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expired Posted by iconian | Staff • Jan 19, 2024
expired Posted by iconian | Staff • Jan 19, 2024

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver

+ Free Shipping

$649

$1,300

50% off
Adorama
270 Comments 68,585 Views
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Deal Details
Update: This deal is still available.

Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $649. 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

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff

Original Post

Written by iconian | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This deal is still available.

Adorama has Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel 8K A/V Receiver on sale for $649. 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

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff

Original Post

Written by iconian | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+73
Good Deal
Visit Adorama

Price Intelligence

Model: Pioneer Home Audio Elite VSX-LX505 120W 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver

Deal History 

Sale Price
Slickdeal
  • $600
  • $900
  • $1,200
  • $1,500
$649
  • Today
  • 5/31
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  • 2025
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Top Comments

pracura
63 Posts
34 Reputation
I know there are a lot of fans of the Lx-505, the Onkyo, and the similar integra models. After months trying when they were all released I managed to get the Pioneer. I was replacing an x4100 Denon in a 5.1.4 setup. I built the room for high quality sound and to spec with Atmos, DTS-X, and Auro 3D.

I even bought the higher end tuning mic for Dirac and the special mic stand. I got deep into all of the tuning curves, laptop software, and all that jazz well before actually getting the receiver. For months I combed AV forums to get tips and expert advice.

In the end, in spite of days of tuning and tweaks, I returned the Pioneer. The Pioneer's sound was just flat compared to my older Denon. The 3 dimensions of sound were just 2D and too crisp. I thought for sure I got a defective Pioneer and after returning it, continued searching obsessively for any one of these three extremely similar models.

I was on the Crutchfield waitlist for a few months and finally got the Onkyo. I hooked it up. Did all the initial, standard calibration but got the exact same result. I did the curves and tweaked and tweaked. Things changed but never got close to my older Denon. Just flat sound that made me sad. I ended up returning the Onkyo too. It killed my soul.

So now I have the Denon x4700. It sounds amazing like my x4100 but a little better. The new Denon has some features my old Denon did not and that were critical at my house - having volume control on-screen and being able to turn everything on and off with a simple remote.

I'm not arguing with all the people who love these receivers. On paper they look awesome. My experience was less than awesome, but what pleases people's ears is ultimately a very personal experience and wanted to share mine.

That being said. This Pioneer is still a quality receiver and at this price definitely a slick deal. But I'll warn you not to invest as much time as I did trying to tweak it if you aren't impressed after your first calibration. Tweaking helped but in my case did not work out.
Blahgod
597 Posts
123 Reputation
Hard to imagine a 30 year AV hobbyist that never tried using external amps with an AVR.

269 Comments

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Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 20, 2024
java568
Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Quote from BML6182 :
That is a synthetic bench test, it should not occur in a real-world scenario. I can tell you this receiver is legit. If you put this Pioneer into protection mode, you just saved yourself from blowing your speakers.
I think this is a pretty slick deal, but you're really reaching here lol: "it's a good thing it can't actually sustain its rated output; it'll save your speakers!"

There's plenty of people with power hungry speakers who have reported issues with this receiver.
1
Pro
Jan 20, 2024
313 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Jan 20, 2024
BML6182
Pro
Jan 20, 2024
313 Posts
I am jealous if you buy that new Reference Premier and the Pioneer! I have two generations prior to this version of Reference Premier (that link is for GEN III) and my OG GEN I Reference Premier still sound amazing on this Pioneer AVR. For normal home theater listening levels I usually keep the volume under -20. The few times I have cranked it, the amp section was more than capable for the easy to drive Klipsch speakers. If you have harder to drive speakers, or want to change the sound signature, this AVR has pre-outs, so you can add any kind of Amp you like to add more power or color to your sound. I've been thinking to try a tube amp at some point, and with this AVR, just plug in the amp and you can see how a tube sounds on your mains for 2 channel music.

Not to mention they dropped the price of this Pioneer by $100 since I purchased mine! FYI, I looked it up and Adorama only has a 30 day price guarantee so I am SOL, because I purchased at the first price drop in November.
Pro
Jan 20, 2024
313 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Jan 20, 2024
BML6182
Pro
Jan 20, 2024
313 Posts
Quote from java568 :
I think this is a pretty slick deal, but you're really reaching here lol: "it's a good thing it can't actually sustain its rated output; it'll save your speakers!"

There's plenty of people with power hungry speakers who have reported issues with this receiver.
Valid point, it would be smart to use the pre-outs and external amps if you have power hungry speakers, that is a good PSA warning. Folks with those types of speakers aren't normally looking at a sub-$700 AVR, but who am I to judge...

