Pioneer releases new Elite flagship AVR VSX-LX805 with XLR inputs/outputs for front L/R channels

[Jukebox]

I did! So far, so good. I thought it sounded pretty good after calibrating with MCACC Pro. I then calibrated it with the Dirac Live mobile app version with three measurements and was a little disappointed as I felt the sound quality took a step backwards. Once I got my UMIK-1 in I did the full windows/UMIK-1 Dirac Live calibration and I was astounded at the difference it made! It's the best sound I've ever had in my room. I currently only have a stereo setup as I'm waiting for some more things to build an entertainment center for the center channel and have to buy speaker stands and wire to run for the surrounds. I can't wait to see what it sounds like after that. This will be my first full home theater.

That sounds encouraging
Any HDMI/CEC/ARC handshake problems and glitches?

 

[tapornap113]

That sounds encouraging
Any HDMI/CEC/ARC handshake problems and glitches?

Not really. I have a couple of issues only because I use a Harmony remote and haven’t worked out the time delay of all the commands yet but with my devices (Xbox SX, PS5, and Apple TV 4K) I haven’t had any CEC or handshake issues. The switching seems reasonably fast and reliable. Keep in mind, I don’t have a lot of recent receiver experience to compare. I’m coming from a Krell S300I stereo setup with everything being sent to my tv and then optical out to a DAC which fed the Krell so my HDMI switching was done on the TV. Either way I’m happy with how fast and reliable the Pioneer has been so far.

 

[TonioRoffo]

I'm using Dirac live with a seperate processor for the moment.
Measurements sound really bad until I disable "Delay Compensation" in the processor.
Is it possible to turn that off in the Pioneer?
or, alternatively, is it possible to ignore this now in the measurement? I think I've read it somewhere but I am not sure.

Thanks

 

[soerenssen]

Is Dirac processing limited to 48KHz? I don't find any info about this.

 

[dlaloum]

Is Dirac processing limited to 48KHz? I don't find any info about this.

Seems to be the case in most avr implementations. But I don't believe it is a dirac constraint, seems to be up to the manufacturer of the avr, and how they integrate it.

 

[peng]

Is Dirac processing limited to 48KHz? I don't find any info about this.

You can ask @Flak and Pioneer for an official answer. He said the following before:

Dirac Live can support any sample rate, for example the standalone supports 192 kHz but... it then depends on the computing power of the processor

Dirac Live standalone for PC and Mac

Most likely not to MiniDSP, but I would ask them about the standalone. Even if they don’t offer license migration sometimes companies can give you a discount in similar situations. Thks, will revert ;-) Yes, you can get the latest Dirac Live 3 update free of charge and it includes both the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If Pioneer did not say anything about it, then as dlaloum alluded to, your guess may be right, ie 48 kHz, but I think flagship devices might be 96 kHz. No point guessing though, better ask them before deciding, if higher sampling rate than 48 kHz matters to you.

 

[soerenssen]

You can ask @Flak for an official answer. Also, read the following:

Dirac Live standalone for PC and Mac

Most likely not to MiniDSP, but I would ask them about the standalone. Even if they don’t offer license migration sometimes companies can give you a discount in similar situations. Thks, will revert ;-) Yes, you can get the latest Dirac Live 3 update free of charge and it includes both the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I meant Dirac Stereo and DLBC offered by the Pioneer LX805. As an example, the Denon x4800h supports only 48KHz.

 

[peng]

I meant Dirac Stereo and DLBC offered by the Pioneer LX805. As an example, the Denon x4800h supports only 48KHz.

I know what you meant, but the answer is the same, that it is up to the manufacturers, in this case Pioneer. They may choose 48 kHz, or higher, depending on whether they think their DSP processors will perform better, or worse, or no impact, if the higher sampling frequency is used. That's why I think the flagship units have better chance to use higher sampling rate, if they have more powerful DSP processors, but that is not always the case, because of standardization.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

DLBC goes a substantial step further.... whether that in turn results in an improvement in YOUR room - is dependent on your setup!
But for most of us that have imperfect multy purpose living spaces, it may well be a partial panacea ... (and DL ART promises even more!)

I have no doubt about the improvements provided by DLBC, but owing the LX505 now, I really want to get an "end-game" AVR without having to get the LX805 now and then having to buy another model with DLART.

Has anyone come across any updates saying that Dirac and Pioneer will bring DLART to LX805?

I think even if the hardware is capable, they might want to introduce LX905 just so they can make more money?

 

[dlaloum]

I have no doubt about the improvements provided by DLBC, but owing the LX505 now, I really want to get an "end-game" AVR without having to get the LX805 now and then having to buy another model with DLART.

Has anyone come across any updates saying that Dirac and Pioneer will bring DLART to LX805?

I think even if the hardware is capable, they might want to introduce LX905 just so they can make more money?

We are all waiting for word on the next step @ onkyo....

Personally I don't think we will see an onkyo family device with dlart "included", I think it will stay as an option.

But I could be wrong, onkyo do have a history of including everything ( and the kitchen sink ).

 

[ban25]

I have no doubt about the improvements provided by DLBC, but owing the LX505 now, I really want to get an "end-game" AVR without having to get the LX805 now and then having to buy another model with DLART.

Has anyone come across any updates saying that Dirac and Pioneer will bring DLART to LX805?

