Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha R-N303BL review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Overall
Pioneer VSX-LX303
8.2
Yamaha R-N303BL
6
9
7
10
inapplicable
7
inapplicable

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha R-N303BL review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Yamaha R-N303BL

What is better - Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha R-N303BL?

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 9.2 versus 2.0, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the VSX-LX303 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 100/8, 200/6, while the R-N303BL has a power of 125/8. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the VSX-LX303 it is 0.08%, but for the R-N303BL it is 0.09%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the VSX-LX303 received the model AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit, but the R-N303BL is equipped with Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Pioneer VSX-LX303. Both Pioneer VSX-LX303 and Yamaha R-N303BL can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Both devices can work with such Apple Music services: AirPlay. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Pioneer VSX-LX303 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, but the Yamaha R-N303BL works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, Qobuz, JUKE. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode can provide only the VSX-LX303. Video scaling is only possible with the VSX-LX303. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the VSX-LX303. HDMI Audio Return Channel is only available on Pioneer VSX-LX303. HDMI eARC is not supported by the VSX-LX303 and the R-N303BL. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that only the Pioneer VSX-LX303 has HDMI CEC. Like most receivers, our models have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. There is an ECO mode in R-N303BL. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the VSX-LX303. Only in the VSX-LX303 realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Pioneer VSX-LX303
Yamaha R-N303BL

Model

VSX-LX303
R-N303BL

Brand

Pioneer
Yamaha

Reviews

208
257

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
2.0

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8, 200/6
125/8

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.09

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

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

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer
has not

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
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
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, Qobuz, JUKE

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

7/2
0/0

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
0

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
phones

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
has not

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, 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

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
has not

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

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

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

750
260

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.1

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
43.5 x 14.1 x 34/17.1 x 5.5 x 13.3

Weight, kg/lbs

13.5/29.8
7.2/15.9

Other

Release year

2018
2017
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Yamaha R-N303BL
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Yamaha R-N303BL

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.2
  • 6
  • 8.2Pioneer VSX-LX303
  • 6Yamaha R-N303BL