Pioneer VSX-LX505 (with Dirac) Unboxing and Overview

[BJL]

Is it possible to set the volume higher than 82dB with these AVRs? Because it's not possible on my Pioneer. I have a scale from -80dB to 0dB. I am interested in how Amir increased the volume to 84.5dB to reach the output of the preamplifier 2 volts.

If you use the Pioneer remote app (ios for sure, maybe android), there is a panel for speaker levels that allows up to 10dB of boost. I don't know how Amir increased the volume to 84.5, but that will do it.

 

[dlaloum]

Please link to that answer. Well thank you.

Couldn't find it... will post link when I do!

Recently published database of wifi certified Onkyo components included VSX-LX805 and VSA-LX805

Onkyo Technology K.K. Device Database

device.report

 

[ivo.f.doma]

But before that there was information about 705 and 905. My speculation VSX805 processor, VSA805 amplifier?

 

[dlaloum]

But before that there was information about 705 and 905. My speculation VSX805 processor, VSA805 amplifier?

Yes, DTS has certified the 705 and 905 for DTS Play-Fi - they along with the equivalent Onkyo and Integra models were placed on that list in early 2022 ...

Xperi : DTS Play-Fi and IMAX Enhanced Ecosystems Gaining Rapid Momentum with New Partners, Products and Content | MarketScreener​

DTS, a global leader in developing extraordinary next-generation audio, imaging and sensing technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Holding Corporation , revealed that the... | December 17, 2022
www.marketscreener.com

Now we see different model numbers for Onkyo WiFi certifications...

Of course until they actually release them, the same hardware could come under various different model names - marketing could change their minds!

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

Hi everyone, I have had LX505 for about a year, which is perfect for movies, especially with Dirac.

But recently I started playing music via Roon and realized that everything is downsampled to 16bit 44.1kHz via AirPlay only, which comes out really horrible. It even has worse sound quality than my SMSL DO200 DAC + AO200 Amp.

I don't really want to spend more money to put a DAC in between Roon and LX505, so I found out Raspberry 4 with Ropieee could add SPDIF output up to 192kHz/24bit (no multi-channel it seems but at least it's highest bandwidth) so I can feed it directly into the AVR via Coaxial or Toslink input.

This in principle seems may work but I can't find more info on LX505 support for PCM input up to 192kHz/24bit. Does anyone know if the LX505 music playback can be improved by Raspberry 4 running Ropiee or there are better options available?

 

[BJL]

Hi everyone, I have had LX505 for about a year, which is perfect for movies, especially with Dirac.

But recently I started playing music via Roon and realized that everything is downsampled to 16bit 44.1kHz via AirPlay only, which comes out really horrible. It even has worse sound quality than my SMSL DO200 DAC + AO200 Amp.

I don't really want to spend more money to put a DAC in between Roon and LX505, so I found out Raspberry 4 with Ropieee could add SPDIF output up to 192kHz/24bit (no multi-channel it seems but at least it's highest bandwidth) so I can feed it directly into the AVR via Coaxial or Toslink input.

This in principle seems may work but I can't find more info on LX505 support for PCM input up to 192kHz/24bit. Does anyone know if the LX505 music playback can be improved this way or there are better options available?

The LX505 will accept up to 192/24 PCM (that's in the manual on page 206), but to my knowledge with Dirac engaged you are getting 48/24 max.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

The LX505 will accept up to 192/24 PCM (that's in the manual on page 206), but to my knowledge with Dirac engaged you are getting 48/24 max.

Unfortunately, LX505 support for 192/24 is ONLY limited to HDMI Input and "Music Server" mode.

Thus, the Raspberry 4 running Ropieee with SPDIF HAT add-on will not provide 192/24 as both Coaxial IN and Optical IN on LX505 only support up to 96/24.

Does anyone know of a better solution to feed 192/24 to LX505 from Roon? I think this Roon extension seems promising:
https://community.roonlabs.com/t/rooupnp-finally-a-roon-extension-for-upnp-streamers/149977/4

 

[dlaloum]

The biggest audible difference will be Dirac - and Dirac limits to 24bits 48khz.

I would suggest trying to feed it an LPCM diet of 24/48 from your PC/Laptop over HDMI, and see how that sounds...

Issues may also be with Roon/Airplay and the audio conversion processes happening there.

I have fed mine with a diet of CD quality 16/44kHz - with excellent results (I use it with Dirac engaged at all times)

It would perhaps be nice (and add a level of confidence!) if the RoomEQ processing were done at higher resolution, but I am unconvinced that it would make an audible difference!

 

[ban25]

Unfortunately, LX505 support for 192/24 is ONLY limited to HDMI Input and "Music Server" mode.
View attachment 250929
Thus, the Raspberry 4 running Ropieee with SPDIF HAT add-on will not provide 192/24 as both Coaxial IN and Optical IN on LX505 only support up to 96/24.

