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Comparison Marantz SR-5014 vs Pioneer VSX-922-K

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Marantz SR-5014
Pioneer VSX-922-K
Marantz SR-5014Pioneer VSX-922-K
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Device typeAV ReceiverAV Receiver
CPU
DAC frequency192 kHz
Audio DAC24 bit
Auto sound calibration
Auto level
Surround sound in headphones
Ultra HD4K
UpscalingUltra HD (4K)
3D
Multi Zone
Tech specs
Number of channels7.27.2
Power per channel140 W160 W
Signal to noise ratio100 dB
Acceptable acoustic impedance8 Ohm6 Ohm
Frequency range20 – 20000 Hz5 – 100000 Hz
Bi/Tri-amping
Media player and tuner
Tuner and playback
 
 
network streaming audio
internet radio
AM/FM radio
USB drive
 
internet radio
Playable formatsMP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, DSDMP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, FLAC
Communications (interface)
Interfaces
AirPlay 2
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
LAN
RS-232
 
Remote control negotiation
Amazon Alexa / Google Assistant
AirPlay
 
 
LAN
 
DLNA
 
 
Decoder support
Decoders
Dolby Atmos
 
 
Dolby TrueHD
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DTS-HD Master Audio
 
 
DTS Neural:X
 
DTS X
 
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby Pro Logic IIx
Dolby Pro Logic IIz
Dolby Digital EX
DTS
DTS Express
DTS 96/24
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS ES Matrix 6.1
DTS ES Discrete 6.1
 
DTS Neo:6
 
Inputs
RCA4 pairs4 pairs
Coaxial S/P-DIF2 шт1 шт
Optical2 шт1 шт
HDMI7 шт6 шт
HDMI versionv 2.1
Composite2 шт4 шт
Component2 шт1 шт
Phono
Control input (IR)
Outputs
RCA1 pairs
HDMI2 шт1 шт
Composite1 шт1 шт
Component1 шт
On headphones6.35 mm (Jack)
Preamplifier (Pre-Amp)
Control output (IR)
Front panel
Headphone output
USB port
HDMI input
Composite
General
Power consumption650 W550 W
Standby consumption0.2 W
Learning remote control
Dimensions (WxDxH)439x348x160 mm435x363x168 mm
Weight10 kg9.8 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogaugust 2019december 2013

DAC frequency

A digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) is an indispensable element of any system designed to reproduce digital sound. The DAC is an electronic module that translates sound information into pulses that are sent to the speakers. The technical features of such a conversion are such that the higher the sampling frequency, the better the signal at the output of the DAC, the less it is distorted during conversion. The most popular option in receivers today is 192 kHz — it corresponds to a very high sound quality (DVD-Audio) and at the same time avoids unnecessary increase in the cost of devices.

Audio DAC

Another indicator that determines the overall quality of the digital-to-analogue audio converter. For details on the converter, see "Audio DAC Sampling Rate"; here we note that the bit depth is standardly expressed in bits, and the higher it is, the more accurately the signal at the output of the DAC corresponds to the original signal and the less distortion is introduced into it. Today, it is believed that a 16-bit indicator provides quite acceptable signal quality, and 24-bit DACs are suitable even for premium-level equipment.

Surround sound in headphones

Possibility to simulate multi-channel (for example, 5.1) sound in traditional two-channel headphones. For this, a Dolby Headphone decoder is usually used, which processes the sound in such a way that the sound heard in the headphones is perceived as multi-channel — in particular, the intended position of its sources can be determined much more accurately. And considering that modern Hi-Fi class headphones are not inferior in sound quality to acoustics (and are significantly cheaper), this feature may well come in handy even for demanding audiophiles.

Ultra HD

The ability of the receiver to work with a video signal of ultra-high definition - Ultra HD. Various versions are available. The most popular are 4K and 8K. The resolution of such video is 4 and 8 times higher than that of Full HD, respectively, which allows you to achieve even greater image clarity and degree of detail (compared to FullHD). However, you will also need a 4K or 8K TV/projector to view it. And the cost of such systems (in particular 8K) can be expensive.

