Marantz SR8012 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Marantz SR8012 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Marantz SR8012
vs
Pioneer SC-LX501

Having had an opportunity to test Marantz SR8012 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. In terms of power, there are differences, the SR8012 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 140/8, 175/6, while the SC-LX501 has a power of 120/8, 180/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the SR8012 it is 0.05%, but for the SC-LX501 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the SR8012 received the model 192 KHz/32-bit, but the SC-LX501 is equipped with AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Marantz SR8012 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 Marantz SR8012 works with Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio, 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 SR8012 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 SR8012 has 8/3, and the SC-LX501 has 7/2.Marantz SR8012 connectionsPioneer SC-LX501 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the SR8012. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. SR8012 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 SR8012 where 3 Multi zones is provided, the SC-LX501 works with 2 Multi zones. There is an ECO mode in SR8012. The Marantz SR8012 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

Marantz SR8012
Pioneer SC-LX501

Model

SR8012
SC-LX501

Brand

Marantz
Pioneer

Reviews

21
0

Amplifier

Channels

11.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

140/8, 175/6
120/8, 180/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.05
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/32-bit
AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT32
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audio
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, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/3
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

2
2

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

4
2

Component input/output

3/1
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, HDMI, 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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

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

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

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

IP Control
IP Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

Marantz AVR Remote App, HEOS App
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 Neo:X

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

780
250

Standby consumption, W

0.2
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.1 x 17.7 x 46.8/17.3 x 7.3 x 18.1
43.5 x 18.5 x 39.5/17 x 7 x 15.4

Weight, kg/lbs

17.2/38
11.8/26

Other

Release year

2017
2016
Marantz SR8012
Pioneer SC-LX501
Marantz SR8012
Pioneer SC-LX501

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.5
  • 8.1
  • 9.5Marantz SR8012
  • 8.1Pioneer SC-LX501