Marantz NR1609 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

NR1609 vs Elite VSX-LX305 comparison chart

Marantz NR1609 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 review

Marantz NR1609
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Marantz NR1609 versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of NR1609 is 2018, and Elite VSX-LX305 is 2021. As a result, it becomes clear that Elite VSX-LX305 is a better option for home theater than NR1609.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 over Marantz NR1609

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

NR1609
7
Elite VSX-LX305
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1609 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 supports a 9.2-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 VSX-LX305 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6100/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz20Hz-20KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1609 8 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX305 - 9.

NR1609
8
Elite VSX-LX305
9

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz NR1609 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 NR1609 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction

Connectivity

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

NR1609
8
Elite VSX-LX305
8

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

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
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.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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, Marantz NR1609 got 9 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 received 7 points.

NR1609
9
Elite VSX-LX305
7

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 has 7/2 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 on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.

HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The NR1609 features HDMI CEC.

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 Marantz NR1609 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
HDMI input/output8/17/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input30
Component input/output2/10
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micHDMI, USB, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 NR1609 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX305.

NR1609
9
Elite VSX-LX305
8

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The NR1609 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the Elite VSX-LX305 has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
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 featuresBT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1609 got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX305 has 9.

NR1609
10
Elite VSX-LX305
9

Only the Marantz NR1609 has the ECO mode.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon 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 featuresIP Control, Web ControlApp Control, Sonos Connect 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.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppPioneer Control App
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)12

Multichannel surround

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

NR1609
8
Elite VSX-LX305
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. The Elite VSX-LX305 licensed by IMAX.

NR1609 Elite VSX-LX305
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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