Yamaha RX-A870 Specs | Power, Inputs, And Setup

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Yamaha RX-A870 specs list a 7.2-channel layout, 100 W per channel, full 4K HDR video, and network streaming with MusicCast and wireless control.

The Yamaha RX-A870 specs tell you quickly whether this 7.2-channel AVENTAGE receiver still fits your home theater, gaming rig, or living room setup. While the RX-A870 is discontinued, it remains a popular choice on the used market, so understanding its power ratings, HDMI features, and streaming options helps you decide if it matches your sources and speakers.

This article walks through the RX-A870’s channel layout, wattage, HDMI and video features, networking, and physical connections in clear language. By the end, you should know exactly what this receiver can do, which limitations matter, and how to set it up without surprises.

Yamaha RX-A870 Specs For Home Theater Setup

Before diving into details, it helps to see the core Yamaha RX-A870 specs in one place. The table below summarises the most practical numbers and features you will check when deciding between this unit and a more recent receiver.

Category Spec Details
Channels 7.2 Up to 7 speakers plus 2 subwoofer outputs
Power Output 100 W per channel (8Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD, 2 ch) Rated stereo power for main speakers
Dynamic Power 130 / 170 / 195 / 240 W (8/6/4/2Ω) Short bursts on demanding peaks
Audio Formats Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA Object-based and lossless formats for movies
HDMI 8 in / 2 out, HDCP 2.2 4K/60, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, BT.2020
Networking Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, MusicCast Streaming and multi-room audio
Room Calibration YPAO with R.S.C., multi-point Measures speakers and adjusts response
Analog Inputs 5 line in, phono input Works with CD players and turntables
Digital Inputs 2 optical, 2 coaxial, USB, front HDMI Flexible connection options for sources
Dimensions 435 × 171 × 382 mm Height increases to 234 mm with antennas raised
Weight 10.5 kg Rough indicator of transformer and build

These headline Yamaha RX-A870 specs come directly from the official Yamaha RX-A870 specification sheet, which is still available while Yamaha lists the model as discontinued.

Audio Power, Channels, And Speaker Layouts

The RX-A870 is a 7.2-channel receiver, which means it can power a standard 5.1 setup plus two extra channels. You can use those extra channels for rear surrounds, front height speakers, or presence speakers, depending on how you map your room.

Channel Count And Power Ratings

Yamaha rates the RX-A870 at 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm speakers with two channels driven across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at 0.06% THD. That rating is based on strict test conditions and gives a realistic picture of its real-world performance with typical speakers.

  • Stereo listening power — With two channels driven, the RX-A870 has enough headroom for music in medium-sized rooms without straining.
  • Home theater output — In a 5.1 or 7.1 layout, real output per channel will sit lower than the stereo rating, but the dynamic power figures show that the power supply can still handle short, loud peaks.
  • Speaker match — The receiver is comfortable with typical 6–8 ohm home speakers; low-sensitivity or 4-ohm-only designs ask more from the amp and suit smaller rooms or shorter listening distances.

Dynamic power ratings of 130 watts at 8 ohms and up to 240 watts at 2 ohms give a sense of short-term capacity on movie explosions and music transients. These bursts do not represent constant output, yet they illustrate that the RX-A870 is built to handle lively scenes without clipping, as long as you keep volume at sane levels.

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, And Surround Processing

The RX-A870 can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X tracks, along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. You can run a 5.1.2 Atmos layout with two height or presence speakers, or a traditional 7.1 layout if you prefer surround backs instead of height channels.

  • CINEMA DSP 3D — Yamaha’s processing modes add height and width cues using additional virtual speakers, which can help fill gaps in tricky rooms.
  • Virtual speaker modes — Virtual presence and virtual surround back features create extra channels when you do not have space for more physical speakers.
  • Dialogue tools — Dialogue Lift and dialog level adjustment let you raise voices in the soundstage and tweak their level without changing the whole mix.

For late-night listening, SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP route movie soundtracks into headphones or smaller speaker layouts while keeping positional cues as clear as possible.

HDMI, 4K, And HDR Video Features

Matching Yamaha RX-A870 specs with a modern TV or projector mainly comes down to HDMI capabilities. The good news is that this receiver handles 4K/60 video and all common HDR formats used on streaming boxes and Ultra HD Blu-ray players.

