Denon AVR-X3600H vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-X3600H vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES review

Denon AVR-X3600H
vs
Sony STR-ZA2100ES

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Denon AVR-X3600H vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Denon AVR-X3600H has 9.2 versus 7.2 for Sony STR-ZA2100ES. Regarding power, then AVR-X3600H has such a W/Ohm ratio - 105/8, 135/6 when STR-ZA2100ES has a power of 75/8, 95/6. The THD is 0.08% for the AVR-X3600H but 0.09% for the STR-ZA2100ES. Both the AVR-X3600H and the STR-ZA2100ES support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Only the Denon AVR-X3600H can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Only the AVR-X3600H supports Spotify.

Video features

Both AV receivers support HDR10 technology (High dynamic range). 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 Denon AVR-X3600H has 8/3 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 6/2 HDMI connectors of the Sony STR-ZA2100ES.Denon AVR-X3600H connectionsSony STR-ZA2100ES connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. HDMI eARC is available in each model. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. The AVR-X3600H supports the protection of digital content of the standard HDCP 2.3, versus HDCP 2.2 in the STR-ZA2100ES. The AVR-X3600H has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. An ECO mode is only available for the AVR-X3600H. Both AVR-X3600H and STR-ZA2100ES 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

Denon AVR-X3600H
Sony STR-ZA2100ES

Model

AVR-X3600H
STR-ZA2100ES

Brand

Denon
Sony

Reviews

85
7

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

105/8, 135/6
75/8, 95/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.09

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT32
DCAC EX

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio Restorer
Digital Legato Linear, Sound Optimizer

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/3
6/2

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.3
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
0

Optical digital input

2
2

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

2/0
2/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10
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 scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

HLG, BT.2020
HLG

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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, Web Control
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

HEOS App
has not

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
1/2

DC trigger output (12V)

1
3

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

600
290

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.3

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 15.2 x 38.1/17 x 6.6 x 15.4
43 x 17.6 x 41/17 x 6.8 x 16.1

Weight, kg/lbs

11.7/26.6
12.2/27.1

Other

Release year

2019
2017
Denon AVR-X3600H
Sony STR-ZA2100ES
Denon AVR-X3600H
Sony STR-ZA2100ES

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.7
  • 6.5
  • 8.7Denon AVR-X3600H
  • 6.5Sony STR-ZA2100ES