Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Denon AVR-A1H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs AVR-A1H comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Denon AVR-A1H review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Denon AVR-A1H

The Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Denon AVR-A1H comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-A1H was rated 9.7 points. The release date of VSX-LX303 is 2018, and AVR-A1H is 2022. AVR-A1H is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - VSX-LX303.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Denon AVR-A1H

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Denon AVR-A1H over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • More channels, namely 15, makes this receiver more profitable than its 9-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

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

VSX-LX303
9
AVR-A1H
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-A1H supports a 15.4-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 AVR-A1H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX303 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Channels9.215.4
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/6150/8, 190/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080,05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX303 9 out of 10, and the AVR-A1H - 10.

VSX-LX303
9
AVR-A1H
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. Denon AVR-A1H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX303 scored 8, and Denon AVR-A1H scored 9 out of 10.

VSX-LX303
8
AVR-A1H
9

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

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

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, Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 8 points, but Denon AVR-A1H received 9 points.

VSX-LX303
8
AVR-A1H
9

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-A1H 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 on Denon AVR-A1H.

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 Pioneer VSX-LX303 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-A1H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
HDMI input/output7/27/3
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)24
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input20
Component input/output1/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, phones, setup mic
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.

VSX-LX303
10
AVR-A1H
10

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The VSX-LX303 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-A1H has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Denon AVR-A1H.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the AVR-A1H has 10.

VSX-LX303
9
AVR-A1H
10

Denon AVR-A1H has the ECO mode.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Voice controlGoogle AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 featuresIP ControlIP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 Control

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.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Multi-room zones33
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-A1H got 10.

VSX-LX303
7
AVR-A1H
10

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Denon AVR-A1H has Auro-3D on its feature list.

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. The AVR-A1H licensed by IMAX.

VSX-LX303 AVR-A1H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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