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Pioneer VSX-LX505 9.2 Channel AV Receiver for $1899 (RRP $2799) Delivered @ Westcoast Hifi

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Pioneer VSX-LX505 9.2 Channel AV Receiver for $1899 (RRP $2799) Delivered @ Westcoast Hifi
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Kaomichael on 22/04/2025 - 08:33 westcoasthifi.com.au (629 clicks)
Last edited 22/04/2025 - 08:51 by 1 other user

Good price for a mid-range AV receiver. I have this one and sounds really good. It is the basically a clone of the Onkyo RZ-50. The best part of this receiver is the ability to go up to 11.2 channels by using an external amplifier (can get it cheap in Amazon for ~$100, or use any old existing AVR) to get true 7.2.4 full dolby atmos/DTS-X.

Another feature is the built in Dirac Live calibration software, which usually costs US$400 itself. Much better system than Yamaha's YPAO and Denon's Audisesy.

Not a budget machine but for the cost to performance ratio, it's one of the best on the market IMHO. This is for true home theater enthusiasts that values proper surround sound and high WAF. So please no debate on sound bar vs AVR. Sound bar has its advantages of ease of set up, and less intrusive. But in terms of sound quality, it just can't compete with a proper AVR.

Electrical & Electronics AV Receiver Pioneer

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closed Comments

  • kungfuman on 22/04/2025 - 08:56

    you know back when I used to be into surround sound rooms, Pioneer was the learning edge of these are they still the top end? or just the same as every other brand now?

  • PainToad on 22/04/2025 - 08:59
    +5

    The shit thing about soundbars becoming popular is it has destroyed the entry level market for real home theatre amplifiers.

    When my amp finally dies I have no idea what I’m going to replace it with because I can’t justify spending more then ~$350.

    • plmko on 22/04/2025 - 09:06
      +1

      Maybe experiment spending more or buying used older top model. I've never seen an entry model sound better than the top end even if the top end model could be a decade old.

    • Nom on 22/04/2025 - 09:35

      Entry level units can get down into the $600 range like https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/shop/av-receivers/multi-cha… - it's not $350 but it's not far off.

      • BriefNexus on 22/04/2025 - 10:41
        +2

        It's almost double the price haha.

    • Dream-cast on 22/04/2025 - 11:13

      Could you even get a decent receiver for $350 precovid? I purchased a Yamaha RXv475 about 10 years ago for $900. Certainly not a budget receiver but it was good for the price.

    • DingoBilly on 22/04/2025 - 15:02

      Not sure how it's related in any way?

      It's like saying you're mad at e-scooters for driving the prices of cars up. They're both in the same category but not in any way related.

      But aside from that, you can easily buy a decent second hand receiver for cheap. Otherwise receivers have always been expensive, the one I bought in 2007 was $500 and that was budget.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2025 - 16:04
        +2

        It's related because soundbars killed sales for entry level receivers. People don't buy e-scooters instead of buying a car.

  • BlasterBoy on 22/04/2025 - 09:53
    +1

    How many people actually use all 11 channels?
    I have a 5.1 setup and speaker placement is really not ideal, no idea how i would integrate rear presence speakers (I don't have the depth in my living room)
    Front presence I possibly could, but it's hard to justify the expense for speakers that I don't feel would really add that much? (I currently use a Yammy RX-A2A so 7.2, yet it's 9 channels..)

    I'd like a mid-high end 5.1(5.2) AV amp, but they seem to not really exist.

    • ChiefAJ on 22/04/2025 - 10:24
      +2

      How many people actually use all 11 channels?

      Given the receiver cost to go from 7 to 9 channels, and from 9 to 11 channels, I would guess not many.

      … no idea how i would integrate rear presence speakers (I don't have the depth in my living room)
      Front presence I possibly could…

      Perhaps adding up to two pairs of in-ceiling speakers for Atmos is an option?

      I'd like a mid-high end 5.1(5.2) AV amp, but they seem to not really exist.

      Sure they do. A 7.2 mid/high-end channel receiver is still capable of 5.2. I would have thought an A2A is considered at least mid level.

    • frewer on 22/04/2025 - 12:33
      -1

      The way I heard it is that I only have 2 ears

    • Kaomichael on 22/04/2025 - 13:57

      Depends on the size of your room, if not too big, its better to go 5.1.4 than 7.1.2 which thos amplifier is capable of.

      I just buy some used Jamo surround speakers from FB market. 4 of them for $100. For ceiling channels they dont have to be super good speakers. Its just making some ambient sound. I can tell you, with ceiling channels, its a completely different experience from 7.1.

      • BlasterBoy on 23/04/2025 - 15:46

        I'd want something a little nicer than some Jamo's!
        if anything, I'd probably try it with some DML's, then I could keep them hidden.

        My room is quite small, and currently using Dynaudio floor standers and centre, and B&W bookshelves for the rear, and a REL 12in.

        Its nearly as loud as my old car hahaha

  • coxymla on 22/04/2025 - 10:08
    -1

    Do the DSPs still die on these after 5 years?

    • CrushJelly on 22/04/2025 - 13:26

      What sources do you have that indicates the common occurrence of DSPs failing after 5 years?

  • SpeedAU on 23/04/2025 - 08:59

    i have a near new sony dn1080 and i cannot sell it cause everyone wants a sound bar

    • ChiefAJ on 24/04/2025 - 23:09

      Has the second hand market for receivers ever been good? They get superseded. For example, you can buy a new Denon AVR-X1800H for $900 at the moment which has 7.2 channels like the DN1080 but also supports 4K120, unlike the DN1080.

  • JerryGee on 23/04/2025 - 10:03

    I could have got a refurbished unit last black friday for $1699, chose not to after all the neg reviews, especially the one about overheating and throttling back power, Onkyo is far superior but at a price, the lx-505 has been this price for over 12 months and is available at most retailers.

  • LukeSmith on 24/04/2025 - 09:21
    +1

    I have the twin Integra DRX 5.4 - https://www.zkelectronics.com/compare/integra-drx-5.4/austra…

    The Onkyo tx-rz50 is also pretty much identical, so shop all of them against each other realistically.

    I got it for $1900 delivered last year by ringing a few dealers and seeing what they could do.

    All include basic Dirac Live which is excellent at room correction. Bass Control is optional though, and note that they all only have a single sub channel, so Bass Control can't work all its magic if you have more than one sub.

  • Poperdobs on 28/04/2025 - 16:20

    What happened to Sherwood?

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