Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ740 review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ740 review

Pioneer VSX-531
vs
Onkyo TX-RZ740

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ740 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Pioneer VSX-531 has 5.1 versus 9.2 for Onkyo TX-RZ740. Regarding power, then VSX-531 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 80/8, 140/6 when TX-RZ740 has a power of 100/8, 225/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, 192 KHz/24-bit for VSX-531 and AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for the TX-RZ740. Only the TX-RZ740 supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Only the Onkyo TX-RZ740 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Only the TX-RZ740 supports Spotify. 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. The TX-RZ740 can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the VSX-531. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the TX-RZ740.

Extensive connections

The Pioneer VSX-531 has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 7/2 HDMI connectors of the Onkyo TX-RZ740.Pioneer VSX-531 connectionsOnkyo TX-RZ740 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 TX-RZ740 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. An ECO mode is only available for the VSX-531. The setup assistant will help you configure Onkyo TX-RZ740.

Multichannel surround

Only the TX-RZ740 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the TX-RZ740.

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General

Item

Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ740

Model

VSX-531
TX-RZ740

Brand

Pioneer
Onkyo

Reviews

0
6

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
9.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

80/8, 140/6
100/8, 225/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8, 6

Frequency response

20Hz-20KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit
AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
AccuEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever
Advanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

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

has not
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
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)

1
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

0/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic
HDMI, 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

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

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

fluorescent
fluorescent

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

USB
network, USB

Other additional features

has not
IP Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

has not
3

Zone audio output

has not
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
1

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

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

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

220
750

Standby consumption, W

0.45
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 16.8 x 32/17 x 6.3 x 12.6
43.5 x 17.7 x 37.9/17 x 6.8 x 14.5

Weight, kg/lbs

8/17.6
10.8/23.8

Other

Release year

2016
2019
Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ740
Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ740

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 4.3
  • 8.5
  • 4.3Pioneer VSX-531
  • 8.5Onkyo TX-RZ740