Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Denon AVR-X2600H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA2100ES vs AVR-X2600H comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Denon AVR-X2600H review

Sony STR-ZA2100ES
vs
Denon AVR-X2600H

The Sony STR-ZA2100ES versus Denon AVR-X2600H comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-X2600H was rated 8.1 points. The release date of STR-ZA2100ES is 2017, and AVR-X2600H is 2019. Identified advantages have shown that AVR-X2600H is better over STR-ZA2100ES mainly as a home theater processor.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Denon AVR-X2600H

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Denon AVR-X2600H over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • 95/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • 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 models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
AVR-X2600H
7

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 AVR-X2600H this value is 95/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 95/695/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 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-ZA2100ES 7 out of 10, and the AVR-X2600H - 9.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
AVR-X2600H
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. Denon AVR-X2600H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/A192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ XT32
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresDigital Legato Linear, Sound OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Denon AVR-X2600H scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
6
AVR-X2600H
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon AVR-X2600H.

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

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Wi-Fi
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.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix

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-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but Denon AVR-X2600H received 8 points.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
AVR-X2600H
8

Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-X2600H has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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 Sony STR-ZA2100ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-X2600H 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 AVR-X2600H has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
HDMI input/output6/28/2
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 output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
10
AVR-X2600H
10

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
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 featuresHLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but the AVR-X2600H has 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
AVR-X2600H
10

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 AVR-X2600H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon AVR-X2600H has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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 featureshas notIP Control, Web Control

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-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/20/0
DC trigger output (12V)30

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-X2600H got 8.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
AVR-X2600H
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. Only the STR-ZA2100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA2100ES AVR-X2600H
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-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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