Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-A780

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Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs RX-A780 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-A780 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Yamaha RX-A780

Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Sony STR-ZA3100ES versus Yamaha RX-A780 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A780 was rated 8.2 points. The release date of STR-ZA3100ES is 2017, and RX-A780 is 2018. As a result, it becomes clear that RX-A780 is a better option for home theater than STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Yamaha RX-A780

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A780 over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • 95/8 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 models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-A780
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 RX-A780 this value is 95/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/695/8, 160/4
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 4
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.06

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the RX-A780 - 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-A780
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.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/ABurr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizerCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Yamaha RX-A780 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
RX-A780
8

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

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz

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, both receivers got 9 points on our 10-point scale.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
RX-A780
9

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A780 has 7/2 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-ZA3100ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-A780 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 RX-A780 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
HDMI input/output6/27/2
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 input12
Composite input21
Component input/output2/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, setup micUSB, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 8 for the RX-A780.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-A780
8

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 Yamaha RX-A780.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the RX-A780 has 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
RX-A780
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 RX-A780 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Yamaha RX-A780 has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 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-ZA3100ES RX-A780
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notMusicCast
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/21/1
DC trigger output (12V)31

Multichannel surround

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

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-A780
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 RX-A780
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-Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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