Best Product Fit

Head-to-head

Denon AVR-S770H vs Onkyo TX-NR5100: Denon accepts more sources, Onkyo keeps both a TV and projector connected

The short answer

Choose the S770H for six source inputs, HEOS and a turntable. Choose the NR5100 for a four-source 5.1.2 system that needs both TV and projector connected, while checking the exact high-frame-rate HDMI format.

Before you choose

The reasoning and the trade-offs

Count both ends of the HDMI chain

A four-source, two-display system fits NR5100 connections more directly than S770H connections.

What this is based on

NR5100 has four inputs and two outputs. S770H has six inputs and one output.

Main trade-off

Denon AVR-S770H

Only one display output.

Main trade-off

Onkyo TX-NR5100

Only four source inputs.

Denon AVR-S770H

Denon AVR-S770H

Choose it for
  • Five or six HDMI sources stay connected
  • HEOS and an MM turntable are everyday sources
Main trade-off
Only one display output.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Onkyo TX-NR5100

Onkyo TX-NR5100

Choose it for
  • A TV and projector need separate receiver outputs
  • Four sources are enough and the shallower chassis helps
Main trade-off
Only four source inputs.
See price & reviews on Amazon

Analysis updated , Catalog updated , Amazon.com / United States

About this comparison

Compare Denon S770H and Onkyo NR5100 for 5.1.2, with the trade between more source inputs, two displays and turntable connections.

Choose the S770H for six source inputs, HEOS and a turntable. Choose the NR5100 for a four-source 5.1.2 system that needs both TV and projector connected, while checking the exact high-frame-rate HDMI format.

Winner by situation

Start with what you need it to do

  • TV and projector share a four-source room

    NR5100 provides two outputs. S770H has one.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Caution
    Onkyo TX-NR5100
    Better fit

  • Six permanent HDMI sources

    NR5100 needs added input switching for the fifth and sixth devices.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Better fit
    Onkyo TX-NR5100
    Caution

  • A phono-only MM turntable

    The Onkyo needs a separate stage.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Better fit
    Onkyo TX-NR5100
    Caution

  • Five bed speakers and two heights

    Both support 5.1.2 with internal amplification.

    Denon AVR-S770H
    Good
    Onkyo TX-NR5100
    Good

What matters in practice

The differences that matter

Count both ends of the HDMI chain

A four-source, two-display system fits NR5100 connections more directly than S770H connections.

How we reached this conclusion

NR5100 has four inputs and two outputs. S770H has six inputs and one output.

A stereo power amp will not create four heights

Neither receiver supplies the processing and main-channel pre-outs needed for a 5.1.4 expansion.

How we reached this conclusion

Both process seven main channels and are documented for 7.1 or 5.1.2.

A phono stage consumes another analog connection

Using a phono-only turntable with the NR5100 adds hardware and cabling that the S770H MM input avoids.

How we reached this conclusion

NR5100 has line-level analog inputs but no dedicated MM stage. S770H has an MM phono input.

Plan your receiver connectionsPlan my setup

Check a documented speaker layout against HDMI sources and external-amplifier plans.

2 models match your answers2 receivers support this setup

Your 5.1.2 layout needs 7 speaker channels. Your devices need 3 HDMI inputs, including 1 for 4K at 120Hz.

Denon AVR-S770H

Supports your setup

Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz.

Onkyo TX-NR5100

Supports your setup

Supports 5.1.2 using the receiver's own amplifiers. Connects 3 HDMI devices, including 1 at 4K/120Hz. Input count does not guarantee every chroma, bit-depth or DSC combination. Check the manufacturer's HDMI format table and current firmware.

A powered subwoofer is separate from the speaker-channel count. This checks one main room. Zone 2, bi-amping and unusual speaker assignments need another manual check. Allow ventilation space and confirm HDMI settings, cables and speaker impedance before installing.

Choice A
Denon AVR-S770H

Denon, AVR-S770H

AVR-S770H

Seven amplifiers cover either 7.1 surround or 5.1.2 with two heights. Six HDMI inputs and HEOS suit a mixed movie, game and music system.

