Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Yamaha CX-A5200 versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Yamaha CX-A5200 received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of CX-A5200 is 2018, and Elite VSX-LX305 is 2021. As a result, it becomes clear that CX-A5200 is a better option for home theater than Elite VSX-LX305.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 9 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha CX-A5200 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 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.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 11.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | N/A | 100/8, 225/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | N/A | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 20Hz-20KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the CX-A5200 8 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX305 - 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 Elite VSX-LX305.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Yamaha CX-A5200 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.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | ESS SABRE PRO (ES9026) 384 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP HD3, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud |
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, Yamaha CX-A5200 got 9 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 received 7 points.
Yamaha CX-A5200 is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 has 7/2 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.
HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The CX-A5200 features HDMI CEC.
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 CX-A5200 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 has the HDCP 2.3 version.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/3 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✖ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 3 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 3 | 1 |
Composite input | 4 | 0 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | HDMI, USB, 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 CX-A5200 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX305.
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 CX-A5200 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the Elite VSX-LX305 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10+ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | 8K/60Hz |
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, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the CX-A5200 got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX305 has 9.
Only the Yamaha CX-A5200 has the ECO mode.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
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 | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | App Control, Sonos Connect 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.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | Pioneer Control App |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 2 |
Yamaha CX-A5200 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 got 8.
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. The Elite VSX-LX305 licensed by IMAX.
CX-A5200 | Elite VSX-LX305 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby 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:6 | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |