Denon AVR-S960H vs Yamaha RX-A2A

Denon AVR-S960H

Elevate your home theater experience with the Denon AVR-S960H. This powerful amplifier is equipped with advanced features to deliver stunning 3D realism, immersive audio, and crisp picture quality.

8K/60Hz 4K/120Hz pass-through ensures compatibility with the latest TVs, while next-gen gaming provides a smooth, lag-free experience. The AVR-S960H is also 8K ready, ensuring you'll be able to enjoy the most advanced video technology available in the near future.

 

The Denon AVR-S960H receiver delivers state-of-the-art video technology with Dynamic HDR and HDR10+. With its 7.2 channels and 80 watts per channel, it produces amazing sound quality for movies, music, or gaming.

You can even connect with any HD/Ultra HD TV, subwoofer, Blu-ray player, or turntable for incredible stereo sound. The AVR-S960H is also equipped with 8 HDMI ports (6 In/ 2 Out) with HDCP 2.3 processing and a range of wireless connections to extend the reach of your music throughout your home.

Yamaha RX-A2A

The Yamaha RX-A2A is a state-of-the-art AV receiver that delivers unparalleled performance and features. With HDMI with HDCP 2.3 and eARC, it supports the latest in 4K video standards, including 4K60, 4K120AB*, 8K60B*, and HDR10+.

Additionally, the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect capabilities allow you to stream your favorite music effortlessly. And for added flexibility, the MusicCast multi-room audio and MusicCast Surround capabilities let you expand your audio system to include additional rooms or speakers.

Yamaha's RX-A2A receiver is a powerhouse of features and performance. With Dolby Atmos, Height Virtualization, and DTS:X, this receiver brings the cinema experience home like never before.

Plus, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant devices makes it easy to manage your music selection. And for even more audio options, Pandora, Spotify, Napster, SiriusXM, TIDAL, Deezer, and Amazon Music are all built-in.

Design

The Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-A2A are both designed to be sleek and unobtrusive in your home theater setup. The Denon has a matte black finish, while the Yamaha is all silver. They are both about the same size, with the Denon being just a tiny bit narrower.

Features

The Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-A2A have many of the same features. Both have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, 4K Ultra HD passthrough, and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. However, there are a few key differences. The Yamaha supports HDR10 video passthrough, while the Denon does not. The Yamaha supports SiriusXM, while the Denon does not. The energy efficiency is one of the biggest differences between them, with the Denon being much more power-efficient than the RX-A2A.

Performance

The Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-A2A both performed well in our tests. They both delivered clear, crisp audio with plenty of detail. The Denon was a bit louder than the Yamaha, but not by much. The Yamaha did a better job of handling low frequencies, giving movies and music a more immersive soundstage. The Denon was better at reproducing dialogue, making it a better choice for watching TV shows and movies. Overall, they are both great performers and come highly recommended.

So, which receiver should you buy? If you are looking for a receiver that can handle HDR10 video passthrough, go with the Yamaha RX-A2A. If you are looking for a receiver with better energy efficiency, go with the Denon AVR-S960H. Otherwise, they are both great receivers and it really comes down to personal preference.

Sound Quality

The sound quality that these receivers produce may be the most important feature you'll consider when choosing which one to purchase.

The Yamaha RX-A2A produces fantastic sound quality, but only in stereo mode (its surround capabilities are lacking). Of course, if your plan is for a simple two-channel setup where 5 channels won't be needed because there won't be any height speakers or rear surrounds involved, then this one can do all you need without issue. However, if you want a receiver that can handle all the bells and whistles of surround sound, then Denon's AVR-S960H is the better option.

Connection Panel

The Denon AVR-S960H has a good number of HDMI inputs, which is great for future-proofing. The Yamaha RX-A2A has only 2 HDMI ports, so if you want to go all out with 4k HDR sources or Hi-Res Audio players then you'd better be ready to switch out your older devices. Both receivers come with built-in Wifi and Bluetooth support for wireless streaming.

Denon AVR-S960H has more phono preamp than the RX-A2A. It's easier to find old records nowadays, so having more Phono Ports would be beneficial for those that still use the old vinyl records.

The Denon AVR-S960H has 2 subwoofer outputs, while the RX-A2A only has 1 subwoofer pre-out. No surprises here as many buyers think that a single subwoofer is enough for a medium-sized room.

Audio

Both receivers feature Dolby and DTS processing. The RX-A2A supports TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats, while the AVR-S960H does not. If you want to get the best HiFi surround sound experience then having support for one of these formats will definitely give you an edge against your competition.

Overall, the Denon AVR-S960H is a better buy than the Yamaha RX-A2A. It has more features, such as HDMI ports and phono preamps, and Dolby Atmos support. If you're looking for a receiver that will future-proof your home theater system, then the Denon is a great choice. If you're only looking for a basic receiver with limited connections, then the Yamaha may be a better option.

Remote Control

When it comes to remotes, Yamaha just can't seem to compete with Onkyo or Marantz in my opinion. That being said, the remote included with the RX-A2 is pretty darn good. It features all the buttons you need, laid out in an intuitive manner so you don't have to hunt through menus when tweaking settings or changing inputs/sources. There's also a nice backlight that makes it easy to use in the dark.

The Denon AVR-S960H's remote is good, but not quite as good as the Yamaha. It has all the features you need, but the buttons are a bit small and crammed together which can make them difficult to use. The backlight is also very weak and doesn't do much to help in low-light conditions.

Setup

When it comes to setting up these receivers, the Denon is probably a bit easier to get up and running. There are very few connection options compared to the RX-A2A which has 5 HDMI inputs (2 on the front). Overall, you'll find that getting everything hooked up will be a lot less painful with the AVR-S960H.

Inputs and Outputs

The Denon AVR-S960H features 11.2 channel support with 135 watts per channel at 6 ohms with two subwoofer pre-outs. There are 9 HDMI inputs, coaxial and optical digital audio inputs, three analog audio inputs, 3 zone pre-outs for whole-house audio setups, six antennae ports (4 of which are used for TV), and more!

What that basically means is that the S960H has just about every input you'll ever need. You can even connect your turntable or cassette deck using the included phono input if you're so inclined. It also features Bluetooth connectivity in case you want to stream music wirelessly from your phone or another compatible device via aptX. If you have a lot of components and need a receiver that can handle them all, the Denon AVR-S960H is definitely the way to go.

The Yamaha RX-A2A only has 7.2 channels with 80 watts per channel at 8 ohms, but it does have more HDMI inputs (10) than the Denon. It also has coaxial and optical digital audio inputs, three analog audio inputs, two antennae ports, and Bluetooth connectivity. So it still has plenty of connectivity options for all your devices.

The Denon AVR-S960H and Yamaha RX-A2A are both excellent receivers when it comes to sound quality and features. However, the Denon is a better option for those who want a receiver that can do everything, while the Yamaha is a better option for those who only need stereo sound or a basic surround sound setup. Whichever one you choose, you won't be disappointed.