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expirediconian | Staff posted Nov 27, 2023 4:45 PM
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver
$749
$1,400
46% off
+ Free Shippingat Adorama
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Update: This popular deal is still available.
Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $749. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.
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Key Features:
Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $749. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.
Note: You may need to add to cart to see deal price.
Key Features:
- Dirac Live Room Correction
- HDMI 2.1
- Ultimate 4K Gaming Experience
- 9 Channels of onboard amplification with 11.2-Channel Processing
- 120-watts/per channel
- Imax Enhanced
- Powered Zone 2/Zone 3 Audio
- Bi-directional Bluetooth with aptX HD
- Pioneer Home Audio Elite VSX-LX505 120W 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- RC-974R Remote Controller with 2x AAA Batteries
- Speaker Setup Microphone
- DAB/FM Antenna
- Indoor FM Antenna
- AM Loop Antenna
- Power Cord
- User Manual
- Pioneer Home Audio 3 Year limited Warranty
Editor's Notes
Written by StrawMan86 | Staff- About this Deal:
- This is $50 lower than the recent Frontpage Deal.
- Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 290 reviews on Amazon.
- Get 1%-5% cash back on deals like this with a cash back credit card. Compare the available cash back credit cards here.
- Refer to the forum thread for community discussion of this deal.
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.
Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $749. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.
Note: You may need to add to cart to see deal price.
Key Features:
Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $749. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.
Note: You may need to add to cart to see deal price.
Key Features:
- Dirac Live Room Correction
- HDMI 2.1
- Ultimate 4K Gaming Experience
- 9 Channels of onboard amplification with 11.2-Channel Processing
- 120-watts/per channel
- Imax Enhanced
- Powered Zone 2/Zone 3 Audio
- Bi-directional Bluetooth with aptX HD
- Pioneer Home Audio Elite VSX-LX505 120W 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- RC-974R Remote Controller with 2x AAA Batteries
- Speaker Setup Microphone
- DAB/FM Antenna
- Indoor FM Antenna
- AM Loop Antenna
- Power Cord
- User Manual
- Pioneer Home Audio 3 Year limited Warranty
Editor's Notes
Written by StrawMan86 | Staff- About this Deal:
- This is $50 lower than the recent Frontpage Deal.
- Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 290 reviews on Amazon.
- Get 1%-5% cash back on deals like this with a cash back credit card. Compare the available cash back credit cards here.
- Refer to the forum thread for community discussion of this deal.
Community Voting
Deal Score
+77
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Bad Deal
Price Intelligence
Model: Pioneer Home Audio Elite VSX-LX505 120W 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
Deal History
Deal History includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "Sale Price".
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Sale Price
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Top Comments
Pioneer 505 - $749
Dirac full bandwidth is included - $0
Dirac microphone is included - $0
Total - $749
Denon 3800 - $1000
Dirac full bandwidth is $349
Dirac microphone is $100
Total - $1449
So the price difference is $700, not $500. Options almost double the Denon price when making an equal comparison.
Differences are power rating 120w for Pioneer vs 105w for Denon. Sometime in 2024 Denon will add a Dirac bass control module (Not available on the Pioneer but adds another $499 for multi sub version). Or you may choose another type of sub EQ if you desire and not use this module at all.
Bang for the buck, you will have a hard time finding better performance than this Pioneer for the same money.
Running a rp-504c, rp-8000f ii, and various in ceiling speakers. 5.2.2 setup.
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237 Comments
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I use Audyssey at the moment with my 3400 and while it works, it leaves something to be desired. I haven't shelled out for the desktop software, so there's likely more I could be doing there. Dirac looks compelling and is part of the reason I went with the 4800, but I didn't realize until yesterday that I'd have to give up Dynamic EQ.
I hadn't heard of this Pioneer unit before. I'm considering returning the 4800, eating the return shipment, and buying this instead. I'm not in "money is no object" territory, but I wouldn't have bought the 4800 if it wasn't something I could afford. That said, saving $550 on the AVR and not having to pay for Dirac is attractive.
Ultimately, I want something that will have good positional audio with clear dialog for movies and gaming and can serve as hub for all my various inputs. I have a turntable I'd like to hook up and I'd consider myself a music enthusiast, but I'm not an audiophile.
I want something with good build quality that won't crap out on me in a few years and I don't mind paying for quality. Resale value is a minor consideration. Setting price aside would this Pioneer be a good option for what I'm after? Or should I just stick with the 4800?
