Pioneer VSA LX805 Receiver

Lets run through the 11.4 Pioneer AVR and see if it is any good...

Pioneer’s beefy, feature-packed amp is anything but subtle! This is is from What Hifi and I tend to agree! "Pros

• +Processing and power for 7.2.4 Atmos systems

• +Grand and muscular sound

• +Excellent feature set"

We’d have to seriously nitpick to find faults in the Pioneer’s feature set. The VSA-LX805 offers 150W of Class A/B amplification across its 11.2 channels, with a maximum configuration of 7.2.4; that’s an impressive claim to fame especially when it's all in one convenient (if slightly heavy) package. If you don’t plan on using all of that power in one space, then you can split it into three zones in order to power speakers in other rooms.

Pioneer VSA-LX805 tech specs

HDMI inputs x 7

HDMI outputs x 3

ARC/eARC eARC

HDMI 2.1 features 4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, VRR, ALLM on all rear HDMI inputs

Amplification 11 channels

HDR formats HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision

Audio formats Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, Neural:X, Auro-3D

Streaming AirPlay 2, Spotify, Chromecast Built In, Tidal, Roon Ready, DTS Play-Fi, Amazon Music HD, TuneIn, Bluetooth

Voice assistant? No

Connectivity is also a key strength for this AVR with a smorgasbord of inputs and outputs to suit your needs. You’ll find seven total HDMI inputs, six of which are HDMI 2.1 on the rear fascia (capable of 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz) and another on the front panel labelled AUX HDMI, which Pioneer seems to think is best for connecting a video camera. You’ll also find three optical ports, two coax, four stereo RCA and an additional phono connection for hooking up a turntable."

Yes indeed, this is a serious AVR with serious power! Drives floorstanders without any problem and splits the power between the 11 connected speakers easily and flawlessly.

Picture up-scaling is 10/10 and Atmos movies sound insane!

$4000 retail USA = R90 000 locally. This price tag puts the pioneer in the same price class as Marantz cinema 40 or Denon X6800H, but is it as good? Yes! It does not hold back when it comes to sound quality and power, actually, it produces 25W x 2 more than a Cinema 40. Stereo sound stage is on point and the built in DAC is very, VERY good!

Will I buy one at R90000 ? Probably not! Will I buy it for R50 000! Hell yes! Nothing comes close to the 805's performance at R50000!

If you want a home cinema receiver capable of subtlety and nuance, then there are better choices than this Pioneer. The Pioneers talents are focused on exciting big, cinematic sound. If that sounds like you, give this Pioneer a listen.

SCORES

• Sound 5/5

• Build 4/5

• Features 5/5

• OVERALL 4.5/5 BUT at the current price 10/10!