Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz SR5014

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs SR5014 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz SR5014 review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Marantz SR5014

Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-LX303 and Marantz SR5014 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR5014 was rated 9 points. The release date of VSX-LX303 is 2018, and SR5014 is 2019. SR5014 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the VSX-LX303.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Marantz SR5014

  • 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 Marantz SR5014 over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

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

VSX-LX303
9
SR5014
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Marantz SR5014 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 SR5014
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/6100/8, 180/6
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 VSX-LX303 9 out of 10, and the SR5014 - 10.

VSX-LX303
9
SR5014
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. Marantz SR5014 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

VSX-LX303 SR5014
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ XT
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

VSX-LX303
8
SR5014
8

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

VSX-LX303 SR5014
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 SR5014
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, TuneIn Radio, iHeart 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, Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 8 points, but Marantz SR5014 received 10 points.

VSX-LX303
8
SR5014
10

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR5014 has 8/2 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 on Marantz SR5014.

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 Marantz SR5014 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

VSX-LX303 SR5014
HDMI input/output7/28/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input22
Component input/output1/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, phones
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
SR5014
10

VSX-LX303 SR5014
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the SR5014 has 10.

VSX-LX303
9
SR5014
10

Marantz SR5014 has the ECO mode.

VSX-LX303 SR5014
Voice controlGoogle AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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

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 SR5014
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectMarantz AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/0
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR5014 got 8.

VSX-LX303
7
SR5014
8

VSX-LX303 SR5014
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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