Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Yamaha RX-V4A 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. Both receivers have 5 channel amplifiers.

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

We have evaluated both receivers. Yamaha RX-V4A 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 RX-V4A.

Denon AVR-X540BT has bigger power supply.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
DTS Express	✔	✖
Dialog Normalization	✔	✖
More HDMI Inputs	5	4
More Optical Inputs	2	1
More Composite Video Inputs	2	✖
More Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	310 W	260 W
Longer Warranty	3 Years	2 Years
Wider AM Frequency Range	522 kHz - 1611 kHz	531 kHz - 1611 kHz

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-V4A over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Yamaha RX-V4A has 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 RX-V4A supports HDCP 2.3 copy protection, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC	MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 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	✖	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔
HDR10+	✖	✔ via firmware update
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
HLG	✖	✔
QMS	✖	✔ via firmware update
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✔ via firmware update
VRR	✖	✔ via firmware update
QFT	✖	✔ via firmware update
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay 2
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔
Newer HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
Internet Radio	✖	✔
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✔
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	140 W (10% THD)	145 W (10% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	110 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 RX-V4A share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
HDR10	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	USB memory, Portable Audio Player
Zones	1	1
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha RX-V4A 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 RX-V4A
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 Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
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
Few Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
No Phono Input	✖	✖
No Component Video Inputs	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
No Pandora	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha RX-V4A have 5 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Yamaha RX-V4A delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Yamaha RX-V4A is no exception.

Video Features

Denon AVR-X540BT supports 4K passthrough up to 60p and Yamaha RX-V4A supports 8K passthrough up to 60p. Yamaha RX-V4A can do 4K upscaling up to 60p. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Yamaha RX-V4A supports HDR10, 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 and HDR10+

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are both updates 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 support up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha RX-V4A 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 RX-V4A

Yamaha RX-V4A 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. It has 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.3 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 - Yamaha RX-V4A.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Brand	Denon	Yamaha
Model	AVR-X540BT	RX-V4A
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	Korea
Release Year	2018	2020

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Channels	5.2	5.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
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, MPEG-4 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	✔	✔
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖	✖

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ YPAO sound optimization

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
HDR10	✔	✔
HDR10+	✖	✔ via firmware update
Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖	✔
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖	✔ via firmware update
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖	✔ via firmware update
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖	✔ via firmware update
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖	✔ via firmware update
3-D Ready	✔	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✖
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
MHL Input	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay 2
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
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔
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	3
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✖	✖
Optical Inputs	2	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	✖
Composite Video Outputs	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	Yamaha RX-V4A
Zones	1	1
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	✖
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	0 / 0

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
On-Screen Display	✔	Graphical User Interface
Remote Controller	RC-1216	✔
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✖	✔
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✔
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Speaker Terminals	5	5
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	5
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
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 RX-V4A
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 171 mm x 377 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 245 mm x 377 mm) 17-1/8" x 6-3/4" x 14-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 9-5/8" x 14-7/8")
Weight	7.5 kg	8.8 kg (19.4 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha RX-V4A
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	140 W (10% THD)	145 W (10% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/47 kΩ
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 (AUDIO 3 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 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: 69 dB/68 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 kHz - 1611 kHz

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