Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 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 Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 has 5 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. Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 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 Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.

Denon AVR-X540BT has more channels and bigger power supply. In video department only Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
More Channels	5.2	5.1
Dialog Normalization	✔	✖
HDR10	✔	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✖
More Optical Inputs	2	1
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	260 W
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	140 W (10% THD)	135 W (10% THD)
Higher FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB	Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/64 dB
Wider AM Frequency Range	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	531 MHz - 1611 MHz

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 has more power per channel and higher signal to noise ratio. It supports DSD streaming via HDMI and USB, gapless playback, Amazon Alexa, internet radio and Spotify.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
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
Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Gapless Playback	✖	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✖	✔ 2-ch Input
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 1080p
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔ on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo, Dot, Tap and Show)
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔ with Wireless Direct
More HDMI Inputs	5	6
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4 (1 AUX Jack in the front)
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
More Composite Video Inputs	2	4
More Component Video Inputs	✖	2
More Component Video Outputs	✖	1
Front A/V Inputs	USB	USB, mini-jack
Internet Radio	✖	✔ vTuner
Spotify	✖	✔
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	80 W (0.09% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	110 dB
Lower FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 share common strengths such as bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p 4:2:0
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	iPod® / iPhone®, USB memory, portable audio player
Composite Video Inputs	2	4
Zones	1	1
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 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 SONOS, no phono input, no analog multi-channel input, no analog pre-outs, no Pandora, no Tidal, no Deezer, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Few Channel Processing	5.1	5.1
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 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	✖	✔ up to 1080p
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
No Phono Input	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.1
No Pandora	✖	✖
No Tidal	✖	✖
No Deezer	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖
Old Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	2.1 + EDR

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 has 5 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 can do 1080p upscaling. Denon AVR-X540BT supports 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.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 features Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) which automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.

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.

Yamaha Aventage RX-A550

Yamaha Aventage RX-A550 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 Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay. It has 6 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB and mini-jack 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 - Yamaha Aventage RX-A550.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Brand	Denon	Yamaha
Model	AVR-X540BT	RX-A550
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Korea
Release Year	2018	2015

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Channels	5.2	5.1
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✖

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖	✖
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✔ PLII
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, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 96 kHz	✔ up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
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	✖	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✖	✖
Dialog Level Adjustment	✖	✖
Dialog Normalization	✔	✖
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔	✔ including for Bluetooth®
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ YPAO sound optimization

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
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 4:2:0
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 1080p
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✖
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔ on MusicCast (Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo, Dot, Tap and Show)
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	✔ (iPhone® / iPad® / Android™ phone / tablet)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✖	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✖	✔ with Wireless Direct
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✖
HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
HDMI Inputs	5	6
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	iPod® / iPhone®, USB memory, portable audio player
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4 (1 AUX Jack in the front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✖
Optical Inputs	2	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	4
Composite Video Outputs	1	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	0.1
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	USB, mini-jack
Speaker A/B	✖	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Zones	1	1
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	✖
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
On-Screen Display	✔	✔ color OSD
Remote Controller	RC-1216	✔
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✖	✔ vTuner
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✖
Deezer	✖	✖
Napster	✖	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Speaker Terminals	5	5
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 220 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	260 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.1 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
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 161 mm x 327 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 221 mm x 327 mm) 17-1/8" x 6-3/8" x 12-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 8-3/4" x 12-7/8")
Weight	7.5 kg	8.1 kg (17.9 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	3 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Aventage RX-A550
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	80 W (0.09% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	140 W (10% THD)	135 W (10% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/47 kΩ (1 kHz, 100 W/6 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	110 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	+0/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz)
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	2.1 + EDR
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	USB2.0 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz	87.50 MHz - 108.00 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)	Mono: 3 µV (20.8 dBf)
FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB	Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/64 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%
AM Frequency	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	531 MHz - 1611 MHz

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