Pioneer Elite Makes Massive Statement with New Flagship Receiver, VSX-LX805

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(March 14, 2023) The all-new VSX-LX805 is a different animal from Elite products that hit the market in 2021, largely because it’s the first to have Premium Audio Co.’s influence and input throughout the development process. Standing as Elite's new flagship model, the VSX-LX805 is a dream machine that satisfies a lengthy wishlist of must-have items, at least from the perspective of the North American enthusiast crowd.

Need proof? Here are a few highlights:
  • Compatibility with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D, and IMAX Enhanced? Check
  • Ability to run a 7.1.4 immersive array without the need for an external amp? Check
  • Dirac Live Full calibration suite without the need to upgrade? Check
  • Dual independent subwoofer outputs? Check
  • Access to Dirac Bass Management? Check
  • High-powered amp output? Check
  • Compatibility with Dolby Atmos Music? Check
  • Multiple HDMI 2.1 inputs with 40Gbps? Check
  • Multi-channel Pre-Outs? Check
  • Phono input? Yup... Check
And, the list goes on…

The LX805 is locked and loaded with nearly every feature one could want, and the price ($2,999 US MAP) is right on target. Those two facts reaffirm what Integra’s late February reveal established: the development and marketing teams at Premium Audio Co. are listening to its buying base and taking action.

This latest flagship isn’t a retread, it’s a complete rebuild both inside and out. Look closely and you’ll find a new chassis better designed to suppress noise, fine-tuned circuit paths, a newly designed symmetrical amplifier with custom capacitors rated at 18,000uF, and custom fan-shaped heatsinks. You’ll also find the latest generation of ESS ES9026 384kHz / 32-bit DACs, stereo XLR outputs for use with an external amp, matching XLR inputs for high-quality stereo sources, and enough power (150W FTC) generated by a new AB amp to drive reasonably thirsty speakers.

Beyond giving owners access to the market's most content-prevalent immersive technologies, Auro-3D and its upmixing capabilities, along with Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and other common upmixers, are included. It also ships with Roon Ready onboard (set to be activated with a firmware update on 9/23) for the highest possible resolution of playback while using Roon.

With Dirac Live Full shipping loaded and engaged, owners have access to high-level room correction capabilities out of the box. For those looking for a streamlined experience, Dirac calibration can be performed using the included microphone and the Dirac app. And for those buyers that want to take tuning a step further, a USB microphone and PC/Mac processing can be brought into the fold. Of course, let's not forget about Dirac's highly desirable Bass Control module, which can be purchased for a fee ($349, single sub; $499 multi-sub).

For those buyers less concerned about Dirac, MCACC is still included to make set-up as simple as possible.

On the HDMI front, the receiver carries six HDMI 2.1 inputs with full 8K 40Gbps performance. That means access to Auto Low Latency Mode, Variable Refresh Rate, eARC, passthrough of Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, BT. 2020, compatibility with HDCP 2.3, and more.

As far as we can tell, the only wishlist item not satisfied is the use of Class D amplifier technology. And while there’s a solid argument to be made for sticking with an AB topology going forward, Premium Audio Co. hasn’t completely shut the door on a return of a Class D AVR in the future. In fact, I'm feeling more confident than ever that we might see its return sooner than we think.

The VSX-LX805 is currently scheduled to hit the market in the next 4-6 weeks. We’ll update this article as more information becomes available.


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Last edited:

ivo.f.doma

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The Integra 8.4 is only $200 more expensive and has 3XLR outputs, subwoofer outputs for both zones 2 and 3, more Trigger outputs, and usually more sophisticated software, such as subwoofer crossover frequencies for each pair of speakers.
In my opinion, Integra is a better product for the money.

It seems according to the manual that they fixed the crossover settings.
"Set individual cutoff frequencies for each speaker channel.
You can set from 40 Hz with reference to the crossover
frequency for each speaker."
 
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dlaloum

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I believe the DLBC multisub licence is US$399 (and not $499...)

Looking forward to some bench tests.... would love to know whether the amps are as promising as they seem for low impedance speakers...
 

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I’ll confirm that license costs… hang tight
 

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Dirac Live Bass Control upgrade costs, confirmed:

Single sub: $349

Multi subs - $499
 

David Ector

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As far as we can tell, the only wishlist item not satisfied is the use of Class D amplifier technology. And while there’s a solid argument to be made for sticking with an AB topology going forward, Premium Audio Co. hasn’t completely shut the door on a return of a Class D AVR in the future. In fact, I'm feeling more confident than ever that we might see its return sooner than we think.

Is it a premonition inspired by hope?
Or have you actually received information that there is still something in the pipeline for this year?

I follow it from Europe and have been waiting for something new / available since 2020, as the SC-LX904 has hardly been available here in recent years and in the meantime it lacks the specs you describe above as the wish list.

