Buy the Yamaha RX-A2A for the seventh HDMI input, a manufacturer-stated 24 Gbps bandwidth figure with 8K/60 passthrough beside it, and a stated 12V trigger output. Buy the Denon AVR-X2800H for the second HDMI output, a 4–16Ω impedance range on every channel rather than a front-pair exception, a measurement microphone stated in the box and HEOS multiroom. The watt stickers settle nothing between them: Yamaha states 100W at 0.06% THD with the channels-driven condition unstated, Denon 95W with two channels driven at 0.08%, so the higher figure is also the one missing a condition, and we rank neither.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Yamaha RX-A2A tracks at $1,100; the Denon AVR-X2800H at $999.How we verify this data →
Yamaha's RX-A2A and Denon's AVR-X2800H are 7.2 receivers of the same tier. They answer different questions rather than the same question better, and the watt figures answer neither.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED
Spec
Yamaha RX-A2A
Denon AVR-X2800H
Price
$1,100
$999
Brand
Yamaha
Denon
Channel Config
7.2
7.2
Main Channels
7
7
Processing Channels
7
7
Sub Pre Outs
2
2
Zone 2 Capable
Yes
Yes
Zone 3 Capable
No
not stated
Watts Per Channel 8ohm
100
95
THD Percent
0.06
0.08
Power Measurement Channels Driven
unstated
two channels driven
Impedance Range
Front: 4 Ω or more; Other: 6 Ω or more (default 8 Ω)
4 – 16 Ω/ohms
Impedance Min Ohms
4
4
Impedance Max Ohms
8
16
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
Dts X
Yes
Yes
Auro 3d
No
not stated
Room Correction System
YPAO RSC
Audyssey MultEQ XT
HDMI Inputs
7
6
HDMI Outputs
1
2
HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps
24
40
HDMI Earc Port Count
1
1
Max Passthrough Resolution
8K 60
8K 60
HDR Support
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR
VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM Support
Yes
Yes
Phono Input
Yes
Yes
Wifi
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Airplay2
Yes
Yes
Musiccast
Yes
not stated
Trigger Outputs Count
1
not stated
Width Inches
17.1
17.1
Height Inches
6.8
6.6
Depth Inches
14.6
13
Weight Lbs
22.5
21
Measurement Mic Included
not stated
Yes
Heos
not stated
Yes
Streaming Services
not stated
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music HD
Form Factor
not stated
full size
Power Consumption W
not stated
500
Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
The power stickers first, because the bigger number is the less qualified one. Yamaha states 100W into 8Ω at 0.06% THD but leaves the channels-driven condition UNSTATED, which our data records as such rather than guessing; Denon states 95W into 8Ω with TWO channels driven at 0.08%. A one-channel figure reads meaningfully higher than the same amplifier measured with two driven, so nothing on this page rests on 100 against 95. HDMI bandwidth carries the same lesson about sourcing rather than size: the Yamaha's 24 Gbps figure is manufacturer-stated, while the Denon's 40 Gbps is recorded from a retailer listing, and neither row states an HDMI version or a 2.1-port count — so the larger number is the one to confirm before buying for a 4K/120 console. The rest is a straight trade. Yamaha: seven HDMI inputs against six, a stated 12V trigger output, MusicCast, and Auro-3D and Zone 3 both stated as explicit Nos. Denon: two HDMI outputs against one, a 4–16Ω range on every channel against a stated 'front 4Ω or more, other channels 6Ω or more', a measurement microphone stated in the box, HEOS and a three-service streaming list. Both state 7.2 with two subwoofer pre-outs, seven processing channels, one eARC port, 8K/60 passthrough, VRR, ALLM and a phono input.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Yamaha RX-A2A drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Yamaha RX-A2A states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Can the Denon AVR-X2800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X2800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
Can the Yamaha RX-A2A and Denon AVR-X2800H pass 4K/120 through?
The Yamaha RX-A2A states 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, below the ~40 Gbps full 4K/120 needs; the Denon AVR-X2800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Yamaha RX-A2A for the seventh HDMI input, a manufacturer-stated 24 Gbps bandwidth figure with 8K/60 passthrough beside it, and a stated 12V trigger output. Buy the Denon AVR-X2800H for the second HDMI output, a 4–16Ω impedance range on every channel rather than a front-pair exception, a measurement microphone stated in the box and HEOS multiroom. The watt stickers settle nothing between them: Yamaha states 100W at 0.06% THD with the channels-driven condition unstated, Denon 95W with two channels driven at 0.08%, so the higher figure is also the one missing a condition, and we rank neither.
Comparable powerEither — Not comparable, so not ranked: Yamaha states 100W at 8Ω and 0.06% THD with the channels-driven condition unstated; Denon states 95W at 8Ω with two channels driven at 0.08%.
Number of sourcesYamaha RX-A2A — Seven stated HDMI inputs against six — one more console or player before you need a switch.
A projector and a TV togetherDenon AVR-X2800H — Two stated HDMI outputs against one; the Yamaha row states a single output.
4Ω speakers on every channelDenon AVR-X2800H — The Denon states 4–16Ω across the board; the Yamaha states 4Ω or more on the front pair and 6Ω or more everywhere else, so its surrounds carry a different rating from its mains.
HDMI bandwidth you can sourceEither — Yamaha's 24 Gbps is manufacturer-stated; the Denon's 40 Gbps is higher but recorded from a retailer listing, and neither row states an HDMI version — so the bigger number is the one to confirm, not the one to trust.
Room correction in the boxDenon AVR-X2800H — Both state a platform — YPAO RSC against Audyssey MultEQ XT — but only the Denon row states that the measurement microphone is included.
Where to buy
CHEAPEST FIRST · NOT COMMISSION-RANKED
Yamaha RX-A2A
Tracked at Best Buy · price not quotable from a search page
The watt figures are not one yardstick: Yamaha's 100W is stated at 8Ω and 0.06% THD with the channels-driven condition UNSTATED, Denon's 95W at 8Ω with two channels driven at 0.08% — the higher figure is the one with a missing condition.
HDMI bandwidth is a provenance story rather than a size story: the Yamaha's 24 Gbps is manufacturer-stated while the Denon's 40 Gbps comes from a retailer listing, and neither row states an HDMI version or a 2.1-port count.
The port counts run opposite ways: seven HDMI inputs and one output on the Yamaha, six inputs and two outputs on the Denon.
Impedance is stated in different kinds, which no spec table on either manufacturer's site puts side by side: 4–16Ω on every Denon channel against 'front 4Ω or more, other channels 6Ω or more' on the Yamaha.
Three-state honesty: the Yamaha states Auro-3D as an explicit No and Zone 3 as an explicit No, where our Denon row has no field for either — a stated no is not a silence in our data.
Only the Denon row states that a measurement microphone is included, and only the Yamaha row states a 12V trigger output.
