It makes sense comparing Yamaha RX-V485 vs Onkyo TX-NR595 because they both are able to give some premium features.
A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Yamaha RX-V485 has 5.1 versus 7.2 for Onkyo TX-NR595. Regarding power, then RX-V485 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 80/8, 145/6 when TX-NR595 has a power of 80/8, 170/6. The THD is 0.09% for the RX-V485 but 0.08% for the TX-NR595.
Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit for RX-V485 and AKM 384 KHz/32-bit for the TX-NR595. Both the RX-V485 and the TX-NR595 support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
Both models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Apple Music service is implemented on considered devices: AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The RX-V485 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, and the TX-NR595 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio.
Both AV receivers support HDR10 technology (High dynamic range). 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. Both rivals can scale the resolution of the incoming HDMI signal. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is supported by these receivers.
The Yamaha RX-V485 has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 6/2 HDMI connectors of the Onkyo TX-NR595. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. The HDMI eARC is available only on the RX-V485. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. The RX-V485 supports the protection of digital content of the standard HDCP 2.3, versus HDCP 2.2 in the TX-NR595. The TX-NR595 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.
Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. The RX-V485 supports voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and the TX-NR595 - Google Assistant. An ECO mode is only available for the RX-V485. Both RX-V485 and TX-NR595 can be configured using the Setup assistant.
Only the TX-NR595 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the TX-NR595.