Denon AVR-X540BT vs Marantz NR1609

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X540BT vs NR1609 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Marantz NR1609 review

Denon AVR-X540BT
vs
Marantz NR1609

Let's compare Denon AVR-X540BT versus Marantz NR1609 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X540BT received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1609 was rated 8.2 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. And as a result of the comparison, NR1609 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than AVR-X540BT.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X540BT over Marantz NR1609

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

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Denon AVR-X540BT

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, NR1609 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • 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 devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X540BT
6
NR1609
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X540BT supports 5.2-channels sound, but Marantz NR1609 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-X540BT this value is 70/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/650/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X540BT 6 out of 10, and the NR1609 - 8.

AVR-X540BT
6
NR1609
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 NR1609.

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 NR1609 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCompressed Audio RestorerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X540BT scored 6, and Marantz NR1609 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
6
NR1609
8

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

AVR-X540BT NR1609
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.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, PandoraDeezer, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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-X540BT got 6 points, but Marantz NR1609 received 9 points.

AVR-X540BT
6
NR1609
9

Denon AVR-X540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1609 has 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the NR1609 has a Phono interface.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
HDMI input/output5/18/1
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 input11
Composite input23
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, 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-X540BT were rated 6 out of 10 against the 9 for the NR1609.

AVR-X540BT
6
NR1609
9

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 NR1609.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
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 featureshas notBT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X540BT got 8 points, but the NR1609 has 10.

AVR-X540BT
8
NR1609
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 NR1609 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
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, Web 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-X540BT NR1609
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notHEOS App
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X540BT got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1609 got 8.

AVR-X540BT
5
NR1609
8

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 NR1609 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 NR1609.

AVR-X540BT NR1609
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here