Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today announced the introduction of its flagship 11.2 channel digital AV receiver (140W x 7 + 50W x 4: $5,499.95 MSRP). Designed to deliver the ultimate audio and video quality of content from diverse sources, the RX-Z11 offers seamless operation and unprecedented multi-zone options for high end home entertainment installations. The RX-Z11, which will ship in November, will be demonstrated at Yamaha's CEDIA Expo 2007 booth (#450), September 6-9, 2007, in Denver, Colorado.

The RX-Z11's 11.2 channel speaker setting provides a new level of surround sound realism by applying newly redesigned Yamaha proprietary Cinema DSP HD3 processing. CinemaDSP HD3 utilizes the front and rear presence speakers' algorithms to achieve the 3-D surround sound height realism.

The new RX-Z11supports the latest HD Audio Surround formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, 30/36bit Deep Color, xvYCC, 120 and 24Hz refresh rates and Auto Lip-sync. The RX-Z11 features 5 HDMI inputs – including one on the front panel – and two HDMI outputs, as well as analog to HDMI 1080p upscaling and HDMI Audio upconversion.

The RX-Z11's network capabilities (including Windows Vista OS [WMP 11] and Microsoft PlaysForSure support) greatly increases the number of entertainment sources beyond the norm, including the playback of music (MP3, WMA, WAV and AAC files) stored on a PC or NAS drive with media server functionality and Internet radio with MP3 support. The RX-Z11 can also act as a remote client to Yamaha's premiere MusicCAST music distribution system, such as MCX-2000.

A USB interface, which adheres to the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), provides two USB inputs (one front, one rear) for playback of MP3, WMA, WAV and AAC audio files from a portable player or USB drive. The rear USB port offers easy connectivity to an external HDD drive.

Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART circuitry isolates the digital, analog and video sections of the RX-Z11 and provides the shortest and most efficient signal routes for each. High Current Amplification circuitry achieves high current power with low impedance for superior amplifier performance.

To realize the ultimate in transparency, power and sonic richness, the RX-Z11 was developed with close attention to the details. It utilizes current feedback amplification, which requires less phase compensation and protects the audio signal from being adulterated, as opposed to the voltage feedback method, which is commonly employed by most other amplifiers. Further ensuring total realism, the RX-Z11's high-end circuitry keeps the frequency response consistent, even when the gain fluctuates.

The RX-Z11 seamlessly integrates HD Radio technology, which enables listeners to enjoy many additional options for free, enhanced-quality audio over the airwaves. Utilizing HD Radio, FM signals are elevated to CD-quality audio, while AM station signals sound more like FM radio, virtually eliminating any static or hiss. The receiver also displays HD Radio's transmission of content information, such as song titles, artist names and much more. Currently, more than 1,000 U.S. radio stations are broadcasting HD Radio content.

Yamaha's updated YPAO Sound Optimization system automatically analyzes the acoustics of the room and adjusts various speaker parameters to provide optimum sound quality at the listening position, including multi-point measurement (up to eight points) support and standing-wave reduction EQ, speaker layout measurement with included microphone base and the YPAO Easy Starter for instant system integration.

The RX-Z11 System Memory feature enables users to set up to 10 listening settings for the main zone, and four for each additional zone, for such variables as speaker configuration, YPAO automatic system calibration setup, HiFi and home theater listening, HDMI and overall zone.

The RX-Z11 connects easily to Apple iPods via an optional iPod docking station (Yamaha YDS-10; SRP $99.95). Once docked, the iPod can be operated (song selection, play, etc.) via the receiver's remote control. A one cable connection enables users to view the iPod's video, pictures and operating status (song title, artist, etc.) on a television monitor. In addition, the Yamaha YDS-10 will automatically charge the iPod so it's always ready for a road trip. The RX-Z11 is also XM satellite radio ready with XM HD Surround. Yamaha's updated proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology, which compensates for the lost detail of audio that is compressed during the "ripping” process, now processes multi-channel signals so all channels (rather than just two) are independently enhanced.

The RX-Z11 utilizes an intuitive on-screen GUI for navigating through menus and content from each source.

RX-Z11 Provides Unprecedented Custom Installation Flexibility

The RX-Z11's unprecedented versatility features a pre-amplifier mode that can disable the power amplifier circuitry and allow the internal pre-amp to be paired with an external, ultra high-end power amplifier, where the main zone pre-out passes a full 11.2 channels of audio, complete with the RX-Z11's full range of decoding, DSP and speaker configuration output. Even the most discriminating listeners who prefer one set of speakers for home theater and another for music can easily be accommodated by the RX-Z11.

Here is a sample of a few possible RX-Z11 custom installation scenarios:

• 11.2 channels in the main home theater/music room
• 11.2 channels in the main room with two additional fronts bi-wired
• 9.2 channels in the main room with the fronts bi-amped
• 7.2 channels in the main room, four channels in the second room and two channels in the third room using Intelligent Assign
• 7.2 channels in the main room, two channels in the second room, two channels in the third room and two channels in a fourth room using Intelligent Assign
• 5.2 channels in the main room, two channels in the second room, two channels in the third room and two channels in a fourth room
• 5.2 channels in the main room with the fronts bi-amped, two channels in the second room and two channels in the third room