Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Marantz NR1608

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs NR1608 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Marantz NR1608 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Marantz NR1608

The Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. NR1608 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES 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 Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
NR1608
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 STR-ZA3100ES this value is 70/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES NR1608
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/650/8, 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 STR-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the NR1608 - 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
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.

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.

STR-ZA3100ES NR1608
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizerHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Marantz NR1608 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
NR1608
8

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

STR-ZA3100ES 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.

STR-ZA3100ES 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, Sony STR-ZA3100ES got 9 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
NR1608
8

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 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 Sony STR-ZA3100ES.

STR-ZA3100ES NR1608
HDMI input/output6/28/1
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 output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input23
Component input/output2/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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 STR-ZA3100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the NR1608.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
NR1608
10

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Marantz NR1608.

STR-ZA3100ES 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 HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the NR1608 has 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
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. Marantz NR1608 has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA3100ES NR1608
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 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.

STR-ZA3100ES NR1608
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/21/0
DC trigger output (12V)31

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
NR1608
7

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 STR-ZA3100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA3100ES 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-HDhas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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