Denon vs. Yamaha AV Receivers
If you are looking to make a new addition to your sound set-up, you should look into either Denon or Yamaha AV receivers. Both have great features and will complement your different needs.
Denon and Yamaha AV receivers have some significant differences. Denon receivers are less expensive, more user-friendly, and maintain more channels. Yamaha AV receivers are more expensive, maintain more inputs, and tend to be more reliable.
Both of these brands have many pros and cons, and both are reputable companies. We’ve outlined the best parts of both below.
Check out my top recommendations for AV Receivers. You shouldn’t skip this if you’re thinking of getting one.
What Is an AV Receiver?
An AV receiver is the center of a home theater system. It’s designed to take input from various connections and output this data through other systems. The AV receiver is the most critical piece of your home theater.
To function correctly, it needs to support your devices and work together with them. They are designed to be compatible with many different devices from many other years and systems.
AV receivers need to:
- Handle many channels
- Have a large number of ports
- Be user-friendly
All of these things make for a great receiver. It helps to look into the reviews and pictures to see if the receiver meets your needs. You should also check the specifications and make sure they will work with all of your devices.
Handling many channels is key to showing media at a steady pace. A large number of ports means that the receiver can be connected to a large number of devices.
However, the most important part though is how user-friendly your receiver is. You have to know how to use it and make simple fixes. If you do not understand how to change different settings, you could be in a sticky situation.
Both Denon and Yamaha are user-friendly and have great support networks to cover any questions or issues you could run into. They are two stellar brands that have continued to set the bar for AV receivers.
Denon vs. Yamaha AV Receivers Compared
Both of these AV receivers have their good points and their bad points. Either of them will make an excellent addition to your setup.
Still, they do have some significant similarities that mean your choice should come down to the specific differences. It helps to first evaluate exactly what you’re going to use your home theater for.
Daily use of a home theater differs from infrequent use as gaming is different from watching movies. All of these require additional capabilities from the devices.
Keep in mind, you might also need to purchase adapter cables. This is essential if you have older devices that need to work with modern components. These cables and adapters should be available on Amazon, Best Buy, and through basically every tech retailer.
Both have a wide application with a wide variety of devices and sound systems. That means you can hook them up to any sound system you need and make sure they work. They will prevent you from having to change your whole setup to accommodate one device.
They also have a wide range of prices and types. This range makes sure you can find a device that will fit whatever need you have. If you’re looking for a great deal, they also offer older models from previous years at a steeply discounted price.
They also are available in a lot of different stores and online shops. You can get the devices you need from anywhere in the world. They should also have a few other options for shipping so they can get to you as soon as possible.
Denon Receivers
Denon receivers come in all kinds of different varieties. There are inexpensive previous year models that work just as well as the modern versions. They also have expensive and this year releases that are different and designed for the most modern devices.
Denon even offers unique, limited edition receivers! These have different colors and features that are unique to these releases.
They also have a team of mechanics who can install the receivers for you and ensure they’re all fully hooked up. They also have an entire support system to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
These receivers are great for beginners and come with an easy-to-understand guide. These guides walk you through all the different features of your new AV receiver and answer any questions you have.
This level of care and consideration goes into every one of their devices. Their models have different pros and cons, so you should look at them closely to pick the correct receiver for you.
AVR-X8500HA
The Denon AVR-X8500HA (available on Amazon) is Denon’s top-of-the-line and the most modern and new receiver for 2021. It has all the latest features and covers a lot of other issues that previous models had. It’s also their most expensive receiver.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Updated |
Expensive |
|
Voice control | |
|
Glitch fixes | |
|
User friendly |
This model is a new release and one of the most expensive options from Denon. It has voice control and also boasts a bunch of other glitch fixes from previous models.
It’s very pricey, but the value is there, thus justifying the price tag. At over $1000 more expensive than the next more expensive receiver, this device is top of the line and has unique features that differentiate it from other receivers Denon manufactures.
It has gold-plated RCA terminals, dynamic volume control, power amplifiers, and a clock jitter reducer. These features are broad improvements to previous releases. The AVR-X8500HA is a workhorse of a receiver and can handle anything you throw at it.
However, like other 8k receivers, there have been issues with performance and malfunctioning. When these receivers are used with gaming and other high-speed audio programs, they stall out and refuse to function.
