Marantz NR1508 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Marantz NR1508 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Marantz NR1508
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX301

It makes sense comparing Marantz NR1508 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 because they both are able to give some premium features.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Marantz NR1508 has 5.2 versus 7.2 for Pioneer VSX-LX301. Regarding power, then NR1508 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 50/8 when VSX-LX301 has a power of 100/8, 170/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, 192 KHz/24-bit for NR1508 and AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for the VSX-LX301. Only the VSX-LX301 supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

WI-FI modules have the same characteristics: 2.4/5GHz. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Marantz NR1508 has support for AirPlay, AirPlay 2, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The NR1508 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, and the VSX-LX301 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio.

Video features

These units support HDR technology. Compared AV receivers retain the quality of 4K/60Hz signal when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. The VSX-LX301 can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the NR1508. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is supported by these receivers.

Extensive connections

The Marantz NR1508 has 6/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 7/2 HDMI connectors of the Pioneer VSX-LX301.Marantz NR1508 connectionsPioneer VSX-LX301 connections Only the VSX-LX301 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Unfortunately, HDMI eARC is not available on monitored devices. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. Both models support the standard HDCP 2.2. The VSX-LX301 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. An ECO mode is only available for the NR1508. Both NR1508 and VSX-LX301 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Only the VSX-LX301 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the VSX-LX301.

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General

Item

Marantz NR1508
Pioneer VSX-LX301

Model

NR1508
VSX-LX301

Brand

Marantz
Pioneer

Reviews

46
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

50/8
100/8, 170/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit
AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Hi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
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

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/1
7/2

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)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
2

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

3
2

Component input/output

0/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

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

HLG
x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

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

IP Control
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

has not
FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
2

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

has not
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

has not
DTS Neo:X

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

180
550

Standby consumption, W

0.2
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.1 x 35.5 x 10.1/17.3 x 14.8 x 4.1
43.5 x 17.3 x 37/17 x 6.8 x 14.6

Weight, kg/lbs

7.7/17.9
10/22

Other

Release year

2016
2017
Marantz NR1508
Pioneer VSX-LX301
Marantz NR1508
Pioneer VSX-LX301

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6.3
  • 8
  • 6.3Marantz NR1508
  • 8Pioneer VSX-LX301