Denon AVR-S940H vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-S940H vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 review

Denon AVR-S940H
vs
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

Having had an opportunity to test Denon AVR-S940H vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 7.2 versus 11.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVR-S940H has such a ratio W/Ohm - 90/8, 125/6, while the Elite SC-LX904 has a power of 140/8. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the AVR-S940H received the model 192 KHz/32-bit, but the Elite SC-LX904 is equipped with ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Pioneer Elite SC-LX904. Both Denon AVR-S940H and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Both devices can work with such Apple Music services: AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Denon AVR-S940H works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, but the Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora.

Video features

The HDR10 function is present in each of the rivals. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the AVR-S940H and the Elite SC-LX904. Each of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Each of the participants of the comparison has a Dolby Vision.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the AVR-S940H has 8/2, and the Elite SC-LX904 has 7/3.Denon AVR-S940H connectionsPioneer Elite SC-LX904 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the Elite SC-LX904. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The AVR-S940H has support for the standard HDCP 2.2, compared to the Elite SC-LX904, which supports the standard HDCP 2.3. Like most receivers, our models have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Unlike the AVR-S940H where 2 Multi zones is provided, the Elite SC-LX904 works with 3 Multi zones. For voice control in the AVR-S940H is used Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI, but in the Elite SC-LX904 is used Amazon Alexa. There is an ECO mode in AVR-S940H. The Denon AVR-S940H and the Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. A DTS:X surround technology is supported by devices from our comparison.

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General

Item

Denon AVR-S940H
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

Model

AVR-S940H
Elite SC-LX904

Brand

Denon
Pioneer

Reviews

98
7

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
11.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

90/8, 125/6
140/8

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/32-bit
ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2
AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/2
7/3

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.3

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
3

Coaxial digital input

1
2

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

2/1
2/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10
HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/60Hz

8K signal pass-through

HDMI signal pass-through

3D signal pass-through

HDMI pass-through in standby mode

Video conversion

analog to HDMI

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

BT.2020, HLG
x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
Amazon Alexa

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD
colour OSD

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

network, USB
network, USB

Other additional features

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
3

Zone audio output

speaker
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

HEOS App
Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
2

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

460
340

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 15.2 x 33/17 x 6.6 x 13.3
43.5 x 18.5 x 44/17 x 7 x 17.3

Weight, kg/lbs

9/20.7
18.5/40.8

Other

Release year

2018
2019
Denon AVR-S940H
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904
Denon AVR-S940H
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.4
  • 9.2
  • 7.4Denon AVR-S940H
  • 9.2Pioneer Elite SC-LX904