Yamaha RX-V581 vs Marantz SR5014 review

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The Yamaha RX-V581 vs Marantz SR5014 comparison proves that these receivers have many common features.

Amplifier

Considered AV receivers have the same number of channels 7.2. Regarding power, then RX-V581 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 115/6 when SR5014 has a power of 100/8, 180/6. The THD is 0.09% for the RX-V581 but 0.08% for the SR5014.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit for RX-V581 and AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for the SR5014. Both the RX-V581 and the SR5014 support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Yamaha RX-V581 has support for AirPlay, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The RX-V581 can work with the audio stream from Pandora, JUKE, and the SR5014 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio. 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 SR5014 can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the RX-V581. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the SR5014.

Extensive connections

The Yamaha RX-V581 has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 8/2 HDMI connectors of the Marantz SR5014. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. The HDMI eARC is available only on the SR5014. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. The RX-V581 supports the protection of digital content of the standard HDCP 2.2, versus HDCP 2.3 in the SR5014. The SR5014 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. It is also worth noting that the ECO mode is presented in each of the receivers. Both RX-V581 and SR5014 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Both devices have support for Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format. The surround sound technology DTS:X is supported by devices under review.