The Yamaha RX-A3080, RX-A3070, and RX-A2080 all have 9 channels of amplification but the RX-A2080 has slightly lower power output of 140 Watts per channel (2-channel driven into 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06% THD) whereas the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 deliver 150 Watts per channel (2-channel driven into 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.06% THD). There is a difference in the number of processing channels since only the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 have 11.2 channel processing whereas the RX-A2080 utilizes 9.2 preamp channels. The speaker terminals are 11 on all three Yamaha receivers, however. The Yamaha RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 have 11.2-channel pre-outs (the front and rear presence pre-outs are shared with Zone2 and Zone3, respectively). The RX-A2080 has 7.2-channel pre-outs for the main room, and dedicated pre-outs for Zone2 and 3 (which cannot be used for expanding the speaker layout in your main room via external power amplifier, unfortunately). As a result, a 7.2.4-channel Dolby Atmos setup is only possible with either the RX-A3080 or RX-A3070 but you'll still need an external 2-channel amplifier. All three Yamaha receivers have the amplification and processing channels to natively support speaker layouts up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4-channel (connecting two powered subwoofers is also possible).
The Yamaha RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 utilize the ESS SABRE ES9026PRO DAC (for the main 7 channels) which has up to 124 dB dynamic range and -110 dB THD+N. In terms of digital-to-analog conversion taking place on the remaining channels, the RX-A3080 uses the ESS SABRE ES9007S DAC whereas the RX-A3070 relies on the ESS ES9006A. Both of these DACs have a dynamic range of up to 120 dB. Instead of two different DAC models, the RX-A2080 uses dual ESS SABRE ES9007S DACs. As a result, however, the RX-A2080 doesn't have the total harmonic distortion compensation function in order further minimize noise which the ESS SABRE ES9026PRO DAC provide for the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070's 7 main channels. The RX-A2080 also lacks the ability to adjust the roll-off frequency for the DAC digital filters whereas on the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 either Sharp or Slow roll-off type can be selected. Additionally, you can use Short Latency Type of filter on the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 so that the audio delay is reduced. Only the RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 have an Ultra Low Jitter PLL Mode which allows you to choose from three levels of jitter elimination. The default is Level 1, which you can increase so that the DAC accuracy is higher, but this may cause audio interruptions on some devices.
While either one of the three Yamaha receivers can play back audio files such as ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD, etc., there is a difference in the resolution (sampling frequency and quantization bitrate, to be precise) at which some of formats are supported. For example, FLAC files up to 384kHz/24-bit and WAV/AIFF up to 384kHz/32-bit are supported on the RX-A3080 whereas the RX-A3070 and RX-A2080 are limited up to 192kHz/24-bit for FLAC, WAV, AIFF. Even though all Yamaha receivers in this comparison support DSD 2.8 MHz / 5.6 MHz, only the RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 are able to play back DSD 11.2 MHz. There is no difference in the resolution at which ALAC is supported, though, since it's up to 96kHz/24-bit for all three Yamaha receivers.
The Yamaha's parametric acoustic optimization technology (YPAO) with R.S.C (Reflected Sound Control) is utilized by the RX-A3080, RX-A3070, and RX-A2080. The three receivers support up to 8 measurement points where you can place the microphone in order for the distances between the listening position(s) and the speakers to be calculated. Furthermore, the YPAO 3D feature allows for the angle of all your speakers, in addition to the height of presence speakers, to be measured at your listening position so that more effective 3D sound field can be achieved with CINEMA DSP HD3. The RX-A3080 and RX-A3070 rely on 64-bit High Precision EQ calculation whereas the RX-A2080 uses Precision EQ, meaning that the former two Yamaha receivers have an advantage in terms of how accurately they're able to equalize the speakers (for the acoustics of your room).
The main difference in terms of connection options between the three Yamaha receivers is due to the XLR jacks. The RX-A3080 has both an XLR balanced output (front L/R) and an XLR input whereas the RX-A3070 has only an XLR input. The RX-A2080 has neither an XLR output, nor an XLR input. The RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 lack the front HDMI input that can be found on the RX-A3070 but there are 7 rear HDMI inputs on either one of them. The RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 have 3 HDMI outputs vs 2 HDMI outputs on the RX-A3070. All three receivers in this comparison can be updated to support eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) on one of their HDMI outputs, though. While on the subject of firmware updates, it should be said the RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 will support Apple AirPlay 2 whereas the RX-A3070 is only compatible with the original AirPlay technology.
Even though there are 24 DSP programs on all three Yamaha receivers, only the RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 utilize AI (Artificial Intelligence) in their programs in order to recognize distinct sound elements (such as dialogue, background music, etc.) in movies and TV shows, and provide optimal enhancement to the sound field (by using a reference database) on a scene-by-scene basis. Another new feature for the RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 is the MusicCast Surround which allows for wireless surround speakers such as MusicCast 50 or MusicCast 20 (sold separately) to be added to the two Yamaha receivers, and be synchronized with your wired front speakers in order to have up to a 5.1 or 5.1.2-channel layout. This limitation is due to the fact that neither the surround speaker terminals, nor the surround pre-outs output signal when wireless surround speakers are used, so you cannot use surround back and rear presence speakers in that case. You can also add a wireless subwoofer (MusicCast SUB 100; sold separately) to the RX-A3080 and RX-A2080 but you won't be able to use it alongside a wired subwoofer since no signal is output from the two subwoofer pre-outs.
Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the Yamaha RX-A2080, RX-A3080, or RX-A3070 (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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