Let's make the Yamaha RX-A2A versus Sony STR-AZ5000ES comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-A2A received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-AZ5000ES was rated 8.6 points. The release date of RX-A2A is 2021, and STR-AZ5000ES is 2023. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the STR-AZ5000ES is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-A2A supports 7.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-AZ5000ES 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 STR-AZ5000ES this value is 130/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-A2A it is 100/8 W/Ohm.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 11.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8 | 130/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-A2A 9 out of 10, and the STR-AZ5000ES - 8.
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.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 384 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | DCAC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Acoustic Center Sync, DSEE Ultimate, DSD Native Playback, Pure Direct, In-Ceiling Speaker Mode, Center Speaker Lift Up |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-A2A scored 9, and Sony STR-AZ5000ES scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Sony STR-AZ5000ES.
MHL combines the functionality of the HDMI and MicroUSB interfaces and lets you connect any mobile devices to a receiver. The STR-AZ5000ES has MHL support for streaming content from external devices.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 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.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix |
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, Yamaha RX-A2A got 7 points, but Sony STR-AZ5000ES received 8 points.
Yamaha RX-A2A is equipped with 7/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-AZ5000ES has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the RX-A2A has a Phono interface.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/1 | 6/2 |
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 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, 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 RX-A2A were rated 7 out of 10 against the 9 for the STR-AZ5000ES.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 8K/60Hz |
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 | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync | Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | 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 | Web Control, App Control | IP Control, Web Control, App Control |
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.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | has not |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/2 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 3 |
Yamaha RX-A2A got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-AZ5000ES got 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 STR-AZ5000ES licensed by IMAX.
RX-A2A | STR-AZ5000ES | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | DSD, LPCM |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS-HD | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |