This 7-channel Home Theater Amplifier delivers nothing less than the world's finest home theater audio performance. In every single respect, it is absolutely state-of-the-art. Never before have you been able to select so many different sound fields to match audio and video genres. Never before have you been able to experience such thrilling audio "'presence" in your own home. Through the wonders of Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround, together with Yamaha's own leading-edge Digital Sound Field Processing technology, you will enter a new realm of home entertainment. If you want the best home theater system, bar none, this is the first component to choose: the incomparable DSP-Al.

HiFi DSP and CINEMA DSP:

An Amazing Variety of Sound Field Programs, High-Power, High-Quality Power Amplifier. Most of the massive interior of the DSP- is given over to the power amplifier components, allowing it to deliver movie sound fields and music reproduction with a never- before-heard feeling of presence. The DSP-Al features an all-discrete configuration for the entire seven power amp channels that are used for CINEMA DSP playback. The surround channels handle Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround recorded with the same quality and range as the main channels, while the five left, center and right, rear-effect left and rear-effect right channels have exactly the same power and quality. The amplifier's power capability is formidable: rated output of 110 watts for the left, center, right, and two rear effect channels, and 35 watts for the two front effect channels.

Super-Low Impedance Power Supply

The DSP-A1 also boasts impressive power supply components. The super-low impedance power supply transformer is in the 8.5kg (18.7 lbs.) weight class and is equipped with large 50mm diameter x 90mm high block chemical capacitors built with low multiplier foil for high audio quality. Transient power supply capability has been heightened overall, with ample power to handle the wide dynamic range of Dolby Digital or DTS Digital Surround audio. The power block is equipped with a forced-draft cooling fan, which is only used for extreme heat build-up. The fan does not normally operate even under continuous large output, preventing the occurrence of even the slightest unwanted noise.

Carefully Selected High Quality Parts

All parts were strictly selected and subjected to repeated listening tests to ensure that only the best were used. In addition to the use of high quality metal-plate ceramic-cased resistors, copper-lead metallized mylar film capacitors and high precision iron-mica capacitors, the DSP-Al stops at nothing to achieve the finest in high quality audio, even to the use of the best in internal wiring material. The unifying of the digital input terminals with the sound field processor block and separation from the analog processing block ensures very little interference between the two and provides high quality playback.

High Precision Eight-Gang Main Volume

The eight-gang high sound quality master volume control allows adjustment of the volume of all eight channels (left, center, right, left-surround, right-surround, front-effect left, front-effect right and LFE without affecting balance.

Logical Interior Design

The use of highly integrated LSI's allows construction that places priority on quality by positioning the sound field processing and digital processing blocks into a small area on the right side of the cabinet.

Auto Priority Input Terminal Selection and Auto Decoder Selection

Digital input terminals are provided to handle any kind of digital input. Functions are programmed to select priority in order of AC- optical digital, coaxial digital and analog when different digital formats are input from the same source. The sound decoder is also automatically selected and processed according to the combination of the format of input signals and the selected sound field programs, while DSP sound field processing is optimized at the same time. If MOVIE THEATER 70mm, for example, is selected and the input is a DTS signal, the DTS decoder is automatically engaged and a switch is made to MOVIE THEATER DTS Sci-Fi. If the signal is Dolby Digital, then a switch is made to MOVIE THEATER DIGITAL Sci-Fi, whereas if the input is PCM or analog, MOVIE THEATER 70mm Sci-Fi is displayed. If a Laserdisc is played on Dolby Digital, the demodulator starts up and input automatically switches to AC-3RF. The processing state and type of format that is input and selected is shown on the right side of the front Panel display. When a digital source is being input and the effect is turned off, sampling frequency and number and type of channels arc displayed.

Digital Input and Output for DVD

The DSP-Al offers a Dolby Digital (AC3 RF) input terminal for LD players that can handle Dolby Digital, five optical and three digital input terminals, and one digital Rec. Out terminal for DVD players, MD recorders and CD players. Compatibility with each input means there is no need to bother with initial settings.

Rec. Out Selector with BGV function

The audio or video source you are listening to can be recorded on VCR 1, 2 or 3 or Tape I or 2. You can also use the Rec. Out Selector to record a different audio or video source on Tape 1 or VCR 1. The BGV function allows you to record an audio source with a different video source.

Preout Terminals for All Channels Allow Use as a Processor with Effect Amp.

All channels are provided with preout terminals so you can add an external power amplifier to take even greater advantage of the DSP-Al's superior CINEMA DSP functions. The left, right and center channels are equipped with pre-main couplers, allowing operation as an independent three-channel power amplifier. You can thus make use of the DSP-AI as a processor with effect amp for more versatile system design.

Aim Exterior that Says "Luxury" and "Elegance"

The DSP-Al is an imposing piece of equipment: deep matte black and impressively large. This is a component that announces its (and yours) commitment to quality in no uncertain terms. The image of luxury is fur there confirmed when you touch the knobs: they turn with ultra smoothness. And the single red LED makes an elegant statement. Yet there is one additional touch-the panel door. You don't have to push it all the way open ... slight pressure on the bottom causes it to glide gracefully down. As befitting Yamaha's finest component, the DSP-Al is elegant in every respect.

Full Capabilities for Future Expansion, Including Six-Channel External Decoder input

In addition to the latest Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround functions, the DSP-A1 features external decoder input that allows the input of six analog channels for future formats such as MPEG multichannel and DVD audio. Pressing the Tape 2 Monitor button twice allows the enjoyment of external decoder audio input and of a wide variety
of video sources selected by the input selector. Audio from external decoder input cannot be DSP-sound field processed but the master volume, speakers and speaker level settings can be used as is.

Subwoofer Output with a Wide Variety of Functions

Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround have low-frequency effect (LFE) added to them, an important factor in the adequate reproduction of low frequencies. The DSP-A1 has two types of subwoofer output terminals for mono and split, and the low frequencies of channels programmed by the speaker mode programming function can be output from the subwoofer. Subwoofer level is easily adjusted with a test tone.