In Use

Although the RV-8 is very complex, the instruction manual is superb in explaining it all.

I configured a digital input and 5.1 analog input set for my Yamaha universal DVD player, and a stereo analog input set for my McCormack CD transport and DAC. Speakers were Carver Amazings all around, and a Final Acoustics ESL for the center. Velodyne subwoofers rounded out the test system, and Nordost cables connected everything.

Ribbons and ESLs are a very tough test for any amplifier, especially those in receivers, but the RV-8 was up to the task.

The sound quality was more like our McIntosh MC-602 and 1201 in tonality rather than our BAT VK-500, except for, of course, the maximum power. This is definitely high performance audio. I noticed clipping at high volume, such as with Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man", which is a disc I use very often, as the dynamics are incredible. However, the sound itself, within the 180 watt two-channel capability (see Benchmark test results below), was outstanding.

Strings, brass, human voices (such as Mary Chapin Carpenter - Come On, and Natalie Cole - Unforgettable) were superbly reproduced with a clarity that would honor any audio product.

I crossed over the rear speakers at 50 Hz, even though they are full range, so that the bass from the rear would not interfere with the subwoofers at the front. This worked very well, and is something I do routinely. This is particularly nice when playing a heavy bass disc, such as the Copland one shown above.

SACD recordings, played using the 5.1 analog output from the Yamaha, sounded as good as I have ever heard from a receiver. The discs included Hiromi's Brain, which if you have not experienced, is a must hear disc.

Other orchestral recordings include Stravinsky's The Firebird (Telarc SACD 60039) and Liszt's Works for Organ (NAXOS 8.555079).

All in all, I would be very happy with this receiver as the heart of my home theater system and music listening too.

The menus are laid out in a straightforward manner, but it is easy to get lost. In order to enter a particular choice, you have to go one step further in the menu (pressing the right side of the circular button on the remote) and then hitting Enter.

I tried the tuner briefly (I am not a fan of music on the radio), and it set up in a flash. The sound quality of receivers is probably surpassing the FM analog transmissions now, so if you like broadcast music, you should focus on the digital broadcasts over satellite and cable, which the RV-8 can decode through one of its digital inputs.

The other zones are very simple to configure, and Lexicon is unique in providing complete control of second and third zones from the front panel. For someone with music setups in several rooms, the RV-8 is sure to be a delight in this regard.

With movies, the RV-8 excelled just as it did with CD and high resolution audio. I watched a lot of movies with the RV-8 while it was here. These included Assault on Precinct 13, Constantine, The Merchant of Venice, and Be Cool, which are in our movie reviews section now.

In all cases, the movies sounded awesome with the RV-8. There are myriad variations in the ways you can listen to surround sound with the RV-8 and most other receivers, but I prefer just straight DD 5.1 with no added enhancements (other than the 7.1 side channels that are synthesized).

This is especially so with the big speakers that I use for home theater entertainment, and for our tests. Even though the ribbons are very low efficiency, the RV-8 did just fine. If you have cone speakers with an efficiency of, say 90 dB or more, you will have enough power to blow the walls out with this receiver. I use ribbons and ESLs for two reasons. One is that I like the sound. Secondly, they let me find out what a test product can do under stress.

Many high performance receivers have 7.1 sound now, with power amplifiers for all seven channels. Even though the side channels are synthesized, if you have not heard 7.1, do so, because you will be surprised at how much this adds to the sound stage. They fill in the gap that pans from back to front or front to back have without the side channel signals.

On the Bench

Below are our Secrets Benchmark findings for the RV-8. As you can see, it passed most of the criteria, and we set criteria levels to be very high. Each criterion can score a maximum of 10 points. This receiver has just about every feature you can want, except for digital video switching (DVI and HDMI). The power amplifier put out very close to spec with all seven channels driven. We test the maximum output for a five second period, which is a terrific strain on the amplifier. We usually find that the maximum voltage drops down after less than a second, so that is why we set the Benchmark standard as the maximum voltage that will hold steady for five seconds. The RV-8 won't accept digital input for DVD-A or SACD yet, but this is the same for most receivers these days. Perhaps an update next year (maybe that blank panel on the rear panel near the bottom)?

Secrets Benchmark Results
 

Click HERE to go to Part III.

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