I have gone the separates route for my basement home theater, but for my secondary living room system, this has been more than adequate. Only reason I wanted the pre-outs was to hook up a tube amp at some point when I run my turntable and use the tube amp for for my mains for 2 channel listening.
1
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Joined Jun 2023
Jan 20, 2024
LovelySparrow901
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Quote from java568 :
I think this is a pretty slick deal, but you're really reaching here lol: "it's a good thing it can't actually sustain its rated output; it'll save your speakers!"

There's plenty of people with power hungry speakers who have reported issues with this receiver.
"There's plenty of people with power hungry speakers who have reported issues with this receiver."

Power hungry means low impedance and typically low sensitivity. This and most AVR's are the WRONG device for that type of speaker. This isn't breaking news. I chalk this up to user ignorance or lack of due diligence.
5
Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 20, 2024
java568
Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Quote from LovelySparrow901 :
Power hungry means low impedance and typically low sensitivity. This and most AVR's are the WRONG device for that type of speaker. This isn't breaking news. I chalk this up to user ignorance or lack of due diligence.
Glad we both agree that it's something that should be brought up in a buying thread so people can make an informed decision.
1
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Joined Jun 2023

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Jan 20, 2024
114 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Jan 20, 2024
volcs
Jan 20, 2024
114 Posts
I currently have a Pioneer Elite SC-LX501. How much of an upgrade would this be for me?
My speaker set up is:
2 front
2 surround rear
2 surround
2 height / upward firing
Center
Sub-woofer

I have a 4K screen with no plans to upgrade any time soon.

This seems like an overkill upgrade, but I thought I'd see what people thought.

EDIT: I don't think the 501 can do both surrounds and the height - I think it's either or, right?
So, this would be an upgrade (7.1 --> 9.1).

Thanks.
Last edited by volcs January 20, 2024 at 08:58 AM.
1

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Pro
Jan 20, 2024
9,246 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Jan 20, 2024
TheEdge
Pro
Jan 20, 2024
9,246 Posts
Quote from volcs :
I currently have a Pioneer Elite SC-LX501. How much of an upgrade would this be for me?
My speaker set up is:
2 front
2 surround rear
2 surround
2 height / upward firing
Center
Sub-woofer

I have a 4K screen with no plans to upgrade any time soon.

This seems like an overkill upgrade, but I thought I'd see what people thought.

Thanks.
If I'm looking at your model correctly, it doesn't support the more recent high speed / HDMI specs (i.e. for variable refresh rate). If you're not gaming or plan to go to 8K anytime soon, that's not a big deal.

IMHO, the biggest draw to the 505 are:

- full pre-outs (for those who want to run their front towers / front stage to an external amp)
- latest HDMI spec (since I have a PS5 and games that take advantage of VRR)
- DIRAC (even though MCACC was pretty good)

If you're happy with your general sound and don't need tons of power, I think you should be set with what you got.
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Joined Jun 2023
Jan 20, 2024
LovelySparrow901
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Quote from volcs :
I currently have a Pioneer Elite SC-LX501. How much of an upgrade would this be for me?
My speaker set up is:
2 front
2 surround rear
2 surround
2 height / upward firing
Center
Sub-woofer

I have a 4K screen with no plans to upgrade any time soon.

This seems like an overkill upgrade, but I thought I'd see what people thought.

EDIT: I don't think the 501 can do both surrounds and the height - I think it's either or, right?
So, this would be an upgrade (7.1 --> 9.1).

Thanks.
Advanced room EQ like Dirac or Audyssey XT32 is a game changer. I would upgrade just for that. Unless you have VERY good speakers with a neutral sound without resonances, etc, in an acoustically treated room, it is a night and day improvement.
3
Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 20, 2024
java568
Jan 20, 2024
353 Posts
Quote from LovelySparrow901 :
Ppl shouldn't expect non flagship AVR's to successful power low impedance and low sensitivity speakers to reference or relatively loud levels. That's why external amplifiers exist.
Most AVR's are designed to coexist with mainstream consumer speakers around 6-8ohms and moderate to high efficiency.
There are plenty of people with a 7.*.4 set-up and just amp the front 2/3 to get the dynamic range they need on their most important speakers. This is a pretty common, cost-effective set-up that can't be done effectively with this receiver. I'm not sure why you're pretending like this issue is only impacting people with 2Ω 80db speakers lol.
1
Jan 20, 2024
19 Posts
Joined Sep 2015
Jan 20, 2024
xclukasgt
Jan 20, 2024
19 Posts
Quote from Wolfpack7 :
Thank you for the input. I was aware of the global crossovers, but I'm not sure if that's necessarily a deal breaker for me. I don't know if I'd dive in that deep yet and mess with it. Probably have em all set to 80hz and leave it anyway.