With a home theater setup in the living room, a good quality class-D is still interesting because you don't always listen to everyday content at full power. At that time, the higher efficiency is really welcome in terms of energy consumption.
 

Todd Anderson

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Is it a premonition inspired by hope?
Or have you actually received information that there is still something in the pipeline for this year?

I follow it from Europe and have been waiting for something new / available since 2020, as the SC-LX904 has hardly been available here in recent years and in the meantime it lacks the specs you describe above as the wish list.

With a home theater setup in the living room, a good quality class-D is still interesting because you don't always listen to everyday content at full power. At that time, the higher efficiency is really welcome in terms of energy consumption.
Not inspired by hope… I asked Pioneer in their pre-launch media session about the potential for a Class D return. Their answer wasn’t specific, but it certainly indicated that it’s either potentially going to happen or is in the conversation.

No timeframe, tho. Could be this fall… could be two years down the road. Your guess is as good as mine.

Takeaway: They are talking about it… possibly it’s in development.
 

dsnyder0cnn

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As an Emotiva RMC-1L owner, I'm tempted by this new Pioneer. The Emotiva has been a disaster from day one with unreliable HDMI switching, sound dropouts, and poor interactive performance. The only thing the RMC-1L has going for it is that, when the stars align, it sounds terrific. The only thing missing for me on this flagship Pioneer is balanced outputs for the subs. However, I could work around that.

Now to find someone who would be willing to take this hunk-of-junk Emotiva off of my hands without me taking too much of a bath on what I paid for it. :-|

Thanks for the post, @Todd Anderson . This is the first time I've been excited after reading about an AVR in a very long time.
 

ivo.f.doma

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As an Emotiva RMC-1L owner, I'm tempted by this new Pioneer. The Emotiva has been a disaster from day one with unreliable HDMI switching, sound dropouts, and poor interactive performance. The only thing the RMC-1L has going for it is that, when the stars align, it sounds terrific. The only thing missing for me on this flagship Pioneer is balanced outputs for the subs. However, I could work around that.

Now to find someone who would be willing to take this hunk-of-junk Emotiva off of my hands without me taking too much of a bath on what I paid for it. :-|

Thanks for the post, @Todd Anderson . This is the first time I've been excited after reading about an AVR in a very long time.
Buy an Integra 8.4 that has sub XLR outputs
 

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@Todd Anderson Hi Todd. Just curious, but do you happen to know if Pioneer is moving away from the distinction between the two tiers of Elite receivers they have previously gone to market with - the flagship "SC" series and the lower tier and lower cost "VSX" series? If the VSX-LX805 will go for around $3K, that was the price range of the last round of SC series receivers (i.e. the SC-LX904). This new VSX-LX805 model seems to fall more in the range of the SC series based on its initial feature and specs.


Thanks!
 

dlaloum

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@Todd Anderson Hi Todd. Just curious, but do you happen to know if Pioneer is moving away from the distinction between the two tiers of Elite receivers they have previously gone to market with - the flagship "SC" series and the lower tier and lower cost "VSX" series? If the VSX-LX805 will go for around $3K, that was the price range of the last round of SC series receivers (i.e. the SC-LX904). This new VSX-LX805 model seems to fall more in the range of the SC series based on its initial feature and specs.


Thanks!
I always thought the key distinction was the SC was Class D...
Hence the LX805 being a VSX model is Class AB...

If they release an LX905 (there were rumours about a year back... but who knows!) - it might possibly be an SC-LX905... it was mentioned on a DTS playfi "certified compatibility" listing as LX905 only

If they were to do a Flagship AVR with more powered channels than the LX805, it would be hard to fit it into the chassis, given how large and full the current chassis is... but a Class D version, perhaps using SMPS for the power supply, could fit more channels into the same space, so who knows !!!

We have yet to see the flagship chassis from any of the sibling brands.
 

ivo.f.doma

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Pioneer sometimes used to explain the model designations, and SC stood for Separate Chassis. I guess this meant that the amplifiers had their own and shielded chassis. Because physically it was all housed in a completely separate tin box with its own fan located under the HDMI boards.
 

dlaloum

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Pioneer sometimes used to explain the model designations, and SC stood for Separate Chassis. I guess this meant that the amplifiers had their own and shielded chassis. Because physically it was all housed in a completely separate tin box with its own fan located under the HDMI boards.
Which may have been required for shielding from the high frequency EMI of the Class D circuitry?
 

theetjuh

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@Todd Anderson could you check if logging in with ciuser/ciuser within the webui works on the LX805?
I hear from some people that it gives a blank page.

Thanks in advance!
Looking forward to your review!
 

Todd Anderson

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I haven't checked, but it's on the list!
 
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