Pioneer VSX-S520 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-S520 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 review

Pioneer VSX-S520
vs
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680

It’s strongly recommended to compare different receivers if you want to choose the best one: Pioneer VSX-S520 vs Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 5.1 versus 7.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the VSX-S520 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 50/4, while the AVENTAGE RX-A680 has a power of 115/8, 145/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the VSX-S520 it is 0.09%, but for the AVENTAGE RX-A680 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the VSX-S520 received the model 192 KHz/24-bit, but the AVENTAGE RX-A680 is equipped with Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680. Both Pioneer VSX-S520 and Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

These units have the same Wi-Fi modules. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The contenders have differences in the supported services from Apple - AirPlay versus AirPlay, AirPlay 2 respectively. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Pioneer VSX-S520 works with Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio, but the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the VSX-S520 and the AVENTAGE RX-A680. Each of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Each of the participants of the comparison has a Dolby Vision.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs is the same - 4/1.Pioneer VSX-S520 connectionsYamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the AVENTAGE RX-A680. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The VSX-S520 has support for the standard HDCP 2.2, compared to the AVENTAGE RX-A680, which supports the standard HDCP 2.3. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Pioneer VSX-S520. There is an ECO mode in AVENTAGE RX-A680. The Pioneer VSX-S520 and the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. A DTS:X surround technology is supported by devices from our comparison.

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General

Item

Pioneer VSX-S520
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680

Model

VSX-S520
AVENTAGE RX-A680

Brand

Pioneer
Yamaha

Reviews

77
16

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

50/4
115/8, 145/6

Output impedance, Ohm

4
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-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
CINEMA DSP 3D, 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, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
4/1

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)

1
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
1

Coaxial digital input

1
2

Composite input

0
3

Component input/output

0/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic
USB, 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

Amazon Alexa, 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

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
MusicCast

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS-ES, DTS 96/24
DTS-ES, 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

60
260

Standby consumption, W

0.2
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 7 x 32.5/17x 2.7 x 12.6
43.5 x 16.1 x 33/17 x 6.3 x 13.7

Weight, kg/lbs

4/8.8
8.3/18.3

Other

Release year

2016
2018
Pioneer VSX-S520
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680
Pioneer VSX-S520
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6
  • 7.5
  • 6Pioneer VSX-S520
  • 7.5Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680