Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Pioneer VSX-832 versus Marantz NR1606 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-832 received 6 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1606 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of VSX-832 is 2017, and NR1606 is 2016. As a result, it becomes clear that NR1606 is a better option for home theater than VSX-832.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-832 supports 5.1-channels sound, but Marantz NR1606 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 VSX-832 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1606 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 165/6 | 50/8, 70/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-832 7 out of 10, and the NR1606 - 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 on the NR1606.
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. Marantz NR1606 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4438 384 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Reflex Optimizer | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-832 scored 7, and Marantz NR1606 scored 8 out of 10.
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 Marantz NR1606.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✔ |
USB | 2 (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.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | Pandora, SiriusXM |
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 VSX-832 got 6 points, but Marantz NR1606 received 7 points.
Pioneer VSX-832 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1606 has 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 8/1 |
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) | 1 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 3 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 8 out of 10.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
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 | DeepColor, x.v.Color | x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-832 got 6 points, but the NR1606 has 8.
Marantz NR1606 has the ECO mode.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
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 | 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.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 2 |
Zone audio output | has not | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✖ |
Multi-room control | has not | Marantz AVR Remote App |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 1 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
VSX-832 | NR1606 | |
---|---|---|
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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |