The Marantz NR1710 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1710 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 was rated 9.2 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2019. Elite SC-LX904 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - NR1710.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 10, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1710 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 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 Elite SC-LX904 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1710 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 11.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 50/8, 70/6 | 140/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1710 9 out of 10, and the Elite SC-LX904 - 10.
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.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res audio | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora |
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.
Marantz NR1710 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 has 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/1 | 7/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 3 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 3 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✔ |
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 NR1710 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the Elite SC-LX904.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1710 got 10 points, but the Elite SC-LX904 has 9.
Only the Marantz NR1710 has the ECO mode.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control, Web Control | has not |
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.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Marantz AVR Remote App, HEOS App | Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 8 points out of 10.
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 SC-LX904 licensed by IMAX.
NR1710 | Elite SC-LX904 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby 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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |