Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz CINEMA 70s review

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AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz CINEMA 70s review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Marantz CINEMA 70s

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz CINEMA 70s 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-LX303 has 9.2 versus 7.2 for Marantz CINEMA 70s. Regarding power, then VSX-LX303 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 100/8, 200/6 when CINEMA 70s has a power of 50/8, 70/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for VSX-LX303 and 192 KHz/32-bit for the CINEMA 70s. Both the VSX-LX303 and the CINEMA 70s support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

WI-FI modules have the same characteristics: 2.4/5GHz. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 has support for AirPlay, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The VSX-LX303 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and the CINEMA 70s can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix.

Video features

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 Pioneer VSX-LX303 has 7/2 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 6/1 HDMI connectors of the Marantz CINEMA 70s.Pioneer VSX-LX303 connectionsMarantz CINEMA 70s connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. The HDMI eARC is available only on the CINEMA 70s. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. The VSX-LX303 supports the protection of digital content of the standard HDCP 2.2, versus HDCP 2.3 in the CINEMA 70s. These compared receivers have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

The VSX-LX303 supports 3 Multi-room zones, versus 2 for the CINEMA 70s. The VSX-LX303 supports voice control via Google Assistant, and the CINEMA 70s - Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. An ECO mode is only available for the CINEMA 70s. Both VSX-LX303 and CINEMA 70s 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

Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz CINEMA 70s

Model

VSX-LX303
CINEMA 70s

Brand

Pioneer
Marantz

Reviews

208
0

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8, 200/6
50/8, 70/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
5Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

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

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
Audyssey MultEQ XT

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer
Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
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, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

7/2
6/1

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.3

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
0

Component input/output

1/0
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
HDR10+

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/120Hz

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

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

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD
port hole OLED

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
IP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
Marantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App

RS-232

1
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
1/0

DC trigger output (12V)

2
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-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
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

AIFF
AIFF, DSD

Power

Operational power consumption, W

750
250

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.2

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 17.3 x 37/17 x 6.8 x 14.6
44.2 x 38.4 x 17.8/17.4 x 15.1 x 7

Weight, kg/lbs

13.5/29.8
8.7/19.1

Other

Release year

2018
2022
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz CINEMA 70s
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz CINEMA 70s

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.2
  • 8
  • 8.2Pioneer VSX-LX303
  • 8Marantz CINEMA 70s