Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 A/V receiver (Pioneers top of the line 2019 flag ship receiver

[HDTV1080P]

On or around November 15th 2019 Pioneer released the flagship Pioneer SC-LX904 with a list price of $2,999.99. This is a replacement for the Pioneer SC-LX901.There is no replacement for the Pioneer SC-LX801, and for some reason Pioneer decided to not come out with the SC-LX804. However, there is a replacement for the Pioneer SC-LX701. The new 2019 Pioneer Elite SC-LX704 has a list price of $1,599.99.


The only major difference between the 2019 Pioneer SC-LX904 and 2016 Pioneer SC-LX901 appears to be that the new model has IMAX enhanced feature.


I was hoping that one day Pioneer would offer 13.2 channels, Auro 3D, and HD radio. The 2018 Denon AVR-X8500H has Auro 3D, and 13.2 channels. However, it also has a $1,000 higher list price of $3,999 when compared to the Pioneer SC-LX904.

https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/P...lite+Receivers

[HDTV1080P]

According to page 29 of the December 2019 Widescreen Review magazine, both the Pioneer Elite SC-904 and SC-704 have HDCP version 2.3. However, no mention of HDR10+ being supported, just regular HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR. Also it is my understanding that the latest Pioneer's use HDMI version 2.0b instead of version 2.1.

Quote
“The LX904 and LX704 feature seven HDMI in/three Out and supports Ultra HD pass-through with HDCP 2.3, 4K/60 Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), WCG (Wide Color Gamut) and Ultra HD upscaling (1080p to 4K).”

[dscottj]

HDMI 2.1 support confirmed. See page 220 of the SC-LX904 manual:

"The eARC function is a newly added function for HDMI 2.1."

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by dscottj

HDMI 2.1 support confirmed. See page 220 of the SC-LX904 manual:

"The eARC function is a newly added function for HDMI 2.1."

I see the owners manual is now online for both the SC-904 and SC-704. Before I was looking at the spec sheet and the HDMI version was not mentioned. On page 218 of the SC-704 manual HDMI 2.1 is also mentioned for that cheaper model.

This is a nice feature to have HDMI 2.1 on the top two Pioneer Elite receivers. The advantage of this feature is that when connected to a LG OLED screen with HDMI 2.1 lossless audio can be sent to the A/V receiver with the built in streaming apps in the flat panel screen. However VUDU, Netflix and every other streaming movie provider at the time of this post still does not offer lossless audio. Lossless audio is exclusive to Blu-ray discs and Blu-ray image download services.

Even though HDMI 2.1 supports 8K and HDR10+, this Pioneer receiver supports native 4K up to 60Hz with no mention of HDR10+ being supported. Now in theory with a firmware update HDR10+ could be supported but 8K would require a entirely new A/V receiver. Most likely native 8K movies will not be available until sometime around the year 2026, therefore one has at least 6 years before they might want to consider upgrading their 4K equipment.

So some people buying the Pioneer Elite SC-904 might decide to upgrade that A/V receiver in 6-10 years if they want native 8K support.

Update it appears the Pioneer Elite SC-904 and SC-704 have HDMI version 2.0b and not true HDMI 2.1, but a HDMI 2.1 like feature.

[Zoland2020]

Auro-3D is a pretty useless format now when compared to the amount of movie content in DTS:X and especially Dolby Atmos nowadays so that feature won't be really by a large margin.

[HDTV1080P]

There are some 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs that contain IMAX Enhanced flag in the bitstream. In theory IMAX Enhanced should also work with standard Blu-ray discs if the studios decides to release titles on standard Blu-ray with Imax Enhanced feature in the bitstream (streaming and any other audio sources that uses DTS can use Imax Enhanced technology also).

The Pioneer Elite SC-904 and SC-704 default settings are to have IMAX Enhanced in the auto mode. For example, while watching a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with IMAX Enhanced the Pioneer Elite SC-904 will detect if the 11.1 DTS X or 7.1 DTS-HD Master audio core has an IMAX Enhanced flag and will activate the 11.1 IMAX DTS: X mode or 7.1 IMAX DTS HD Master audio mode. Also, regular soundtracks like lossy 2.0 DTS stereo can contain an IMAX Neural X mode flag to provide simulated 11.1 mono surround sound effects similar to matrix technology like Dolby Prologic.

So basically IMAX Enhanced is both a certification program like THX certification when it comes to audio, but also IMAX Enhanced is a audio enhancement to the lossless DTS and lossy DTS audio format that automatically engages if the movie is encoded with the IMAX enhanced feature in the DTS bitstream.

It would be ideal for someone to create a list of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc titles (or standard Blu-ray discs) that contain IMAX certificated soundtracks with the official IMAX flag in the bitstream. IMAX Enhanced should be a feature that is found on some new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray dsics with a lossless 11.1 DTS X soundtrack (but older 11.1 DTS X soundtracks do not support IMAX enhanced).

[HDTV1080P]

Over in the AVS forum there is a disagreement regarding what version of HDMI the SC-904 and SC-704 uses. Even though the owners manuals briefly mention HDMI 2.1, some are claiming that the SC-904 and SC-704 really uses HDMI 2.0b.



https://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-re...l#post59115046

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Over in the AVS forum there is a disagreement regarding what version of HDMI the SC-904 and SC-704 uses. Even though the owners manuals briefly mention HDMI 2.1, some are claiming that the SC-904 and SC-704 really uses HDMI 2.0b.



https://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-re...l#post59115046

The 704 and 904 are HDMI 2.0b with eARC capability, not HDMI 2.1

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

The 704 and 904 are HDMI 2.0b with eARC capability, not HDMI 2.1

The owners manuals mention HDMI 2.1, Pioneer should not have mentioned HDMI 2.1 in the owners manual if the receivers are only HDMI 2.0b with eARC.

