TESTED: Yamaha RX-V3900 A/V receiver

The Natural

June 4th, 2009 -- by Chris Martens
Source: Playback

SPECS & PRICING

Yamaha RX-V3900 7.1 channel A/V receiver

Power output: 7 x 140 Wpc @ 8 ohms
Decoding formats: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital, and Pro Logic IIx Music/Movies/Games; DTS-HD Master Audio and High Resolution Audio, DTS 96/24, DTS Express, DTS-ES Discrete and Matrix, and DTS Neo:6; THX Neural Surround, and Circle Surround II. Yamaha also provides 25 proprietary surround sound field processing modes.
Video inputs/outputs: Composite video (6 in, 5 out); S-video (6 in, 2 out); Component video (3 in, 1 out), HDMI (4 in, 2 out)
Audio inputs/outputs: Stereo analog (9 in, 5 out), 6.1-channel analog (1 in), 7.1-channel analog (1 out), moving magnet phono (1), digital audio (5 optical in, 3 coaxial in; 1 optical out), HDMI v1.3a Repeating/Switching (4 in, 2 out), XM satellite radio (1), Sirius satellite radio (1), headphone output (1), AM/FM/HD Radio tuner (1)
Other: RS-232 port (1 in), IR input/output (2 in/2 out), 12V trigger output (2), auto calibration mic (1), USB port (1), Ethernet (1 RJ-45 jack), iPod dock port (1)
Dimensions (HxWxD): 7.125” x 17.125” x 17.25”
Weight: 38.375 lb.
Warranty: 2 years parts and labor
Price: $1,900

Yamaha Electronics Corp., USA
(714) 522-9105
www.yamaha.com/yec

Comments

fairplay7 -- Fri, 06/05/2009 - 06:14

I just purchased the Yamaha rxv 3900 from a retail shop in Singapore. I've get this pretty annoying pop sound that comes on during the transition of the dsp modes. It's quite irritating at times, is as though your speakers might give way. I understand that Yamaha Japan know about this problem. What are they doing about it ??? It seems it only happens to the ones that were sent to Asia.....But why ????? Other than that !!! this set is remarkable in both audio and video. Could the manufacturers explain ?
Cheers !

yhtomitb (not verified) -- Thu, 06/11/2009 - 12:44

This was fixed for the US model some time ago. You can go to the Yamaha web site and after registering, you can download the firmware update and copy it to a thumb drive. You can then follow the instructions and plug the thumb drive into the USB slot on the front of the unit. Your popping problems will go away. It was a very painless process. Good luck.

Anonym (not verified) -- Fri, 06/12/2009 - 09:26

Thanks for the heads up on the firmware update. I believe the clicking sound is due to the decoder looking for its appropriate mode for a particular input source. I have found that by setting the Decoder Mode to "last" instead of "auto", the clicking sound was eleminated. Though I will try the firmware update now that I know it is there.

fairplay7 -- Sun, 06/14/2009 - 04:58

Thanks so much for the advice and understanding. I am glad I spoke to someone who knows what he is talking about !! and understands my plight. Unlike the editor of " WHAT Hi-Fi " who simply did 'nt know her trade ? Instead of helping the consumer, she just said that ! it was mere speculation.
I suppose this sort of thing happens when one who is inexperience or still wet behind the ears.
thanks again.

fairplay7 -- Sun, 06/14/2009 - 19:59

Hi once again, I did exactly what you told me to do, by going into Yamaha's web site, and download to do the firmware update. But after a few minutes the problem came back again. I understand from the dealers, that similar problems were encountered on the Yamaha Z 7 models. This problem is very evident when dsp modes " VIDEO MUSIC " is engaged and then shifted to " CLASSICAL AMSTERDAM " and vice-versa. I suspect it could be a chip problem in reading the modes in real time, and the delay takes awhile between these two modes. This pop sound has destroyed a pair of my speakers. Furthermore I also encountered that at times the dsp modes of " CLASSICAL AMSTERDAM " when engaged ! does not fully trigger all the speakers in 7.1 configuration, but instead the two main and centre speakers are audible.
I would really appreciate your expert advice on this. In the past I never had any problems with Yamaha av amplifiers that were made in Japan. Since they were contracted out to other countries to be manufactured, the QC has gone down the drain. I had some news from the manufacturing country with regards to this is: that they just want to get their products out of their assembly lines as quickly as possible to meet the competition, with no regards to QC and rigorous tests, and than wait for complains to flow in.
Thanks
cheers

Actor (not verified) -- Thu, 09/24/2009 - 08:08

Hi, I experience the same issues as fairplay7: sometimes high tone cracking noise from the speakers, when switching dsp mode. Also only left, right, sub, and center speakers active. No surround, no back speakers most of the time. A 7.1 audio test file routes surround and back channels to the front speakers. I have the latest firmware installed. Bought in the Netherlands. Does anybody hear about a solution?
For the rest, I'm very content, great amplifier!

bgm (not verified) -- Mon, 05/03/2010 - 11:47

Do you know of any AV units that will accomodate low output cartridges, such as the DL160? What are other comperable AV's? Can you recommend another AV to look at in this price range that exceeds the 3900? I am looking at the 3900m butt would like a second choice, prefereably that will accomodate my lp's