Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 review

Onkyo TX-NR555
vs
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

Having had an opportunity to test Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Pioneer Elite SC-LX904, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 7.2 versus 11.2, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the TX-NR555 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 130/6, while the Elite SC-LX904 has a power of 140/8. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the TX-NR555 received the model Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit, but the Elite SC-LX904 is equipped with ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Onkyo TX-NR555 and Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

These units have the same Wi-Fi modules. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The contenders have differences in the supported services from Apple - AirPlay versus AirPlay, AirPlay 2 respectively. Access to the Spotify service is on each of the competitors. Most popular streaming services are available for our models under consideration - Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the TX-NR555 and the Elite SC-LX904. Video scaling is only possible with the Elite SC-LX904. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the Elite SC-LX904.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the TX-NR555 has 6/1, and the Elite SC-LX904 has 7/3.Onkyo TX-NR555 connectionsPioneer Elite SC-LX904 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the Elite SC-LX904. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. The TX-NR555 has support for the standard HDCP 2.2, compared to the Elite SC-LX904, which supports the standard HDCP 2.3. Like most receivers, our models have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Unlike the TX-NR555 where 2 Multi zones is provided, the Elite SC-LX904 works with 3 Multi zones. There is an ECO mode in TX-NR555. The Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. A DTS:X surround technology is supported by devices from our comparison.

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General

Item

Onkyo TX-NR555
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

Model

TX-NR555
Elite SC-LX904

Brand

Onkyo
Pioneer

Reviews

82
7

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
11.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

130/6
140/8

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit
ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

AccuEQ
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Double Bass Function, CinemaFILTER
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay
AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/1
7/3

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.3

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
3

Coaxial digital input

1
2

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

2/0
2/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

phones, setup mic, AUX
USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/60Hz

8K signal pass-through

HDMI signal pass-through

3D signal pass-through

HDMI pass-through in standby mode

Video conversion

analog to HDMI
analog to HDMI

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

DeepColor, x.v.Color
x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD
colour OSD

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

network, USB
network, USB

Other additional features

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
3

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
2

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

has not
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

has not
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

460
340

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 17.3 x 37.8/17 x 6.7 x 14.5
43.5 x 18.5 x 44/17 x 7 x 17.3

Weight, kg/lbs

9.4/20.7
18.5/40.8

Other

Release year

2016
2019
Onkyo TX-NR555
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904
Onkyo TX-NR555
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7
  • 9.2
  • 7Onkyo TX-NR555
  • 9.2Pioneer Elite SC-LX904