I never heard back from Pioneer, but this is really confusing if the manual says HDMI 2.1 and the product really is 2.0b.

What proof do you have that the latest Pioneer receivers are 2.0b instead of HDMI 2.1?

[sapiendut]

I double checked with Pioneer and that’s what they told me.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The owners manuals mention HDMI 2.1, Pioneer should not have mentioned HDMI 2.1 in the owners manual if the receivers are only HDMI 2.0b with eARC.

I never heard back from Pioneer, but this is really confusing if the manual says HDMI 2.1 and the product really is 2.0b.

What proof do you have that the latest Pioneer receivers are 2.0b instead of HDMI 2.1?

So look at the USA SC-LX904 user manual and it has this:
PG77

Connect this unit between a TV and AV component. Connecting this unit with the TV can output the video and audio signals of the AV component to the TV, or play the audio of the TV on this unit. Connection with the TV differs depending on whether the TV supports the ARC (Audio Return Channel) function or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) function. The ARC function and eARC function transmit the audio signals of the TV via an HDMI cable, and plays the audio of the TV on this unit. To check if the TV supports the ARC function and eARC function, refer to the instruction manual of the TV, etc.
• The eARC function is a newly added function for HDMI 2.1.

PG220

The eARC function is a newly added function for HDMI 2.1. This is an expanded function from the existing ARC function, and is able to send audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio that cannot be sent with the ARC function, from an eARC-compatible TV to this unit.

That doesn't say they are using HDMI 2.1 ports only that the SC-LX904 AVR can do a HDMI 2.1 feature which we all know doesn't require HDMI 2.1 ports.

Some people on AVS don't know how to interpret documentation it seems. There has been older AVR's supporting eARC for awhile hasn't it? A HDMI.org requirement requires them to document this now, even if the ports aren't the latest I think.

Note the AU user manual for the SC-LX904 had the same text also as the USA doc.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

If you look page 220 of this AU pdf it doesn't.



So look at the USA SC-LX904 user manual and it has this:
PG77

PG220


That doesn't say they are using HDMI 2.1 ports only that the SC-LX904 AVR can do a HDMI 2.1 feature which we all know doesn't require HDMI 2.1 ports.

Some people on AVS don't know how to interpret documentation it seems. There has been older AVR's supporting eARC for awhile hasn't it? A HDMI.org requirement requires them to document this now, even if the ports aren't the latest I think.

Ok then the Pioneer Elite SC-904 and SC-704 has a HDMI 2.1 feature but is not considered full HDMI 2.1.

Really totally confusing in the manual. Pioneer needs to label their spec sheets with the version of HDMI that is being used. I will revise the first post to say HDMI 2.0b like I originally had when I created this thread.

[HDTV1080P]

To bad the Pioneer does not have DTS X Pro and just standard DTS X. But then having up to 32 channels in a home theater setup is extremly niche.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...58&postcount=1

[sapiendut]

With 7.1.4 there is no need for DTS:X Pro.

[HDTV1080P]

This Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 A/V receiver from the year 2019, is out of production. It was Pioneers best A/V receiver for those that wanted 11.1 channels. Now the best Pioneer Elite in production is the year 2021 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 which is only 9.2 channels. I was hoping that Pioneer would come out with a 13.1 A/V receiver as a flagship, or at least maintaining the 11.1 as a flagship.

I am sorry to say but Pioneer A/V receivers are more for a second room (bedroom) surround sound setup. Other companies make 13.1 A/V receivers and 16 channel setups for the main home theater room. Also no Auro 3D audio on Pioneer A/V receivers, that is something that Denon and Yamaha offer.

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

This Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 A/V receiver from the year 2019, is out of production. It was Pioneers best A/V receiver for those that wanted 11.1 channels. Now the best Pioneer Elite in production is the year 2021 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 which is only 9.2 channels. I was hoping that Pioneer would come out with a 13.1 A/V receiver as a flagship, or at least maintaining the 11.1 as a flagship.

I am sorry to say but Pioneer A/V receivers are more for a second room (bedroom) surround sound setup. Other companies make 13.1 A/V receivers and 16 channel setups for the main home theater room. Also no Auro 3D audio on Pioneer A/V receivers, that is something that Denon and Yamaha offer.

I still use my 704 in pre-pro mode. I hope they’ll come out with a replacement soon and preferably with Auro3D added on. The 505 is a no go for me as the sub out is only 1 channel instead of 2.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I still use my 704 in pre-pro mode. I hope they’ll come out with a replacement soon and preferably with Auro3D added on. The 505 is a no go for me as the sub out is only 1 channel instead of 2.

Auro 3D audio is niche because, there's hardly any Auro 3D soundtracks on Blu-ray and 4K UHD. The few Auro 3D soundtracks that I'm aware of are from Germany Turbine blu-ray releases of: Twister, Daylight and Dragonheart. The majority of the 4K discs in the U.S have Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Auro 3D is a rarity, which is probably why Pioneer had eliminated the feature from their new A/V receivers because the lack of Auro 3D soundtracks being encoded on Blu-rays and 4K UHD. My Denon 4400H has Auro 3D and I've never utilized it, so I don't know what it sounds like.

[sapiendut]

I understand that but at times i want to listen to my music in Auromatic and I don’t have Auro3D.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I understand that but at times i want to listen to my music in Auromatic and I don’t have Auro3D.

By not having Auro 3D you're not missing out on anything because, there are no Auro 3D music nor movie soundtracks on blu-ray and 4K to miss out on in the U.S at least. I've had Auro 3D for years, and I'm still not missing nothing.

[sapiendut]

You’re missing my point. I like the sound of AuroMatic Upmixer playing my 2 ch music sources.