Comparison Yamaha RX-V385 vs Yamaha RX-V379

This function automatically adjusts the volume level of the sound when it changes abruptly. Such a need is associated, for example, with the fact that one film can contain both dialogue and intense special effects; as a result, at low volume, conversations can sometimes be hard to hear, and at high volume, the sound can periodically “beat on the ears” and disturb others. In addition, while watching TV, many have probably come across commercials that sound noticeably louder than the main programme. Automatic level control boosts the volume at low audio levels and lowers it at high levels, thus helping to avoid the discomfort of too loud sound while maintaining normal hearing.

This indicator determines the amount of extraneous noise that accompanies the sound output by the receiver's amplifier. It is convenient because it takes into account almost all possible significant noise — both created by the device itself and due to external causes. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the lower the noise volume compared to the main signal, the cleaner the amplifier will sound. A reading of 70-80 dB is considered normal for most consumer electronics, but in AV receivers, which are usually premium devices, this can only be called satisfactory. In the most advanced models, this figure can significantly exceed 100 dB.

The range of sound frequencies that the receiver is capable of outputting (this parameter can also be specified for models without their own amplifier, see “Number of channels” for more details). The completeness of the transmitted sound depends on this parameter; of course, the sound quality in general is highly dependent on a number of other factors (for example, frequency response), but the wider the frequency range, the less risk that the amplifier will completely “cut off” some part of the sound. On the other hand, it should be taken into account here that the normal hearing range of the human ear is approximately 16 – 20,000 Hz, and deviations from these limits are rather small. And although many modern receivers provide a much wider frequency range, however, this is more of a marketing ploy than a really significant indicator (or some kind of "side defect" in the design of a high-quality amplifier).

It is also worth considering that in order to reproduce the full frequency of the amplifier, you will need speakers with the appropriate characteristics.

— AM/FM radio. The presence of a built-in tuner that allows you to receive AM and FM radio broadcasts without additional devices (except perhaps an antenna is required, and then not always). In FM, it is possible to realize the transmission of high-quality stereo sound, however, the waves propagate only within the line of sight (10-20 km); therefore, most of the stations in this range are classified as "urban music". In AM, the transmission range is already measured in hundreds of kilometers, but the sound quality is noticeably lower; therefore, such stations usually specialize in talk programs (particularly news).

— USB stick. The ability to connect a USB drive to the receiver — for example, a "flash drive" or an external hard drive — and play content from it directly. This requires a USB connector. Most often, in models with this function, it is located on the front panel (see below) — this provides ease of connection; at the same time, there are exceptions. Also note that the very presence of USB does not necessarily imply the possibility of playing from external media — this interface can be used for service purposes, for example, to update the firmware or play from a PC (see "Advanced (inputs) — USB Type B").

— Network audio streaming. The ability to play streaming audio over a local network or the Internet (including from services like Grooveshark o...r Last.Fm). The name "streaming" is due to the fact that each song is played directly from the network, without being written to the receiver's own permanent storage. This function, by definition, requires connection to computer networks; most often, a Wi-Fi module is used for this purpose (see "Interfaces") or a LAN connector.

— Internet radio. The ability to use the receiver to receive and play Internet radio broadcasts. This feature is similar in many ways to the network audio described above — in particular, it requires a network connection to work, and the data is streamed; however, in the case of network audio, the user himself chooses what and when to listen, here the broadcast is similar to conventional radio transmissions and is controlled from the radio station. Actually, many major stations broadcast their programs not only on the traditional air, but also via the Internet; There are also specialized projects broadcasting only on the Web. In general, the choice of programs is much more extensive than for conventional radio broadcasting — after all, Internet radio has no range restrictions. And the receivers themselves may provide additional tools for managing such broadcasting — for example, catalogs, search by genres, languages, etc.

A decoder can be broadly described as a standard in which digital audio (often multi-channel) is recorded. For normal playback of such sound, it is necessary that the corresponding decoder is supported by the device. The first signs of multi-channel decoding were Dolby Digital and DTS, gradually improving and introducing new features. The final stage for 2020 is Dolby Atmos and DTS X decoders. And the intermediate ones were Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-HD, DTS ES, DTS Neural: X, DTS Neo (6, X).

Dolby Atmos. A decoder that does not use a rigid distribution of sound across channels, but the processing of audio objects, due to which it can be used with almost any number of channels on a reproducing system — the sound will be divided between channels so that each audio object is heard as close as possible to its proper place. When using Dolby Atmos, in-ceiling speakers (or speakers facing the ceiling) are highly desirable. However, in extreme cases, you can do without them.

— DTS X . An analogue of the Dolby Atmos described above, when the sound is distributed not through individual channels, but through audio objects. The...digital signal contains information about where (according to the director's intention) the object audible to the user should be and how it should move, and the processor of the reproducing device processes this information and determines exactly how the sound should be distributed over the available channels in order to achieve the required localization. Thanks to this, DTS X is not tied to a specific number of audio channels — there can be as many as you like, the system will automatically divide the sound into them, achieving the desired sound. Also note that this decoder allows you to separately adjust the volume of dialogues.

— IMAX Enhanced. The IMAX Enhanced Mark of Conformity is awarded to equipment that meets the audio certification requirements of IMAX Corporation. Combined with DTS audio technology to deliver signature IMAX theater-like sound in the home. The most accurate reproduction of such audio is possible in systems with a large number of channels (5.1 or more). Note that for a fully immersive experience, IMAX Enhanced certification must also apply to video equipment for playing content (TV, projector, etc.).

HDMI interface version supported by the receiver. Usually, all HDMI connectors available in the device correspond to this version — both inputs (see above) and outputs (see below). Here are the current options:

— v 1.4. The oldest of the current versions, released in 2009. However, it supports 3D video capable of working with resolutions up to 4096x2160 at 24 fps, and in Full HD resolution, the frame rate can reach 120 fps. In addition to the original v.1.4, there are also improved modifications — v.1.4a and v.1.4b; they are similar in terms of basic features, in both cases the improvements affected mainly work with 3D content.

-v 2.0. Significant update to HDMI introduced in 2013. In this version, the maximum frame rate in 4K has increased to 60 fps, and the audio bandwidth has increased to 32 channels and 4 separate streams simultaneously. Also from the innovations, we can mention support for the ultra-wide format 21:9. In the v.2.0a update, HDR support was added to the interface capabilities, in v.2.0b this feature was improved and expanded.

— v 2.1. Despite the similarity in name to v.2.0, this version, released in 2017, was a very large-scale update. In particular, it added support for 8K and even 10K at speeds up to 120 fps, as well as further expanded the possibilities for working with HDR. Under this version, its own cable was released — HDMI Ultra High Speed, all v.2.1 features are available only when using cables of this standard,...although basic functions can be used with simpler cords.

The presence of a USB port on the front panel of the receiver. The USB interface can be used both for connecting external media and direct content playback (see "Tuner and playback"), and for connecting the receiver itself to a computer as a peripheral device (see "USB Type B"). However, the first type of USB connector is usually placed on the front panel; this is very convenient for those who plan to often listen to music and watch videos from flash drives and other similar media.

The maximum power consumed by the receiver during normal operation. The power consumption of the device depends on this parameter, so if saving energy is crucial for you, you should pay attention to it. Also, information on power consumption is useful if you have doubts about the claimed characteristics of the built-in amplifier: if the total power of all channels is greater than the total power consumption of the receiver, then there is an error somewhere in the numbers.

The power consumed by the receiver in standby mode. Most modern premium electronics, when “shut down” (from the remote control or control panel), do not turn off completely, but are put into standby mode — for a number of reasons this option is considered better than a complete shutdown. It requires electricity consumption, but it is usually very low. At the same time, if you plan to be away from home for a long time, for example, it is likely that from the point of view of economy it will be justified to turn off the power to the audio system completely.