Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Sony STRZA1100ES and Yamaha CX-A5200 takes place. According to the results of our review, Sony STRZA1100ES received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha CX-A5200 was rated 8.7 points. The release date of STRZA1100ES is 2017, and CX-A5200 is 2018. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that CX-A5200 has better performance than STRZA1100ES.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STRZA1100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha CX-A5200 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.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 11.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/8, 90/6 | N/A |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | N/A |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.06 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STRZA1100ES 7 out of 10, and the CX-A5200 - 8.
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 only on the STRZA1100ES.
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.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | ESS SABRE PRO (ES9026) 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Sound Optimize | CINEMA DSP HD3, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5, and Yamaha CX-A5200 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting. Of the two receivers reviewed, only Yamaha CX-A5200 has a built-in Bluetooth.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | 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.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz |
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 STRZA1100ES got 6 points, but Yamaha CX-A5200 received 9 points.
Sony STRZA1100ES is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha CX-A5200 has 7/3 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 only on Sony STRZA1100ES.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the CX-A5200 has a Phono interface.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/2 | 7/3 |
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 | 2 | 3 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 3 |
Composite input | 2 | 4 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, setup mic | 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 STRZA1100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the CX-A5200.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | 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, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STRZA1100ES got 7 points, but the CX-A5200 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 CX-A5200 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Yamaha CX-A5200 has the ECO mode.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
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 | has not |
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.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/2 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
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 STRZA1100ES licensed by IMAX.
STRZA1100ES | CX-A5200 | |
---|---|---|
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-HD | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS-Neo:6 |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |