Yamaha now sells two 7.2-channel receivers a few hundred dollars apart: the new 2026 RX500A and the RX-V6A, which has been in the lineup since 2020. Both run a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system, but they suit different homes.
The short answer
Choose the Yamaha RX500A (~$600) for most living rooms: full 8K/60 and 4K/120 on all four HDMI inputs, Google Cast and AirPlay 2, for about $200 less.
Choose the RX-V6A (~$800) if you play vinyl, need seven HDMI inputs, want more power, or use MusicCast and a powered second zone.
Side-by-side
| Yamaha RX500A | Yamaha RX-V6A |
|---|
| Released | 2026 | 2020 |
| Price | ~$600 | ~$800 |
| Channels | 7.2 (5.1.2 with Atmos) | 7.2 (5.1.2 with Atmos) |
| Power (8 ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2 channels driven) | 70W per channel | 100W per channel |
| Dolby Atmos and DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI inputs / outputs | 4 / 1 | 7 / 1 |
| 8K/60 and 4K/120 | All 4 inputs, plus VRR, ALLM, and QMS | Inputs 1 to 3, limited to 24Gbps, plus VRR and ALLM |
| Room correction | Yamaha room correction (mic included) | YPAO with multi-point measurement |
| Streaming | Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay 2 | MusicCast, AirPlay 2, Spotify and other services in the MusicCast app |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 with multipoint | Yes (SBC, AAC) |
| Phono input | No | Yes |
| Second room | Zone B (second speaker pair) | Powered Zone 2, plus Zone 2 pre-out |
| Pre-outs | 2 subwoofer | Front left/right plus 2 subwoofer |
| Weight | 17.6 lb | 21.6 lb |
These two Yamaha receivers have the same job: run a 7.1 system, or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system with two height speakers. The RX500A is Yamaha's new 2026 model; the RX-V6A has been in the lineup since 2020 and still sells for about $200 more. The specs above come from Yamaha's own spec sheets.
Where the RX500A wins
- It costs about $200 less for the same 5.1.2 Atmos layout.
- Newer HDMI on every input. All four inputs pass 8K/60 and 4K/120 with VRR, ALLM, and QMS (which stops the screen from going black when the frame rate changes). The RX-V6A's first-generation HDMI 2.1 board is limited to 24Gbps on three inputs, so a PS5 or gaming PC at 4K/120 runs with reduced color resolution.
- Better built-in streaming. Google Cast, plus Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz Connect, so you stream straight from each service's own app.
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, so two phones can stay paired at once.
Where the RX-V6A wins
- More power. 100W versus 70W per channel under the same rating conditions, which helps with larger rooms and less efficient speakers.
- Seven HDMI inputs instead of four, for a console, a streaming box, a Blu-ray player, and more without an HDMI switch.
- A phono input for a turntable with a moving-magnet cartridge. With the RX500A, you'd need a separate phono preamp.
- YPAO with multi-point measurement, which measures several listening seats, not just one.
- A powered Zone 2 for a second room, and MusicCast multi-room with Yamaha's wireless speakers and soundbars.
- Front pre-outs, so you can add a stereo power amplifier for the main speakers later.
Which should you buy?
Best for most people~$600
Yamaha RX500A
7.2 channels · 70W · 4 HDMI inputs, all 8K/60 and 4K/120 · Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify/TIDAL/Qobuz Connect
Choose the RX500A if you want a 5.1.2 Atmos system for movies and gaming and stream from your phone. Every HDMI input handles a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC at full quality, and it costs about $200 less. Four inputs are enough for most living rooms, since the TV's own apps cover streaming.
Worth knowing: it's a new model, so long-term owner reviews are still thin. There's no phono input, no powered Zone 2, and no MusicCast, and at 70W per channel it's better suited to efficient speakers in small and medium rooms.
Check price on Amazon
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Best for music and multi-room~$800
Yamaha RX-V6A
7.2 channels · 100W · 7 HDMI inputs · phono input · YPAO multi-point · MusicCast · powered Zone 2
Choose the RX-V6A if you play vinyl, need more than four HDMI sources, want to power speakers in a second room, or already own MusicCast speakers. Its extra power is also worth having with larger tower speakers.
Worth knowing: its HDMI is the weak spot. Only three inputs handle 4K/120, at 24Gbps, so full-quality 4K/120 gaming isn't possible. If you game at 4K/120 and want more features than the RX500A, look at the Denon AVR-X1800H instead.
Check price on Amazon
Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.
Other receivers to consider
- Denon AVR-X1800H (~$849): the same 5.1.2 layout, three full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, a phono input, and HEOS streaming. It's our step-up pick for most people.
- Onkyo TX-NR5100 (~$600): about the same price as the RX500A, with Chromecast, AirPlay 2, two HDMI outputs, and Klipsch Optimize Mode if you own Klipsch speakers.
- Yamaha RX300A (~$370): the RX500A's five-channel sibling. It drops Wi-Fi streaming and DTS:X, so it suits a basic 5.1 system on a tight budget. See our best budget AV receivers.
For every Yamaha model from the RX300A to the AVENTAGE RX-A8A, see the Yamaha lineup on our receivers page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Yamaha RX500A better than the RX-V6A?
For most people, yes. The RX500A passes 8K/60 and 4K/120 on all four HDMI inputs, adds Google Cast and Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz Connect, and costs about $200 less. The RX-V6A is better if you need a phono input, seven HDMI inputs, a powered Zone 2, MusicCast, or more power (100W versus 70W per channel).
Does the Yamaha RX500A have MusicCast?
No. Yamaha lists Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Google Cast, and AirPlay 2 for the RX500A, controlled with the Yamaha Audio Connect app, but not MusicCast. The RX-V6A supports MusicCast.
Can the RX-V6A do 4K/120 for a PS5?
Yes, on HDMI inputs 1 to 3, but Yamaha lists them at 24Gbps, so 4K/120 runs with reduced color resolution. The RX500A supports 8K/60 and 4K/120 on all four inputs.
Does the Yamaha RX500A have a phono input?
No. To connect a turntable, you need one with a built-in preamp or a separate phono preamp. The RX-V6A has a phono input for moving-magnet cartridges.
How many speakers can the RX500A and RX-V6A power?
Both have seven amplified channels and two subwoofer outputs, for a 7.1 system or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system with two height speakers.