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:- 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
Includes:- 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
Leave a Comment
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.
237 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I've got better things to do than argue with a wall.
Sorry to bust your ego but believe it or not we're not required to "get it"!!! 🤷🏻 ♂️
Funny how you definitely have time to "preach" YOUR "IMHO"!!!
Funny how you'll listen to DAC "measurements" but throttling "measurements" are nothingburger!!!! 🤣
Not surprising though!
Here is a novel idea, since ignore didn't work how about you just not respond! 🤔
The LX704 and 904 would be D class, which amp I personally like. Pioneer LX805 is also D class.
Of course, all of them are several thousand $...
I would not buy neither this deal, neither the Denon 3rd series. If I was a regular audiophile guy, I would just save and get the Denon 4800 or sth in the same class, Beyond that there is really miniscule deference in sound quality in a regular living home.
For me, I like the 6700h, Marantz 8000 series etc. integrated "AVR flagships" because I really can hear the difference. But it is beyond the price point of this posting. The speakers to pair with them would be also in the thousands range.
The 505 has 15 more watts and includes Dirac Live.
The 3800 adds feature benefits like:
Two very good room corrections, Dirac Live is not included, it's a purchase option.
It will offer Dirac's other room correction, Dirac Live Bass Control here soon for purchase.
All channels are assignable.
4 independent sub outs(vs 2 mono)
Independent crossovers.
Internal amps that can be turned off per channel.
Here is a full comparison of them both.
https://www.zkelectroni
Feel free to correct anything as I could be wrong too.
the Denon has preamp outs that are assignable where the Pioneer makes you use them as rears. Not a huge deal although for my 7.2.4 system, I would rather assign my external amp to my mains but whatevers.
The Pioneer is throttling the power after a certain amount of time to all of the channels to arount 20 watts. Some say you can not hear a difference in real world usiage but that is a pretty significant difference from the claimed power to me. 🤷
The Pioneer has a universal crossover that has to be set on all speakers and can not be adjusted independently. Some are saying that with Dirac, you can in fact set them individually and some say that it is not a big deal. I don't know what to believe on that one but being that I have full range fronts and atmos and small surrounds, I would rather control over each speaker/ crossover.
I think the pioneer dirac live does not offer Bass management, the denon offers it but you have to pay extra, additionally, each sub (up to 4) can have their own crossover as well on the Denon.
From my little bit of research, the Denon brand seems to be a more established company as far as recievers as of late.
Again, I am a noob but this is just what I am learning.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Lowest current price on a Denon 3800 is $1185 (Was on sale for $899) but that sale is over. To make an apples to apples comparison (As close as possible), you need to add $349 for the Dirac Live (Full bandwidth) license and another $100 for a special calibration mic. So the total for the Denon is $1580. Denon is supposed to release the Dirac bass control in 2024 (No specific time line). That option requires stepping up to the Pioneer 805 model (Not available on the 505 model).
The Pioneer in this thread is $749 and includes the Dirac Live license (Full bandwidth) and the calibration mic is included with the unit. Nothing extra to buy.
So pricing for the Denon is roughly twice the price for less performance / power. At the current pricing, the Pioneer 505 is a very smart buy. Be aware that the crossover settings on the Pioneer are not as flexible as other products. This may be a non-factor for you. If it is look at the sister product (Onkyo TX-RZ50 as it has more flexibility in the crossover settings) and would still be less (Apples to apples) when compared to the Denon 3800.
If you did a back to back testing, I doubt you would be able to distinguish any difference between them.
https://assets.klipsch.
Build quality aside, the requirement for an expensive amp was enough for me to scratch it off any list I had.
Feel free to correct anything as I could be wrong too.
the Denon has preamp outs that are assignable where the Pioneer makes you use them as rears. Not a huge deal although for my 7.2.4 system, I would rather assign my external amp to my mains but whatevers.
The Pioneer is throttling the power after a certain amount of time to all of the channels to arount 20 watts. Some say you can not hear a difference in real world usiage but that is a pretty significant difference from the claimed power to me. 🤷
The Pioneer has a universal crossover that has to be set on all speakers and can not be adjusted independently. Some are saying that with Dirac, you can in fact set them individually and some say that it is not a big deal. I don't know what to believe on that one but being that I have full range fronts and atmos and small surrounds, I would rather control over each speaker/ crossover.
I think the pioneer dirac live does not offer Bass management, the denon offers it but you have to pay extra, additionally, each sub (up to 4) can have their own crossover as well on the Denon.
From my little bit of research, the Denon brand seems to be a more established company as far as recievers as of late.
Again, I am a noob but this is just what I am learning.
A little clarification Dirac Live does not correct global crossovers.
If you consider even matching speakers don't have the same frequency you can see why having independent crossovers can be a benefit.
If you consider the main thing crossovers are mitigating, the bass response between your sub(s) to each speaker you understand the importance of sub/bass integration.
As you can see just looking at the beginning of this thread & throughout thee biggest advantage to this AVR is Dirac Live and how great it is.
Yet these same people say oh but Dirac Live Bass Control is a "marginal" benefit with no personal experience should speak volumes imo.
Even if you were to just read Dirac's description of what DLBC offers, you should understand it's not just a marginal benefit!
https://www.dirac.com/live/bass-control/
BTW the 3800 comes with another good room correction included, XT32.
So you may easily find that you don't "need" to pay for Dirac Live like you do with Pioneer/Onkyo.
You don't even get the option to get DLBC with this if you find later you want it!
You don't give up sub/bass integration with XT32, as a matter of fact you gain another one called Directional sub integration.
It follows the same theory/mindset behind DLBC/D-ART & Trinnov sub integration.
Build quality aside, the requirement for an expensive amp was enough for me to scratch it off any list I had.
VSX-42 is only 7 channels. LX505 is 9 channels and can be expanded to 11 channels.
VSX-42 Doesn't not do 4K
VSX-42 Does not do 4K 120Hz for gaming devices
VSX-42 has HDMI 1.4, new Pioneer has HDMI 2.1
VSX-42 does not have preouts. LX 505 has full set of preouts
VSX-42 cannot do Atmos as it wasn't available in 2012.
VSX-42 doesn't offer Dirac
It isn't really comparable at all because it is so much older.
If you still have an older TV (non 4K), watch DVD or Blu Ray and only 1080p streaming and 5.1 or 7.1 keep the VSX-42.
My Pioneer Elite vsx-42 receiver is connected to my computer I built 10 years ago, and my 10 year old Samsung 55" led HD, and my Samsung Blu-ray player, and my Xbox 3...(one)....this is paird with the Polk Monitor 70 series II towers, Polk monitor series II center speaker, polk xt90 speakers sitting atop the front towers, and the Pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers in the rear, and the Polk PSW505 sub woofer.
Also what is a pre out?
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Leave a Comment