Check this out...

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/Yamaha-New-Releases2003.html

Here comes my first upgrade...

Yes Jim, Yamaha fans have been kicking this around the past few days. The most significant advances would appear to be the THX certification, which despite poo-pooing by those who know little about it is a substantial assurance of meeting performance standards, and the YPAO. This automatic speaker calibration and equalization feature is a big one, apparently similar to the MCACC on sushi's Pioneer 45TX. Since the 1400 will probably be available at street prices under $600, it looks like an interesting proposition.

A very interesting proposition indeed... I guess it's best to wait a few months after the initial release to ensure the bugs are worked out.

Yea I really do hope the new YPAO feature is similar to pioneer's mcacc. I've been waiting for Yamaha to come up with something like it since I can get employee discount at best buy. Audioholics should be reviewing the new receivers sometime in september.