Does anyone know of a better solution to feed 192/24 to LX505 from Roon? I think this Roon extension seems promising:
https://community.roonlabs.com/t/rooupnp-finally-a-roon-extension-for-upnp-streamers/149977/4

Toslink maxes out at 24-bit/96 KHz stereo. To go higher, you will need USB input into your receiver, if it's supported. It's worth noting that anything that goes through your receiver's DAC or room correction is likely to get downsampled to 24/48 or worse, 16/48.

 

[dlaloum]

Toslink maxes out at 24-bit/96 KHz stereo. To go higher, you will need USB input into your receiver, if it's supported. It's worth noting that anything that goes through your receiver's DAC or room correction is likely to get downsampled to 24/48 or worse, 16/48.

Well, not quite...

Everything has to go through the DAC (assuming it is a digital signal) ... and the DAC does support high bitrates including 24/192.

But anything that gets processed (and that may include dolby surround, DTS, etc... as well as Dirac, AccuEQ/MCACC etc...) - will get downsampled to 24/48

The Digital Sound Processor is basically 24/48 limited - so if you are not basically taking a stream and passing it straight to the DAC... if you need to do any processing on the data stream, then it gets dropped to 24/48.

 

[L7R]

But recently I started playing music via Roon and realized that everything is downsampled to 16bit 44.1kHz via AirPlay only, which comes out really horrible.

Why AirPlay? Can't you use DTS Play-fi? It should stream Hi-res audio at 192.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

Why AirPlay? Can't you use DTS Play-fi? It should stream Hi-res audio at 192.

Yes the DTS Play-Fi app is fantastic and does support 192, but it's not compatible with Roon, which is what I use to stream music

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

After investigating various options, I landed on Wiim Pro which is working on Roon integration by the end of the year. It supports 192/24 and has Optical and Coax outs that make connecting to LX505 really easy.

Just to confirm, to prevent downsampling to 48kHz, the "Pure Direct" mode on LX505 should do it, right? Since Wiim Pro has built-in 10-band graphic and parametic EQ, I plan on using it to tweak the final sound.

But I do wonder though if Dirac Live processing will provide better sound quality in the end though. This is worth comparing once Roon integration with Wiim Pro is ready. I will report back.

 

[MLaranjeiras]

I explore the limits of my Pioneer VSX LX503 using Audirvana/Tidal instaled on an old Mac Mini. I send the musics via UPnP and I can upscale on Audirvana the non MQA tracks to DSD. An Audirvana app is a plus.

 

[MLaranjeiras]

I explore the limits of my Pioneer VSX LX503 using Audirvana/Tidal instaled on an old Mac Mini. I send the musics via UPnP and I can upscale on Audirvana the non MQA tracks to DSD. An Audirvana app is a plus.

In fact, the upsampling is for all music formats.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

I explore the limits of my Pioneer VSX LX503 using Audirvana/Tidal instaled on an old Mac Mini. I send the musics via UPnP and I can upscale on Audirvana the non MQA tracks to DSD. An Audirvana app is a plus.

Unfortunately, Roon doesn't do UPnP so I have to add some kind of "endpoint" to deliver my music to LX505 if I want 192/24.

I so wish Roon could send files via UPnP directly to LX505 as its "Music Server" function already supports 192/24.

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

Does anyone here use a DAC as a source to feed into the LX505?

How much improvement do you think, if any, when LX505 is fed MQA and DSD decoded and rendered by a competent DAC?

Also, what will the difference be if I play in "Pure Audio" mode vs "Dirac Live On" mode on the AVR?

 

[MLaranjeiras]

Unfortunately, Roon doesn't do UPnP so I have to add some kind of "endpoint" to deliver my music to LX505 if I want 192/24.

I so wish Roon could send files via UPnP directly to LX505 as its "Music Server" function already supports 192/24.

I do not know How Roon talks (If) with this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pioneer.playfi. my receiver is older, but yours support hi res áudio via this app

 

[MLaranjeiras]

Does anyone here use a DAC as a source to feed into the LX505?

How much improvement do you think, if any, when LX505 is fed MQA and DSD decoded and rendered by a competent DAC?

Also, what will the difference be if I play in "Pure Audio" mode vs "Dirac Live On" mode on the AVR?

I made the following tests, having as amplifier a Sansui AU-X911DG: 1 Tidal resident on Pioneer VSX LX503; 2 Tidal via Mconnect app to the Pioneer. 3 Tidal/Audirvana on a Mac Mini with a Topping E50 DAC with good Wireworld Equinox 8 RCA cables; 4 Audirvana via UPnP to the Pioneer and 5 Audirvana via UPnP to the Oppo BDP 105. To me and my wife, Oppo wins all (not "that" distance), and 2, 3 and 4 are tiers, a little behind Oppo. I could say without plain conviction that the worse one is 1 - Tidal resident on the Pioneer.

 

[MLaranjeiras]

Does anyone here use a DAC as a source to feed into the LX505?

How much improvement do you think, if any, when LX505 is fed MQA and DSD decoded and rendered by a competent DAC?

Also, what will the difference be if I play in "Pure Audio" mode vs "Dirac Live On" mode on the AVR?

In time: the Sansui sounds much better than the Pioneer for music, IMO