Being able to compare Pioneer SX-10AE and Cambridge Audio AXR100 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer SX-10AE received 4.2 points out of 10 possible, and Cambridge Audio AXR100 was rated 5.6 points. The release date of SX-10AE is 2017, and AXR100 is 2019. AXR100 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the SX-10AE.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 2.0-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 AXR100 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the SX-10AE it is 45/8 W/Ohm.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 45/8, 100/6 | 100/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 5Hz-50KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.01 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SX-10AE 5 out of 10, and the AXR100 - 6.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Pioneer SX-10AE has Pure Direct mode.
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.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | ✖ | ✖ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | has not | has not |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer SX-10AE scored 4, and Cambridge Audio AXR100 scored 6 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Neither the SX-10AE, nor the AXR100 has the RJ45 port.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✖ |
USB | 0 | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ | ✖ |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✖ |
Other streaming services | has not | has not |
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, Pioneer SX-10AE got 2 points, but Cambridge Audio AXR100 received 5 points.
Competitors in our review have 0/0 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AXR100 has a Phono interface.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✖ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | ✖ | ✖ |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 0 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 0 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | phones | phones, 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.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✖ | ✖ |
4K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
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 features | has not | has not |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 4 out of 10.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
App control | ✖ | ✖ |
Display | fluorescent | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto power off | ✖ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✖ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✖ |
Firmware update | ✖ | USB |
Other additional features | has not | has not |
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.
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | has not |
Zone audio output | has not | has not |
Zone HDMI output | has not | has not |
Multi-room control | has not | has not |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
SX-10AE | AXR100 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | has not | has not |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | has not | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |