Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X540BT to Yamaha TSR-7850 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 TSR-7850 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. Yamaha TSR-7850 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 TSR-7850.

Denon AVR-X540BT has bigger power supply.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII	✖
DTS Express	✔	✖
More Composite Video Inputs	2	1
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	300 W
Longer Warranty	3 Years	2 Years
Higher FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB	Mono/Stereo: 69 dB/67 dB
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 TSR-7850 over Denon AVR-X540BT.

Yamaha TSR-7850 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, Amazon Alexa, internet radio, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Napster. It has bi-amp capability, DTS Dialog Control, phono input and analog pre-outs. In video department only Yamaha TSR-7850 supports HDCP 2.3 copy protection, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
More Channels	5.2	7.2
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp capability	✖	✔
More Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
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, 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
DTS Dialog Control	✖	✔
Dialog Level Adjustment	✖	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✔ no presence speakers required
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔ with Video On mode
Dolby Vision	✖	✔
HLG	✖	✔
Video Signal Upscaling	✖	✔ up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay 2 via firmware update
Ethernet	✖	✔
Wi-Fi	✖	✔
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔ via firmware update
Newer HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
More HDMI Outputs	1	2
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	4 (1 front)
Phono Input	✖	✔
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
More Component Video Inputs	✖	1
More Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	2.2
Front A/V Inputs	USB	USB, mini-jack Audio
More Zones	1	2
+12V Trigger Output	✖	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	1 / 1
Internet Radio	✖	✔
Spotify	✖	✔
Tidal	✖	✔
Deezer	✖	✔
Napster	✖	✔
More Speaker Terminals	5	9
More Large Speaker Terminals	✖	9
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	95 W (Front, 0.06% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	140 W (10% THD)	160 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 TSR-7850 share common strengths such as HDR10 and bluetooth.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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	1
Zones	1	2
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM with RDS	✔ FM/AM

Denon AVR-X540BT and Yamaha TSR-7850 share common weaknesses such as no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no ChromeCast, no DTS Play-Fi, no SONOS, no analog multi-channel input, no Pandora and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Pandora	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X540BT has 5 channel and Yamaha TSR-7850 has 7 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X540BT delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Yamaha TSR-7850 delivers 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) but only Yamaha TSR-7850 has stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support. Yamaha TSR-7850 is no exception.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. Yamaha TSR-7850 can do 4K upscaling up to 60p. Denon AVR-X540BT supports HDR10 and Yamaha TSR-7850 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

Yamaha TSR-7850 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

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

Yamaha TSR-7850 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

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.

Adaptive DRC

Yamaha TSR-7850 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 TSR-7850

Yamaha TSR-7850 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 5 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.3 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 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

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 TSR-7850.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Brand	Denon	Yamaha
Model	AVR-X540BT	TSR-7850
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	UK	China
Release Year	2018	2018

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Channels	5.2	7.2
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✖	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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	✖
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	✖	✔ 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, 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	✖	✔ no presence speakers required
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	✖	✖
Pure Direct Mode	✖	✔ with Video On mode
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖	✖

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔	✔ YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C.)

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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	✖	✔ Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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 firmware update
HDCP Version	2.2	2.3
HDMI Inputs	5	5
HDMI Outputs	1	2
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	2
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	2 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	1
Composite Video Outputs	1	✖
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖	1
Component Video Outputs	✖	✖
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	2.2
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 TSR-7850
Zones	1	2
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0	1 / 1

MISC	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
On-Screen Display	✔	Graphical User Interface
Remote Controller	RC-1216	✔
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✖

RADIO	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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 TSR-7850
Speaker Terminals	5	9
Large Speaker Terminals	✖	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Power Supply	AC 230 V, 50/60 Hz	AC 220 V, 50 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W	300 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.1 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
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 380 mm (with antenna: 435 mm x 248 mm x 380 mm) 17-1/8" x 6-3/4" x 15" (with antenna up: 17-1/8" x 9-3/4" x 15")
Weight	7.5 kg	11.0 kg (23.4 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X540BT	Yamaha TSR-7850
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.08% THD)	95 W (Front, 0.06% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	140 W (10% THD)	160 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 (AV 2 etc. to Front, 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/67 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