Let's compare Pioneer SX-10AE versus Denon DRA-800H for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Pioneer SX-10AE received 4.2 points out of 10 possible, and Denon DRA-800H was rated 7 points. The release date of SX-10AE is 2017, and DRA-800H is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, DRA-800H seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than 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 DRA-800H this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the SX-10AE it is 45/8 W/Ohm.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 45/8, 100/6 | 100/8, 120/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SX-10AE 5 out of 10, and the DRA-800H - 6.
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 | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | ✖ | ✖ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | has not | Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer SX-10AE scored 4, and Denon DRA-800H scored 8 out of 10.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon DRA-800H.
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. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the DRA-800H only.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✔ |
USB | 0 | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ | 1 |
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 | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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 Denon DRA-800H received 6 points.
Only Denon DRA-800H has 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
By using the HDMI ARC, we can get rid of additional audio cables for the forefront of high-quality sound, but also thanks to this technology, it becomes possible to use surround sound formats. The DRA-800H has HDMI ARC support.
HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The DRA-800H features HDMI CEC.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the DRA-800H has a Phono interface.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 0/0 | 5/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | ✖ | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 2 |
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 | USB, phones |
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.
HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available on the Denon DRA-800H.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. Only DRA-800H in our comparison can work with the 4K/60Hz video.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✖ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | ✖ | 4K/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 features | has not | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the SX-10AE got 4 points, but the DRA-800H 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 DRA-800H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon DRA-800H has the ECO mode.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | ✖ | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | fluorescent | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✖ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | ✖ | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP Control, Web 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.
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 2 |
Zone audio output | has not | preout |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✖ |
Multi-room control | has not | HEOS App |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
SX-10AE | DRA-800H | |
---|---|---|
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 | ✖ | ✖ |