Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A870BL

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

NR1609 vs RX-A870BL comparison chart

Marantz NR1609 vs Yamaha RX-A870BL review

Marantz NR1609
vs
Yamaha RX-A870BL

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Marantz NR1609 and Yamaha RX-A870BL review. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A870BL was rated 8.3 points. The release date of NR1609 is 2018, and RX-A870BL is 2017. This review shows us that the RX-A870BL is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the NR1609.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Yamaha RX-A870BL

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A870BL 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.

Amplifiers

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

NR1609
7
RX-A870BL
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-A870BL this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1609 RX-A870BL
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.06

Audio features

The score for audio features is 8 of 10 for both receivers.

NR1609
8
RX-A870BL
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.

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-A870BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitBurr-Brown 192 KHz/24-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, Extra Bass

Connectivity

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

NR1609
8
RX-A870BL
8

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 Yamaha RX-A870BL.

NR1609 RX-A870BL
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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-A870BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM

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-A870BL
9

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A870BL has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

NR1609 RX-A870BL
HDMI input/output8/18/2
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, HDMI, 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 10 for the RX-A870BL.

NR1609
9
RX-A870BL
10

NR1609 RX-A870BL
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, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

NR1609
10
RX-A870BL
10

NR1609 RX-A870BL
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa
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 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-A870BL
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-A870BL got 7.

NR1609
8
RX-A870BL
7

NR1609 RX-A870BL
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-EXPRESS, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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