Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A880

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

NR1609 vs RX-A880 comparison chart

Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A880 review

Marantz NR1609
vs
Yamaha RX-A880

The Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A880 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A880 was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. RX-A880 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - NR1609.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Yamaha RX-A880

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A880 over Marantz NR1609

  • 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.

Amplifiers

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

NR1609
7
RX-A880
8

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 RX-A880 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1609 RX-A880
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6100/8, 160/4
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 4
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1609 8 out of 10, and the RX-A880 - 9.

NR1609
8
RX-A880
9

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 RX-A880
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitBurr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audioCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

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

NR1609
8
RX-A880
8

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

NR1609 RX-A880
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 RX-A880
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz

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, both receivers got 9 points on our 10-point scale.

NR1609
9
RX-A880
9

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A880 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 Yamaha RX-A880.

NR1609 RX-A880
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 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input31
Component input/output2/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 RX-A880.

NR1609
9
RX-A880
8

NR1609 RX-A880
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 featuresBT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

NR1609
10
RX-A880
10

NR1609 RX-A880
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 Controlhas not

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 RX-A880
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppMusicCast
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)11

Multichannel surround

Marantz NR1609 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-A880 got 7.

NR1609
8
RX-A880
7

NR1609 RX-A880
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-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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