Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 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 Slimline RX-S602 has 5 channel amplifiers with Denon AVR-X540BT's being more powerful.

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

We have evaluated both receivers. Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 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 Slimline RX-S602.

Denon AVR-X540BT has more channels, more power per channel and bigger power supply.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
More Channels	5.2	5.1
Dialog Normalization	✔	✖
More HDMI Inputs	5	4
More Optical Inputs	2	1
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	190 W
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	55 W (Front, 0.09% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	80 W (0.9% THD)
Higher FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB	Mono/Stereo: 65 dB/64 dB

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 has more zones, higher signal to noise ratio and higher bluetooth standard. It supports DSD streaming via HDMI and USB, gapless playback, Amazon Alexa, internet radio, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Napster. It has bi-amp capability. In video department only Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 supports HDCP 2.3 copy protection, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
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/32 Bit
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
Dialog Level Adjustment	✖	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
HLG	✖	✔
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay 2 via firmware update
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔ via future firmware update
Newer HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4 (1 front)
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
More Composite Video Inputs	2	3
Front A/V Inputs	USB	USB, mini-jack Audio
More Zones	1	2
Internet Radio	✖	✔
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✔
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	108 dB
Newer Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR	4.2
Lower FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%	Mono/Stereo: 0.5%/0.6%

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC (compatible with SCMS-T.)
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	USB memory, Portable Audio Player
Composite Video Inputs	2	3
Zones	1	2
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 share common weaknesses such as no Dolby Atmos support, no DTS:X support, no Auro3D support, 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 and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
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 Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
No Phono Input	✖	✖
No Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.1
No Pandora	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 has 5 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 delivers 55 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 can do 4K upscaling up to 60p. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 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.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 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 Slimline RX-S602

Yamaha Slimline RX-S602 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 2 via firmware update. It has 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.3 copy protection.

Front panel has USB and mini-jack Audio 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 Slimline RX-S602.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Brand	Denon	Yamaha
Model	AVR-X540BT	RX-S602
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Australia
Release Year	2018	2018

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Channels	5.2	5.1
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
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	✖	✖
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	✖	✖
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/32 Bit
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 enhancer 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 Slimline RX-S602
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ YPAO sound optimization

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
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 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay 2 via firmware update
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	✖	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC (compatible with SCMS-T.)
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔ via future firmware update
HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
HDMI Inputs	5	4
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	USB memory, Portable Audio Player
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✖
Optical Inputs	2	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	3
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	0.1
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB	USB, mini-jack Audio
Speaker A/B	✖	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Zones	1	2
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	✖
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
On-Screen Display	✔	✔ color OSD
Remote Controller	RC-1216	✔
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM only
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✖	✔
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✔
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Speaker Terminals	5	5
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 240 V, 50 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	190 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.1 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
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 111 mm x 328 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 186 mm x 328 mm) 17-1/8" x 4-3/8" x 12-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 7-4/8" x 12-7/8")
Weight	7.5 kg	7.8 kg (17.2 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha Slimline RX-S602
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	55 W (Front, 0.09% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	80 W (0.9% 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	108 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	4.2
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
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%

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