Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-A2A

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs RX-A2A comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-A2A review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Yamaha RX-A2A

The Pioneer VSX-LX303 versus Yamaha RX-A2A comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. We estimated the compared receivers and both received a 8.2 out of 10 points. The release date of VSX-LX303 is 2018, and RX-A2A is 2021.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Yamaha RX-A2A

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX303 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A2A over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

VSX-LX303
9
RX-A2A
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-A2A supports a 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 100/8, 200/6/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.06

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

VSX-LX303
9
RX-A2A
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.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX303 scored 8, and Yamaha RX-A2A scored 9 out of 10.

VSX-LX303
8
RX-A2A
9

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

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
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.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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 Yamaha RX-A2A received 7 points.

VSX-LX303
8
RX-A2A
7

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A2A has 7/1 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 on Yamaha RX-A2A.

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 Yamaha RX-A2A has the HDCP 2.3 version.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
HDMI input/output7/27/1
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)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output1/00
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 the VSX-LX303 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the RX-A2A.

VSX-LX303
10
RX-A2A
7

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 RX-A2A 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 Yamaha RX-A2A.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
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 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 RX-A2A has 10.

VSX-LX303
9
RX-A2A
10

Yamaha RX-A2A has the ECO mode.

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
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 ControlWeb Control, App 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 RX-A2A
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutpreout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectMusicCast
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

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

VSX-LX303
7
RX-A2A
7

VSX-LX303 RX-A2A
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-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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