If you're building a home theater or upgrading your audio setup, choosing between the Yamaha RX-V6A ($649.95) and Sony STR-DH790 ($348.00) means weighing some interesting tradeoffs. Let's dive into what makes each receiver special and figure out which one might be right for you.
AV receivers are like the traffic controllers of your home theater - they take all your video and audio signals and make sure everything gets to the right place with the best possible quality. These days, they're doing more heavy lifting than ever, handling everything from 4K video to wireless music streaming.
Both of these receivers were released during an interesting transition period in home theater tech. The Yamaha came out in 2020 just as HDMI 2.1 was emerging, while the Sony launched in 2018 when 4K was becoming mainstream. This timing actually tells us a lot about their capabilities.
The Yamaha RX-V6A delivers 100 watts per channel, while the Sony STR-DH790 provides 90 watts. In real-world use, this 10-watt difference isn't huge - both will drive most speakers easily in typical rooms. However, Yamaha's more sophisticated room calibration system (called YPAO) makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.
YPAO analyzes your room's acoustics using a microphone and adjusts various audio settings automatically. It's like having a professional audio engineer tune your system. Sony's calibration system works too, but it's more basic and sometimes needs manual tweaking to get the best results.
This is where we see the biggest technology gap. The Yamaha supports HDMI 2.1, which means:
The Sony handles 4K at 60fps, which is fine for movies and most current content, but lacks these newer features. If you're planning to use the latest gaming consoles or want to future-proof your system, this is a significant consideration.
Having enough HDMI ports is crucial in modern setups. The Yamaha's seven inputs versus Sony's four could be a deciding factor if you have multiple devices:
Both receivers have optical and coaxial digital inputs for older devices, but the Yamaha adds more flexibility with extra analog connections.
The Yamaha RX-V6A really shines here with:
The Sony STR-DH790 keeps it simpler with just Bluetooth connectivity. This isn't necessarily bad - Bluetooth works well for casual music streaming - but you miss out on whole-home audio features and voice control.
If you're into smart home tech, the Yamaha offers much more:
The Sony focuses on basic HDMI-CEC control, which lets your TV remote control basic receiver functions. It's functional but limited compared to modern smart features.
Modern gaming demands specific features for the best experience:
The Yamaha supports all these through HDMI 2.1, while the Sony doesn't. For casual gaming this might not matter, but serious gamers should consider the Yamaha.
At nearly half the price, the Sony delivers solid performance for basic home theater needs. It handles:
The Yamaha's higher price brings:
The Yamaha RX-V6A and Sony STR-DH790 represent different approaches to home theater. The Yamaha is a future-proof investment with all the latest features, while the Sony focuses on delivering core functionality at a more accessible price point.
For most users starting out or upgrading from an older receiver, the Sony provides excellent value. However, if you're looking to build a system that will last several years and take advantage of the latest tech, the Yamaha's additional features and capabilities make it worth the extra investment.
Consider your specific needs, budget, and how you plan to use your system over the next few years. Remember that while features are important, the basic function of playing music and movies well is handled admirably by both receivers.
| Yamaha RX-V6A ($649.95) | Sony STR-DH790 ($348.00) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines speaker compatibility and room-filling capability | |
| 100W per channel (8 ohms) - more headroom for demanding speakers | 90W per channel (6 ohms) - adequate for most home theaters |
| HDMI Ports - Critical for connecting modern devices | |
| 7 inputs, 1 output - excellent for complex setups | 4 inputs, 1 output - sufficient for basic needs |
| Video Support - Important for future-proofing and gaming | |
| 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM - fully future-proof | 4K/60Hz only - good for current content but limited |
| Room Calibration - Crucial for optimal sound in your space | |
| Advanced YPAO with multi-point measurement | Basic DCAC calibration - gets the job done |
| Wireless Connectivity - Affects streaming and smart home integration | |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, MusicCast | Bluetooth only - basic but functional |
| Smart Features - Important for modern home integration | |
| Voice control, app control, multi-room audio | Basic HDMI-CEC control only |
| Gaming Features - Essential for next-gen consoles | |
| Full HDMI 2.1 features (VRR, ALLM, QFT) - worth it for gamers | Basic compatibility - fine for casual gaming |
| Audio Format Support - Affects sound quality potential | |
| Advanced processing, 384kHz/32-bit DAC | Standard processing, basic DAC |
For a basic home theater, the Sony STR-DH790 ($348.00) offers excellent value with sufficient power and features. While the Yamaha RX-V6A ($649.95) has more capabilities, the Sony provides everything needed for standard movie and TV watching at nearly half the price.
The biggest difference is that the Yamaha RX-V6A supports HDMI 2.1 with 8K/4K120 video and advanced gaming features, while the Sony STR-DH790 is limited to HDMI 2.0 with 4K/60 video support.
The Yamaha RX-V6A is significantly better for gaming, offering Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and 4K/120Hz support. The Sony STR-DH790 lacks these gaming-specific features.
Yes, both the Yamaha RX-V6A and Sony STR-DH790 support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound experiences.
The Yamaha RX-V6A features superior YPAO multi-point calibration, while the Sony STR-DH790 uses a more basic calibration system. Yamaha's system typically achieves better results.
The Yamaha RX-V6A has 7 HDMI inputs and 1 output, while the Sony STR-DH790 has 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output.
The Yamaha RX-V6A offers comprehensive wireless streaming with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and MusicCast. The Sony STR-DH790 only supports Bluetooth streaming.
The Yamaha RX-V6A is more future-proof with HDMI 2.1, 8K support, and advanced gaming features. The Sony STR-DH790 uses older HDMI 2.0 technology.
If you only need basic home theater functionality, the Sony STR-DH790 is sufficient. However, if you want advanced features, gaming support, or future-proofing, the Yamaha RX-V6A is worth the investment.
The Yamaha RX-V6A delivers 100W per channel (8 ohms), while the Sony STR-DH790 provides 90W per channel (6 ohms). Both are powerful enough for most home theaters.
The Yamaha RX-V6A supports voice control and smart home integration through Alexa and Google Assistant. The Sony STR-DH790 doesn't offer smart home features.
For a standard living room setup, the Sony STR-DH790 offers better value with its lower price point and solid performance. However, if you plan to upgrade your system over time, the Yamaha RX-V6A provides more room for growth.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: soundandvision.com - soundandvision.com - bestbuy.com - hometheaterreview.com - usa.yamaha.com - au.yamaha.com - bestbuy.com - manual.yamaha.com - hifireport.com - my.yamaha.com - shop.usa.yamaha.com - crutchfield.com - bestbuy.com - ynetnews.com - walts.com - sony.ca - walmart.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - abcwarehouse.com - crutchfield.com - sony.co.uk - sony.ie - youtube.com
