...the A2 is no exception. The first impression you get when you take it out of the box is one of build quality. This beast weighs in at 19.5Kg, so you'll need to make sure it's on a steady surface! Connecting it up is a pain, owing to Yamaha's pandering to the Euro nanny-state, and not putting any banana sockets on the back. As a result, you have to force several speakers cables into the binding posts, which are convieniently crammed together in a ...
...is a winner. Pushing out 100Wrms over 5 channels, plus 2 25Wrms front effects channels, this one should suit even the biggest of rooms. If that isn't big enough, there's a full set of pre-outs (except for the front effects channels), so you can add some more amps with even sillier amounts of power. Setting it up brings mixed emotions. Yes, it's infinitely configurable, allowing you to tell it which speakers handle the bass (handy if your rear speakers ... more

Yamaha have always had a bit of a reputation for AV amps, and the A2 is no exception. The first impression you get when you take it out of the box is one of build quality. This beast weighs in at 19.5Kg, so you'll need to make sure it's on a steady surface! Connecting it up is a pain, owing to Yamaha's pandering to the Euro nanny-state, and not putting any banana sockets on the back. As a result, you have to force several speakers cables into the binding posts, which are convieniently crammed together in a small space on the back. Featurewise though, the A2 is a winner. Pushing out 100Wrms over 5 channels, plus 2 25Wrms front effects channels, this one should suit even the biggest of rooms. If that isn't big enough, there's a full set of pre-outs (except for the front effects channels), so you can add some more amps with even sillier amounts of power. Setting it up brings mixed emotions. Yes, it's infinitely configurable, allowing you to tell it which speakers handle the bass (handy if your rear speakers aren't huge), and it has a myriad of effects modes that you'll use once and never touch again. Play some music on it, and you'll realise why Yamaha are the AV kings. It's OK, but at this price, just think of the stereo amp you could have bought. Play a DVD, and faith is restored instantly. Sounds are put just where they should be, and even without a sub, if you've configured it properly, there's plenty of rumble from the main speakers. If you're looking for an amp for movies, this could be the one. Music only? Look somewhere else, although it does sound much better than many cheaper audio amps.
 

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