Denon AVR-X8500H vs Yamaha RX-A8A

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Votes 6 6
Rating 4.8 4.8

AVR-X8500H vs RX-A8A comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Yamaha RX-A8A review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Yamaha RX-A8A

An overview of Denon AVR-X8500H and Yamaha RX-A8A will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A8A was rated 9.4 points. The release date of AVR-X8500H is 2018, and RX-A8A is 2021. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that RX-A8A is inferior in audio processing features to AVR-X8500H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Yamaha RX-A8A

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 11-channel competitor.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A8A over Denon AVR-X8500H

  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-A8A
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500H supports 13.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A8A 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 150/8, 250/6/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
Channels13.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 250/6150/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500H 10 out of 10, and the RX-A8A - 9.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-A8A
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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-X8500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32YPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFCCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500H scored 8, and Yamaha RX-A8A scored 9 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
8
RX-A8A
9

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-X8500H.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (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-X8500H RX-A8A
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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 10 points on our 10-point scale.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-A8A
10

Denon AVR-X8500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A8A has 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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-X8500H in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-A8A has the HDCP 2.3 version.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
HDMI input/output8/37/3
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 input23
Coaxial digital input22
Composite input42
Component input/output3/11
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 9 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
9
RX-A8A
9

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-X8500H works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the RX-A8A has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Yamaha RX-A8A.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-A8A
10

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP Control, Web ControlWeb Control, App 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-X8500H RX-A8A
Multi-room zones33
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutpreout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppMusicCast
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-A8A got 8.

AVR-X8500H
10
RX-A8A
8

Each of these devices has Auro-3D on its feature list.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the AVR-X8500H licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500H RX-A8A
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-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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