An overview of Sony STR-ZA2100ES and Marantz SR7015 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR7015 was rated 9.6 points. The release date of STR-ZA2100ES is 2017, and SR7015 is 2020. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that STR-ZA2100ES is inferior in audio processing features to SR7015.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA2100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Marantz SR7015 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 SR7015 this value is 125/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 75/8, 95/6 | 125/8, 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA2100ES 7 out of 10, and the SR7015 - 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. Marantz SR7015 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Digital Legato Linear, Sound Optimizer | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LF, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Marantz SR7015 scored 10 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 Marantz SR7015.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
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.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud |
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 Marantz SR7015 received 10 points.
Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR7015 has 8/3 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 Marantz SR7015 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 SR7015 has a Phono interface.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/2 | 8/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 0 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 4 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 3/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, setup mic | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The STR-ZA2100ES works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the SR7015 has the 4K/120Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Marantz SR7015.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | 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 | HLG | HLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDR |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but the SR7015 has 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 SR7015 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Marantz SR7015 has the ECO mode.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | 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 | has not | IP Control, Web Control, RS-232 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.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | Marantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/2 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 3 | 2 |
Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR7015 got 10.
Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Marantz SR7015 has Auro-3D on its feature list.
Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.
STR-ZA2100ES | SR7015 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby 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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✔ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |