Pioneer SC-LX801 vs Yamaha RX-A850 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer SC-LX801 vs Yamaha RX-A850 review

Pioneer SC-LX801
vs
Yamaha RX-A850

Having had an opportunity to test Pioneer SC-LX801 vs Yamaha RX-A850, 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 - 9.2 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the SC-LX801 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 140/8, 200/6, 255/4, while the RX-A850 has a power of 110/8. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the SC-LX801 it is 0.08%, but for the RX-A850 it is 0.06%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the SC-LX801 received the model ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit, but the RX-A850 is equipped with Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Pioneer SC-LX801 and Yamaha RX-A850 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 Pioneer SC-LX801 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, but the Yamaha RX-A850 works with Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, JUKE, Rhapsody. 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 SC-LX801 and the RX-A850. Each of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the SC-LX801.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs is the same - 8/2.Pioneer SC-LX801 connectionsYamaha RX-A850 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is not supported by the SC-LX801 and the RX-A850. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. SC-LX801 and RX-A850 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 SC-LX801 where 3 Multi zones is provided, the RX-A850 works with 2 Multi zones. Voice control of the basic functions of the receiver is not realized in both models. There is an ECO mode in RX-A850. The Pioneer SC-LX801 and the Yamaha RX-A850 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. Only in the SC-LX801 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Pioneer SC-LX801
Yamaha RX-A850

Model

SC-LX801
RX-A850

Brand

Pioneer
Yamaha

Reviews

104
0

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

140/8, 200/6, 255/4
110/8

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6, 4
8

Frequency response

20Hz-20KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.06

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit
Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC Pro
YPAO

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Reflex Optimizer, Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio
Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass

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

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora
Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, JUKE, Rhapsody

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/2
8/2

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

2
2

Composite input

2
5

Component input/output

2/1
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

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

DeepColor, x.v.Color
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

App control

iPhone, iPad, Android
iPhone, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD
fluorescent

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
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

Pioneer Control App, iControlAV5, FlareConnect
MusicCast

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

2/1
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

2
1

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus,Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS

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

320
400

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 18.5 x 44.1/17 x 7 x 17.3
43.5 x 17.1 x 38/17 x 6.7 x 14.6

Weight, kg/lbs

17.9/39.5
10.6/23.4

Other

Release year

2016
2015
Pioneer SC-LX801
Yamaha RX-A850
Pioneer SC-LX801
Yamaha RX-A850

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.4
  • 7.8
  • 8.4Pioneer SC-LX801
  • 7.8Yamaha RX-A850