Pioneer VSX-LX505 AVR Review

[popej]

Regardless, output will be resampled to 48 kHz on any AVR/AVP when room correction is engaged

I think Yamaha, Denon use 96kHz.

 

[ban25]

I think Yamaha, Denon use 96kHz.

Denon is limited to 48 kHz when Dirac or Audyssey are applied. Yamaha, I have no idea about YPAO.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

I borrowed an external Amp (NAD C268) just for testing purposes and hooked it up to the Preouts for Front L/R of my 505.
Unfortunately I can only use the Amp on the lowest gain, as soon as I increase the gain in the Amp I hear a „buzzing“ continuous sound from the speakers. This happens only when the AVR is connected to the Amp so I dont think the problem is on the Amp or speakers. Turning on the Amp without the RCAs plugged to the AVR makes no buzzing noise. And if I increase or decrease the „volume“ knob (dB) of the AVR, the buzzing is the same, not louder or quieter - so it is not affected by the volume setting of the AVR.

Question: Did anybody that has hooked up an Amp to the preouts of a 505 experience this buzzing sound? If yes, could you solve this issue?

I tried connecting the AVR to another power plug and plugging it in different ways believing it might be a power/„earth“ issue but it did not help. I also use high quality RCA Cables so I dont think thats the problem.

Any ideas?

Edit: ChatGPT suggests trying a ground loop isolator.

 

[MLaranjeiras]

Here, I use the preouts. To solve this and a “bump” when I turn it on an off, when I change the source etc, I reduce at the minimum possible the amplifier volume and control the volume via Pioneer volume

 

[EWL5]

I borrowed an external Amp (NAD C268) just for testing purposes and hooked it up to the Preouts for Front L/R of my 505.
Unfortunately I can only use the Amp on the lowest gain, as soon as I increase the gain in the Amp I hear a „buzzing“ continuous sound from the speakers. This happens only when the AVR is connected to the Amp so I dont think the problem is on the Amp or speakers. Turning on the Amp without the RCAs plugged to the AVR makes no buzzing noise. And if I increase or decrease the „volume“ knob (dB) of the AVR, the buzzing is the same, not louder or quieter - so it is not affected by the volume setting of the AVR.

Question: Did anybody that has hooked up an Amp to the preouts of a 505 experience this buzzing sound? If yes, could you solve this issue?

I tried connecting the AVR to another power plug and plugging it in different ways believing it might be a power/„earth“ issue but it did not help. I also use high quality RCA Cables so I dont think thats the problem.

Any ideas?

Edit: ChatGPT suggests trying a ground loop isolator.

The 505 doesn't have a pre-out "mode" where it shuts down power to those group of speakers, right?

 

[fadetoblackbs]

The 505 doesn't have a pre-out "mode" where it shuts down power to those group of speakers, right?

Not that I knew

 

[MLaranjeiras]

The 505 doesn't have a pre-out "mode" where it shuts down power to those group of speakers, right?

I have read on a Denon AV user guide that we must not to connect preouts and speakers out of the same channel at the same time

 

[EWL5]

I have read on a Denon AV user guide that we must not to connect preouts and speakers out of the same channel at the same time

Correct. It should be RCA to external amp or speaker wire from the AVR to the speakers only!

 

[ban25]

I borrowed an external Amp (NAD C268) just for testing purposes and hooked it up to the Preouts for Front L/R of my 505.
Unfortunately I can only use the Amp on the lowest gain, as soon as I increase the gain in the Amp I hear a „buzzing“ continuous sound from the speakers. This happens only when the AVR is connected to the Amp so I dont think the problem is on the Amp or speakers. Turning on the Amp without the RCAs plugged to the AVR makes no buzzing noise. And if I increase or decrease the „volume“ knob (dB) of the AVR, the buzzing is the same, not louder or quieter - so it is not affected by the volume setting of the AVR.

Question: Did anybody that has hooked up an Amp to the preouts of a 505 experience this buzzing sound? If yes, could you solve this issue?

I tried connecting the AVR to another power plug and plugging it in different ways believing it might be a power/„earth“ issue but it did not help. I also use high quality RCA Cables so I dont think thats the problem.

Any ideas?

Edit: ChatGPT suggests trying a ground loop isolator.

60 Hz ground loop hum.

Connect a ground wire (bare speaker wire will suffice) from the ground lug on the AVR (next to phono input) to the ground lug on the NAD C268.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

60 Hz ground loop hum.

Connect a ground wire (bare speaker wire will suffice) from the ground lug on the AVR (next to phono input) to the ground lug on the NAD C268.

Thank you so much for the hint.
I will try it out this evening. I hope it works, otherwise I would not know what to do to solve this issue. I am happy that both devices have this ground lug. Some other amps do not have it.
Did you experience this buzzing problem also, or is it a common issue when linking two or more devices in a chain?

