Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 vs Sony STRZA1100ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Elite SC-LX704 vs STRZA1100ES comparison chart

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 vs Sony STRZA1100ES review

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704
vs
Sony STRZA1100ES

Review of Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 versus Sony STRZA1100ES will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 received 8.8 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STRZA1100ES was rated 6.6 points. The release date of Elite SC-LX704 is 2019, and STRZA1100ES is 2017. Elite SC-LX704 is better suited for home theater use than the STRZA1100ES. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 over Sony STRZA1100ES

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 135/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite SC-LX704 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • Has the Bluetooth protocol.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Main advantages Sony STRZA1100ES over Pioneer Elite SC-LX704

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite SC-LX704
8
STRZA1100ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STRZA1100ES supports a 7.2-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 Elite SC-LX704 this value is 135/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm135/870/8, 90/6
Output impedance, Ohm88, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite SC-LX704 10 out of 10, and the STRZA1100ES - 7.

Elite SC-LX704
10
STRZA1100ES
7

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. Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCDCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audioSound Optimize

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 scored 8, and Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5 out of 10.

Elite SC-LX704
8
STRZA1100ES
5

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Pioneer Elite SC-LX704.

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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 has a built-in Bluetooth.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Wi-Fi
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.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandorahas not

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, Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 got 8 points, but Sony STRZA1100ES received 6 points.

Elite SC-LX704
8
STRZA1100ES
6

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STRZA1100ES has 5/2 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 Sony STRZA1100ES.

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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Sony STRZA1100ES has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the Elite SC-LX704 has a Phono interface.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
HDMI input/output7/35/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input32
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 Elite SC-LX704 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the STRZA1100ES.

Elite SC-LX704
10
STRZA1100ES
7

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite SC-LX704 got 9 points, but the STRZA1100ES has 7.

Elite SC-LX704
9
STRZA1100ES
7

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 Elite SC-LX704 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Voice controlAmazon Alexa
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 featureshas nothas not

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.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control App, FlareConnecthas not
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/2
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STRZA1100ES got 7.

Elite SC-LX704
8
STRZA1100ES
7

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

Elite SC-LX704 STRZA1100ES
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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