Pioneer VSX-LX503 vs Onkyo TX-NR777

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX503 vs TX-NR777 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX503 vs Onkyo TX-NR777 review

Pioneer VSX-LX503
vs
Onkyo TX-NR777

Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-LX503 and Onkyo TX-NR777 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX503 received 8.6 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR777 was rated 6.8 points. The release date of VSX-LX503 is 2018, and TX-NR777 is 2017. VSX-LX503 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the TX-NR777.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Onkyo TX-NR777

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 120/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 110/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX503 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR777 over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

VSX-LX503
9
TX-NR777
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX503 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR777 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-LX503 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR777 it is 110/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm120/8, 230/6110/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
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-LX503 9 out of 10, and the TX-NR777 - 7.

VSX-LX503
9
TX-NR777
7

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Pioneer VSX-LX503 has Pure Direct mode.

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-LX503 TX-NR777
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification

Connectivity

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

VSX-LX503
8
TX-NR777
8

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

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB2 (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-LX503 TX-NR777
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioTIDAL, Pandora

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-LX503 got 8 points, but Onkyo TX-NR777 received 7 points.

VSX-LX503
8
TX-NR777
7

Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
HDMI input/output7/27/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micHDMI, 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 VSX-LX503 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 6 for the TX-NR777.

VSX-LX503
10
TX-NR777
6

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-LX503.

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
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, HLG, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX503 got 8 points, but the TX-NR777 has 6.

VSX-LX503
8
TX-NR777
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-LX503 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
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-LX503 TX-NR777
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/0
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-LX503
7
TX-NR777
7

VSX-LX503 TX-NR777
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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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