Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

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Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
vs
Pioneer SC-LX501

Having had an opportunity to test Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer SC-LX501, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

AV receivers under review have the same number of channels. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 115/8, 145/6, while the SC-LX501 has a power of 120/8, 180/6. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 received the model Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit, but the SC-LX501 is equipped with AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 and Pioneer SC-LX501 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

These units have the same Wi-Fi modules. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The contenders have differences in the supported services from Apple - AirPlay, AirPlay 2 versus AirPlay respectively. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz, but the Pioneer SC-LX501 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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 and the SC-LX501. 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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 has 4/1, and the SC-LX501 has 7/2.Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 connectionsPioneer SC-LX501 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the AVENTAGE RX-A680. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The AVENTAGE RX-A680 has support for the standard HDCP 2.3, compared to the SC-LX501, which supports the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Pioneer SC-LX501.

Additional features

Ability to create 2 Multi zones inherent in both AV receivers. There is an ECO mode in AVENTAGE RX-A680. The Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 and the Pioneer SC-LX501 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

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer SC-LX501

Model

AVENTAGE RX-A680
SC-LX501

Brand

Yamaha
Pioneer

Reviews

16
0

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

115/8, 145/6
120/8, 180/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

YPAO
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT
Advanced Sound Retriever

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, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
7/2

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.3
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

2
1

Composite input

3
2

Component input/output

0/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

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

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

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
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
IP Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

MusicCast
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

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-Neo:6
DTS Neo:X

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

260
250

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 16.1 x 33/17 x 6.3 x 13.7
43.5 x 18.5 x 39.5/17 x 7 x 15.4

Weight, kg/lbs

8.3/18.3
11.8/26

Other

Release year

2018
2016
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer SC-LX501
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer SC-LX501

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.5
  • 8.1
  • 7.5Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
  • 8.1Pioneer SC-LX501