expirediconian | Staff posted Mar 20, 2026 10:35 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expirediconian | Staff posted Mar 20, 2026 10:35 PM
Yamaha RX-A6A 9.2-Channel AV Receiver $1400 + free s/h
$1,400
$2,700
48% offAdorama
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- Yamaha RX-A6A: 150 W per channel (8 Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD).
- Onkyo TX-RZ30: 100 W per channel (8 Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD).
Winner on power: Yamaha RX-A6A (50% higher rated output, tighter THD spec, stronger real-world 2ch/multi-ch capability).Chipset / DAC / ProcessingAdditional: 185 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 1 ch driven); dynamic peaks higher (~220 W max effective at 10% THD). Stronger power supply for sustained multi-channel output.
usa.yamaha.com
Additional: 170 W (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 ch driven). Wider bandwidth claim (5 Hz–100 kHz +1/-3 dB).
amazon.com
- Yamaha RX-A6A:
- Main processor: Qualcomm QCS407 (64-bit high-precision DSP).
- DACs: ESS SABRE ES9026PRO Ultra (32-bit/384 kHz, main channels) + ES9007S.
- Onkyo TX-RZ30:
- DACs: Burr-Brown (TI) PCM1690 (24-bit 8-channel for mains) + two PCM5101A (secondary channels).
Winner on chipset: Yamaha RX-A6A (superior ESS SABRE DACs + dedicated Qualcomm 64-bit DSP vs standard Burr-Brown TI chips).Other Key Raw Specs (for Context)Premium audiophile-grade ESS Hyperstream DACs with THD compensation.
usa.yamaha.com
No premium ESS or dedicated high-end DSP named; uses standard TI chips. Dirac Live room correction is the software highlight (full-bandwidth license).
audiosciencereview.com
- HDMI: Yamaha 7 in / 3 out (full HDMI 2.1 40 Gbps, 8K/60, 4K/120, eARC). Onkyo 6 in / 2 out (HDMI 2.1, 8K/4K120 capable).
- Power Consumption: Yamaha higher-rated PSU (bench peaks ~1,160 W). Onkyo ~760 W max.
- Other: Both support 8K/4K120 pass-through, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, etc. Yamaha adds Auro-3D + XLR outputs; Onkyo adds THX certification + dual independent sub pre-outs.
Overall Raw Specs Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A dominates on the requested criteria (chipset quality + power handling). It has significantly higher output power, tighter distortion ratings, and premium ESS SABRE DACs with a dedicated high-precision DSP. Onkyo is competent for the price (and Dirac Live is excellent room correction), but loses on straight hardware power and DAC chipset specs. If you're after raw muscle and audiophile-grade conversion, Yamaha wins clearly.soundandvision.com
Additional: 185 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 1 ch driven); dynamic peaks higher (~220 W max effective at 10% THD). Stronger power supply for sustained multi-channel output.
usa.yamaha.com
Additional: 170 W (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 ch driven). Wider bandwidth claim (5 Hz–100 kHz +1/-3 dB).
amazon.com
Winner on power: Yamaha RX-A6A (50% higher rated output, tighter THD spec, stronger real-world 2ch/multi-ch capability).Chipset / DAC / Processing
Premium audiophile-grade ESS Hyperstream DACs with THD compensation.
usa.yamaha.com
No premium ESS or dedicated high-end DSP named; uses standard TI chips. Dirac Live room correction is the software highlight (full-bandwidth license).
audiosciencereview.com
Winner on chipset: Yamaha RX-A6A (superior ESS SABRE DACs + dedicated Qualcomm 64-bit DSP vs standard Burr-Brown TI chips).Other Key Raw Specs (for Context)
soundandvision.com
Overall Raw Specs Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A dominates on the requested criteria (chipset quality + power handling). It has significantly higher output power, tighter distortion ratings, and premium ESS SABRE DACs with a dedicated high-precision DSP. Onkyo is competent for the price (and Dirac Live is excellent room correction), but loses on straight hardware power and DAC chipset specs. If you're after raw muscle and audiophile-grade conversion, Yamaha wins clearly.
