Yamaha DSP-A3090 Integrated Amplifiers

Yamaha DSP-A3090 Integrated Amplifiers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 37  
[Mar 01, 2000]
Lee Armstrong
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Awesome power, Execlent Flexability, 7 channel soundfield mode

Weakness:

Only one Coaxil digital input, No DTS, No 6 Channel input

Bought this a short while after getting a DVD player to upgrade to AC3/Dolby Digital - Picked up a second hand one in mint condition for £400 delivered to my door and demo'd in my own room....Nice guy =;-)

On plumbing it into my existing system, replaceing the RVX590, thier was an imediate quality difference...Not something i was particularly expecting, i just wanted DD capability and this was straight stereo !!!

The DSP modes are ok....and the 7 channel sound field can be fun in some cases. They are nice options to have, though not always required.

Tonnes of setup options, lots of tweaks for speaker matching and you can even re-create some of the soundfields for your self....almost to needing a degree to figure out the complex interactions....Yet on the other hand, outa the box it also works remarkably well.

Learning remote, which is useful, while not as comprehensive as a seperately purchase one (i now use a Marantz RC2000).

Coaxial digital is for the CD player, but the cd has no visual input associated with it, so i switch to AUX3 for DVD picture and analogue sound, then CD to get digital AC3....faffy, but it works....maybe i should get a coaxial to toslink converter !

Excelent bargain at the prices today....far outstrips anything near for £400-500 ($800 ish)

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RVX590

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 16, 1999]
Matt Erdman
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

crystal clear, great dsp, solid build, number of inputs, value

Weakness:

considering how many inputs there are, why not more coaxial digital, and why no 5.1 channel in for upgrade options?

When I switched it with my old receiver, you could immediately hear a tremendous difference. In fact, a non-audiophile friend came over and from the hallway noted that this sounded much more natural before even stepping in the room. It works great for 2 channel audio and generally sounds even better with surround modes. There are no artificial sounding echoes, just live feeling music. The jazz modes bring the stage to about three feet away from you and the big halls make your room sound huge. As expected, I've found that from my ES cd player or panasonic dvd its much better to run in on a digital line and use the yamaha as the dac/processor.
For movies, I've had no trouble with "only" 85 watts/channel. It plays plenty loud and clear and has good options for connecting a sub (or two). The movie dsp modes work wonderfully though I don't see the need for so many. I'd rather have had a couple more modes specific to watching tv.
I haven't tried the 7ch option due to room constraints and the fact i run bipolar speakers (how much reverb effect do you want in a room?), but based on what I've seen from yamaha dsp so far, I imagine it would sound very good if set up properly.

Similar Products Used:

never owned anything close to this. had a "top of the line" sony that couldn't compare.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 04, 1998]
Vlad
an Audio Enthusiast

Yamaha 3090 is probably the best AC-3 receiver under $2,000. I have auditioned all of its major competitors in my appartment (Denon, Onkyo, Harman Kardon, etc.) and it always turns out that you get better overall quality of sound, incredible and adjustable sound fields, plus 2 extra effect channels for the still competative price. Thic piece even works great as a stereo preamp (do not compare it to $1,500 stand alone preamps), and if you want to improve its stereo performance, you can easily use external power amp for the front channels. That is also helpfull in DD mode, because there is more power for the other channels. However, if you really want to rock the place, receivers won't do the job - you have to go for the separates. But then be prepared to pay at least $4,000 - 5,000.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jan 01, 1998]
Z. Gross
an Audio Enthusiast

7 channel Integrated amplifier 5*80w + 2+25W 30 DSP modes AC-3 decoder 5 PCM inputs. This amplifier is great, both music mode and home theater. Its unique DSP creats a sound for home theater just like you will feel in a movie thater and not in your living room. You can use one of the HIFI DSP modes (12 of them ) to put you in a real live sounds (all you need to do is get a good set of surrounds...(I use BOSE AM-5). 7 channel setup adds alot in cinema DSP modes and its worth the added speakers( I have used my old surrounds). There is a spilt sub output, 5 PCM inpus 2 PCM outputs 6 video inputs (all S-Video). Ihave paid $1500 for it and at this price there is no other.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 30, 1998]
Dan Handelsman
an Audio Enthusiast

After playing mind games about which receiver to buy I decided to go with the most flexible system, even if it didn't have a tuner. Also, the reviews of the unit felt that it had really useful DSP modes - unlike the majority of receivers. In short, it turned out terrific and the price had come down substantially - in fact it is still outselling the replacement model.
The DD decoding is execellent and there is little "bleed over" into the other channels. Test discs are absolutely quiet except in the channel where the audio is supposed to be. The DSP modes are really useful, once you custom tailor the delay times to suite your room. Expect to spend a lot of time learning and setting up. Once you finish you will really enjoy this system.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 27, 1998]
Gene
an Audiophile

I purchased this unit recently. I had a choice between the 3090 or the RXV 2092. I went with the 3090 because I felt the amps sounded a bit better and threw off a bigger soundstage than the 2092. The 2092 definately had its volume knob scaled differently than the 3090. I had to turn up the 3090 half way to match the volume of the 2092 at the 10 o'clock position.The 3090 has better DSP modes as well.
All in all it represents a great value, especially since I bought it at closeout for $1000 including tax !!!!!
I miss the remote of the 2092 though :(
Either way, both the 3090 and 2092 are awesome units !!!
Anyone wanna know how to get a hot deal on receivers can email me.
Good luck.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 23, 1998]
John Lehew
an Audio Enthusiast

I have be very pleased with the A3090 and as one can imagine there is no comparison between it and the JVC 120W I had before. The 30 different surround sound modes including AC-3 are great and it has 5 digital inputs that make an incredible difference compared to even good patch cords. My Yamaha 755 CD player has an optical output that plugs into the A3090. Plan to use it as a Preamp/surround sound processor only when I have the money to buy a 5 channel amp. It does well with the B&W 804's and 805 I have now. Paid $1995 and it listed for $2495 when I bought it in November 97. It is a great value.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[May 28, 1998]
Nick
an Audio Enthusiast

Yes Yes oh Yeah oh yeah baby. Oh Yes ! YES YES !!!Its good !!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Aug 02, 1998]
john fairchild
an Audio Enthusiast

i had a 2090 and upgraded to a 3090.it really is what it is cracked up to be.i am very impressed with the overall layout and smooth function of the entire unit.the dsp modes are impressive and some i do not particuraly care for.it is very clean sounding.excelent midrange with a nice smooth bass response.overall i would have to say this is by farthebest unit on the market in that price range.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Dec 23, 1998]
Chris
an Audiophile

I've been using the DSP-A3090 for over a year now (purchased in Nov. 1997. Other than the newly released DSP-A1, I feel this unit is the best value for the dollar. This unit incorporates some of the most advanced features available to the consumer today at any price. The enhanced DSP modes when adjusted properly, greatly improve the Home Theater experience. Highly Recommended!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 11-20 of 37  

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