Yamaha RX-A780 vs Denon AVR-S660H

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Being able to compare Yamaha RX-A780 and Denon AVR-S660H gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-A780 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S660H was rated 6.7 points. The release date of RX-A780 is 2018, and AVR-S660H is 2021. RX-A780 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AVR-S660H.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A780 over Denon AVR-S660H

Main advantages Denon AVR-S660H over Yamaha RX-A780

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-A780 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S660H supports a 5.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the RX-A780 this value is 95/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S660H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-A780 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S660H - 6.

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the RX-A780.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Yamaha RX-A780 has Pure Direct mode.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-A780 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S660H scored 7 out of 10.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Yamaha RX-A780 got 9 points, but Denon AVR-S660H received 7 points.

Yamaha RX-A780 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S660H has 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of rivals in our comparison were rated 8 out of 10.

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The RX-A780 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the AVR-S660H has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Denon AVR-S660H.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-A780 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S660H got 8.

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Yamaha RX-A780 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the RX-A780.