Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Sony STR-DH790

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs STR-DH790 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Sony STR-DH790 review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Sony STR-DH790

Let's make the Pioneer VSX-LX303 versus Sony STR-DH790 comparison. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-DH790 was rated 5.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the VSX-LX303 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Sony STR-DH790

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, VSX-LX303 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Main advantages Sony STR-DH790 over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-DH790
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-DH790 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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the VSX-LX303 this value is 200/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DH790 it is 90/6 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/690/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX303 9 out of 10, and the STR-DH790 - 8.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-DH790
8

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. Sony STR-DH790 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCDCAC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerHi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX303 scored 8, and Sony STR-DH790 scored 6 out of 10.

VSX-LX303
8
STR-DH790
6

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

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the VSX-LX303 only.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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 STR-DH790
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radiohas not

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 Sony STR-DH790 received 7 points.

VSX-LX303
8
STR-DH790
7

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-DH790 has 4/1 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 Sony STR-DH790.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX303 has a Phono interface.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
HDMI input/output7/24/1
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 input20
Component input/output1/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXphones, 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 STR-DH790.

VSX-LX303
10
STR-DH790
7

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Pioneer VSX-LX303.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGHLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the STR-DH790 has 6.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-DH790
6

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-LX303 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
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, USBUSB
Other additional featuresIP Controlhas 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.

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
Multi-room zones3has not
Zone audio outputspeaker, preouthas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlFlareConnecthas not
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

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

VSX-LX303
7
STR-DH790
7

VSX-LX303 STR-DH790
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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here