 

[ban25]

Thank you so much for the hint.
I will try it out this evening. I hope it works, otherwise I would not know what to do to solve this issue. I am happy that both devices have this ground lug. Some other amps do not have it.
Did you experience this buzzing problem also, or is it a common issue when linking two or more devices in a chain?

It's quite common, yes. If the buzz you are hearing is 60 Hz (in North America), then you can be sure it's a ground loop.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

It's quite common, yes. If the buzz you are hearing is 60 Hz (in North America), then you can be sure it's a ground loop.

I cant measure the Hz at home, but I live in Europe so I dont know how it is here. Anyway I will try this out and I also read that using (good) RCA-XLR cables might help if the pins are properly used/connected. But that would be my second try if this grounding does not help.
Thanks again

 

[ban25]

I cant measure the Hz at home, but I live in Europe so I dont know how it is here. Anyway I will try this out and I also read that using (good) RCA-XLR cables might help if the pins are properly used/connected. But that would be my second try if this grounding does not help.
Thanks again

Yep, it'll be 50 Hz in Europe, so similar.

 

[fadetoblackbs]

60 Hz ground loop hum.

Connect a ground wire (bare speaker wire will suffice) from the ground lug on the AVR (next to phono input) to the ground lug on the NAD C268.

You are AMAZING!
That solved the problem.
Thank you so much.
This solution was the right one. No need to change cables or buy some filters etc. Just the way you said. I attach some pictures.
Thanks again.

 

[ban25]

You are AMAZING!
That solved the problem.
Thank you so much.
This solution was the right one. No need to change cables or buy some filters etc. Just the way you said. I attach some pictures.
Thanks again.

Glad it worked out!

 

[popej]

There is a new firmware R136, info: https://assets.pioneerhomeusa.com/product-firmware/Firmware_Update_VSX_LX505_10-28-2024_Rev1.pdf

Change log :
1. Addition of Amazon Music HD
2. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
3. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
4. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
5. Google Cast2.0 The method for network connection will be changed.
6. Support Tidal MAX
7. Minor bug fixes and improves stability.

Interesting is that AVR can stream Atmos from Amazon Music and Tidal. I think this is 2.0 upmixed in AVR, but still this is something new.

 

[EWL5]

There is a new firmware R136, info: https://assets.pioneerhomeusa.com/product-firmware/Firmware_Update_VSX_LX505_10-28-2024_Rev1.pdf

Change log :
1. Addition of Amazon Music HD
2. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
3. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
4. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
5. Google Cast2.0 The method for network connection will be changed.
6. Support Tidal MAX
7. Minor bug fixes and improves stability.

Interesting is that AVR can stream Atmos from Amazon Music and Tidal. I think this is 2.0 upmixed in AVR, but still this is something new.

Interesting how the 2 Dirac-related updates to the RZ50 are noticeably missing for the 505:

1. Dirac Live Bass Control
8. Improve the Dirac Live measurement on the Onkyo Application

Onkyo TX-RZ50 Review (Home Theater AVR)

Latest Firmware which gives DIRAC Bass control support amongst other fixes / addon, states in the Firmware Update notes at "Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence". I wonder if this is the fix for benchmarking a 4R load under the 6R setting, mainly relying on temperature control as opposed to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[EWL5]

On a related note, the Integra DRX5.4 has just about the same updates as the RZ50 so it appears the 505 gets no DLBM/DLBC love!

The most recent firmware update:

1. Dirac Live Bass Control To use Dirac Live Bass Control, you need to register with Dirac Live and obtain a Dirac Live Bass Control license. https://www.dirac.com/online-store/integra-drx-5.4/
2. Addition of Amazon Music HD
3. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
4. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
5. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
6. Google Cast2.0 (The method for network connection will be changed.) For details please refer: https://integrahometheater.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SN29404183_CAST2.0_Int_241025.pdf
7. Support Tidal MAX
8. Improve the Dirac Live measurement on the Integra Application.
9. Minor bug fixes and improves stability.

Version: R136-0815-1282-0033

DRX 5.4 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver - Integra Home Theater

Welcome Extraordinary into Your Home Theater-reference Dolby Atmos® or DTS: X® sound through up to 7.2.4 channels complements 8K HDR video passthrough. Connect 5.2.4-channel speakers and Zone 2 speakers and switch between 5.2.4-ch and 5.2.2-ch + Zone 2 playback, or use 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi® and your

integrahometheater.com

 

[dlaloum]

On a related note, the Integra DRX5.4 has just about the same updates as the RZ50 so it appears the 505 gets no DLBM/DLBC love!

This may be related to recent news about Voxx/PAC losing the licencing for Pioneer.... the Pioneer range may have been "Orphaned" (at least until Pioneer's true owner decides on what to do next!)

 

[popej]

Interesting how the 2 Dirac-related updates to the RZ50 are noticeably missing for the 505:

Dirac never announced DLBC for Pioneer, no surprise here.
On the other side, Pioneer has simplified bass management. Adding DLBM would be a real improvement, something we probably won't get for free.