You also get the option of buying a dirac license, more future proofing by having flexibility to upgrade to DLBC, per channel adjustable crossovers, or expanding to up to 11 channels with no additional amps required and/or 4 subs, extra hdmi 2.1 ports.
You probably should just get the pioneer and test it out side by side, see which you prefer, and eat the return shipping for one of these AVRs, since you would anyways if you ultimately decide to switch to the pioneer.
You're going to get opinions favoring Dirac, opinions favoring Xt32, and opinions saying that both are about the same when calibrated correctly. But those people are not in your room. Only you can determine which piece of equipment sounds best in your room. Do it for your peace of mind
Thats the disappointment people have based on that measurement/thread.
It's starts sooner than desired and mainly triggered by the power draw from the internal amps which don't turn off.
Clearly you are not getting 120 watts per channel.
So whatever point it is the external amps are restricted by it.
Of course there are many variables like channels driven, speakers, volume, etc.
but any power beyond that kinda gets wasted.
I use Audyssey at the moment with my 3400 and while it works, it leaves something to be desired. I haven't shelled out for the desktop software, so there's likely more I could be doing there. Dirac looks compelling and is part of the reason I went with the 4800, but I didn't realize until yesterday that I'd have to give up Dynamic EQ.
I hadn't heard of this Pioneer unit before. I'm considering returning the 4800, eating the return shipment, and buying this instead. I'm not in "money is no object" territory, but I wouldn't have bought the 4800 if it wasn't something I could afford. That said, saving $550 on the AVR and not having to pay for Dirac is attractive.
Ultimately, I want something that will have good positional audio with clear dialog for movies and gaming and can serve as hub for all my various inputs. I have a turntable I'd like to hook up and I'd consider myself a music enthusiast, but I'm not an audiophile.
I want something with good build quality that won't crap out on me in a few years and I don't mind paying for quality. Resale value is a minor consideration. Setting price aside would this Pioneer be a good option for what I'm after? Or should I just stick with the 4800?
1st if you use Dirac you lose any dynamic EQ, they do not support it and you can't mix it with another RC.
2nd room correction doesn't really overcome the architectural quirks of an environment.
Each software/algorithms tackles it differently, many people prefer how Dirac performs.
Dirac tackles the environment with two separate RCs(DL & DLBC), excluding/downplaying the one that tackles all bass integration is not a good idea imo.
EQing/calibration does not accomplish the same as DLBC, it's not an OR.
Seems you are looking ahead(future proofing).
With that in mind you get no option for DLBC with the 505.
The 4800 gets it this coming year.
Since you plan to use just one sub, Dirac offers DLBC for a single sub for $349.
One last point.
Adding MulitEQ-X to your 3400 will give all the benefits of both Dirac's.
All for $199, no need to buy a whole new receiver.
Here are the feature differences of the two.
https://www.zkelectroni
Based on listening, it can be much different.
Listening to a 9.2.4 at average levels & where some speakers are even semi power hungry(ie LCR's) driven by say 100/125 and external amps .
For me clearly there was a difference in SQ between all three.
This wasn't from forum members, not the reviewers, not the sales person, me listening.
Anyways if you found the 505 awesome that's great, YOU are the only one that matters!
Whether it's awesome for anyone else is a whole different ballgame.
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You also get the option of buying a dirac license, more future proofing by having flexibility to upgrade to DLBC, per channel adjustable crossovers, or expanding to up to 11 channels with no additional amps required and/or 4 subs, extra hdmi 2.1 ports.
You probably should just get the pioneer and test it out side by side, see which you prefer, and eat the return shipping for one of these AVRs, since you would anyways if you ultimately decide to switch to the pioneer.
You're going to get opinions favoring Dirac, opinions favoring Xt32, and opinions saying that both are about the same when calibrated correctly. But those people are not in your room. Only you can determine which piece of equipment sounds best in your room. Do it for your peace of mind
One that speaks to perhaps stepping up to the Onkyo RZ70 deal
Not having to buy one of the Dirac licenses of the correct calibration mic, obtaining an amp/power supply section that is likely more in line with the denon X6800 for $2199
That sounds like the winner to me if $2199 is in your budget
That is not accurate.....as there are several high end AVR's that bench their posted rating with all channels driven
The Arcam AVR30/31 is an example
In this price range..I would agree with you
In fact..many multichannel amps in the lower price ranges wont meet their tested numbers with all channels driven either
The Marantz and the Yamaha units are perfect examples...However the Monolith amps will bench test their rated power with all channels driven
I would say are probably looking at the Denon X6800 if you are more comparing to that AVR
Except
The RZ70 has DLBC right now , comes with the full range license at no charge, DLBC available right now and the correct calibration mic
That alone saves you hundreds over the Denon X6800
Another detail , if you care about DAC's, the Onkyo RZ70 has the same ones as the $6500 Denon A1H and the $7000 Marantz AV10
Dirac tackles the environment with two separate RCs(DL & DLBC), excluding/downplaying the one that tackles all bass integration is not a good idea imo.
