Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Onkyo TX-NR575E to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. The Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and the Onkyo TX-NR575E has 7 channel amplifiers.

Let us have a look at some highlights of the models.

We have evaluated both receivers. Onkyo TX-NR575E gets higher overall score in our ranking system which is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K passthrough, upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Denon AVR-X540BT over Onkyo TX-NR575E.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✖
More Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	Mini-Jack
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Longer Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR575E over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Onkyo TX-NR575E has more channels, more channel processing, more zones, bigger power supply, higher signal to noise ratio and higher bluetooth standard. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DSD streaming via HDMI and USB, gapless playback, internet radio, Spotify, Tidal and Deezer. It has bi-amp capability, DTS Dialog Control and phono input. In video department only Onkyo TX-NR575E supports Dolby Vision.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
More Channels	5.2	7.2
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
More Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
Dolby Atmos	✖	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✔
DTS:X	✖	✔
DTS Neural:X	✖	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
Gapless Playback	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✔ 2-ch Input
Jitter Reduction	✖	✔ PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for S/PDIF Audio
DTS Dialog Control	✖	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
FlareConnect	✖	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✔
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
More HDMI Inputs	5	6
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	7 (1 Front)
Phono Input	✖	✔
More Component Video Inputs	✖	2
More Zones	1	2
More GUI Languages	3	9
Internet Radio	✖	✔ TuneIn
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
More Speaker Terminals	5	9
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	9
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	480 W
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	130 W (1% THD)	135 W (1% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	106 dB
Newer Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.1 + LE
Wider AM Frequency Range	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	522/530 kHz - 1611/1710 kHz

Denon AVR-X540BT and Onkyo TX-NR575E share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4)
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2 (5 in / 1 out)
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Rear)
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Zones	1	2
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM with RDS

Denon AVR-X540BT and Onkyo TX-NR575E share common weaknesses such as no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no Amazon Alexa, no SONOS, no analog multi-channel input, no analog pre-outs, no Pandora, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
No DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
No Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
No Pandora	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Onkyo TX-NR575E has 7 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Onkyo TX-NR575E delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) but only Onkyo TX-NR575E has stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Onkyo TX-NR575E is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Onkyo TX-NR575E supports HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Onkyo TX-NR575E supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Onkyo TX-NR575E supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is an upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Dynamic Audio Amplification

Onkyo TX-NR575E features Dynamic Audio Amplification which is Onkyo’s amplification philosophy that focuses on capturing the energy and dynamism contained in the audio signal and reproducing it without loss. Audio signals are not static like a test tone, but rather a countless collection of constantly moving waves. While static measurements such as S/N ratio and Total Harmonic Distortion are important, Onkyo believes that excellent dynamic and transient response is the key to emotionally involving sound. Dynamism - the “life” in music - is achieved when the amp can respond to changes in the signal instantaneously, so notes start and stop naturally and the nuances in attack, decay, sustain, and release are voiced with conviction. Onkyo home theater receivers represent the culmination of almost 70 years’ experience in amplifier design. The unique elements of their amplification system comprise high-current, low-impedance architecture to accurately control large speaker cones while enabling instantaneous response to dynamic changes, and discrete wide-range amplifier circuit topology to eliminate phase shift for clear and accurate audio imaging.

Advanced Music Optimizer

Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR575E is done by Onkyo’s Advanced Music Optimizer. While MP3 or AAC files may sound fine through the headphones of your portable digital player, the limitations of these files can be exposed when played back through a quality home entertainment system. This is because a significant amount of high-frequency bit information is lost during the file-compression process. To counter this, Onkyo has designed the Advanced Music Optimizer to compensate for lost bit information and improve the quality of compressed audio signals. This results in a clearer and more expansive sound. Also included in this technology is a loudness correction feature that further improves the audio character of compressed files.

Phase-Matching Bass Boost

Onkyo TX-NR575E features Phase-Matching Bass Boost. The negative effects of phase-shift or the timing difference between sound waves of different frequencies can sometimes be heard in audio players when corners are cut in order to increase bass response. While most audio systems have some form of low-frequency enhancement system, often a bigger bass sound comes at the expense of mid-range clarity, and results in a smeared or muddy sound. Onkyo’s Phase-Matching Bass Boost technology avoids this problem by improving the phase timing to preserve the natural clarity of the mid-range allowing vocals and strings to shine while maintaining a smooth, powerful bass response at all volume levels.

Connectivity

Denon AVR-X540BT

Denon AVR-X540BT can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 5 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB input.

Onkyo TX-NR575E

Onkyo TX-NR575E can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver supports AirPlay. It has 6 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 (5 in / 1 out) copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver.

Front panel has Mini-Jack input.

And in the end let us list the detailed specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

Note: The following table shows only those details which are applicable for both models and excludes the ones that are applicable for only one model. If you want to see a full list of specs for each model please visit their individual pages here - Denon AVR-X540BT and here - Onkyo TX-NR575E.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Brand	Denon	Onkyo
Model	AVR-X540BT	TX-NR575E
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Europe
Release Year	2018	2017

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Channels	5.2	7.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖	✔
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✔
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
Dolby Digital EX	✖	✖
DTS:X	✖	✔
DTS Neural:X	✖	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✖
DTS-HD Master Audio	✔	✔
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio	✔	✔
DTS 96/24	✔	✔
DTS Express	✔	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔
IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
PCM	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖	✖
Gapless Playback	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖	✔ PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for S/PDIF Audio
DTS Dialogue Control	✖	✔
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✖
Dialog Normalization	✔	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔	✔ Advanced Music Optimizer (bluetooth included)
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ AccuEQ with AccuReflex™

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
HDR10	✔	✔
HDR10+	✖	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖	✖
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖	✖
3-D Ready	✔	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✔
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✔
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	✔ Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle	Onkyo Remote App for iPod touch/iPhone and Android-Powered Devices
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✖	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✖
HDCP Version	2.2	2.2 (5 in / 1 out)
HDMI Inputs	5	6
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Rear)
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	7 (1 Front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✔
Optical Inputs	2	2
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖	2
Component Video Outputs	✖	✖
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	Mini-Jack
Speaker A/B	✖	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Zones	1	2
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	0
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
On-Screen Display	✔	✔ Graphical Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI with Quick Set-Up
GUI Languages	3	9
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM with RDS
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✖	✔ TuneIn
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Speaker Terminals	5	9
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	480 W
No Sound Power	ECO On/Off: 26 W/35 W	45 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.15 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function	✔	✔
Dimensions (W x H x D)	434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm 17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"	435 mm x 173.5 mm x 378 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 14-7/8"
Weight	7.5 kg	9.4 kg (20.7 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Onkyo TX-NR575E
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	130 W (1% THD)	135 W (1% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/47 kΩ (1 kHz, 100 W/8 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	106 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct)
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.1 + LE
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
AM Frequency	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	522/530 kHz - 1611/1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted