To get the V2600, take an RX-V4600, cut out the i.Link inputs to save a few shekels on the retail price, and add in a full-fat 1080i/720p video scaler. As both models are still current, the differentiator is one of price - and the RX-V2600 comes in £100 cheaper at £900. So, considering its heritage and features, this latest model has all the right credentials to be an absolute first-class bargain before it's even out of the box.
The V2600 comes with a shiny THX Select 2 badge, full-bandwidth HDMI switching and seven channels of 130W measured into 8O across the entire audio spectrum.
In addition to traditional 7.1 mode, you can configure the rear-back channel output as a powered Zone 2 option, leaving you 5.1 in the main room. If you just can't compromise on 7.1, you also get a line-level, independently switched Zone 3 output for serious multiroom flexibility. Yamaha's bonkers 'presence' channels - above and behind the main left/right speakers - are still included, although you will still need to sacrifice 7.1 channel amplification in favour of 5.1 plus presence channels to drive them. Similarly, I still don't recommend it.
The onscreen GUI is by far the nicest OSD to look at and use of the AV receiver genre to date. There is full auto setup and Room EQ, thanks to Yamaha's well-respected YPAO parametric equaliser and a dinky little mic supplied in the box. This simplifies the setup and installation routine, but if you are feeling brave enough to 'tweak', there is a mind-boggling array of frequency, gain and Q-Factor adjustments to seven equalizer bands across each of the main seven channels. Phew
Composite, S-video and component video signals entering the V2600 are up-converted to HDMI output with a combination of an Analogue Devices video encoder/decoder and a highperformance deinterlacer and scaler from Oplus. The upshot is that no matter what input, the RX-V2600 can convert it to 720p or 1080i and chuck it out as an HD signal through the HDMI output. One HDMI cable to your TV or projector is all you are ever going to need for HD resolution video from DVD, Sky, Freeview or even your old VCR.
Performance
The default setup routine is great, but it engages the YPAO room EQ automatically, meaning you have to manually turn it off.