EQing/calibration does not accomplish the same as DLBC, it's not an OR.
Seems you are looking ahead(future proofing).
With that in mind you get no option for DLBC with the 505.
The 4800 gets it this coming year.
Since you plan to use just one sub, Dirac offers DLBC for a single sub for $349.
Adding MulitEQ-X to your 3400 will give all the benefits of both Dirac's.
All for $199, no need to buy a whole new receiver.
https://www.zkelectronics.com/com...vsx-lx505/ [zkelectronics.com]
Thanks. A huge problem here is that MultiEQ-X is Windows only. I don't own a Windows laptop to use the software with. Lugging my workstation and a monitor out to the living room isn't something I'm that keen to do. Is there a cross-platform option that's better than the mobile app? I'm still looking at a new receiver for upgraded HDMI. I can hook stuff up directly to the TV and use ARC, but that defeats a lot of the reason I want an AVR in the first place.
Thanks. I've been looking ad nauseum. I was hoping by laying out my requirements someone would be able to advise better. I suppose I could do what another person suggested and get both and try them out side-by-side. I just try to avoid sending back items that I've used just because I didn't like it.
Just in this thread/post the top two things debated/contemplate are RC & power.
IF Dirac is head and shoulders better, then $700-$800 investment should make sense.
Keep in mind $500 is an added cost for everyone, not included with any brand talked about here.
The least expensive to get both would be the 3800 at $1k which has regularly popped up at that price.
Yes you have to wait a few months but you waited this long what's a few more months and you save a lot more money.
Power is a lot more complicated.
As you can tell some say not a big deal/difference.
If that's the case then the 3800 becomes even a bigger value.
Built in power cost you more of course.
Preouts and external power is an option but that comes at a price also.
A plus to external amps, you do it once and always a benefit, they don't become obsolete.
People bring up bench test and or component benefits.
When you audition, the majority of that has very little audible benefit if at all.
Imo RC is more a benefit than all that.
Dirac is always compared to Audyssey for a reason, they are comparable & both are good.
Why I think Denon(and Marantz) is a great option.
You get two good RC's, one is included.
If the one included isn't good enough, you have the option for the other so called better one.
Denon/Marantz are the only two brands that do that.
I'm kinda in the same boat regarding MultiEQ-X, I don't do PC and I really don't need it TBH.
If those are the two main reasons you are looking to upgrade, $199 + an external amp solves it without a costly new receiver imo.
Also, if not going external amplification the 505 is still better.
505 current draw 850Watts
X3800 current draw 660Watts
The 505 is a pound heavier which makes for a better transformer.
At this price you should be comparing the denon x1800 or x2800....
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Just in this thread/post the top two things debated/contemplate are RC & power.
IF Dirac is head and shoulders better, then $700-$800 investment should make sense.
Keep in mind $500 is an added cost for everyone, not included with any brand talked about here.
The least expensive to get both would be the 3800 at $1k which has regularly popped up at that price.
Yes you have to wait a few months but you waited this long what's a few more months and you save a lot more money.
Power is a lot more complicated.
As you can tell some say not a big deal/difference.
If that's the case then the 3800 becomes even a bigger value.
Built in power cost you more of course.
Preouts and external power is an option but that comes at a price also.
A plus to external amps, you do it once and always a benefit, they don't become obsolete.
People bring up bench test and or component benefits.
When you audition, the majority of that has very little audible benefit if at all.
Imo RC is more a benefit than all that.
Dirac is always compared to Audyssey for a reason, they are comparable & both are good.
Why I think Denon(and Marantz) is a great option.
You get two good RC's, one is included.
If the one included isn't good enough, you have the option for the other so called better one.
Denon/Marantz are the only two brands that do that.
I'm kinda in the same boat regarding MultiEQ-X, I don't do PC and I really don't need it TBH.
If those are the two main reasons you are looking to upgrade, $199 + an external amp solves it without a costly new receiver imo.
Also, if not going external amplification the 505 is still better.
505 current draw 850Watts
X3800 current draw 660Watts
The 505 is a pound heavier which makes for a better transformer.
At this price you should be comparing the denon x1800 or x2800....
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