Onkyo TX-RZ840 vs Pioneer SC-LX501

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Pioneer SC-LX501
      92
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      88
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      North America
      Europe Australia and Asia
      North America
      Europe Australia Asia
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      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Onkyo TX-RZ840
      4. Advantage of Pioneer SC-LX501
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Inputs and Outputs
      7. Audio Section
      8. Video Section
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-RZ840 to Pioneer SC-LX501 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 Onkyo TX-RZ840 has 9 channel and the Pioneer SC-LX501 has 7 channel amplifiers.


      Onkyo TX-RZ840 Pioneer SC-LX501

      Onkyo TX-RZ840 was introduced in 2019. It is equipped with 9 channel amplifier with 120 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 11.2 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales 1080p to 4K video signal.

      Pioneer SC-LX501 was introduced in 2017. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4) video signal.

      Highlights

      • 9.2 Channels
      • 11.2 Channel Processing
      • 120 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • THX™Select™ Certified
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      We evaluated Onkyo TX-RZ840 and Pioneer SC-LX501 and gave them scores of 92 and 88 out of 100 recpectively. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Pioneer SC-LX501

      Amplifier
      92
      Amplifier
      90
      Audio Features
      91
      Audio Features
      86
      Video Features
      95
      Video Features
      92
      Connectivity
      88
      Connectivity
      83
      Zones
      91
      Zones
      85
      Radio
      92
      Radio
      92
      OVERALL
      92
      OVERALL
      88

      For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluations page.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-RZ840 and Pioneer SC-LX501.

      PROS

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Pioneer SC-LX501

      •   High Power Output - 120 W
      •   THX™ Certification
      •   11.2 Channel Processing
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   DTS:X
      •   IMAX Enhanced
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Chromecast Built-In
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   3 Zones
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal
      •   High Power Output - 120 W
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   DTS:X
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Chromecast Built-In
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Phono Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal

      CONS

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Pioneer SC-LX501

      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Pioneer SC-LX501

      •   9.2 Channels
      •   3 HDMI Outputs
      •   Bluetooth 4․2
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   3 HDMI Outputs
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   Bluetooth 4․1 + LE

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-RZ840

      Onkyo TX-RZ840
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-RZ840 over Pioneer SC-LX501.

      Onkyo TX-RZ840 vs Pioneer SC-LX501
      More Channels 9.2 vs 7.2
      THX™ Certification Select™ (previously known as Select2) vs
      More Channel Processing 11.2 vs 7.1
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization vs
      IMAX Enhanced vs
      Jitter Reduction PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for S/PDIF Audio vs
      Virtual Speakers T-D (Theater-Dimensional) vs
      Independent Subwoofer Outputs vs
      HLG vs
      Newer HDCP Version 2.3 vs 2.2
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite vs Component**, Composite
      Works with SONOS vs
      DTS Play-Fi via Onkyo Music Control app vs
      AirPlay AirPlay 2 after firmware update vs AirPlay
      More RCA Line Inputs 6 vs 4
      More RCA Pre-Outs 11.2 (barter to Zone 3 Pre/Line Out) vs 0.2
      More Zones 3 vs 2
      More Powered Zones 2 and 3 vs 2
      Solid Aluminum Front vs
      Bigger Power Supply 850 W vs 250 W
      Higher Rated Headphone Power Output 85 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) vs 57 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)
      Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 106 dB vs 105 dB
      Newer Bluetooth Version 4․2 vs 4․1 + LE

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-RZ840.

      Onkyo TX-RZ810
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      7.2 channel

      130 W

      Yamaha RX-A880
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Onkyo TX-RZ50
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Onkyo TX-RZ830
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Denon AVR-X3800H
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      9.4 channel

      105 W

      Yamaha RX-A660
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-NR696
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A3080
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-A3010
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Denon AVC-X3700H
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      9.2 channel

      105 W

      Onkyo TX-NR595
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-RZ740
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      9.2 channel

      100 W

      Advantage of Pioneer SC-LX501

      Pioneer SC-LX501
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer SC-LX501 over Onkyo TX-RZ840.

      Onkyo TX-RZ840 vs Pioneer SC-LX501
      DTS Neo vs Neo:6
      Video Signal Upscaling 1080p to 4K vs up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
      More Optical Inputs 1 vs 2
      Front A/V Inputs HDMI vs HDMI, USB
      Speaker A/B vs
      +12V Trigger Output 1 (MAIN, 100 mA) vs 2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA)
      Remote (IR) Input/Output 1 / 0 vs 1 / 1
      Lower THD 0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power) vs 0.05% (1 kHz, 100 W)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Pioneer SC-LX501.

      Pioneer SC-LX701
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      9.2 channel

      135 W

      Pioneer SC-LX901
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      11.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A3080
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX302
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Onkyo TX-RZ900
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      7.2 channel

      140 W

      Pioneer VSX-1131
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Pioneer SC-LX502
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      7.2 channel

      120 W

      Yamaha RX-A3050
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX304
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      9.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-V485
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      5.1 channel

      80 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX505
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Pioneer VSX-831
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      5.2 channel

      80 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Onkyo TX-RZ840 Pioneer SC-LX501
        High Power Output120 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        Dolby Atmos
        DTS:X
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. AccuEQ Advance with AccuReflex™ MCACC
        HDR10
        Dolby Vision
        New HDCP Version2.32.2
        Wi-Fi
        Bluetooth SBC, AAC SBC, AAC
        Chromecast Built-In
        Many HDMI Inputs7 (1 front)7 (1 front)
        USB Input1 (Rear)1 Front
        Phono Input
        Composite Video Inputs22
        Component Video Inputs11
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Tidal
      WEAKNESSES Onkyo TX-RZ840 Pioneer SC-LX501
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No HDR10+
        No eARC
        No 8K Passthroughup to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4)up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
        Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        Few 8K Inputs
        No Digital Radio

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input on Onkyo TX-RZ840 and Pioneer SC-LX501 with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the receiver.
      • Analog Pre-Outs: Onkyo TX-RZ840 has 11.2 preamplifier outputs which allows you to connect the receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, Onkyo TX-RZ840 has 11 channel processing but has only 9 channel amplifier, so it needs external amplifier connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach its maximum speaker configuration.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 6 pair of line inputs on Onkyo TX-RZ840 and 4 pair of line inputs on Pioneer SC-LX501 for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available on Onkyo TX-RZ840 and 2 optical inputs and 1 coaxial input are available on Pioneer SC-LX501 for digital audio connections.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Onkyo TX-RZ840
        Inputs:         7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Pioneer SC-LX501
        Inputs:         7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Onkyo TX-RZ840
        Inputs:         2   Outputs: 0.
      • Pioneer SC-LX501
        Inputs:         2   Outputs: 0.
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Both receivers support up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Onkyo TX-RZ840
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.
      • Pioneer SC-LX501
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Onkyo TX-RZ840: HDMI
      • Pioneer SC-LX501: HDMI, USB

      Onkyo TX-RZ840

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      Pioneer SC-LX501

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