Best matched use
A first 5.1.2 system with several sources

Checked facts

  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 1 HDMI output
  • Audyssey MultEQ room setup
  • 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
  • 6-inch chassis height with antennas horizontal, before ventilation space
See price & reviews on Amazon
Choice B
Onkyo TX-NR5100

Onkyo, TX-NR5100

TX-NR5100

A seven-amplifier receiver with four HDMI inputs and two display outputs. It fits a smaller source collection where 5.1.2 and a second display matter more than phono or main-channel pre-outs.

Best matched use
Four-source 5.1.2 with two displays

Checked facts

  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 4 HDMI inputs, including 4 supporting 4K120 video
  • 2 HDMI outputs
  • AccuEQ room setup
  • 0 full-range main-channel pre-outs, excluding subwoofer outputs
  • 6.3125-inch chassis height with antennas horizontal, before ventilation space
See price & reviews on Amazon

Meaningful differences

What changes the fit

Meaningful differences between Denon AVR-S770H and Onkyo TX-NR5100
What changesDenon AVR-S770HOnkyo TX-NR5100Why it matters
Total HDMI inputs64The Denon leaves two more direct source connections.
HDMI outputs12The Onkyo can keep two displays connected.
4K120-capable inputs34 with format limitsThe Onkyo has more listed fast inputs, subject to its HDMI format table.
MM phono inputYesNoA phono-only turntable requires another stage on the Onkyo.
Room setupAudyssey MultEQAccuEQCalibration workflows differ.
Chassis depth13.3 inches12.9375 inchesThe Onkyo is roughly 0.36 inches shallower before cables.

What you give up

Every choice has a cost

If you choose Denon AVR-S770H

  • Only three high-frame-rate HDMI inputs.

If you choose Onkyo TX-NR5100

  • No dedicated MM phono input.

Recommendation switch

The decision flips if...

Five or six HDMI sources stay connected

Choose Denon AVR-S770H. Its six HDMI inputs cover the larger source collection.

A TV and projector need separate receiver outputs

Choose Onkyo TX-NR5100. Its two HDMI outputs keep both displays connected. Check the common video format before using both.

The room needs four physical height speakers

Choose neither. The documented processing or internal-amplifier layouts do not cover this requirement. Choose a receiver with the required physical configuration.

What matters in practice

How to make the call

01

Decide which cable would otherwise move

If the room uses a TV daily and a projector for films, the NR5100's second output saves changing the receiver's display cable. If the problem is five or six permanent source devices, the S770H saves adding an input switch instead. These solve opposite ends of the same HDMI chain, so begin with an actual connection list.

02

Treat seven channels as a fixed budget

Both can choose rear surround speakers for 7.1 or a pair of heights for 5.1.2. Those choices use the same seven amplified channels. Neither grows into a nine-speaker main-room layout merely by attaching an external amp. Speaker-terminal labels also serve alternate assignments and should not be counted as simultaneous outputs.

03

Include music and format checks

The S770H provides HEOS and an MM phono input, which suit a mixed record and streaming setup. The NR5100 provides network music features of its own but uses a different platform. Its four 4K120-capable inputs must still match the source's chroma and bit-depth requirements. Verify the format table before treating four fast devices as a guaranteed fit.

Check these before buying

  • Count the displays as well as the source devices.
  • Check NR5100 HDMI format support for each 4K120 source.

What this comparison cannot tell you

  • Published socket counts do not predict simultaneous-display format negotiation.

What the facts say

What the comparison shows

Useful conclusions from the current AV receivers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.

Compared set

23 of 34 models checked match every need here: “Add two height speakers”, “Use a TV and projector”, and “Leave six HDMI sources connected”.

23 matching models from 34 checked
See the checked facts and calculation notes
Compared set
34 models
Source records
6 for the products shown
Catalog updated

Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Add two height speakers”, “Use a TV and projector”, and “Leave six HDMI sources connected”. A need with no documented match does not count.

Facts and source records used for the products in this recommendation
ProductNeeds matchedChecked factsSource records
Denon AVR-S770H
  • Add two height speakers
  • Keep six devices connected
  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 6 HDMI inputs, including 3 supporting 4K120 video
  • 1 HDMI output
Onkyo TX-NR5100
  • Add two height speakers
  • Use my TV and projector
  • 7 built-in amplifier channels and 7 main processing channels
  • 4 HDMI inputs, including 4 supporting 4K120 video
  • 2 HDMI outputs

Ready to choose?

Check the price. Read the owner reviews.

Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

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