HDMI Bandwidth And HDR Formats

The RX-A870 offers eight HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs, all with HDCP 2.2 for copy-protected 4K sources. According to Yamaha’s spec sheet, the HDMI section passes 4K/60p with 4:4:4 chroma and handles HDR10, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), and BT.2020 colour space.

  • 4K streaming boxes — Devices like Apple TV 4K, Roku, or Fire TV work cleanly through the receiver with 4K HDR output to a compatible display.
  • Game consoles — PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, and current 4K Blu-ray players fall within the HDMI 2.0 feature set of the RX-A870; 4K/120 gaming from newer consoles needs a direct HDMI 2.1 path to the TV instead.
  • Dual HDMI outputs — Two HDMI outs let you feed a TV and projector, or a second display in another room, without constant cable swapping.

Video upscaling is available for analogue sources to HDMI and from lower-resolution HDMI inputs up to 4K. That means older game consoles, DVD players, or set-top boxes can still pass through a single HDMI cable to your display.

ARC, CEC, And Lip-Sync

The RX-A870 includes HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC), which sends sound from compatible TVs back to the receiver over the same HDMI cable. This works well with built-in TV apps and keeps cabling simple for streaming platforms built into smart TVs.

  • ARC for TV apps — Enable ARC in both the TV menu and receiver HDMI settings so Netflix, Disney+, and other apps can send surround audio back to the RX-A870.
  • CEC control — HDMI CEC allows basic control of the receiver through your TV remote, including power and volume, as long as each device has CEC turned on.
  • Auto lip-sync — Auto lip-sync works with compatible displays to reduce audio delay; you can also fine-tune delay manually between 0 and 500 ms if voices look off.

Networking, Streaming, And MusicCast

The Yamaha RX-A870 specs list a full set of network features: Ethernet port, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Yamaha’s MusicCast platform. These give you several ways to stream from phones, computers, and online services without extra boxes.

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, And Streaming Apps

You can connect the RX-A870 to your home network with either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Once the receiver is online, it can access internet radio stations and various music services depending on your region and firmware.

  • Wired connection — Use Ethernet where possible for stable playback, especially if your router sits near the rack or media cabinet.
  • Wi-Fi connection — Pull up the network setup menu and follow prompts to join your wireless network; the built-in Wi-Fi radio handles typical 2.4 GHz routers.
  • Bluetooth streaming — Pair a phone or tablet over Bluetooth for quick playback from any app; compressed tracks run through Yamaha’s Compressed Music Enhancer to add a little life back to low-bitrate audio.

Apple users can cast audio directly using AirPlay without pairing over Bluetooth first. That keeps control on the phone and lets you send sound from any iOS or macOS app that can use the system audio device.

MusicCast Multi-Room Audio

MusicCast is Yamaha’s platform for wireless multi-room audio across compatible soundbars, speakers, and receivers. With the free MusicCast app, you can group the RX-A870 with other Yamaha devices and send music to several rooms at once.

  • Single-room control — Use the MusicCast app to choose inputs, adjust volume, and change sound programs on the RX-A870 from your phone.
  • Multi-room groups — Link the RX-A870 with MusicCast speakers in the kitchen or bedroom so the same playlist plays across the home.
  • Streaming sources — The receiver can pull music from network servers, streaming services, and Bluetooth sources, then distribute that audio through MusicCast.

For more detail on features and MusicCast compatibility, Yamaha’s online RX-A870 web manual remains a handy reference while you plan your system.

Inputs, Outputs, And System Expansion

One strength of the Yamaha RX-A870 specs sheet is how many connection options you get for both new and older gear. Eight HDMI inputs handle most digital sources, while analogue audio, digital audio, and pre-outs give you freedom to expand later.

Digital And Analogue Audio Connections

Beyond HDMI, the RX-A870 includes optical and coaxial digital inputs along with standard RCA analogue inputs and a dedicated phono input for turntables with moving magnet cartridges.

  • Optical digital inputs — Ideal for TVs, CD players, or older game consoles that output audio over Toslink.
  • Coaxial digital inputs — Handy for disc players and streamers that use a single RCA-style digital output.
  • Analogue line inputs — Five line-level inputs let you connect legacy devices such as cassette decks, older CD players, or tape loops.
  • Phono input — The built-in phono stage means you can connect a turntable with an MM cartridge without an external preamp.

