Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Yamaha CX-A5200

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Rating 5 5

STR-ZA810ES vs CX-A5200 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Yamaha CX-A5200 review

Sony STR-ZA810ES
vs
Yamaha CX-A5200

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Sony STR-ZA810ES and Yamaha CX-A5200 takes place. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha CX-A5200 was rated 8.7 points. The release date of STR-ZA810ES is 2017, and CX-A5200 is 2018. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that CX-A5200 has better performance than STR-ZA810ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA810ES over Yamaha CX-A5200

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Yamaha CX-A5200 over Sony STR-ZA810ES

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but CX-A5200 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

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

STR-ZA810ES
7
CX-A5200
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA810ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha CX-A5200 supports a 11.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced.

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Channels7.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8N/A
Output impedance, Ohm8N/A
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-ZA810ES 7 out of 10, and the CX-A5200 - 8.

STR-ZA810ES
7
CX-A5200
8

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-ZA810ES.

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-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Digital to analog converter (DAC)384 KHz/32-bitESS SABRE PRO (ES9026) 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audioCINEMA DSP HD3, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9, and Yamaha CX-A5200 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA810ES
9
CX-A5200
8

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 Sony STR-ZA810ES.

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
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-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, 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, Sony STR-ZA810ES got 7 points, but Yamaha CX-A5200 received 9 points.

STR-ZA810ES
7
CX-A5200
9

Sony STR-ZA810ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha CX-A5200 has 7/3 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-ZA810ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the CX-A5200 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
HDMI input/output6/27/3
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 input13
Coaxial digital input13
Composite input24
Component input/output0/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, 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-ZA810ES were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the CX-A5200.

STR-ZA810ES
9
CX-A5200
10

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
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-ZA810ES got 8 points, but the CX-A5200 has 10.

STR-ZA810ES
8
CX-A5200
10

Yamaha CX-A5200 has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Voice controlGoogle AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
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 featuresNFChas 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-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusic CenterMusicCast
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

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

STR-ZA810ES
7
CX-A5200
7

STR-ZA810ES CX-A5200
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby 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, DTS-Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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