The DSP-Z11 brings a whole new quality to the home cinema:
never before has there been such a high resolution in
both image and sound.
The difference between stereo sound and 5.1-channel surround sound is enormous. So just how much better must it be to listen to a program with 11.2 channels? You just have to have experienced it: the way the DSP-Z11 from Yamaha enhances the sound experience is simply fascinating.
It extends the classic 7.1 box setup with two pairs of loudspeakers at the front and rear, which are laterally offset above the normal boxes. As many as four Quad signal processors calculate a complex sound field using DSP HD3 technology, a system that not only makes the sound traceable horizontally but even lets you experience the height of the virtual room. A second subwoofer channel – which is where the name 11.2 originates from – enhances the bass play back and helps the home cinema to get rid of the humming noise by using an additional bass loudspeaker.
The YPAO room acoustic optimisation system has been even further enhanced: it reduces the effect of standing-waves in the bass area, corrects the DSP programs if the loudspeakers are not arranged in the room symmetrically, calibrates up to 8 positions and starts
simply without the need of a screen menu such as Plug & Play.
38 DSP programs get the best out of film soundtracks – or allow music fans to experience concerts in the acoustic qualities of famous halls, jazz clubs and sound arenas. The sound section is equipped with decoders that support Dolby Digital Plus, DolbyTrueHD, DTS-HD High-Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio for all the audio formats you can think of. Not only do the five HDMI inputs receive data streams of high-resolution sound signals, with the latest HDMI 1.3a version they also support all image optimising standards – from automatic Lip-Sync to the advanced xvYCC colour spectrum and on down to full HD videos with 24 frame changes per second (1080p24). A second HDMI output means you can make a parallel connection between the flat screen and video projector. But even if you use analog image sources, you can still enjoy the best possible quality: a Video-Scaler from Anchor Bay Technologies plus the most sophisticated signal processing that has ever done service in a Yamaha amplifier, upscale PAL videos to HD signals in the formats 720p, 1080i or even 1080p when these are received as HDMI video signals. So each connected screen is thus assigned its the optimum resolution.
The DSP-Z11 control centre in the home cinema leaves no wish unfulfilled: its integrated Network-Receiver receives music files from a PC or a Yamaha MusiCAST server as well as from Internet stations. Portable music players can be connected to USB ports on the front and rear, a connection to an Apple iPod can be made via the optional docking station. An unprecedented highlight is the versatile Multi-Room Function: The 11 integrated power amplifiers can be divided into four different zones, whereby 5.1-channel surround sound can always be heard in the main room. When in this mode the DSP-Z11 even provides video signals to a secondary room via its component outputs (YUV). And if a party is on the agenda, the multi-channel amplifier will play the same program all over the house at the press of a button.
However the hidden qualities do not become apparent until you listen carefully – or until you take a look inside the extremely robust housing: only carefully selected components are used in the DSP-Z11. A DSD1796 digital converter from Burr-Brown, special blocking capacitors with a capacity of 27,000 microfarad each and Schottky diodes make experts prick up their ears. The block design of the pre-amplifier keeps the cable paths short and isolated, low-noise power packs for analog and digital parts together with the mighty ten-kilogram transformer provide the best conditions for a powerful, transparent sound. All electronic parts are housed in a multireinforced, 1.6-millimetre chassis on solid aluminium feet. So you can see clearly why each individual component in this construction was selected: for a home cinema experience without compromise.
DSP-Z11, 5500,- euros
Available as of December 2007