The RX-A870 also offers a 7.2-channel pre-out section. That allows you to feed external power amplifiers for some or all speakers if you later step up to larger or more demanding speakers while keeping the Yamaha in charge of processing and switching.

Zone 2, Control Ports, And Headphones

For more advanced setups, the RX-A870 includes features that help distribute audio through the home and tie into custom control systems.

  • Powered Zone 2 — Use two channels of the built-in amplifier to drive speakers in another room, such as a patio or kitchen.
  • Zone line out — Send audio to an external amplifier in another area while the main zone runs a different source.
  • Zone B HDMI — Feed a second display via the HDMI Zone B output, which mirrors the main HDMI output for simple dual-display setups.
  • Control connections — RS-232C, trigger output, and IR input/output allow integration with third-party control systems and automation gear.
  • Headphone output — A front-panel headphone jack gives you a direct wired option for private listening.

Practical Setup Advice For Yamaha RX-A870 Owners

Yamaha RX-A870 specs on their own do not guarantee good sound. A thoughtful setup makes more difference than a small jump in wattage between receivers in the same range. These quick steps help you get solid performance from day one.

Place The Receiver And Manage Heat

The RX-A870 weighs 10.5 kg and uses a sizeable transformer, so it needs space to breathe. Good airflow keeps internal temperatures under control and extends component life.

  • Allow ventilation — Leave several centimetres of space above and around the receiver, especially if it sits in a cabinet.
  • Avoid closed shelves — If you must place it in a rack, use open-backed furniture or add vent panels so warm air can escape.
  • Check ECO mode — ECO mode lowers power draw during light use; you can enable it in the settings menu if the receiver runs hot in your rack.

Run YPAO Room Calibration

YPAO measures your speakers and adjusts levels, distances, and basic equalisation. Running it once during setup saves time compared with doing everything by hand.

  • Position the microphone — Place the supplied YPAO microphone at ear height on a stand or stack of cushions at your main seat.
  • Use multi-point measurement — Select the multi-point option and move the microphone to a few seats across the sofa so the system has data for a wider listening area.
  • Review results — After YPAO finishes, skim the levels and speaker sizes; adjust crossovers or trim levels if anything looks strange.

Match HDMI Settings To Your TV

HDMI quirks can make receivers feel more confusing than they need to be. Small tweaks in the menus of both the TV and the RX-A870 avoid black screens, missing sound, or handshake issues.

  • Enable 4K features — On some TVs you must enable enhanced or UHD mode per HDMI input so 4K/60 HDR passes cleanly from the receiver.
  • Label inputs — Give each HDMI input a clear name in the receiver menu such as “Xbox” or “Blu-ray” so everyone in the house knows which SCENE button to press.
  • Tame CEC if needed — If devices keep powering each other on and off in confusing ways, try turning off CEC on a troublesome source or on the TV.

Is The Yamaha RX-A870 Still Worth Buying?

On paper, Yamaha RX-A870 specs hold up well for many current living rooms. You get 7.2 channels, genuine Atmos and DTS:X decoding, 4K/60 with the common HDR formats, MusicCast, and enough HDMI inputs for a stack of modern sources.

There are also a few points to weigh before picking up a used RX-A870 instead of a newer HDMI 2.1 receiver.

  • No HDMI 2.1 — The RX-A870 cannot pass 4K/120 signals from current consoles, so serious high-frame-rate gaming still needs a direct HDMI 2.1 link from console to TV with audio passed back over eARC or optical.
  • Discontinued model — Since Yamaha lists the RX-A870 as discontinued, new units are rare; firmware updates may also wind down, so check current firmware on any used unit you buy.
  • Age and wear — A receiver from this generation can still sound strong, yet fans, relays, and HDMI boards have seen years of use, so buy from a seller with solid history when possible.

If your priority is a wide set of HDMI 2.0 features, Atmos at 5.1.2, and a proven MusicCast platform instead of a focus on high-frame-rate gaming features, the RX-A870 still holds plenty of appeal as a mid-range hub. Just pair it with speakers that match your room size and listening distance, and spend a little time with YPAO and placement so the real-world result lives up to the spec sheet.