Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-V485BL review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-V485BL review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Yamaha RX-V485BL

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-V485BL 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 5.1 for Yamaha RX-V485BL. Regarding power, then VSX-LX303 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 100/8, 200/6 when RX-V485BL has a power of 80/6. The THD is 0.08% for the VSX-LX303 but 0.09% for the RX-V485BL.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for VSX-LX303 and Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit for the RX-V485BL. Both the VSX-LX303 and the RX-V485BL 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.

Video features

Both AV receivers support HDR10 technology (High dynamic range). 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. 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 4/1 HDMI connectors of the Yamaha RX-V485BL.Pioneer VSX-LX303 connectionsYamaha RX-V485BL connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. The HDMI eARC is available only on the RX-V485BL. 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.

Additional features

The VSX-LX303 supports 3 Multi-room zones, versus 2 for the RX-V485BL. Supported voice control technologies are identical - Google Assistant. An ECO mode is only available for the RX-V485BL. Both VSX-LX303 and RX-V485BL 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
Yamaha RX-V485BL

Model

VSX-LX303
RX-V485BL

Brand

Pioneer
Yamaha

Reviews

208
331

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8, 200/6
80/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
6

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 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
YPAO

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer
CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

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
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

7/2
4/1

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
2

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

1/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10
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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

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

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant
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, USB

Other additional features

IP Control
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
MusicCast

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

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 23.4 x 32.7/ 17 x 9 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

13.5/29.8
7.8/17.2

Other

Release year

2018
2018
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Yamaha RX-V485BL
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Yamaha RX-V485BL

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.2
  • 6.6
  • 8.2Pioneer VSX-LX303
  • 6.6Yamaha RX-V485BL