Sony STRZA1100ES vs Pioneer VSX-933

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STRZA1100ES vs VSX-933 comparison chart

Sony STRZA1100ES vs Pioneer VSX-933 review

Sony STRZA1100ES
vs
Pioneer VSX-933

The Sony STRZA1100ES vs Pioneer VSX-933 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Sony STRZA1100ES received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-933 was rated 7.8 points. The release date of STRZA1100ES is 2017, and VSX-933 is 2018. VSX-933 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - STRZA1100ES.

Main advantages Sony STRZA1100ES over Pioneer VSX-933

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-933 over Sony STRZA1100ES

  • 80/8 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.
  • Has the Bluetooth protocol.
  • 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.

STRZA1100ES
7
VSX-933
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 VSX-933 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/680/8, 165/6
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 STRZA1100ES 7 out of 10, and the VSX-933 - 9.

STRZA1100ES
7
VSX-933
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.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizeAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5, and Pioneer VSX-933 scored 8 out of 10.

STRZA1100ES
5
VSX-933
8

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting. Of the two receivers reviewed, only Pioneer VSX-933 has a built-in Bluetooth.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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 STRZA1100ES got 6 points, but Pioneer VSX-933 received 7 points.

STRZA1100ES
6
VSX-933
7

Sony STRZA1100ES is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-933 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 STRZA1100ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-933 has a Phono interface.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
HDMI input/output5/26/1
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 output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, 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 STRZA1100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-933.

STRZA1100ES
7
VSX-933
10

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
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 featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STRZA1100ES got 7 points, but the VSX-933 has 9.

STRZA1100ES
7
VSX-933
9

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 VSX-933 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Voice controlGoogle 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 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.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/20/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

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

STRZA1100ES
7
VSX-933
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 STRZA1100ES licensed by IMAX.

STRZA1100ES VSX-933
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
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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