Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-A880 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-A880 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Yamaha RX-A880

Having had an opportunity to test Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-A880, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

AV receivers under review have the same number of channels. In terms of power, there are differences, the STR-ZA3100ES has such a ratio W/Ohm - 70/8, 90/6, while the RX-A880 has a power of 100/8, 160/4. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 0.09%, but for the RX-A880 it is 0.06%. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Sony STR-ZA3100ES and Yamaha RX-A880 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The RX-A880 has access to the Spotify service. 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 STR-ZA3100ES and the RX-A880. Video scaling is only possible with the RX-A880. 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 STR-ZA3100ES has 6/2, and the RX-A880 has 7/2.Sony STR-ZA3100ES connectionsYamaha RX-A880 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is supported by the STR-ZA3100ES and the RX-A880. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. STR-ZA3100ES and RX-A880 support the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Yamaha RX-A880.

Additional features

Ability to create 2 Multi zones inherent in both AV receivers. There is an ECO mode in RX-A880. The Sony STR-ZA3100ES and the Yamaha RX-A880 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.

Add receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here

General

Item

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
Yamaha RX-A880

Model

STR-ZA3100ES
RX-A880

Brand

Sony
Yamaha

Reviews

4
74

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

70/8, 90/6
100/8, 160/4

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 4

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.06

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

DCAC EX
YPAO

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Sound Optimizer
CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

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 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/2
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

0
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
2

Coaxial digital input

1
2

Composite input

2
1

Component input/output

2/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, HDMI, setup mic
USB, 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 scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

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

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, 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
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

has not
MusicCast

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/2
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

3
1

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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Neo:6

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

290
400

Standby consumption, W

0.3
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43 x 17.4 x 41/17 x 6.7 x 16.1
43.5 x 17.1 x 38.2/17 x 6.7 x 15

Weight, kg/lbs

12.7/28
11/24.3

Other

Release year

2017
2018
Sony STR-ZA3100ES
Yamaha RX-A880
Sony STR-ZA3100ES
Yamaha RX-A880

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6.3
  • 8.3
  • 6.3Sony STR-ZA3100ES
  • 8.3Yamaha RX-A880