Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 vs Marantz NR1609

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Elite SC-LX704 vs NR1609 comparison chart

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 vs Marantz NR1609 review

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704
vs
Marantz NR1609

Let's compare Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 versus Marantz NR1609 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 received 8.8 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1609 was rated 8.2 points. The release date of Elite SC-LX704 is 2019, and NR1609 is 2018. And as a result of the comparison, Elite SC-LX704 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than NR1609.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 over Marantz NR1609

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 135/8 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 Elite SC-LX704 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Pioneer Elite SC-LX704

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite SC-LX704
8
NR1609
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 supports 9.2-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 Elite SC-LX704 this value is 135/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm135/850/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm88, 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 Elite SC-LX704 10 out of 10, and the NR1609 - 8.

Elite SC-LX704
10
NR1609
8

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.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Digital to analog converter (DAC)ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

Elite SC-LX704
8
NR1609
8

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

Elite SC-LX704 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.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, 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, Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 got 8 points, but Marantz NR1609 received 9 points.

Elite SC-LX704
8
NR1609
9

Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1609 has 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Marantz NR1609 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
HDMI input/output7/38/1
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)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input31
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input23
Component input/output2/02/1
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 Elite SC-LX704 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 9 for the NR1609.

Elite SC-LX704
10
NR1609
9

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite SC-LX704 got 9 points, but the NR1609 has 10.

Elite SC-LX704
9
NR1609
10

Marantz NR1609 has the ECO mode.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Voice controlAmazon AlexaAmazon 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.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control App, FlareConnectHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 8 points out of 10.

Elite SC-LX704
8
NR1609
8

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 Elite SC-LX704 licensed by IMAX.

Elite SC-LX704 NR1609
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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