CX-A5000 11.2 Channel AV Preamplifier


  • AVENTAGE CX-A5000 Overview Video
  • AVENTAGE Separate Components Overview Video
  • Receiver Feature Video - AirPlay
  • Receiver Feature Video - AV Controller App
  • Receiver Feature Video - SCENE Function
  • Receiver Feature Video - YPAO

State-of-the-art Technologies Combine for Studio-grade Preamp Quality Ensuring the Ultimate Sound Experience

The CX-A5000 utilizes the most sophisticated engineering and technology, as well as traditional craftsmanship, for pure sound reproduction. Making full use of CINEMA DSP HD3, the pinnacle of three-dimensional sound field reproduction, it realizes detailed, accurate sound imaging. Used with the MX-A5000 11.2 channel power amplifier, it achieves overwhelming silence and sound filled with dynamic feeling. It also offers advanced video processing technology, versatile network capability with a wide range of content access and app control, along with flexible system configuration that benefits from advanced HDMI® zone switching.




High Density Presence and Richly Detailed Sound Ensured by High Sound Quality Parts and Design

In the CX-A5000, all channels use ultra high performance ESS Technology ES9016 SABRE32™ Ultra DACs , which provide 192 kHz/32-bit compatible high SN ratio and dynamic range, ensuring that it can faithfully reproduce audio signals from Blu-ray Disc™ and other players and high quality signals from high resolution sound sources input through networks. Matched to the design of the DAC circuit, which achieves stable ground potential (DAC on Pure Ground), they ensure high precision D/A conversion. The OP amp is a high grade type adopted only by flagship models for maximum signal purity. It realizes even more detailed sound by adopting a three-layer circuit board design that completely separates the digital, analog video and analog audio circuit boards, which have different noise levels and frequency bands, and by a design that provides the shortest possible circuit route. Further, by separating the power supplies to the analog circuit boards, it eliminates high frequency noise interference from the digital circuits. The shielded power supply restricts noise radiation and the large power transformer minimizes vibration.




Ultra-high Performance DACs for Superior Sound Quality

Ultra-high performance, 192 kHz/32-bit, ESS Technology ES9016 SABRE32™ Ultra DACs produce an unsurpassed sound stage with up to 124 dB dynamic range, super low distortion and noise level. These top-end quality DACs are even used for front and rear presence speakers. This AV receiver’s sound reproduction is for the most discriminating of listeners.


Noise Resistant, Highly Reliable Balanced Connection

Electrical noise may be generated due to connection with other AV components and even from the connection between the preamplifier and power amplifier, as well as from other sources of external noise. To ensure that the CX-A5000 and MX-A5000 are not affected by this distortion, they use balanced connections that are highly noise resistant—the same type generally used in pro audio equipment. Even the RCA unbalanced connection uses a ground sensing transmission method that achieves simple balanced transmission. And in cases such as that where each channel with the XLR is used selectively, the impact of noise flowing between the preamp and the chassis of the power amp is removed, minimizing sound quality deterioration due to the connection. The CX-A5000 also allows balanced audio input connection to high grade source components such as CD players.


Specially Designed High Rigidity Chassis Minimizes the Effects of Vibration for Greater Sound Purity

As part of the no-compromise design policy, Yamaha created an advanced chassis with strong rigidity. Chassis stiffness is enhanced by an H-shaped cross frame that boosts mechanical strength by adopting aluminum side panels that increase the stiffness of the housing and by a three-ply structure with independent top cover and side panels. Any external vibration from the rack or other sources is damped by heavy insulators. The A.R.T. (Anti-Resonance Technology) Wedge in the center of the bottom cover acts as an additional vibration countermeasure and firmly supports the internal circuits and delicate parts. In addition, this model has a double bottom chassis and rigid bottom frame to further enhance chassis rigidity and reduce the transmission of vibration produced by the large power supply and other internal components.




CINEMA DSP HD3 Expands the Sound Field Vertically for More Thrilling and Realistic Surround Sound

CINEMA DSP HD3 literally takes the surround sound experience to new heights. By using four CINEMA DSP engines with advanced 3D processing and four presence channels in an 11 channel configuration, it gives the sound an enhanced vertical dimension. You are enveloped in wide, high and dense sound fields that deliver excitingly realistic surround sound. In addition, a rear Virtual Presence Speaker has been added to the usual front Virtual Presence Speaker, so you can enjoy CINEMA DSP HD3 programs using a 9 channel system (without rear presence speakers) with almost the same sensational sound as an 11 channel system.


