for example, to skip or stop playback of the amplifier's remote control. In addition, to control the volume level, you can use the remote control of the TV.

Connecting Apple devices

A USB port located on the front panel of the AV receiver allows you to connect any iPod and iPhone model to play audio files stored on them. It is not necessary to be near these devices, since the remote control included with the Yamaha RX-V373 allows them to be controlled. Song names, as well as system messages and queries during initial setup, are displayed on an attractive multilingual two-line LCD screen. To improve the sound quality even more, the Compressed Music Enhancer technology will restore any missing track data.

Additional Functionality

Not all features of the receiver are listed above. The model also provides:

• 30/36-bit color with a refresh rate of 24 Hz;
• Automatic audio synchronization with a delay of 0-250 ms;
• Multilingual color OSD;
• Choice of 9 subwoofer crossover frequencies;
• Preservation of initial and maximum volume settings;
• Recording in memory of 40 stations;
• The background video playback while listening to the radio, etc.

Sound quality

The level of music playback of the Yamaha receiver 373 user reviews are called impressive for a budget amplifier. Fatal and acoustic songs sound very clean. Naturally, the result depends to a large extent on the acoustics chosen, but it can be with full confidence that the quality of the signal between the source and the speakers will not be lost.

Power Consumption

The amplifier is very friendly to the environment, since it has an ECO mode, which reduces energy consumption by 20%. The savings can be even greater if you set the device to turn off automatically after 2-12 hours. The Yamaha 373 receiver consumes only 0.3 watts of standby time. In the active state, the device requires 73 watts of power.

Conclusion

Most users are not able to evaluate the characteristics of the Yamaha 373 receiver in terms of the operability of its 4k functions. Since the technology is still very young, it is not necessary yet, but in the future the user of the amplifier can be sure. A cursory review of the AV receivers allows you to conclude that few base models support 4k. Once the large HDTVs become more affordable, the amplifier will be ready to serve them at the maximum resolution. The price of the receiver looks very tempting, and its performance is sufficient to view Blu-ray discs on a high-definition TV. According to reviews, the device lacks the network functions of more expensive amplifiers, but overall it is an excellent entry-level receiver for surround sound system. One of the main reasons for replacing this model with a more expensive one is the need to have a large number of HDMI ports. And to find among competitors something similar on the functionality of the receiver Yamaha 373, the price of which is only 250 dollars, almost unrealistic.