Premium Audio Company Releases Firmware Update for Its Flagship Receiver Lineup - Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Elite

(December 19, 2023) As we first reported on Episode 12.11.2023 of the Home Theater News Review Podcast, Premium Audio Company (PAC) released new firmware for all four of its flagship receivers. According to PAC, the update improves audio playback, overall functionality, and the room correction experience on Integra's DRX-8.4, Onkyo's TX-RZ70, Elite's VSX-LX805, and Pioneer's VSX-LX805 AVRs.

Here are details highlighting key improvements:

Addition of Auro-3D® for Three-Dimensional Sound Experiences
Auro-3D is an advanced audio technology and format that creates a more realistic audio experience by layering sound via lower, height, and top channels. Owners can enjoy native Auro-encoded content, such as Music Blu-ray discs and movies, but can also use the Auro-Matic upmixing engine to playback legacy content layered with a natural 3D experience.

Roon Ready for High-Resolution Audio Decoding, Playback
In a major upgrade for audiophiles with Roon subscriptions, the firmware update certifies all four AVRs as Roon Ready. Roon is the revolutionary music player for true music fanatics that combines locally saved files with streams from TIDAL and Qobuz to create a vast, interconnected digital library of high-resolution files rich in artist content and metadata.

Pre-Amp Mode
Pre-amp mode turns off the Power Amp output and changes the products to Preamp-only mode. By turning off the Power Amp output, the Signal/Noise level is slightly improved, and the sound quality is also improved. It also reduces power consumption. Owners have the option of setting the front Left and Right speakers to pre-amp mode only, or all speakers in the system.

Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) allows a portion of the HDR mapping to be performed by the source device, rather than the display device, automatically producing an optimized HDR signal to maximize processing and display capability without manual user configuration.

Dolby Atmos® Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD
Dolby Atmos Music uses ground-breaking Dolby Atmos® technology to elevate audio experiences beyond the realm of movies and TV, allowing music creators to produce and mix music with spatial audio elements for a more immersive experience. With this new firmware update, these flagship AVRs are some of the world’s first AVRs to play Dolby Atmos content via Amazon Music HD.

Improved Dirac Room Correction Delay Times
Improved Dirac Live room correction delay times will allow users more flexible speaker placement as automatic sound field correction technology, such as that employed by Dirac Live, can correct for varying speaker distances. This firmware update will increase compensation from 20ms up to 50ms, which translates to correction delays for speakers from a further distance away (approx.6.8 meters to nearly 17 meters).

This firmware update will be indicated via on-screen and front panel displays for Onkyo, Elite, and Pioneer models connected to the internet. The firmware update will be available on the Integra AVR by navigating to the “Setup Firmware Menu” and following the on-screen prompts. The update can be downloaded and installed via a USB drive for owners with units not connected to the internet.


Related Reading:

• Dirac Live Bass Control Becomes Available for Denon and Marantz Receivers
• Trinnov Audio Drops Major Firmware Update, Reveals Details About New HDMI 2.1 Card
• Premium Audio Company's Re-Hire of Rob Vieira is a Big Deal for the Company's AVR Brands and Enthusiasts
• Onkyo's New TX-SR3100 5.2-Channel AVR Lands at $399

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That's a fairly impressive list of updates.

I also did not know that Amazon Music has Atmos tracks now... I'll have to check that out.

 

[Asere]

Yes, I did too did not know Amazon Music has Atmos. Does this mean if your receiver is not on this list you won't be able to use Amazon with Atmos despite the receiver being capable for movies?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I would think if your receive can decode Atmos, it can decode any Atmos track. Although now that you mention it, it does seem odd that it would need to be added, so perhaps there is a specific decode algorithm needed for it.

 

[Asere]

I played Amazon Atmos tracks on my older avr using the Sony tv internal app and was unable to get Atmos however, I was able to with the external Amazon Max stick.
Strange how an update is advertised for the flagship receivers when mine was able to receive Atmos.
Regardless nothing to miss right now. Amazon Music has a small Atmos list and can't tell its Atmos playing those tracks.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yeah... that's not really an update is it... more like an announcement to not forget it can decode Atmos tracks.