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forum threadBML6182 posted Today 01:33 PM
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forum threadBML6182 posted Today 01:33 PM

Pioneer Elite receiver VSX-LX505 9.2 channels 8k/4k 120hz

$849

$1,399

39% off
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Best Buy has the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX-505 at the lowest price it's been in the past year. I have this model in my living room for the past 2 years, and its been rock solid after the latest firmware update. This is the sister model to the Onkyo RZ-50, but considered a step up from the Onkyo.

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/p...c=pdp_page
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Best Buy has the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX-505 at the lowest price it's been in the past year. I have this model in my living room for the past 2 years, and its been rock solid after the latest firmware update. This is the sister model to the Onkyo RZ-50, but considered a step up from the Onkyo.

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/p...c=pdp_page

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Today 01:41 PM
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shaddaiToday 01:41 PM
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FYI: this AVR failed a 2nd test of the "limp mode" by Amir on ASR. Combined with the fact that Pioneer is no longer licensing AVRs, you have better alternatives in a similar price range.
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Today 01:50 PM
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BML6182
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Today 01:50 PM
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Quote from shaddai :
FYI: this AVR failed a 2nd test of the "limp mode" by Amir on ASR. Combined with the fact that Pioneer is no longer licensing AVRs, you have better alternatives in a similar price range.
Luckily the limp mode test was a synthetic bench test, it doesn't apply to normal real-world usage. In my home theater the LX805 is the best receiver I have ever owned and bested my Denon avr-3400 by a mile. The LX505 is supported by Onkyo, has plenty of power, and outperforms most if not all brand new units in this class/price point. I'd take this over similar priced Denon, RZ-30, LX303, etc.
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Today 02:16 PM
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shaddaiToday 02:16 PM
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Quote from BML6182 :
Luckily the limp mode test was a synthetic bench test, it doesn't apply to normal real-world usage. In my home theater the LX805 is the best receiver I have ever owned and bested my Denon avr-3400 by a mile. The LX505 is supported by Onkyo, has plenty of power, and outperforms most if not all brand new units in this class/price point. I'd take this over similar priced Denon, RZ-30, LX303, etc.
The 805 is a different animal from the 505 and doesn't have this power cutoff (as stated by Gene at Audioholics using his RZ70 review as a proxy for the 805). You typically have to pay street prices over $1k to get an AVR that can handle most impedance loads. As this is SD, there will be no shortage of folks ignoring my posts and their eyes get big when they see a "deal"!

My other point is that if I have a choice b/w the other 505 clones from 2021, I'd rather put money into the RZ50 or DRX 5.4 when pricing is similar.
Last edited by shaddai February 27, 2026 at 07:19 AM.
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Today 02:55 PM
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BML6182
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Today 02:55 PM
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Quote from shaddai :
The 805 is a different animal from the 505 and doesn't have this power cutoff (as stated by Gene at Audioholics using his RZ70 review as a proxy for the 805). You typically have to pay street prices over $1k to get an AVR that can handle most impedance loads. As this is SD, there will be no shortage of folks ignoring my posts and their eyes get big when they see a "deal"!

My other point is that if I have a choice b/w the other 505 clones from 2021, I'd rather put money into the RZ50 or DRX 5.4 when pricing is similar.
This is a helpful post @shaddai and I agree that if you can score an Onkyo RZ50 or even better an Integra DRX 5.4 at $850 from a reputable merchant brand new condition with full warranty, that would be a more slick deal than this offering, but the reality is that the Onkyo price is $1000 and the Integra is MIA. If you need something now, you want 4k Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX, Atmos, etc. 9.2 channels, decent watts per channel, this might be what you are looking for at today's best option.
If you can wait for some future deal, then you may want to wait, but well, that applies to everything on Slickdeals. This option is real, it's available today, and at a merchant that is trusted. If your AVR budget is $850, this is the best hardware you can get at that price today with full warranty and backed by reputable brick and mortar locations across the US. Or if there is something better today, please share it, I have a couple of friends building setups in the coming year, and I was planning on recommending this as a great mid-tier option.
Today 03:07 PM
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shaddaiToday 03:07 PM
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The RZ50 was going for $849 fairly recently from Adorama though I'd much rather get from BB based on the horror stories that have been coming out as of late.

The RZ30 is also a viable option being newer, has 2 discrete SW outs, and supports DLBC. You won't hear much of a difference b/w the RZ30 and RZ50 unless you absolutely need 11 channels processing.
Last edited by shaddai February 27, 2026 at 08:10 AM.
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Today 03:42 PM
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vid1900
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Sadly, this unit still is not fixed, even after the problem was brought to their attention 3 years ago.

It can't even drive 2 channels @4 ohms without going into limp mode.

2026 model with latest firmware:
https://www.audiosciencereview.co...ent.69410/
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Today 03:44 PM
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supermanrob
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Quote from BML6182 :
Luckily the limp mode test was a synthetic bench test, it doesn't apply to normal real-world usage. In my home theater the LX805 is the best receiver I have ever owned and bested my Denon avr-3400 by a mile. The LX505 is supported by Onkyo, has plenty of power, and outperforms most if not all brand new units in this class/price point. I'd take this over similar priced Denon, RZ-30, LX303, etc.
Yes & TBH that applies to pretty much all those bench test.

They are no real audible benefits other than 2 channel music.
Even then your speakers play a bigger role.

From real world use, if you only need 9 channels I vote for the RZ30.
Much newer, no global crossovers, independent sub outs & access to Dirac's Bass Control.
Especially when you can get it for the $700 price that often pops up!
Last edited by supermanrob February 27, 2026 at 08:47 AM.
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Today 03:53 PM
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BML6182
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Quote from supermanrob :

Yes & TBH that applies to pretty much all those bench test.

They are no real audible benefits other than 2 channel music.
Even then your speakers play a bigger role.

From real world use, if you only need 9 channels I vote for the RZ30.
Much newer, no global crossovers, independent sub outs & access to Dirac's Bass Control.
Especially when you can get it for the $700 price that often pops up!
Don't forget to mention, the Dirac Live Bass control is a pay to play option, most people shopping in this $$ range aren't paying that extra $300 license for the Bass Control. Anyone interested in Rob's suggestion, here are the specs RZ30 vs. LX505: https://www.zkelectronics.com/com...th-america
For me I'll take the extra watts and skip the DLBC, but to each their own. AVRs are very environment specific. If you need 11.2 processing, you have to go with the LX505, if you can settle for 9.2, consider the lower wattage RZ30. The 11.2 on the Pioneer is 9 powered channels, you need an external amp for the additional 2 channels.
Last edited by BML6182 February 27, 2026 at 08:55 AM.
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Today 04:27 PM
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shaddaiToday 04:27 PM
3,092 Posts
Quote from vid1900 :
Sadly, this unit still is not fixed, even after the problem was brought to their attention 3 years ago.

It can't even drive 2 channels @4 ohms without going into limp mode.

2026 model with latest firmware:
https://www.audiosciencereview.co...ent.69410/
We'll have to see what the 2027 next gen does in terms of this behavior (w/o Pioneer of course). If the behavior does change, I would imagine the retail price would need to go up to compensate. This would justify the "upgrade" to an RZ51 over an RZ31, for example (current gen is already too similar as it stands despite a piddly 20W into 2 channel difference)!
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Today 04:48 PM
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supermanrob
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Quote from BML6182 :
Don't forget to mention, the Dirac Live Bass control is a pay to play option, most people shopping in this $$ range aren't paying that extra $300 license for the Bass Control. Anyone interested in Rob's suggestion, here are the specs RZ30 vs. LX505: https://www.zkelectronics.com/com...th-americaFor me I'll take the extra watts and skip the DLBC, but to each their own. AVRs are very environment specific. If you need 11.2 processing, you have to go with the LX505, if you can settle for 9.2, consider the lower wattage RZ30. The 11.2 on the Pioneer is 9 powered channels, you need an external amp for the additional 2 channels.
Correct it's $300 now, usually $240 during BF.

So for $90($850-$700) to have what Dirac Live does to your loudspeakers, do it for your subwoofer(s)& integration into your loudspeakers.
Imo that's a better sonic benefit than 20 watts.

It is definitely way better than the bass management on the AVR which Dirac Live uses, ime.
I agree to each their own.
Last edited by supermanrob February 27, 2026 at 10:21 AM.
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