Marantz SR5012 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR5012 vs Elite SC-LX904 comparison chart

Marantz SR5012 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 review

Marantz SR5012
vs
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

The Marantz SR5012 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 SR5012 received 8.4 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 was rated 9.2 points. The release date of SR5012 is 2017, and Elite SC-LX904 is 2019. Elite SC-LX904 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - SR5012.

Main advantages Marantz SR5012 over Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 over Marantz SR5012

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 140/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite SC-LX904 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

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

SR5012
7
Elite SC-LX904
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR5012 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 SR5012 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
Channels7.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8140/8
Output impedance, Ohm88
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR5012 9 out of 10, and the Elite SC-LX904 - 10.

SR5012
9
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.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XTMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

SR5012
8
Elite SC-LX904
8

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

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
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.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora

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 SR5012 got 8 points, but Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 received 9 points.

SR5012
8
Elite SC-LX904
9

Marantz SR5012 is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX904.

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 SR5012 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the Elite SC-LX904 has a Phono interface.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
HDMI input/output8/27/3
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 input23
Coaxial digital input22
Composite input22
Component input/output2/12/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phonesUSB, 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 SR5012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the Elite SC-LX904.

SR5012
9
Elite SC-LX904
10

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR5012 got 10 points, but the Elite SC-LX904 has 9.

SR5012
10
Elite SC-LX904
9

Only the Marantz SR5012 has the ECO mode.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
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 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.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz AVR Remote AppPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/01/1
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.

SR5012
8
Elite SC-LX904
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 Elite SC-LX904 licensed by IMAX.

SR5012 Elite SC-LX904
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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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