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PIONEER’S VSX-LX505 Elite A/V receiver represents a new generation of feature-packed yet reasonably priced AVRs. It boasts up-to-date technology and enough channels to rock a full 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround setup with four height speakers without having to rely on an outboard amplifier to power “extra” channels. And that’s not its only marquee feature: The LX505 is Roon Tested to ensure compatibility with the music-management/streaming software, supports HDMI 2.1/4K passthrough on its main HDMI inputs and outputs, and is certified to work with Sonos systems. It also supports 8K video and incorporates Dirac Live room/speaker-correction EQ technology along with Pioneer’s proprietary MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration) system.
Like most of today’s AVRs, the list of features is long and varied and includes a set of 11.1-channel preamp outputs and 11 physical speaker outputs, nine of which can be powered simultaneously. Having nine channels of power on hand also makes for plenty of Zone-2/3 options, among them the ability to use the “height” speaker outputs to power a remote listening zone and send stereo audio from the main zone to a dedicated pair of “Zone B” line-out jacks.
The LX505’s HDMI 2.1 implementation supports 40 Gbps-capable 4K on only three of its six HDMI inputs—though unless you have more than three of the latest-gen game consoles I don’t see this as a constraint, especially since the remaining ins and outs are 8k-capable and support 4K/120, HDR, and variable refresh rates. The LX505 shares this minor limitation with several current-gen AVRs, including the Onkyo TX-NR7100), with which it also shares a similar back-panel layout (Onkyo and Pioneer share corporate ownership).
