Sony STR-DH790 vs Pioneer VSX-LX504

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-DH790 vs VSX-LX504 comparison chart

Sony STR-DH790 vs Pioneer VSX-LX504 review

Sony STR-DH790
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX504

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Sony STR-DH790 and Pioneer VSX-LX504 takes place. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DH790 received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX504 was rated 8.8 points. The release date of STR-DH790 is 2018, and VSX-LX504 is 2019. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that VSX-LX504 has better performance than STR-DH790.

Main advantages Sony STR-DH790 over Pioneer VSX-LX504

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX504 over Sony STR-DH790

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, VSX-LX504 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

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

STR-DH790
7
VSX-LX504
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DH790 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX504 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-LX504 this value is 230/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DH790 it is 90/6 W/Ohm.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/6120/8, 230/6
Output impedance, Ohm68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-DH790 8 out of 10, and the VSX-LX504 - 9.

STR-DH790
8
VSX-LX504
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. Sony STR-DH790 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCACMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DH790 scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-LX504 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-DH790
6
VSX-LX504
8

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

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the VSX-LX504 only.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, 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, Sony STR-DH790 got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX504 received 8 points.

STR-DH790
7
VSX-LX504
8

Sony STR-DH790 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX504 has 7/2 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 only on Sony STR-DH790.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX504 has a Phono interface.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
HDMI input/output4/17/2
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 input11
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsphones, 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 STR-DH790 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX504.

STR-DH790
7
VSX-LX504
10

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Pioneer VSX-LX504.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DH790 got 6 points, but the VSX-LX504 has 9.

STR-DH790
6
VSX-LX504
9

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The VSX-LX504 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Voice controlAmazon 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 updateUSBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas nothas 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.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
Multi-room zoneshas not3
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-DH790 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX504 got 8.

STR-DH790
7
VSX-LX504
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 VSX-LX504 licensed by IMAX.

STR-DH790 VSX-LX504
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 96/24DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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