Denon HEOS AVR vs Pioneer VSX-933 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Denon HEOS AVR vs Pioneer VSX-933 review

Denon HEOS AVR
vs
Pioneer VSX-933

Having had an opportunity to test Denon HEOS AVR vs Pioneer VSX-933, 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 - 5.1 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the HEOS AVR has such a ratio W/Ohm - 50/8, 65/6, while the VSX-933 has a power of 80/8, 165/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the HEOS AVR it is 0.05%, but for the VSX-933 it is 0.08%. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Pioneer VSX-933. Both Denon HEOS AVR and Pioneer VSX-933 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Denon HEOS AVR works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, but the Pioneer VSX-933 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio. 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 HEOS AVR and the VSX-933. Video scaling is only possible with the VSX-933. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the VSX-933.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the HEOS AVR has 4/1, and the VSX-933 has 6/1.Denon HEOS AVR connectionsPioneer VSX-933 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the HEOS AVR and the VSX-933. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. HEOS AVR and VSX-933 support the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Pioneer VSX-933. For voice control in the HEOS AVR is used Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, but in the VSX-933 is used Google Assistant. There is an ECO mode in neither AV receiver. The Pioneer VSX-933 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the VSX-933. Only in the VSX-933 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Denon HEOS AVR
Pioneer VSX-933

Model

HEOS AVR
VSX-933

Brand

Denon
Pioneer

Reviews

15
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

50/8, 65/6
80/8, 165/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.05
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

has not
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
2 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

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

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
6/1

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

1
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

0
2

Component input/output

0/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic, AUX

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

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

has not
DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD

Tuner

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

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

HEOS App
FlareConnect

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

has not
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

110
460

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.1 x 7.6 x 27.9/17.1 x 3.6 x 11
43.5 x 17.3 x 37/17 x 6.8 x 14.5

Weight, kg/lbs

5.9/13/2
9.4/20.7

Other

Release year

2017
2018
Denon HEOS AVR
Pioneer VSX-933
Denon HEOS AVR
Pioneer VSX-933

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 4.8
  • 7.8
  • 4.8Denon HEOS AVR
  • 7.8Pioneer VSX-933