Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Marantz NR1608

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V385BL vs NR1608 comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Marantz NR1608 review

Yamaha RX-V385BL
vs
Marantz NR1608

The Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. The release date of RX-V385BL is 2018, and NR1608 is 2017. NR1608 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - RX-V385BL.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V385BL over Marantz NR1608

  • 70/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz NR1608 over Yamaha RX-V385BL

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, NR1608 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 6 points out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
NR1608
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385BL supports 5.1-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 RX-V385BL this value is 70/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

RX-V385BL NR1608
Channels5.17.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 145/650/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the NR1608 - 10.

RX-V385BL
5
NR1608
10

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 NR1608.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz NR1608 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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz NR1608 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

RX-V385BL NR1608
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6, and Marantz NR1608 scored 8 out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
NR1608
8

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

RX-V385BL NR1608
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

RX-V385BL NR1608
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, 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, Yamaha RX-V385BL got 7 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.

RX-V385BL
7
NR1608
8

Yamaha RX-V385BL is equipped with 4/1 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 Yamaha RX-V385BL.

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 RX-V385BL in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Marantz NR1608 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

RX-V385BL NR1608
HDMI input/output4/18/1
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)12
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input23
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, AUXUSB, 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 RX-V385BL were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the NR1608.

RX-V385BL
9
NR1608
10

RX-V385BL NR1608
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the NR1608 has 10.

RX-V385BL
5
NR1608
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 NR1608 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

RX-V385BL NR1608
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, 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 notIP 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.

RX-V385BL NR1608
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V385BL got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1608 got 7.

RX-V385BL
5
NR1608
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Marantz NR1608 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the NR1608.

RX-V385BL 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 96/24, DTS-EXPRESShas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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