33 DSP Programs, Including 10 Introduced in the Flagship Z11 Receiver

The broad array of surround sound programs, including 10 featured in the flagship Z11 receiver, features six “Movie” choices, including “Spectacle” for movies with strong visual and audio impact, “Sci-Fi” for SFX movies, “Adventure” to emphasize the sound of action movies and “Drama.” Seven “Entertainment” programs match the audio characteristics of sources such as sports, music videos and action and role-playing games. Compatibility with the Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD® sound formats means you hear the full potential of every movie and music source.


Network Functions

This AV receiver provides a variety of network functions that enable you to access more sources and also enhance operation. You can connect the receiver to a PC to enjoy Internet radio, Pandora®, Rhapsody® and SiriusXM Internet Radio and operate your system via WebBrowser Control*. The AV Controller App (from iTunes® or Google Play) lets you control various functions from your iPod®, iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ phones/tablets.

*Music service availability varies by region.




AirPlay® Allows Streaming Music to AV Receiver

This AV receiver supports AirPlay, which means it can accept wireless music streaming from an iPod, iPhone or iPad, as well as from iTunes on a Mac® or PC. This makes it easy to enjoy music from your mobile devices or computer on your home theater system. You can view metadata such as song title and artist name as well as album art* via the AV receiver's on-screen display.

*Some models don't support album art display.


AV Controller App for Easy, Convenient Operation

This AV receiver lets you use the Yamaha AV Controller App that is downloadable from the iTunes App Store or Google Play to control power on/off and volume, select input and DSP modes and operate other functions from an iPhone or Android devices. You can also use in as many as 23* different languages and customize the interface by hiding unused icons and renaming functions. A tablet version is also available.

*As of Spring 2013


AV Controller App Provides Zone Control

The AV Controller App is extremely useful for controlling various functions in multi-zone installations. Zone selection is easily done by choosing zone icons which can be changed (bedroom, kitchen, etc.). You can control power on/off, input selection and the volume level in each zone and also rename the zones. The app also shows when the Party Mode is being used and allows volume control of this function.


Advanced Multi-language GUI On-screen Display

Yamaha’s latest graphical user interface has a high resolution display with clear, easy-to-use menus and also includes a selectable status bar that shows input source, volume level, DSP mode and audio format. The GUI provides a choice of eight languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Italian and Chinese and can be displayed over both normal and 3D pictures.




Extra-convenient SCENE PLUS

The SCENE PLUS function simplifies operation by providing one-touch power-on along with selection of the desired source and the appropriate DSP programs. SCENE PLUS offers a choice of 12 SCENE selections, four of which can be assigned to the second zone in a multi-zone system. SCENE PLUS can be selected from the front panel, remote control, GUI and even from the AV Controller App.




USB Digital Connection for iPod, iPhone and iPad on the Front Panel

A USB port on the front panel allows convenient connection of an iPod/iPhone/iPad, which also charges when connected. Because the digital signal from the iPod/iPhone/iPad is transmitted directly to the AV receiver, there is no signal loss or interference, so you enjoy the best possible sound quality. In addition, you can use the receiver’s remote control unit to operate the iPod/iPhone/iPad music playback functions.


Ultra HD (4K) Pass-through and Upscaling

This AV receiver's HDMI input/output supports 4K video image pass-through. It also can perform 4K upscaling to boost a lower resolution image to super high-def resolution. This ensures compatibility with the latest super high resolution video formats.




Advanced HDMI Zone Switching Allows Unprecedented AV Switching to Multiple Zones

While standard HDMI zone switching can only send HD video programs to the main and second zones, Yamaha’s advanced HDMI zone switching adds the capability to choose from all audio and video sources for playback in either zone. An on-screen graphical user interface makes it easy to browse and select content to enjoy from the second zone no matter what is being played in the main zone.




Yamaha Video Processing Optimizes Video Content

Yamaha’s high-end video projector engineering expertise has produced various advanced processing techniques that are applied to this AV receiver. These include edge adaptive deinterlacing to smooth out jaggy noise, motion adaptive deinterlacing to detect moving or still images for precise pixel-by-pixel processing and multi-cadence detection including 3-2 pull-down. Proper processing makes viewing enjoyment complete no matter what video source or content.