The extra 20 watts and processing is a little more interesting. Though, at this time I'd probably top out at a 5.x.4 as the room doesn't have a good layout for rear channels to run 7.x.4. Realistically, the NR7100/LX305 are probably adequate enough then and the extra $100 isn't worth it? I wish the LX305 or NR7100 would drop to $450, I'd grab either in a heartbeat
The global crossover controversy becomes a non issue if you use the fully parametric eq that comes with the DIRAC live software. Not really sure how this is so overblown or how people are nonchalantly setting their LFE crossover to 150hz (without a custom EQ curve further down the chain).

I bought an lx505 and it's good, but it's let down by its power supply. Adding a power conditioner actually made an audible difference, which is not the case for the 51lb THX Ultra SR876 it replaced. I also have a Denon S760 which weighs a pathetic 19lbs and it sounds as hollow as it feels. Btw all of these amps are class AB.

Either way this receiver is hard to beat at the price just for the processor capabilities. DIRAC live for PC was a pleasant surprise at how easy it was to setup. Using the PC let's you configure multiple setups (my TV pulls down over a mantle). It also lets you load custom target curves for each channel, select how wide or narrow you want your listening zone, and effectively set cross overs with custom slopes and Q factors.

edit: incorrect weight source
Last edited by xclukasgt January 20, 2024 at 06:11 PM.
1
Jan 20, 2024
1,904 Posts
Joined Dec 2004
Jan 20, 2024
awdawg
Jan 20, 2024
1,904 Posts
Curveball question I doubt many have tested. I'm curious about the video analog input upscaling and outputting over hdmi. Has anyone hooked up any retro gaming consoles with the classic RCA cables, how does it look? I suspect not as good as having a old tube TV, but I'd love it if this was an easier answer to a cleaner picture with my NES to my LG C2.
Jan 20, 2024
475 Posts
Joined Feb 2012
Jan 20, 2024
agent888
Jan 20, 2024
475 Posts
Really want to pull the trigger but every time I read about the power throttling and global crossover, I chicken out. I have a 7.2.4 set up with emotiva airmotiv speakers and I am pretty sure they are 4 ohms. Not sure if this will work....
Jan 20, 2024
74 Posts
Joined Jan 2018
Jan 20, 2024
apepi1337
Jan 20, 2024
74 Posts
Quote from sdenver :
Hi I am new with these thing, please help if you can? TIA. I plan to buy this receiver, Martinlogan motion F10, what sub and center should I buy, I like to listen to music and movies, no games or else, please give me advice thank you
The Klipsch another mentioned is very bright compared to Martin Logan. I personally like the Martin Logan a lot better. For the sub I have the Martin Logan Dynamo 800X with this exact receiver and it sounds awesome. Very tight bass. Its better for music then movies but I am sticking with it for both.

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Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Joined Jun 2023
Jan 20, 2024
LovelySparrow901
Jan 20, 2024
1,702 Posts
Quote from java568 :
There are plenty of people with a 7.*.4 set-up and just amp the front 2/3 to get the dynamic range they need on their most important speakers. This is a pretty common, cost-effective set-up that can't be done effectively with this receiver. I'm not sure why you're pretending like this issue is only impacting people with 2Ω 80db speakers lol.
"There are plenty of people with a 7.*.4 set-up and just amp the front 2/3"

I need to see where you're getting your data to say "plenty".
You mean the ppl that post on AV forums? Those ppl probably constitute waaaaay less than a quarter of those people that even own and use AVR's. I've been in this hobby for 30 years and have had at least 10 AVR's in various systems and never used an external amp. And I AM an AV hobbyist. There's always been a lot of "talk" about it, but nothing I've read indicates it's "plenty" of people actually doing it. It's might be "plenty" of the AV hobbyists, but NOT your average consumer putting together a home theater.
Lol. If it was "plenty" don't you think the smart people at Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc who STUDY these markets would know this was such a popular thing to do and would be offering separate amps just for powering the front 2/3 speakers? They're have all the parts and factories. They could be making a killing with this add-on external amp market. Why are they totally ignoring it?? Not only that, they'd be offering preamp outputs on lower tiered AVR's just to get a better chance of selling their add-on amps. They know ad-on amps is a small niche market. They put the preouts on the AVR's because it has become a feature hobbyists insist on, but rarely actually use. Lol.
Last edited by LovelySparrow901 January 21, 2024 at 05:24 AM.
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