Yamaha CX-A5200 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Yamaha CX-A5200 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Yamaha CX-A5200
vs
Pioneer SC-LX501

Having had an opportunity to test Yamaha CX-A5200 vs Pioneer SC-LX501, 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 - 11.2 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the CX-A5200 it is 0.06%, but for the SC-LX501 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the CX-A5200 received the model ESS SABRE PRO (ES9026) 384 KHz/32-bit, but the SC-LX501 is equipped with AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Pioneer SC-LX501. Both Yamaha CX-A5200 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 CX-A5200 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 CX-A5200 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 CX-A5200 has 7/3, and the SC-LX501 has 7/2.Yamaha CX-A5200 connectionsPioneer SC-LX501 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the CX-A5200 and the SC-LX501. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. CX-A5200 and SC-LX501 support the standard HDCP 2.2. Like most receivers, our models have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Unlike the CX-A5200 where 3 Multi zones is provided, the SC-LX501 works with 2 Multi zones. There is an ECO mode in CX-A5200. The Yamaha CX-A5200 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 CX-A5200
Pioneer SC-LX501

Model

CX-A5200
SC-LX501

Brand

Yamaha
Pioneer

Reviews

10
0

Amplifier

Channels

11.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

120/8, 180/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.06
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

ESS SABRE PRO (ES9026) 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 HD3, 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

7/3
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

3
2

Coaxial digital input

3
1

Composite input

4
2

Component input/output

2/0
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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

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

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

MusicCast
Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

2
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

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 19.2 x 47.4/17 x 7.5 x 18.5
43.5 x 18.5 x 39.5/17 x 7 x 15.4

Weight, kg/lbs

15.2/33.5
11.8/26

Other

Release year

2018
2016
Yamaha CX-A5200
Pioneer SC-LX501
Yamaha CX-A5200
Pioneer SC-LX501

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.7
  • 8.1
  • 8.7Yamaha CX-A5200
  • 8.1Pioneer SC-LX501