Upscaling

The ability to increase the resolution of the video signal processed by the receiver - if the original video resolution is lower. Depending on the capabilities of the receiver, in particular its HDMI ports, upscaling to Ultra HD 4K and upscaling to Ultra HD 8K may occur.

The principle of upscaling is that a relatively low-resolution video is supplemented with the required number of pixels using special algorithms. Due to this, when playing such a video, the quality of the “picture” is noticeably higher than without upscaling (although somewhat lower than that of content originally recorded in UltraHD). It makes sense to specifically look for a receiver with this function if you plan to use it with a 4K or 8K screen.

Power per channel

the maximum sound power that can be delivered by the power amplifier (if the receiver has one, see "Type") per speaker channel. It is worth noting here that in this case it is customary to indicate the so-called RMS (Rated Maximum Sinusoidal), or rated power. Rated is considered the highest power that the amplifier is guaranteed to be able to produce without interruption for an hour without any failures or breakdowns. Short-term jumps in the signal level can significantly exceed this value, but the main indicator is still the rated power.

The power of the amplifier largely determines the sound volume of the speaker system connected to the device. In fact, the loudness also depends on the characteristics of the speakers — sensitivity, impedance, etc.; however, other things being equal, the same acoustics on a more powerful amplifier will sound louder. In addition, this parameter also affects the compatibility of the speakers and the amplifier — it is believed that the difference in the nominal powers of these components should not exceed 10-15% (and ideally, the powers should generally match). And since different rooms require speakers of different power, this also affects the choice of amplifier for a particular environment; specific recommendations on the ratio of room characteristics and acoustic power can be found in special sources.

Also note that if the amplifier can operate with a load of different resistance (see..."Permissible acoustic impedance"), then for different options the power per channel will be different — the lower the resistance, the higher the power. In the characteristics, in this case, the maximum value of this parameter is usually indicated — that is, the power at the minimum allowable resistance.

Signal to noise ratio

This indicator determines the amount of extraneous noise that accompanies the sound output by the receiver's amplifier. It is convenient because it takes into account almost all possible significant noise — both created by the device itself and due to external causes. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the lower the noise volume compared to the main signal, the cleaner the amplifier will sound. A reading of 70-80 dB is considered normal for most consumer electronics, but in AV receivers, which are usually premium devices, this can only be called satisfactory. In the most advanced models, this figure can significantly exceed 100 dB.

Acceptable acoustic impedance

The lowest impedance of the loudspeakers of the speaker system, with which the amplifier is able to work normally. The nominal impedance of the speakers, also referred to as the term "impedance", is one of the key parameters in the selection of audio system components: for normal operation, it is necessary that the speaker impedance match the characteristics of the amplifier. If the speaker impedance is greater, the sound volume will decrease significantly, if it is less, distortion will appear in it, and in the worst case, even overloads and breakdowns are possible. Therefore, in the characteristics of receivers, it is usually the minimum resistance that is indicated — after all, connecting a load of too low impedance is fraught with more serious consequences than too high.

Frequency range

The range of sound frequencies that the receiver is capable of outputting (this parameter can also be specified for models without their own amplifier, see “Number of channels” for more details). The completeness of the transmitted sound depends on this parameter; of course, the sound quality in general is highly dependent on a number of other factors (for example, frequency response), but the wider the frequency range, the less risk that the amplifier will completely “cut off” some part of the sound. On the other hand, it should be taken into account here that the normal hearing range of the human ear is approximately 16 – 20,000 Hz, and deviations from these limits are rather small. And although many modern receivers provide a much wider frequency range, however, this is more of a marketing ploy than a really significant indicator (or some kind of "side defect" in the design of a high-quality amplifier).

It is also worth considering that in order to reproduce the full frequency of the amplifier, you will need speakers with the appropriate characteristics.
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