Pioneer VSX-S520 vs Marantz NR1510

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Let's make the Pioneer VSX-S520 versus Marantz NR1510 comparison. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-S520 received 6 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1510 was rated 7 points. The release date of VSX-S520 is 2016, and NR1510 is 2019. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the NR1510 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-S520 over Marantz NR1510

Main advantages Marantz NR1510 over Pioneer VSX-S520

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 5 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-S520 supports 5.1-channels sound, but Marantz NR1510 supports a 5.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced.

Audio features

The score for audio features is 6 of 10 for both receivers.

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. Pioneer VSX-S520 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

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

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

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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-S520 got 6 points, but Marantz NR1510 received 9 points.

Pioneer VSX-S520 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1510 has 8/1 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 Marantz NR1510.

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-S520 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Marantz NR1510 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

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-S520 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 6 for the NR1510.

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-S520.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-S520 got 7 points, but the NR1510 has 10.

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 NR1510 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Marantz NR1510 has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-S520 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1510 got 5.

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Pioneer VSX-S520 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the VSX-S520.