Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Onkyo TX-SR494

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs TX-SR494 comparison chart

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Onkyo TX-SR494 review

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
vs
Onkyo TX-SR494

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 and Onkyo TX-SR494 takes place. According to the results of our review, Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 received 7.5 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-SR494 was rated 5.5 points. The release date of AVENTAGE RX-A680 is 2018, and TX-SR494 is 2019. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVENTAGE RX-A680 has better performance than TX-SR494.

Main advantages Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 over Onkyo TX-SR494

  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-SR494 over Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
8
TX-SR494
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVENTAGE RX-A680 this value is 145/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-SR494 it is 135/6 W/Ohm.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm115/8, 145/6135/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
9
TX-SR494
9

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bitAKM 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTAdvanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 scored 8, and Onkyo TX-SR494 scored 5 out of 10.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
8
TX-SR494
5

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the AVENTAGE RX-A680 only.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuzhas not

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, both receivers got 6 points on our 10-point scale.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
6
TX-SR494
6

Competitors in our review have 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Onkyo TX-SR494 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
HDMI input/output4/14/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input30
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, phones
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the AVENTAGE RX-A680 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 6 for the TX-SR494.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
7
TX-SR494
6

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 got 10 points, but the TX-SR494 has 6.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
10
TX-SR494
6

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVENTAGE RX-A680 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Only the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 has the ECO mode.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBUSB
Other additional featureshas nothas not

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusicCasthas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
7
TX-SR494
7

AVENTAGE RX-A680 TX-SR494
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS-Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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