I think even if the hardware is capable, they might want to introduce LX905 just so they can make more money?

My guess would be you'll see it announced as a paid add-on for the RZ90/LX905/DRC-R1.4. I'd certainly like to see it on more devices, but DLART is likely to remain a premium option for flagship devices for this generation. Happy to be proven wrong of course!

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

My guess would be you'll see it announced as a paid add-on for the RZ90/LX905/DRC-R1.4. I'd certainly like to see it on more devices, but DLART is likely to remain a premium option for flagship devices for this generation. Happy to be proven wrong of course!

"Paid add-on" is fine for me, but having to buy yet another AVR (905?) after LX505 and then LX805, just to get the paid add-on of DLART will be a bit much. So it’s probably better to hold off on 805 right now.

 

[dlaloum]

"Paid add-on" is fine for me, but having to buy yet another AVR (905?) after LX505 and then LX805, just to get the paid add-on of DLART will be a bit much. So it’s probably better to hold off on 805 right now.

I feel confidently hopeful that it will be available for the RZ70/805/8.4....

For those of us on a tighter budget, I would love to see an RZ60, with the same power amps (roughly) as the RZ50, but with dual sub channels, and the ability to run DLART...

 

[soerenssen]

Did anyone try this AVR for music? Is having a dedicated AVR for HT and a dedicated DAC/Pre-amp combo for stereo still the way to go?

For the cost of a lower-specced AVR like the Denon x4800h and stereo components required for Dirac / DLBC (multiple DACs + sync, licenses, etc.), I could just buy a Pioneer LX805 and be done with it. I have an external 2ch power amp for LR, the AVR would have to drive only the center (Kef R6 Meta) and surrounds (Kef Q350).

 

[ban25]

Did anyone try this AVR for music? Is having a dedicated AVR for HT and a dedicated DAC/Pre-amp combo for stereo still the way to go?

For the cost of a lower-specced AVR like the Denon x4800h and stereo components required for Dirac / DLBC (multiple DACs + sync, licenses, etc.), I could just buy a Pioneer LX805 and be done with it. I have an external 2ch power amp for LR, the AVR would have to drive only the center (Kef R6 Meta) and surrounds (Kef Q350).

I have a turntable connected to my Integra and also listen to Tidal through an NVIDIA Shield Pro, including mixes in Atmos. Once these receivers are updated with Roon Ready support, they will be the ultimate solution for music, particularly if they support multi-channel streaming via Roon. That said, the update was supposed to arrive in June and we are still waiting...

 

[soerenssen]

I have a turntable connected to my Integra and also listen to Tidal through an NVIDIA Shield Pro, including mixes in Atmos. Once these receivers are updated with Roon Ready support, they will be the ultimate solution for music, particularly if they support multi-channel streaming via Roon. That said, the update was supposed to arrive in June and we are still waiting...

Sounds good! Do you use external amplification for those KEFs?
I'm asking because I have an external amp but I saw that the AVR has 2V XLR out (which is a bit strange since Amir measure way higher values with the previous generation).

Is there any way to see the internal sampling frequency of the AVR when Dirac is active?
Edit: Found the answer on avsforum, it's 48kHz.

 

[peng]

Sounds good! Do you use external amplification for those KEFs?
I'm asking because I have an external amp but I saw that the AVR has 2V XLR out (which is a bit strange since Amir measure way higher values with the previous generation).

I have mentioned multiple times that those 1V, 2V output ratings specified in the AVR manuals are not maximum outputs, but are based on a specific load conditions that unfortunately they usually wouldn't tell you. Same idea with the power amp out ratings, Onkyo/Integra may specify 140 W 8 ohms but that is also for under a specific conditions such as THD 0.05%. Amir's measured results will also depend on load conditions and SINAD. So, again, don't base those things on a single value, but look at the curves. If there isn't one provided by the manufactures, then look for those done by Amir right here on ASR, or Gene's on Audioholics.com.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

Once these receivers are updated with Roon Ready support, they will be the ultimate solution for music, particularly if they support multi-channel streaming via Roon. That said, the update was supposed to arrive in June and we are still waiting...

Do you really think the Roon Ready support will come with Multi-channel? I am prepared to be disappointed that it will only come with 2CH Roon Ready.

 

[ban25]

Sounds good! Do you use external amplification for those KEFs?
I'm asking because I have an external amp but I saw that the AVR has 2V XLR out (which is a bit strange since Amir measure way higher values with the previous generation).

Is there any way to see the internal sampling frequency of the AVR when Dirac is active?
Edit: Found the answer on avsforum, it's 48kHz.

Just the AVR itself. I don't imagine a need for external amplification as the Integra does not appear to be working hard even when playing at reference volume (-0dB, 85dB at the MLP).

According to the manual, it will play up to 24-bit/192 kHz in FLAC/PCM and DSD256 (11.2 MHz). I am waiting to see what formats it will stream from Roon, but I have enjoyed listening to 24-bit FLAC and Atmos over Tidal thus far.

Dirac Live downsamples to 48 kHz, which is common. I have two listening positions calibrated with Dirac and I am also using DLBC.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

but I have enjoyed listening to 24-bit FLAC and Atmos over Tidal thus far.

I don't believe 805 does Tidal Connect or supports Tidal Atmos tracks, does it?

Are you feeding the Tidal Atmos to it using a streamer?