First Look: AV Receivers

Price: $1,899
Channels/Power: 7x130W
Decoding: DD, DD EX, ProLogic IIx, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6/DTS 24/96, Circle Surround
Ins and Outs: Three coax and five toslink digital audio, one 7.1-channel analog, two i.LINK, two HDMI (spec 1.1), three component video, RS-232, two 12V triggers
Highlights: THX Select2, HD Radio ready, YPAO automated setup and EQ, transcoding of incoming video to upconverted (720p or 1080i) HDMI, multi-source/multi-zone, backlit remote w/LCD window

For a lot of people Yamaha is practically synonymous with the AVR, and this THX Select2-certified receiver's robust feature set shows why. Packing seven channels of 130W amplification, the V2600 allows bi-amping for 5.1-channels systems, HDMI 1.1 switching (which means 1080p and hi-res multichannel PCM from HD DVD and Blu-ray are doable), upconversion of incoming video sources to HDMI at 720p or 1080i, A/V sync delay, dual i.LINK IEEE 1394 inputs, and a spate of Yamaha's DSP venue simulation modes. Satellite radio? That's so yesterday- this AVR has HD Radio and YPAO- Yamaha's automated speaker setup and EQ algorithm. Available now.