Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
vs
Pioneer VSX-531

It’s strongly recommended to compare different receivers if you want to choose the best one: Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 vs Pioneer VSX-531.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 7.2 versus 5.1, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 115/8, 145/6, while the VSX-531 has a power of 80/8, 140/6. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the AVENTAGE RX-A680 received the model Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit, but the VSX-531 is equipped with 192 KHz/24-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680. Both Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 and Pioneer VSX-531 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The AVENTAGE RX-A680 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 AVENTAGE RX-A680 and the VSX-531. Video scaling is only possible with the AVENTAGE RX-A680. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the AVENTAGE RX-A680.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs is the same - 4/1.Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 connectionsPioneer VSX-531 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the AVENTAGE RX-A680. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The AVENTAGE RX-A680 has support for the standard HDCP 2.3, compared to the VSX-531, which supports the standard HDCP 2.2. Unlike most receivers, our models do not have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. There is an ECO mode in either AV receiver. The Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the AVENTAGE RX-A680. Only in the AVENTAGE RX-A680 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer VSX-531

Model

AVENTAGE RX-A680
VSX-531

Brand

Yamaha
Pioneer

Reviews

16
0

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

115/8, 145/6
80/8, 140/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

YPAO
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT
Advanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

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

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
4/1

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
1

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
1

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

3
2

Component input/output

0/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

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

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

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, 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
USB

Other additional features

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
has not

Zone audio output

speaker
has not

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

MusicCast
has not

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
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-Neo:6
DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6

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

260
220

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.45

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 16.1 x 33/17 x 6.3 x 13.7
43.5 x 16.8 x 32/17 x 6.3 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

8.3/18.3
8/17.6

Other

Release year

2018
2016
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer VSX-531
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer VSX-531

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.5
  • 4.3
  • 7.5Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
  • 4.3Pioneer VSX-531