- Yamaha RX-A6A: 150 W per channel (8 Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD).Additional: 185 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 1 ch driven); dynamic peaks higher (~220 W max effective at 10% THD). Stronger power supply for sustained multi-channel output.usa.yamaha.com
- Onkyo TX-RZ30: 100 W per channel (8 Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD).Additional: 170 W (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 ch driven). Wider bandwidth claim (5 Hz–100 kHz +1/-3 dB).amazon.com
Winner on power: Yamaha RX-A6A (50% higher rated output, tighter THD spec, stronger real-world 2ch/multi-ch capability).Chipset / DAC / Processing- Yamaha RX-A6A:
- Main processor: Qualcomm QCS407 (64-bit high-precision DSP).
- DACs: ESS SABRE ES9026PRO Ultra (32-bit/384 kHz, main channels) + ES9007S.Premium audiophile-grade ESS Hyperstream DACs with THD compensation.usa.yamaha.com
- Onkyo TX-RZ30:
- DACs: Burr-Brown (TI) PCM1690 (24-bit 8-channel for mains) + two PCM5101A (secondary channels).No premium ESS or dedicated high-end DSP named; uses standard TI chips. Dirac Live room correction is the software highlight (full-bandwidth license).audiosciencereview.com
Winner on chipset: Yamaha RX-A6A (superior ESS SABRE DACs + dedicated Qualcomm 64-bit DSP vs standard Burr-Brown TI chips).Other Key Raw Specs (for Context)- HDMI: Yamaha 7 in / 3 out (full HDMI 2.1 40 Gbps, 8K/60, 4K/120, eARC). Onkyo 6 in / 2 out (HDMI 2.1, 8K/4K120 capable).soundandvision.com
- Power Consumption: Yamaha higher-rated PSU (bench peaks ~1,160 W). Onkyo ~760 W max.
- Other: Both support 8K/4K120 pass-through, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, etc. Yamaha adds Auro-3D + XLR outputs; Onkyo adds THX certification + dual independent sub pre-outs.
Overall Raw Specs Winner: Yamaha RX-A6A dominates on the requested criteria (chipset quality + power handling). It has significantly higher output power, tighter distortion ratings, and premium ESS SABRE DACs with a dedicated high-precision DSP. Onkyo is competent for the price (and Dirac Live is excellent room correction), but loses on straight hardware power and DAC chipset specs. If you're after raw muscle and audiophile-grade conversion, Yamaha wins clearly.The xlr outputs would be nice if you could use them. But again, double the price.
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In practical/real world use, they're really only a sonic benefit for two channel music.
Going by those paper/quality parts eyes, TBH you would be better off getting the RZ70 for $150 more imo.
Newer, powers all 11 channels, has 2 independent sub outs, including a much better RC(Dirac Live) & access to Dirac's subwoofer/bass RC(DLBC).
This is a good deal if you prefer Yamaha and you really don't rely too much on room correction ime.
The xlr outputs would be nice if you could use them. But again, double the price.
In the test 25 people listened to each one without knowing which was playing..and the pioneer blew it out of the water...The Pioneer may have been 125 watt peer channel
The xlr outputs would be nice if you could use them. But again, double the price.
I really dont think the A6A and RZ30 are the same buyer
That being said, I understand your comment about price and diminishing returns
I will use a personal example from my ownership
I used to have an Onkyo RZ50. I purchased a Denon X4800 and compared the two in the same room, same speakers, same media etc
I personally highly prefer Dirac to Audyssey
But if I bought the Dirac upgrade that would make the Denon X4800 twice the cost of the Onkyo RZ50
Without room correction engaged, which is the way I prefer two channel music, they sounded the same to me
In this particular room and speakers the Onkyo RZ50 performed fine
So needless to say, I didnt keep the twice the price( If I added Dirac) Denon X4800
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In contrast, my experience with Onkyo was disappointing. The unit I purchased for my family room failed after about two years of use and ultimately had to be discarded.
I've also had ongoing issues with Adorama regarding shipping. These amplifiers are heavy and require proper protective packaging, but my previous orders (including two Yamaha RX-A8A units in 2023) were shipped with just a label on the original box. Both the packaging and the products arrived damaged, and I had to return them each time.
I'm hoping this order arrives intact and without issues.
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