Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301

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AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs VSX-LX301 comparison chart

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX301

An overview of Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 and Pioneer VSX-LX301 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 received 7.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX301 was rated 8 points. The release date of AVENTAGE RX-A680 is 2018, and VSX-LX301 is 2017. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that AVENTAGE RX-A680 is inferior in audio processing features to VSX-LX301.

Main advantages Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 over Pioneer VSX-LX301

  • 115/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX301 over Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 8 points out of 10.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
8
VSX-LX301
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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 this value is 115/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX301 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm115/8, 145/6100/8, 170/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVENTAGE RX-A680 9 out of 10, and the VSX-LX301 - 10.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
9
VSX-LX301
10

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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Pioneer VSX-LX301 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
8
VSX-LX301
8

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

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, QobuzDeezer, 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, Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 got 6 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
6
VSX-LX301
8

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX301 has 7/2 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 Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680.

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 Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-LX301 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX301 has a Phono interface.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
HDMI input/output4/17/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input32
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, 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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 9 for the VSX-LX301.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
7
VSX-LX301
9

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 got 10 points, but the VSX-LX301 has 8.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
10
VSX-LX301
8

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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Only the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 has the ECO mode.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Voice controlAmazon 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 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.

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusicCastFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
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.

AVENTAGE RX-A680
7
VSX-LX301
7

AVENTAGE RX-A680 VSX-LX301
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-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS-Neo:6DTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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