Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Marantz NR1608

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500HSP vs NR1608 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Marantz NR1608 review

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
vs
Marantz NR1608

The Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500HSP received 9.6 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-X8500HSP is 2018, and NR1608 is 2017. AVR-X8500HSP is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - NR1608.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500HSP over Marantz NR1608

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500HSP has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz NR1608 over Denon AVR-X8500HSP

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
NR1608
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500HSP supports 13.2-channels sound, but Marantz NR1608 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 AVR-X8500HSP this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 190/650/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.05

Audio features

The score for audio features is 10 of 10 for both receivers.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
NR1608
10

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.

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500HSP scored 9, and Marantz NR1608 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
NR1608
8

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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-X8500HSP NR1608
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, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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, Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 10 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
NR1608
8

Denon AVR-X8500HSP is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1608 has 8/1 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 Denon AVR-X8500HSP.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-X8500HSP has a Phono interface.

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
HDMI input/output8/38/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input43
Component input/output3/12/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, 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 the AVR-X8500HSP were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the NR1608.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
NR1608
10

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020, HLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

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

AVR-X8500HSP
10
NR1608
10

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
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 ControlIP 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-X8500HSP NR1608
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemoteMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/0
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1608 got 7.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
NR1608
7

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Denon AVR-X8500HSP 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-X8500HSP licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500HSP NR1608
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surroundhas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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