Denon AVR-S540BT vs Marantz NR1510

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S540BT vs NR1510 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S540BT vs Marantz NR1510 review

Denon AVR-S540BT
vs
Marantz NR1510

Let's make the Denon AVR-S540BT versus Marantz NR1510 comparison. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S540BT received 5.5 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1510 was rated 7 points. The release date of AVR-S540BT is 2018, and NR1510 is 2019. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the NR1510 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S540BT over Marantz NR1510

  • 70/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Marantz NR1510 over Denon AVR-S540BT

  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.

AVR-S540BT
6
NR1510
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 5.2-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 AVR-S540BT this value is 70/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1510 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Channels5.25.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/650/8, 60/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 6 of 10 for both receivers.

AVR-S540BT
6
NR1510
6

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz NR1510 has Pure Direct mode.

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.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCompressed Audio RestorerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S540BT scored 5, and Marantz NR1510 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-S540BT
5
NR1510
8

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 NR1510 only.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
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.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio

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, Denon AVR-S540BT got 6 points, but Marantz NR1510 received 9 points.

AVR-S540BT
6
NR1510
9

Denon AVR-S540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1510 has 8/1 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 on Marantz NR1510.

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 Denon AVR-S540BT in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Marantz NR1510 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the NR1510 has a Phono interface.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
HDMI input/output5/18/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input23
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 6 out of 10.

AVR-S540BT
6
NR1510
6

AVR-S540BT NR1510
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S540BT got 8 points, but the NR1510 has 10.

AVR-S540BT
8
NR1510
10

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 NR1510 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updateUSBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas notIP Control, Web Control

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.

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Multi-room zoneshas nothas not
Zone audio outputhas nothas not
Zone HDMI outputhas nothas not
Multi-room controlhas nothas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 5 points out of 10.

AVR-S540BT
5
NR1510
5

AVR-S540BT NR1510
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS-Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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