AVR-S540BT
The Denon AVR-S540BT (available on Amazon.com) is an older model and the least expensive option available on their website. It’s a reliable model made in 2018, and has many modern features that make it useful in any sound setup. However, there are some significant cons you should consider.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Inexpensive |
Older device |
|
Work with older devices |
No frills |
|
Supported | |
|
Easy to use |
An older device is an excellent option if you’re looking to save money or if you have an older set-up. Indeed, they can be just as reliable as modern devices.
However, an older device might not be able to keep up with the newest tech developments. There could be issues with updating and replacing the rest of your setup.
The low cost of this model should help offset the price you’ll spend to update your sound system and visual displays. It’s a great bargain.
This receiver is a multichannel stereo with 5.1 maximum processing channels. It has a discrete power amplifier and a compressed audio restorer. These features will give the user a brilliant audiovisual experience.
It isn’t a flashy and extravagant receiver, but it’s easy to use and effective with sound production. This AV receiver is also compatible with just about every device you hook up to it.
Yamaha Receivers
Yamaha receivers are a great option if you want a more comprehensive range of receivers to fit any need. They have a wide variety and a brand reputation that has been well-earned, plus, they support many new technologies.
Yamaha has two families of receivers that you can choose between: Aventage and RX-V. Both have different uses and abilities that complement and counter each other. They have different price points and many similarities.
Both families support music streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Tidal, and many others. You can control the music and sound system from an app on your phone.
Their receivers also come with an automatic sound editing program to balance effects with music and dialogue. This will bring your audiovisual experience to the next level and make the experience unforgettable.
The high price tag means you are paying for the quality and support that Yamaha can provide. Yamaha has been on the cutting edge of home sound design for years for a reason. These two receiver families are proof.
They work well and compliment each other.
One drawback to these receivers is that they tend to run more expensively than other AV receivers. They’re also updated more frequently, so a device could quickly become outpaced by other electronics you want to connect.
A common glitch reported by gamers best illustrates this issue. Sometimes, these 8k receivers can have problems displaying and working with the programs being run, and unfortunately, it’s unable to be fixed.
This kind of issue seems to be a release-wide problem, so if you want to use your receiver for gaming, you should probably hold off on using an 8k receiver.
Aventage Receivers
Aventage was the first family of receivers that Yamaha created. This is their standard line and most diverse family. They’re equipped with several modern improvements and are the most up-to-date receivers Yamaha has.
Aventage receivers come equipped with Alexa and Google Home compatibility and other innovative technology that will elevate your listening experience. They also support gaming software in a way that Denon is unable to do.
The Aventage line is a consistent and compatible line that is the standard in sound systems. It works with just about every other device on the market. It’s worth every dollar and is an excellent deal for a lower price.
If you are looking for a family AV receiver, this may not be the choice for you. The Aventage family is a much more complex set-up that might not be user-friendly to people who don’t have experience using them.
These also tend to have more ports than the RX-V family. This means that they can transmit and connect to even more devices. More ports are an excellent thing for the home theater because you can connect as many devices to your receiver as you need.
RX-V Receivers
RX-V was designed by looking at the feedback and deficiencies of the Aventage line. RV-X offers an alternative to Aventage that is less expensive and compliments the Aventage line can’t provide.
While they don’t have the same unique features (such as Alexa and Google Home compatibility), they still have the high quality you’d expect from a brand like Yamaha. They’re sturdy, so they won’t break down quickly or get damaged easily.
They support most music streaming apps. You can control them from your phone and anywhere in your house. They also connect to the same app the Aventage receivers work with so that you can link sound devices together.
What makes them different is that they’re less expensive and also meet industry standards. You don’t need to sacrifice quality for a cheaper price tag. They make an affordable option in a price-charged industry and will give you value for every dollar.
However, Yamaha can also reflect this price cut in the features. For instance, the Yamaha RX-V line is less diverse in features and utility. It can be limiting in many ways, but you’re also getting a great device. The compatibility can’t be understated.
While it isn’t nearly as flashy, it’s a solid receiver and is excellent for someone who isn’t looking to go overboard with a massive sound system. They’re perfect for beginners and won’t overwhelm a user.
This is ideal for personal entertainment needs that aren’t going to be used consistently on high levels. They will work for gamers and work with a wide variety of devices too. You can’t go wrong with the RV-X family of AV receivers.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to AV receivers, Yamaha is best for someone looking for utility, consistency, and support, but not for gamers. Denon is best for users who want to get the best sound quality, more channels, and an easy-to-understand system.
But in the end, both of these brands are great to work with. They will make a great addition to your sound system and home theater, no matter which one you choose.
