Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 has 9 channel amplifiers with Denon AVR-X540BT's being less powerful.

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

We have evaluated both receivers. Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX701.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✖
More Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 has more channels, more power per channel, more channel processing, more zones, higher signal to noise ratio and higher bluetooth standard. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DSD streaming via HDMI and USB, gapless playback, SONOS, internet radio, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal and Deezer. It has bi-amp capability, phono input and analog pre-outs. In video department only Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 supports Dolby Vision.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
More Channels	5.2	9.2
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
More Channel Processing	5.1	11.2
Dolby Atmos	✖	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✔
DTS:X	✖	✔
DTS Neural:X	✖	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖	✔ up to 192 kHz/24 bit
Gapless Playback	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✔ 2-ch Input
Jitter Reduction	✖	✔ PQLS & PQFA
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✔ via Dialog Enhancement
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
FireConnect	✖	✔
FlareConnect	✖	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✔
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✔
Works with SONOS	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
More HDMI Inputs	5	8 (1 front)
More HDMI Outputs	1	2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	6
Phono Input	✖	✔
More Optical Inputs	2	3
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
More Component Video Inputs	✖	2
More Component Video Outputs	✖	1
More Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	11.2
Front A/V Inputs	USB	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B	✖	✔
More Zones	1	3
RS-232 Interface	✖	✔
+12V Trigger Output	✖	2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	2 / 1
Internet Radio	✖	✔ TuneIn
Pandora	✖	✔
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
More Speaker Terminals	5	11
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	11
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	175 W (1.0% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	107 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 Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 Front
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Zones	1	3
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM with RDS

Denon AVR-X540BT and Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 share common weaknesses such as no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no Amazon Alexa, no analog multi-channel input, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
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 MHL Input	✖	✖
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 has 9 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 delivers 135 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) but only Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 has stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 can do 4K upscaling up to 60p. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 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

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

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

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

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.

Class D³ Amplifier

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 amplifier has Class D³ design. Such amplifiers contain advanced integrated circuitry technology creating unmatched power without sacrificing sound quality or performance. Class D³ amplifiers use a Direct Signal Path Design to provide the shortest audio signal path possible. By eliminating EMI filters, feedback loops, and current limiters of previous designs, Class D³ reduces ringing distortion and noise, especially in the high frequency audio band.

The power consumption of the Digital Class D³ Amplifier is significantly lower than traditional A/B amplifiers - letting you save energy and generate less heat without compromising performance. The Digital Class D³ Amplifier uses a simple structure employing a straight signal path, resulting in improved sound quality requiring less energy than competitive models yet producing more simultaneous power output. This direct signal path means no EMI filters, feedback loops or current limiting - a true engineering art. Unlike traditional designs, these amps deliver the strength to handle multiple low-impedance speakers without dramatic power loss. The efficiency of Class D³ means cooler operation while drawing just a fraction of the power consumed by conventional amplifiers, enhancing and extending component life and reliability.

Advanced Sound Retriever

Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

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.

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701

Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 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 works with SONOS and supports AirPlay. It has 8 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver. There are 11.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.

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 - Pioneer Elite SC-LX701.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Brand	Denon	Pioneer
Model	AVR-X540BT	SC-LX701
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Australia
Release Year	2018	2017

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Channels	5.2	9.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1	11.2
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	✖	✖
Surround 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	✖	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
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	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖	✔ up to 192 kHz/24 bit
Gapless Playback	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖	✔ PQLS & PQFA
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✔ via Dialog Enhancement
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔	✔ Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ MCACC Pro

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
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 (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
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	✔ Made for iPhone, iPod and iPad (Airplay only)
Remote App	✔ Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle	✔ iControlAV5 (for iOS and Android)
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
HDMI Inputs	5	8 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	1	2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	6
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✔
Optical Inputs	2	3
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖	2
Component Video Outputs	✖	1
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	11.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B	✖	✔
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Zones	1	3
RS-232 Interface	✖	✔
+12V Trigger Output	✖	2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	2 / 1

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
On-Screen Display	✔	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✔

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
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	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Front Panel	Not Metal	Brushed
Speaker Terminals	5	11
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	11
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Power Consumption	310 W	310 W
No Sound Power	ECO On/Off: 26 W/35 W	90 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.2 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Auto Power off	✔	✔
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 185 mm x 441 mm 17-1/8" x 7-5/16" x 17-1/3"
Weight	7.5 kg	15.3 kg (33.7 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	3 Years Parts & Labor

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	175 W (1.0% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/82 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	107 dB
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.1 + LE
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	USB2.0 (Type 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