MHL® (Mobile High-Definition Link) Support for High Quality Video and Audio

MHL provides easy, direct connection of compatible mobile phones and this AV receiver. Playback of up to 1080p video and multi-channel audio from the phones is supported. The receiver also charges the connected phone. Play, stop and other basic operations can be controlled from the remote control.




YPAO™ R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) Sound Optimization with Speaker Angle Measurement

YPAO analyzes room acoustics and performs speaker angle measurements, then calibrates audio parameters to achieve optimum sound at any of several listening positions. It employs Reflected Sound Control to correct early reflections for studio-quality sound. It also provides DSP Effect Normalization, which varies the CINEMA DSP parameters according to the reflected sounds.




High-resolution Music Enhancer further Heightens Musicality from the Original Content

Hi-bit high-sampling extension up to 96 kHz/24-bit can be applied to lossless 44.1/48 kHz content such as from a CD (2 channel PCM) or a FLAC file for further heightening of the musicality in the original content.




Compressed Music Enhancer

When music is encoded into a digitally compressed format like MP3, the frequency response suffers. Yamaha’s Compressed Music Enhancer employs sophisticated digital signal processing using exclusive algorithms to restore what was lost, so the music always sounds the way it should.


Dialogue Lift and Dialogue Level Adjustment for Natural Dialogue and Vocals

Dialogue Lift raises the sound of dialogue from the center speaker to a position in the center of the screen. Newly developed virtual dialogue lift achieves dialogue lift function even without the need for presence speakers. Dialogue Level Adjustment lets you control the volume of the vocal sound, so you hear movie dialogue and music vocals at the ideal level for clear, comfortable listening.


Handy Trigger Control

The CX-A5000 provides two "Trigger Out" jacks that enable control of connected component functions such as power on/off and input selection. The MX-A5000 or another amplifier or subwoofer with a "Trigger In" jack can be connected to allow use of the convenient trigger function.


Selectable Auto Power Standby

Auto Power Standby lets you save energy by selecting to turn off the power after two, four, eight or 12 hours.


Low Standby Power Consumption

Yamaha makes its receivers eco-friendly with a low standby power consumption of 0.3 W in IR Standby mode (5.0 W in HDMI Standby Through mode, 2.2 W in Network Standby mode).


Connection for YWA-10 Wi-Fi Adapter

This AV receiver provide a DC out connection for the YWA-10 Wi-Fi adapter (optional accessory). This lets you stream music wirelessly via a router from network components such as a PC or NAS.




Connection for YBA-11 Bluetooth® Wireless Adapter

This AV receiver provides a DC out connection for the YBA-11 Bluetooth wireless adapter (optional accessory). You'll be able to stream music wirelessly from a Bluetooth wireless technology capable smartphone, tablet or PC, without a Wi-Fi environment.


Other Notable Audio Features

  • HD Audio format decoding: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™
  • FLAC or WAV 19 2kHz/24-bit audio playback
  • Ultra Low Jitter PLL circuitry helps optimize sound imaging
  • Phono input for vinyl playback

Other Notable Video Features

  • HDMI: 8 inputs (1 on front) and 2 outputs (assignable for zone) with 3D and Audio Return Channel
  • Analog to analog video upconversion

Other Notable Advanced Features

  • DLNA® 1.5 certified
  • HD Radio™
  • HDMI front panel input for devices such as camcorders and digital cameras
  • HDMI CEC with versatile control from AV receiver remote control
  • Ability to change HDMI input while in Standby Through mode
  • Charging of iPod, iPhone and iPad via USB when AV receiver is off
  • Audio delay for adjusting lip-sync (0-500 ms)
  • Macro, learning and preset capable remote unit
  • Background video feature (for tuner and network sources)

Other Notable Surround Realism

  • HD Audio decoding with CINEMA DSP HD3 (33 DSP programs)
  • Virtual dialogue lift even without use of presence speakers
  • Subwoofer Trim for improved sound imaging
  • Adaptive DRC (dynamic range control)
  • Adaptive DSP Level

Other Notable Advanced Zone Control Features

  • Zone 2/3/4 on/off and control on front panel
  • Zone GUI (song/station select, album cover art display, zone tone controls/zone balance, short message)
  • Zone 2/3 video assign (component, S-video, composite)
  • System backup/recovery function
  • Zone mono, zone volume, tone controls and balance, etc.
  • Party Mode