Here we are comparing Denon AVR-X6300H to Sony STR-ZA1100ES 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-X6300H has 11 channel and the Sony STR-ZA1100ES has 7 channel amplifiers with Denon AVR-X6300H's being more powerful.

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

We have evaluated both receivers. Denon AVR-X6300H 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-X6300H over Sony STR-ZA1100ES.

Denon AVR-X6300H has more channels, more power per channel, more channel processing and bigger power supply. It supports Auro3D, DSD streaming via USB, Amazon Alexa, internet radio, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Napster and SiriusXM. It has DTS Dialog Control, phono input and analog pre-outs.

	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
More Channels	11.2	7.2
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✔	✖
More Channel Processing	11.2	7ch + Phantom 2ch
Dolby Digital EX	✔	✖
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✔	✖
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD	✖
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✖
DTS Dialog Control	✔	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✔	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✔	✖
Audyssey LFC	✔	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✔	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✔	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✔	✖
DLNA 1.5	✔	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✔	✖
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay 2	✖
Wi-Fi	✔	✖
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✖
More HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	5
More HDMI Outputs	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	7 (1 front)	4
Phono Input	✔	✖
More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	2 / No	1 / No
More Composite Video Inputs	5 (1 front)	2
More Component Video Outputs	1	✖
More Analog Pre-Outs	11.2	0.2
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Composite, L/R Audio	USB
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✖
More Powered Zones	✔ 2 and 3	✔ 2
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, Component, Composite, Pre Out	HDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
+12V Trigger Output	2	1 (80 mA)
Digital Radio	✔ HD Radio	✖
Internet Radio	✔ vTuner	✖
Pandora	✔	✖
Spotify	✔	✖
Tidal	✔	✖
Deezer	✔	✖
Napster	✔	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✔	✖
More Speaker Terminals	11	7
More Large Speaker Terminals	11	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	750 W	290 W
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	140 W (0.05% THD)	70 W (0.09% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	175 W (0.7% THD)	110 W (0.9% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (digital)	102 dB	96 dB (20 kHz LPF)

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony STR-ZA1100ES over Denon AVR-X6300H.

Sony STR-ZA1100ES has higher signal to noise ratio.

	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Dialogue Lift	✖	✔ Center Speaker Lift Up
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1	1 / 2
Longer Warranty	3 Years	5 Years
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	102 dB	105 dB (20 kHz LPF, 500 mV)

Denon AVR-X6300H and Sony STR-ZA1100ES share common strengths such as Dolby Atmos support, DTS:X support, HDR10, Dolby Vision and ethernet connection.

STRENGTHS	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Dolby Atmos	✔ up to 7.1.4	✔ up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
DTS:X	✔ up to 7.1.4	✔ up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
HDR10	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	✔ up to 4K/60p
Ethernet	✔	✔
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2 (5 in / 2 out)
USB Input	1 (Front) for iPod/iPhone and USB memory	1 (Front) for update and setting
Composite Video Inputs	5 (1 front)	2
Component Video Inputs	2	2
Zones	3	3
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM

Denon AVR-X6300H and Sony STR-ZA1100ES share common weaknesses such as no front wide channel support, no MHL input, no ChromeCast, no DTS Play-Fi, no SONOS and no analog multi-channel input.

WEAKNESSES	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
No Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
No DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
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	✖	✖

Amplifier

Denon AVR-X6300H has 11 channel and Sony STR-ZA1100ES has 7 channel amplifiers. Denon AVR-X6300H delivers 140 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and Sony STR-ZA1100ES delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and they both have stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support and these models are no exceptions.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. They both do 4K upscaling up to 60p. The receivers support 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

Denon AVR-X6300H and Sony STR-ZA1100ES support Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. The Denon AVR-X6300H can be configured upto 7.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers and the Sony STR-ZA1100ES 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

Denon AVR-X6300H and Sony STR-ZA1100ES support DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. The Denon AVR-X6300H can be configured upto 7.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers. The Sony STR-ZA1100ES 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.

Auro-3D with its Auro-Matic upmixer

Denon AVR-X6300H supports Auro-3D and its Auro-Matic upmixer via charged firmware upgrade. Auro-3D is an immersive 3D audio format developed by the Belgium-based company Auro Technologies. It consists of three layers of sound - surround, height and overhead ceiling. The base horizontal layer uses 5.1 or 7.1 format, the height layer is on top of the base layer and its information is extracted from the standard 5.1 surround PCM carrier. The a/v receiver decoder then extracts this information during playback. In home cinema Auro-3D comes with different listening formats - Auro 9.1, Auro 10.1 with added Top Ceiling channel ("Voice of God"), Auro 11.1 with added Front Height Center channel, and Auro 13.1 with added Left Rear Surround & Right Rear Surround channel. Auro-Matic upmixer takes non Auro-3D sound and upmixes to the current speaker configuration.

D.D.S.C.

Denon AVR-X6300H has D.D.S.C (Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit). A single IC chip is generally used in processing A/D, DSP, and D/A conversions that are vital to sound quality. The D.D.S.C. uses separate components to process the important sections of the A/D, DSP, and D/A conversions and therefore significantly improves signal processing capability and performance. In addition, the approach of developing and incorporating high-quality dedicated elements in the sections that configure the circuitry makes it easier to develop a high-grade, advanced surround circuit compared with the method where all processing is concentrated within a single chip. Denon’s proprietary digital audio technology that had for many years been developed for pure Hi-Fi components is now also alive in each block of the D.D.S.C.

Digital Legato Linear

Sony STR-ZA1100ES features Digital Legato Linear (D.L.L.) to play audio signals with high-quality sound. The D.L.L. function is a technology developed by Sony that allows low-quality digital and analog audio signals to be played with high-quality sound. This function is available for Linear PCM signals, as well as lossy compression audio formats and analog audio signals. It works when [2ch Stereo], [Direct], [A.F.D.] or [Multi Stereo] is selected.

Connectivity

Denon AVR-X6300H

Denon AVR-X6300H 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 8 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 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 11.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI, USB, Composite and L/R Audio inputs.

Sony STR-ZA1100ES

Sony STR-ZA1100ES can be connected to internet using ethernet cable. It has 5 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 (5 in / 2 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-X6300H and here - Sony STR-ZA1100ES.

BASICS	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Brand	Denon	Sony
Model	AVR-X6300H	STR-ZA1100ES
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	USA	USA
Release Year	2016	2017

AMPLIFIER	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Channels	11.2	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✔	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✔ assignable	✔

AUDIO	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Maximum Channel Processing	11.2	7ch + Phantom 2ch
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✔ up to 7.1.4	✔ up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✔	✔
Dolby Pro Logic	✖	✖
Dolby Digital EX	✔	✖
DTS:X	✔ up to 7.1.4	✔ up to 5.1.2 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
DTS Neo	✖	✖
DTS-HD Master Audio	✔	✔
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio	✔	✔
DTS 96/24	✔	✔
DTS Express	✔	✖
DTS-ES	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1	✔ 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, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD	✖
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✖
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✔	✖
Dialogue Lift	✖	✔ Center Speaker Lift Up
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✔	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✔	✖
Audyssey LFC	✔	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✔	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✔	✔

CALIBRATION	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ Audyssey MultEQ XT32	✔ D.C.A.C. EX

VIDEO	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
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	✔ up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	✔ up to 4K/60p
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Component, Composite	✔ Component, Composite
isf Certified Calibration Control	✔	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
MHL Input	✖	✖
DLNA 1.5	✔	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✔	✖
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay 2	✖
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✔	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✔	✖
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✖
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✔
HDCP Version	2.2	2.2 (5 in / 2 out)
HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	5
HDMI Outputs	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for ZONE2)	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
USB Input	1 (Front) for iPod/iPhone and USB memory	1 (Front) for update and setting
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	7 (1 front)	4
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✔	✖
Optical Inputs	2	2
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	2 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	5 (1 front)	2
Composite Video Outputs	1	1
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	2	2
Component Video Outputs	1	✖
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	11.2	0.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Composite, L/R Audio	USB
Speaker A/B	✔ assignable	✔
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✖

ZONES	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Zones	3	3
Powered Zones	✔ 2 and 3	✔ 2
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, Component, Composite, Pre Out	HDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	Pre Out	RCA Pre/Line Out
RS-232 Interface	✔	✔
+12V Trigger Output	2	1 (80 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1	1 / 2

MISC	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
On-Screen Display	✔ Advanced Graphic User Interface	✔ Graphical User Interface
GUI Languages	3	3
Remote Controller	RC-1211	RM-AAU217
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✔

RADIO	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM
Digital Radio	✔ HD Radio	✖
Internet Radio	✔ vTuner	✖
Pandora	✔	✖
Spotify	✔	✖
Tidal	✔	✖
Deezer	✔	✖
Napster	✔	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✔	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Speaker Terminals	11	7
Large Speaker Terminals	11	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✔	✖

POWER	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	750 W	290 W
Standby Power	0.1 W	0.3 W

GENERAL	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Dimensions (W x H x D)	434 mm x 167 mm x 393 mm (with antenna: 434 mm x 235 mm x 393 mm)	430 mm x 174 mm x 410 mm 17" x 6-7/8" x 16-1/4"
Weight	14.5 kg (31 lbs 15 oz)	12.6 kg (27 lbs. 13 oz.)
Warranty	3 Years	5 Years

SPECS	Denon AVR-X6300H	Sony STR-ZA1100ES
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	140 W (0.05% THD)	70 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	175 W (0.7% THD)	110 W (0.9% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	150 mV/50 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	102 dB	105 dB (20 kHz LPF, 500 mV)
S/N Ratio (digital)	102 dB	96 dB (20 kHz LPF)
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/±3 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	100BASE-TX	100BASE-TX
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1710 kHz	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

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