The Sony STR-DH790 versus Denon AVR-X6400H comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DH790 received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-X6400H was rated 9.4 points. The release date of STR-DH790 is 2018, and AVR-X6400H is 2017. Identified advantages have shown that AVR-X6400H is better over STR-DH790 mainly as a home theater processor.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 10, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DH790 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-X6400H supports a 11.2-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-X6400H this value is 250/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DH790 it is 90/6 W/Ohm.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 11.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 90/6 | 140/8, 250/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-DH790 8 out of 10, and the AVR-X6400H - 10.
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.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Hi-Res audio | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DH790 scored 6, and Denon AVR-X6400H scored 8 out of 10.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon AVR-X6400H.
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 AVR-X6400H only.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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, Sony STR-DH790 got 7 points, but Denon AVR-X6400H received 10 points.
Sony STR-DH790 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-X6400H has 8/3 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 AVR-X6400H has a Phono interface.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 8/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 0 | 5 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | phones, setup mic | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✔ |
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 STR-DH790 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 9 for the AVR-X6400H.
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 with Denon AVR-X6400H.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | ✔ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG | HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DH790 got 6 points, but the AVR-X6400H has 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 AVR-X6400H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon AVR-X6400H has the ECO mode.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP Control |
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.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 3 |
Zone audio output | has not | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 2 |
Sony STR-DH790 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-X6400H got 9.
Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Denon AVR-X6400H has Auro-3D on its feature list.
STR-DH790 | AVR-X6400H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS Surround |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✔ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |