Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A8A

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

NR1609 vs RX-A8A comparison chart

Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A8A review

Marantz NR1609
vs
Yamaha RX-A8A

An overview of Marantz NR1609 and Yamaha RX-A8A will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A8A was rated 9.4 points. The release date of NR1609 is 2018, and RX-A8A is 2021. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that NR1609 is inferior in audio processing features to RX-A8A.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Yamaha RX-A8A

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A8A over Marantz NR1609

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 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 RX-A8A has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

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

NR1609
7
RX-A8A
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1609 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A8A supports a 11.2-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-A8A this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1609 RX-A8A
Channels7.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6150/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
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-A8A - 9.

NR1609
8
RX-A8A
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-A8A
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit384 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 markedly different, Marantz NR1609 scored 8, and Yamaha RX-A8A scored 9 out of 10.

NR1609
8
RX-A8A
9

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

NR1609 RX-A8A
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-A8A
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 Yamaha RX-A8A received 10 points.

NR1609
9
RX-A8A
10

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A8A has 7/3 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-A8A.

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 Yamaha RX-A8A has the HDCP 2.3 version.

NR1609 RX-A8A
HDMI input/output8/17/3
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 input13
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input32
Component input/output2/11
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 9 out of 10.

NR1609
9
RX-A8A
9

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 RX-A8A 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 Yamaha RX-A8A.

NR1609 RX-A8A
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

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

NR1609
10
RX-A8A
10

NR1609 RX-A8A
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 ControlWeb Control, App 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 RX-A8A
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutpreout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppMusicCast
RS-23200
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
RX-A8A
8

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Yamaha RX-A8A has Auro-3D on its feature list.

NR1609 RX-A8A
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-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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