Marantz SR8015 vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Marantz SR8015 vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

Marantz SR8015
vs
Pioneer VSX-531

It’s strongly recommended to compare different receivers if you want to choose the best one: Marantz SR8015 vs Pioneer VSX-531.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 11.2 versus 5.1, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the SR8015 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 140/8, 175/6, while the VSX-531 has a power of 80/8, 140/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the SR8015 it is 0.05%, but for the VSX-531 it is 0.08%. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Marantz SR8015. Both Marantz SR8015 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 SR8015 has access to the Spotify service. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the SR8015 and the VSX-531. Video scaling is only possible with the SR8015. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the SR8015.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the SR8015 has 8/3, and the VSX-531 has 4/1.Marantz SR8015 connectionsPioneer VSX-531 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the SR8015. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The SR8015 has support for the standard HDCP 2.3, compared to the VSX-531, which supports the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Marantz SR8015. There is an ECO mode in either AV receiver. The Marantz SR8015 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the SR8015. Only in the SR8015 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Marantz SR8015
Pioneer VSX-531

Model

SR8015
VSX-531

Brand

Marantz
Pioneer

Reviews

0
0

Amplifier

Channels

11.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

140/8, 175/6
80/8, 140/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.05
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT32
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LF, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio
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, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/3
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

2
1

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

5
2

Component input/output

3/1
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/120Hz
4K/60Hz

8K signal pass-through

8K/60Hz

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, Dynamic HDR
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

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

IP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App Control
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
has not

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
has not

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

Marantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App
has not

RS-232

1
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

2
0

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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
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, DSD
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

780
220

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.45

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.1 x 17.7 x 43.1/17.3 x 7.3 x 17.7
43.5 x 16.8 x 32/17 x 6.3 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

17.2/38.4
8/17.6

Other

Release year

2020
2016
Marantz SR8015
Pioneer VSX-531
Marantz SR8015
Pioneer VSX-531

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.8
  • 4.3
  • 9.8Marantz SR8015
  • 4.3Pioneer VSX-531