Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz NR1504 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz NR1504 review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Marantz NR1504

The Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Marantz NR1504 comparison proves that these receivers have many common features.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Pioneer VSX-LX303 has 9.2 versus 5.1 for Marantz NR1504. Regarding power, then VSX-LX303 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 100/8, 200/6 when NR1504 has a power of 50/8, 60/6. 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/24-bit for the NR1504. Only the VSX-LX303 supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Apple Music service is implemented on considered devices: AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The VSX-LX303 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and the NR1504 can receive a content from Pandora, SiriusXM. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. The VSX-LX303 can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the NR1504. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the VSX-LX303.

Extensive connections

The Pioneer VSX-LX303 has 7/2 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 6/1 HDMI connectors of the Marantz NR1504.Pioneer VSX-LX303 connectionsMarantz NR1504 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 VSX-LX303 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. An ECO mode is not present in each of the AV receivers. Both VSX-LX303 and NR1504 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Only the VSX-LX303 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the VSX-LX303.

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General

Item

Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz NR1504

Model

VSX-LX303
NR1504

Brand

Pioneer
Marantz

Reviews

208
106

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8, 200/6
50/8, 60/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

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

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
Audyssey MultEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer
Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

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

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio
Pandora, SiriusXM

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 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
1

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
3

Component input/output

1/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

4K signal pass-through

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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

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

IP 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

FlareConnect
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 Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic

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

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

750
180

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
43.1 x 10.1 x 35.5 /17.3 x 4.1 x 14.8

Weight, kg/lbs

13.5/29.8
8.1/17.3

Other

Release year

2018
2013
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz NR1504
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Marantz NR1504

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.2
  • 5.3
  • 8.2Pioneer VSX-LX303
  • 5.3Marantz NR1504