Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Denon AVR-S740H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs AVR-S740H comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Denon AVR-S740H review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Denon AVR-S740H

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Sony STR-ZA3100ES and Denon AVR-S740H review. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S740H was rated 7.1 points. The release date of STR-ZA3100ES is 2017, and AVR-S740H is 2018. This review shows us that the AVR-S740H is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Denon AVR-S740H

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S740H over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • 75/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 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 devices received different marks - 7 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
AVR-S740H
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 AVR-S740H this value is 75/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/675/8, 110/6
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-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the AVR-S740H - 6.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
AVR-S740H
6

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the STR-ZA3100ES.

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.

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/A192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Denon AVR-S740H scored 7 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
AVR-S740H
7

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon AVR-S740H.

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

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
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-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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-ZA3100ES got 9 points, but Denon AVR-S740H received 6 points.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
AVR-S740H
6

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S740H has 6/1 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-ZA3100ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S740H has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
HDMI input/output6/26/1
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 output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/00/0
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 the STR-ZA3100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-S740H.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
AVR-S740H
6

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGBT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the AVR-S740H has 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
AVR-S740H
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-S740H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon AVR-S740H has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 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-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
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

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
AVR-S740H
7

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-ZA3100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA3100ES AVR-S740H
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-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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