Marantz SR5012 vs Pioneer VSX-S520 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Marantz SR5012 vs Pioneer VSX-S520 review

Marantz SR5012
vs
Pioneer VSX-S520

An affordable AV receiver is always a good option to consider, so Marantz SR5012 vs Pioneer VSX-S520 comparison definitely makes sense.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Marantz SR5012 has 7.2 versus 5.1 for Pioneer VSX-S520. Regarding power, then SR5012 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 100/8 when VSX-S520 has a power of 50/4. The THD is 0.08% for the SR5012 but 0.09% for the VSX-S520.

Audio features

Competitors' digital to analog converter (DAC) is identical to 192 KHz/24-bit. Only the SR5012 supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

WI-FI modules have the same characteristics: 2.4/5GHz. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Marantz SR5012 has support for AirPlay, AirPlay 2, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The SR5012 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, and the VSX-S520 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio.

Video features

These units support HDR technology. Compared AV receivers retain the quality of 4K/60Hz signal when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. Both rivals can scale the resolution of the incoming HDMI signal. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is supported by these receivers.

Extensive connections

The Marantz SR5012 has 8/2 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 4/1 HDMI connectors of the Pioneer VSX-S520.Marantz SR5012 connectionsPioneer VSX-S520 connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Unfortunately, HDMI eARC is not available on monitored devices. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. Both models support the standard HDCP 2.2. The VSX-S520 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. An ECO mode is only available for the SR5012. Both SR5012 and VSX-S520 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Both devices have support for Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format. The surround sound technology DTS:X is supported by devices under review.

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General

Item

Marantz SR5012
Pioneer VSX-S520

Model

SR5012
VSX-S520

Brand

Marantz
Pioneer

Reviews

41
77

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8
50/4

Output impedance, Ohm

8
4

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.09

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit
192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

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, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud
Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/2
4/1

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
1

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
1

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

2
0

Component input/output

2/1
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, HDMI, phones
USB, 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

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

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
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
has not

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
has not

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

Marantz AVR Remote App
has not

RS-232

1
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

1
0

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-ES, DTS 96/24

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

650
60

Standby consumption, W

0.2
0.2

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 16.8 x 33/17 x 6.3 x 13.6
43.5 x 7 x 32.5/17x 2.7 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

9.9/22
4/8.8

Other

Release year

2017
2016
Marantz SR5012
Pioneer VSX-S520
Marantz SR5012
Pioneer VSX-S520

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.4
  • 6
  • 8.4Marantz SR5012
  • 6Pioneer VSX-S520