Yamaha RX-V481BL vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V481BL vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Yamaha RX-V481BL
vs
Pioneer SC-LX501

Having had an opportunity to test Yamaha RX-V481BL 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 - 5.1 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the RX-V481BL has such a ratio W/Ohm - 80/6, while the SC-LX501 has a power of 120/8, 180/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the RX-V481BL it is 0.09%, but for the SC-LX501 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the RX-V481BL received the model Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit, but the SC-LX501 is equipped with AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Yamaha RX-V481BL and Pioneer SC-LX501 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Both devices can work with such Apple Music services: AirPlay. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Yamaha RX-V481BL works with Pandora, Qobuz, JUKE, but the Pioneer SC-LX501 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio.

Video features

Support for the HDR function can only boast of each of the AV receivers. 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 RX-V481BL and the SC-LX501. Video scaling is only possible with the SC-LX501. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the SC-LX501.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the RX-V481BL has 4/1, and the SC-LX501 has 7/2.Yamaha RX-V481BL connectionsPioneer SC-LX501 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the RX-V481BL and the SC-LX501. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. RX-V481BL and SC-LX501 support the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Pioneer SC-LX501. Voice control of the basic functions of the receiver is not realized in both models. There is an ECO mode in RX-V481BL. The Yamaha RX-V481BL and the Pioneer SC-LX501 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the SC-LX501. Only in the SC-LX501 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Yamaha RX-V481BL
Pioneer SC-LX501

Model

RX-V481BL
SC-LX501

Brand

Yamaha
Pioneer

Reviews

97
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

80/6
120/8, 180/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-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, Extra Bass
Advanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

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

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Pandora, Qobuz, JUKE
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 2.2
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

1
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)

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
DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

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

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
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 Pro Logic
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

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 32.7/17 x 6.3 x 12.6
43.5 x 18.5 x 39.5/17 x 7 x 15.4

Weight, kg/lbs

8.1/17.9
11.8/26

Other

Release year

2016
2016
Yamaha RX-V481BL
Pioneer SC-LX501
Yamaha RX-V481BL
Pioneer SC-LX501

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5.6
  • 8.1
  • 5.6Yamaha RX-V481BL
  • 8.1Pioneer SC-LX501