Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 Flagship A/V receiver (top of the line for the year 2023)

[HDTV1080P]

On March 14th 2023 it was announced that Pioneer is coming out with a new flagship A/V receiver for the year 2023 (I was aware of this information on 3-14-2023, but I was busy with another project and I am posting the information a day late).

The new flagship Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 is scheduled to ship in the Spring of 2023 with a list price of $2,999. This new A/V receiver has 11.4 channels (four subwoofers can be connected) with a promised future firmware update in June with Auro 3D support (Therefore all 3 lossless audio formats supported, Dolby Atmos, DTS X, and Auro 3D (However no DTS X Pro support from a Pioneer A/V receiver yet). Plus another firmware update in September to add Room Ready certification. This Pioneer A/V receiver will not only support Auro 3D audio with a future firmware update, but also offers HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR passthrough on the HDMI ports (6 out of the 7 HDMI ports support 8K resolution).

The following are select quotes from the Sound and Vision magazine article

“The receiver promises audiophile-quality music and immersive surround processing for movie soundtracks through Dolby Atmos (with Dolby Atmos height virtualization), DTS:X, and an IMAX Enhanced mode. Auro3D immersive processing is promised for June via a firmware update and Roon Ready certification will be added via a second update in September.”

“As you might imagine, the list of features is exhaustive and includes support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR), HDMI 2.1/HDCP 2.3, 4K and 8K resolution, and speeds up to 40Gbps for fast refresh rates with the newest gaming consoles, including the Xbox Series X.”

“Connectivity options are plentiful with seven eARC-compatible HDMI inputs, six of which will pass 8K, three HDMI outputs, three optical and two coaxial digital inputs, four analog RCA inputs, one phono input, two balanced XLR inputs and outputs for high-performance stereo listening, Zone 2 and Zone 3 stereo outputs, and more. There are also RCA preamp outputs for all channels.”

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...ip-av-receiver

https://www.pioneerhomeusa.com/produ...5-av-receiver/

[HDTV1080P]

From the specs the year 2023 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 A/V receiver is almost perfect. There is a couple of features that are missing from the A/V receiver that is a deal breaker for me when it comes to a high-end A/V receivers. The VSX-LX805 does not offer DTS X Pro, just regular DTS X. Since Pioneer plans on offering the Auro 3D feature with a firmware update, hopefully they will consider offering DTS X Pro with a future firmware update also (Denon offers DTS X Pro). The second feature that the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 A/V receiver is missing for a flagship A/V receiver is a 15.4 or 13.4 channel feature which is something that cannot be updated with firmware since that is hardware based. Hopefully in 2024+ Pioneer will consider offering 3 high-end A/V receivers with the top of the line model being 15.4 channels, then 13.4 channels, and then 11.4 channels just like the VSX-LX805. Sony offers a 13.2 channel A/V receiver for $3,299.99 and Denon offers a 15.4 channel A/V receiver for $6,499 with DTS X Pro. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 is a value receiver at $2,999, since the Yamaha RX-A8A 11.2 channel A/V receiver costs $3,549.95. Also I am not interested in Sony’s new 13.2 channel A/V receiver for $3,299.99 since it does not offer HDR10+ passthrough, and does not offer Auro 3D (plus Sony does not offer DTS X Pro like the Denon). The Denon AVR-A1H 15.4 channel A/V receiver for $6,499 is top of the line, but it is more then the average consumer would want for their home theater setup. Denon also offers the 13.2 channel AVR-X8500HA for $4,599 and the Denon 11.2 channel AVR-X6700H for $2,999.

Bottom line is the new Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 A/V receiver with 11.4 channels is a value priced receiver when compared to what Denon and Yamha has to offer. If I was in the market for a new A/V receiver I would strongly consider getting the $6,499 15.4 channel Denon AVR-A1H. However, my second choice would be the 11.4 channel Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 A/V receiver for $2,999 which is $550 cheaper then the 11.2 channel Yamaha.

The awesome thing is that in 2023 all three A/V receiver companies Denon, Pioneer, and Yamaha are offering not only HDR10+/Dolby Vision HDR passthrough but also Auro 3D audio support. I would not even consider Sony’s new 13.2 channel STR-AZ7000ES A/V receiver for $3,299.99 since it lacks HDR10+ passthrough and lacks Auro 3D. It looks like only Denon is offering DTS X Pro which hopefully Pioneer one day will offer in a future firmware update even though they only mentioned Auro 3D support by future firmware update. Hopefully Sound and Vision magazine and/or Widescreen Review magazine will do a professional review on the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 after it receives its scheduled Auro 3D firmware update in June (sometimes firmware updates can be delayed).

The only negative about buying any brand or model of A/V receiver in 2023 with 8K HDMI switching is that if in 2026+ the movie studios and consumer electronics industry decides to approve a new HDCP standard like HDCP 3.0 or HDCP 3.3 for 8K source material like 8K optical disc, 8K satellite, and 8K streaming, then everyone will need to upgrade their A/V receiver once again if they want 8K switching support.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The only negative about buying any brand or model of A/V receiver in 2023 with 8K HDMI switching is that if in 2026+ the movie studios and consumer electronics industry decides to approve a new HDCP standard like HDCP 3.0 or HDCP 3.3 for 8K source material like 8K optical disc, 8K satellite, and 8K streaming, then everyone will need to upgrade their A/V receiver once again if they want 8K switching support.

Given the current state of the 8k ecosystem, lack of content, probably the least important thing to worry about. Everything fantasized, such as 8K streaming, 8K DSLR Camera's, OTA digital broadcasts, has been on respirators to keep them alive. I tend to think only the AI video processing to make 4K content look more closer to 8K content is real these days. Reminds me of the days we had transiting from DVD to Blu-ray. But that was perfectly doable, from a technology standpoint. Where we are these days with AV marketplace, is to feel fortunate that here we finally have another Elite Pioneer AVR finally. I hope it starts to drive down some companies prices like D&M and their covid mentality of lower factory production vs artificial inflated pricing versus the TV industry.

[HDTV1080P]

It looks like the Pioneer even though it is 11.4 channels, will do 15.4 if one uses the pre-outs with an external amplifiers.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...92&postcount=1

https://www.pioneerhomeusa.com/wp-co...heet-v01-3.pdf