Denon AVR-S930H vs Pioneer VSX-LX503

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S930H vs VSX-LX503 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S930H vs Pioneer VSX-LX503 review

Denon AVR-S930H
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX503

Being able to compare Denon AVR-S930H and Pioneer VSX-LX503 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S930H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 was rated 8.6 points. The release date of AVR-S930H is 2017, and VSX-LX503 is 2018. VSX-LX503 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AVR-S930H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S930H over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Denon AVR-S930H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 120/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX503 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-S930H
8
VSX-LX503
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S930H supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 supports a 9.2-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 VSX-LX503 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S930H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 125/6120/8, 230/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S930H 6 out of 10, and the VSX-LX503 - 9.

AVR-S930H
6
VSX-LX503
9

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the VSX-LX503.

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-S930H VSX-LX503
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Dynamic VolumeAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

AVR-S930H
8
VSX-LX503
8

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-S930H.

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
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-S930H VSX-LX503
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora,iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, NapsterDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, 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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

AVR-S930H
8
VSX-LX503
8

Denon AVR-S930H is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX503 has a Phono interface.

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
HDMI input/output8/27/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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 the AVR-S930H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.

AVR-S930H
9
VSX-LX503
10

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S930H got 10 points, but the VSX-LX503 has 8.

AVR-S930H
10
VSX-LX503
8

Only the Denon AVR-S930H has the ECO mode.

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, Mac, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP ControlIP 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-S930H VSX-LX503
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

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

AVR-S930H
7
VSX-LX503
7

AVR-S930H VSX-LX503
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)has notDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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