Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsNow it's starting to be proper. Highly researched and very impressed update added
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2015
Update. I raise my rating. This thing is used 10+ hours a day. I love it!
Setup now 3040 Yamaha blue ray/DVD/SACD/CD player, Pro-Ject debut Carbon esprit SB>Pro-Ject phono preamp, TWC DVR, Apple TV, PS3. Klipsch RP 160m fronts, RP250c center, RP 150m surrounds, RP 250S rears 1 JBL 12" SUB and small JBL surround speakers acting as height channels(Powered by Adcom 4ch amp 100w/ channel).
Samsung 1080p tv 2013 model. 7100 series.
In process building boxes for ceiling style speakers for Atmos.
So far I would highly suggest this to anyone looking for a home theater unit looking for multi zone or 11 channel setup. I started out with an older jbl 5.1 home theater speaker set up. I have upgraded to a 7.1 setup with klipsch RP series speakers. I am currently seeking out another 4 speakers to complete the atmos.
Just the upgrade I am using 2 channels of the receiver to biamp my fronts and an external Adcom 4 channel amp for what will end up powering the atmos portion, for the moment they are just high and wide speakers for 3D or sound height definition. I am so pleased with it. Saying this I have found some gripes, but I will focus on the positives.
Music and the amplification of this unit is outstanding. I had planned to use my Adcom amps to power the mains. There wasn't a noticeable difference witch I found most surprising. If I am listening to music in high quality like live music Blueray recorded in 5.1 or I am listening to a piece of vinyl in stereo this thing exceeds my expectations in every way. Even the sound processor that is built in isn't to shabby. I have to say that if I were designing an interface I might do it differently but I know more about music than the average joe. Sound processing usually is complete crap. I just returned a pair of headphones because they sounded horrible with out the processing turned on. It's easy to make stuff sound great with effects. Flat or in it's natural state is always better. The processing in this is pretty good, I wish that there was more control but it's enough that you can play with it n not really screw up your sound.
Some will care the phono preamp is good but not great. When I say this a phono preamp can cost as much or more than yamaha's mid level receivers. I have a new project turntable and I bought a project phono preamp. I spent $199.99 on it. I'm also getting a tube version for recording that is triple the cost. I'm sure it will sound even better. Right now in stereo with any number of LP's this thing is so clear (I feel like such a dork). I can hear things I never heard before. The lows are clean and pronounced, the mids as well better intricate bass playing and definition between notes than I have heard before. Even on straight digital tracks. Also there's no complaints about with the sound at all. Exceeds my expectations everywhere.
Movies. I haven't setup atmos properly and the Height dynamic as well as the complete surround setup is epic. It's setup as a 9.1 or 7.2.1 system atm. With the extra speakers being roughly 10' high and 5' out from the mains. I am currently going to build a pair of speakers for the rear and then float them off the wall at 10'. This will give me 7.4.1(or 7.1.4). The .4 denotes the ceiling mounted speakers. Having 25-20' ceiling has made for an interesting design plan.
Everyone's gripe. The remote sucks. Ok yes it does, but this is designed to be used with an iPad or iPhone. Got a smart phone? You have an awesome remote. Problem solved. I can't stand any of the remotes I have and I have my phone in my pocket all the time. Not a reason to stay away fro this unit.
Also this is the first unit I have owned where I have let the video go thru the unit not just audio. The unit takes time to turn on decide what definition it is, maybe it even takes a moment to determine if you have good taste. I suspect all receivers do this. It's not a big deal I just want it yesterday! Not in 2-3 seconds.
At this time my overall impression of the Yamaha RX-3040 is if you are looking in this range buy it. Look over my original review for perspective. I will continue to update.
Negatives- I wish I could improve the interface, or GUI. Yamaha makes keyboards/workstations that have the juice to put my new Mac book pro to shame. I know they know music processing and live setup. Let me have more control, let me input the values I am willing to measure and then let your receiver brain do the calculations n give me what I think I want. The obvious objection is I love the stereo and music playback, once I have properly installed the atmos speakers then revisit this. I will.
Original/first thoughts
Ok so A small history of my background. I just finished a 10 year time as a touring musician, I played bluegrass to Electronica, and as my band mates and my interests had changed we were getting national recognition for our music. This means I don't know crap about Home Theater systems, and I haven't bought a new receiver since I worked in a Best Buy in 2000. So do to this reason It was time for me to look into something that at least had Component Video input. How ever difficult I did manage these years w/o HDMI on my receiver. I unboxed the receiver today and began to set it up. Being out of touch I am only going to talk about this receiver.
1) I know how important inputs and also the type as in the HDMI 2.0, and it's ability to decode information in 4K in the newest TV's. I decided that this wasn't as important as I don't have a 4K TV yet and the more and more I think about it. Do I really want to see certain figures that clearly? Maybe in a few years.
2) Also I noticed that in the newest units that an Optical digital output was almost nonexistent. Not to mention 3 optical inputs. Now with ARC, and the ability to define different sets of inputs and outputs as well as tell the receiver use this input and the sound input from another it sounded like the road map on the back was just an idiots guide(I believe my old one could do this, but really how?) So I could use the Optical inputs where I wanted to.
3) Atmos. I don't have a room perfect for is, but In time it will be.
4) Yamaha products last forever and have always been one of my favorites.
So I opened the box and started to work. I don't know where I got my detention of depth, but it is deeper than expected. Especially if you have plugs hanging out of the back. I needed to cut a rear section out of my new book shelf.
I set this up as a 5.1 system until I get an idea of what speakers I am going to replace or upgrade.
As of now it is everything that I would expect from Yamaha.
Negs- you spend this much Y doesn't it have Bluetooth built in.
2) the iOS app looked really amazing, n I find it trivial.
3) I don't want to get a manual on a disk. Come on.
4)This is Atmos ready but there is no mention of it in the materials I read.
Pro's - It sounds great
2. I won't have to upgrade for another 20 years
3. good looking
Just very pleased, but as I set it up I will keep updates
