Marantz NR1609 vs Pioneer VSX-LX503

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

NR1609 vs VSX-LX503 comparison chart

Marantz NR1609 vs Pioneer VSX-LX503 review

Marantz NR1609
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX503

Being able to compare Marantz NR1609 and Pioneer VSX-LX503 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 was rated 8.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. VSX-LX503 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the NR1609.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Marantz NR1609

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 120/8 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 VSX-LX503 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

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

NR1609
7
VSX-LX503
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1609 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 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 VSX-LX503 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1609 VSX-LX503
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6120/8, 230/6
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 NR1609 8 out of 10, and the VSX-LX503 - 9.

NR1609
8
VSX-LX503
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 VSX-LX503
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-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, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

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

NR1609
8
VSX-LX503
8

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

NR1609 VSX-LX503
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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 VSX-LX503
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, 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, Marantz NR1609 got 9 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 received 8 points.

NR1609
9
VSX-LX503
8

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

NR1609 VSX-LX503
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 input11
Composite input32
Component input/output2/11/0
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 NR1609 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.

NR1609
9
VSX-LX503
10

NR1609 VSX-LX503
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 featuresBT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1609 got 10 points, but the VSX-LX503 has 8.

NR1609
10
VSX-LX503
8

Only the Marantz NR1609 has the ECO mode.

NR1609 VSX-LX503
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
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 ControlIP 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 VSX-LX503
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)12

Multichannel surround

Marantz NR1609 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX503 got 7.

NR1609
8
VSX-LX503
7

NR1609 VSX-LX503
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here