Pioneer VSX-LX505 Power Remeasurement

[Power Pop 23]

Amir made it easy for me to tighten the short list when I was considering the likes of the RZ50, 7100, 505, 305, DRX 5.4, DRX 3.4, 3800, and 4800.

I wanted an AVP that supported Dirac Live for a 4.1 configuration.

I have no way of knowing but I wonder if Amir's original review of the Pioneer '505' helped make it possible for me to acquire this sample for $749 from Adorama in NYC - compared to the $1,699 price mentioned in the review from January 2023.

I believe it is audible when complex orchestral music is played, I do not like fan noise, and it makes me feel better, when I spend the few precious free time to listen to music, to know that for the same price I can have a SOTA class D amplifier that doesn’t make 1/5th of the listed watts…

No member likes fan noise.

Some members do not perceive an audible difference when playing complex orchestral music and appreciate the functionality and conveniences available from select AVR's.

 

[MisterT3]

Back in 2023, I reviewed the Pioneer VSX-LX505 AVR. It received the fully broken verdict from me:

Reason was that it would severely power limit in my sweeps:

Folks theorized that this was maybe fixed in firmware. Well, a member was kind enough to loan me a sample and he assured me is running the latest firmware.

I put it on the bench, reset it to factory, and as soon as I ran my sweep, it was already power limiting!!! See the red line:
View attachment 509758

As before, mere power cycling using the front button does not restore power. However, if you unplug the AC cord, wait a few seconds, and then repower, you get all the available power (in green). So everything is as broken as before but for some reason, I am getting more power out of the unit before it attempted to limit.

I ran the sweep a third time and it still delivered full power. Then I ran a stress test around 50 watts and problem came back.

So while behavior seems to have changed, fundamental issues with this AVR remain.

Shameful really.

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Amirm..patiently waiting until you can test an Onkyo RZ30! Hopefully no limp mode, and ready to buy..

 

[EWL5]

I wanted an AVP that supported Dirac Live for a 4.1 configuration.

I have no way of knowing but I wonder if Amir's original review of the Pioneer '505' helped make it possible for me to acquire this sample for $749 from Adorama in NYC - compared to the $1,699 price mentioned in the review from January 2023.



No member likes fan noise.

Some members do not perceive an audible difference when playing complex orchestral music and appreciate the functionality and conveniences available from select AVR's.

Yes, there shouldn't be any issues using the 505 as a pre. No such luck for the 305 and the 7100.

 

[popej]

If you can tell the difference between music played through my Denon AVR-X4700h and SOTA set of separate preamp and power amplifier, I'll eat my hat.

You forget, that DRC can make a difference.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Amirm..patiently waiting until you can test an Onkyo RZ30! Hopefully no limp mode, and ready to buy..

Yes,

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 AVR may be a good value.

Unless Onkyo loans him one, a member will have to do so.

 

[EWL5]

Unless Onkyo loans him one, a member will have to do so.

Given Amir's unflattering discoveries, Onkyo loaning an RZ30 is highly unlikely!

 

[SuicideSquid]

I believe it is audible when complex orchestral music is played, I do not like fan noise, and it makes me feel better, when I spend the few precious free time to listen to music, to know that for the same price I can have a SOTA class D amplifier that doesn’t make 1/5th of the listed watts…

Believe what you like, it's not the case.

You should buy what meets your needs. If you don't need surround / atmos or video switching/upscaling, don't buy an AVR. But don't spread misinformation.

 

[eriksson]

Thanks for the update Amir, and all your tests and work here.

Perhaps silly question: A factory reset, will it by any chance override firmware updates and set the unit back to original firmware?

 

[amirm]

Thanks for the update Amir, and all your tests and work here.

Perhaps silly question: A factory reset, will it by any chance override firmware updates and set the unit back to original firmware?

I would be very surprised if that happens. Usually these things only maintain one version of the software anyway.

Just ask AI, , and it confirms the same:

"A factory reset erases all saved settings, including speaker configurations and network, but maintains the current, updated firmware."

I guess you will be able to find out soon!

 

[JSmith]

set the unit back to original firmware?

Unsure why that would make any difference? Amir first tested one of these 3 years ago... surely that was on original firmware?


JSmith

 

[valerianf]

The measurements provided by @Synthethesiscinema are clearly showing that the Onkyo/Pioneer/Integra are able to provide enough power to drive the speakers.
The problem is what speaker type will trigger the nannies in real life.
The load of a speaker is a complex impedance and only a real test can show what happens.
The load of my tower speakers are two 8" woofer Dayton SD215A88 with a minimum impedance of 3.20 Ohms around 150 Hz according to the datasheet.
As I have connected them in serial mode the minimum load impedance seen from the RZ30 is 6.40 Ohms.
The RZ30 is driving them properly at moderate sound level (apartment in a condominium).
It was not the case for the Yamaha RX-A700.

Here is the important question, as ASR is an audio forum:
Could a user of Onkyo/Pioneer/Integra explain how he succeeded to trigger the limp mode when listening music?

 

[JSmith]

I'm not sure it matters when, how or if this is triggered in real world usage... the fact the amp does this at all is poor form.


JSmith

 

[peng]

Amir's tests and methodology only have value by the folks who read his reviews and agree with the findings. There are some members (starts with "M" and ends in "X" comes to mind) who will never be satisfied by the result and call the tests "unfair". Such an individual should start their own website and use their own barrage of tests to stress out AVRs/amps (or at least stop complaining on ASR)!

I think they just want Amir to do more, but could have been more diplomatic, if not convincing about it.

 

[EWL5]

I'm not sure it matters when, how or if this is triggered in real world usage... the fact the amp does this at all is poor form.


JSmith

Especially when other mass market AVRs don't appear to have the same issue with similar tests. If nothing else, Amir's tests are a sign of how robust a design the AVR is! If all you want is "good enough", I suppose just about nearly any AVR will do!

 

[delta76]

Something tells me the Onkyo next gen availability in 2027 is a reflection of a "back to the drawing board" mentality with possible major redesign. They most certainly will want to address Amir's discovery of the 2021 PAC model performances in some way!

that is likely wishful thinking. Onkyo TX-RZ50 has been selling pretty well (even here people are not shunning it completely). there is no reason for complete redesign from a company perspective. Quite the vice versa - if the current version is selling well, then why introduce a new one so soon?

If sales numbers were bad and hurt their bottomline, you can be sure there would be a RZ51 or RZ55 on the market by now

 

[EWL5]

that is likely wishful thinking. Onkyo TX-RZ50 has been selling pretty well (even here people are not shunning it completely). there is no reason for complete redesign from a company perspective. Quite the vice versa - if the current version is selling well, then why introduce a new one so soon?

If sales numbers were bad and hurt their bottomline, you can be sure there would be a RZ51 or RZ55 on the market by now

I'm not saying the sales numbers are bad. It's obvious from CES 2026 that at least externally, the upcoming RZx1 series looks different. Wouldn't this be an opportunity to tweak the IC as well? Perhaps find an alternative to software-limiting power based on the temperature? Probably requires some combo of more robust heat management, voltage control, etc.

 

[Power Pop 23]

that is likely wishful thinking. Onkyo TX-RZ50 has been selling pretty well (even here people are not shunning it completely). there is no reason for complete redesign from a company perspective. Quite the vice versa - if the current version is selling well, then why introduce a new one so soon?

If sales numbers were bad and hurt their bottomline, you can be sure there would be a RZ51 or RZ55 on the market by now

I have zero knowledge of the sales of Onkyo gear.

We do know Onkyo has not confirmed they will offer any of products they displayed at CES 2026.

 

[delta76]

I'm not saying the sales numbers are bad. It's obvious from CES 2026 that at least externally, the upcoming RZx1 series looks different. Wouldn't this be an opportunity to tweak the IC as well? Perhaps find an alternative to software-limiting power based on the temperature? Probably requires some combo of more robust heat management, voltage control, etc.

Got you but it is as I said wishful thinking. Unless they were punished by the power limiting bug (that can't be fixed by firmware), they will have no incentive to address it. In AVR market you are not rewarded by radical changes. Iterative designs are much more safer, why not build on something that working (to your view) but completely redesign, with higher cost, higher risk, and no predictable increased sales?

With that said I am of course hoping their next AVRs will be serious contender to Denon. If RZ30 performs as well as x3800h that's good for us. But hopeful thinking.

 

[popej]

It is not he bug, it is a protection for amps and speakers. It makes testing more difficult. Sure, if you want an amp easy for testing, buy something else

 

[Power Pop 23]

Let's consider this amplifier behavior as an undocumented (by Onkyo) feature for prospective buyers who desire the most durable AVR.