Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Sony STR-DH770 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 Sony STR-DH770 has 7 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. Denon AVR-X540BT 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 Sony STR-DH770.

Denon AVR-X540BT has bigger power supply.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz	✖
More HDMI Inputs	5	4
More Optical Inputs	2	1
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only with RDS
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	240 W
Longer Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony STR-DH770 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Sony STR-DH770 has more channels, more power per channel, more channel processing, higher signal to noise ratio and higher bluetooth standard. It supports DSD streaming via HDMI. It has bi-amp capability.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
More Channels	5.2	7.2
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
More Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✔ PLIIx
Dolby Digital EX	✖	✔
DTS-ES	✖	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4
Speaker A/B	✖	✔
More GUI Languages	3	4
More Speaker Terminals	5	7
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	7
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	105 W (1% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	105 dB (500 mV)
Newer Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.2

Denon AVR-X540BT and Sony STR-DH770 share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2 (4 in / 1 out)
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Front)
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Zones	1	1
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only with RDS

Denon AVR-X540BT and Sony STR-DH770 share common weaknesses such as no Dolby Atmos support, no DTS:X support, no Auro3D support, no Dolby Vision, no MHL input, no ChromeCast, no DTS Play-Fi, no Amazon Alexa, no SONOS, no ethernet connection, no wi-fi, no phono input, no analog multi-channel input, no analog pre-outs, no Pandora, no Spotify, no Tidal, no Deezer, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
No Dolby Atmos	✖	✖
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
No DTS:X	✖	✖
No DTS Neural:X	✖	✖
No DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
No DSD via USB	✖	✖
No DTS Dialog Control	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
No Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
No Dolby Vision	✖	✖
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No Ethernet	✖	✖
No Wi-Fi	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
No Phono Input	✖	✖
No Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
No Pandora	✖	✖
No Spotify	✖	✖
No Tidal	✖	✖
No Deezer	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Sony STR-DH770 has 7 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Sony STR-DH770 delivers 90 W (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Sony STR-DH770 is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. The receivers support HDR10.

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.

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.

Sony STR-DH770

Sony STR-DH770 can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 (4 in / 1 out) copy protection.

Front panel has USB 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 - Sony STR-DH770.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Brand	Denon	Sony
Model	AVR-X540BT	STR-DH770
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Europe
Release Year	2018	2016

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Channels	5.2	7.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
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	✔ PLIIx
Dolby Digital EX	✖	✔
Surround EX	✖	✖
DTS:X	✖	✖
DTS Neural:X	✖	✖
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
DTS Neo	✔ Neo:6	✔ 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, WAV
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz	✖
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖	✖
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✖
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✖	✖
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ D.C.A.C.

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
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 (YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✖	✖
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad	✔ iPod, iPhone
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 (4 in / 1 out)
HDMI Inputs	5	4
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Front)
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✖
Optical Inputs	2	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Composite Video Outputs	1	1
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
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	USB
Speaker A/B	✖	✔
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Zones	1	1
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	0
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
On-Screen Display	✔	✔ Graphical User Interface (Only through HDMI)
GUI Languages	3	4
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only with RDS
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✖
Tidal	✖	✖
Deezer	✖	✖
Napster	✖	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Speaker Terminals	5	7
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	240 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.3 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Dimensions (W x H x D)	434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm 17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"	430 mm x 156 mm x 329.4 mm 17" x 6-1/4" x 13"
Weight	7.5 kg	7.8 kg (17 lbs. 4 oz.)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Sony STR-DH770
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	105 W (1% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	500 mV/50 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	105 dB (500 mV)
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+0.5 dB, -2 dB
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.2
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	Type A, Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz

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