Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

Having had an opportunity to test Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505, I’d like to share my impression here to facilitate your choice of a new AV receiver.

Amplifier

AV receivers under review have the same number of channels. In terms of power, there are differences, the VSX-LX303 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 100/8, 200/6, while the Elite VSX-LX505 has a power of 120/8, 230/6. A common feature for devices is the same total harmonic distortion - 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the VSX-LX303 received the model AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit, but the Elite VSX-LX505 is equipped with 192 KHz/24-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. The model VSX-LX303 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. The number of available streaming services varies for receivers, the Pioneer VSX-LX303 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, but the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 works with Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud.

Video features

Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the VSX-LX303 and the Elite VSX-LX505. Each of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Each of the participants of the comparison has a Dolby Vision.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs is the same - 7/2.Pioneer VSX-LX303 connectionsPioneer Elite VSX-LX505 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the Elite VSX-LX505. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that only the Pioneer VSX-LX303 has HDMI CEC. The VSX-LX303 has support for the standard HDCP 2.2, compared to the Elite VSX-LX505, 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 VSX-LX303 where 3 Multi zones is provided, the Elite VSX-LX505 works with 2 Multi zones. For voice control in the VSX-LX303 is used Google Assistant, but in the Elite VSX-LX505 is used Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. There is an ECO mode in neither AV receiver. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 and the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 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

Pioneer VSX-LX303
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

Model

VSX-LX303
Elite VSX-LX505

Brand

Pioneer
Pioneer

Reviews

208
0

Amplifier

Channels

9.2
9.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

100/8, 200/6
120/8, 230/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
2 (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, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

7/2
7/2

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
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

1/0
1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10
HDR10+

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/120Hz

8K signal pass-through

8K/60Hz

HDMI signal pass-through

3D signal pass-through

HDMI pass-through in standby mode

Video conversion

analog to HDMI

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

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

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

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

IP Control
App Control, Sonos Connect control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
Pioneer Control App

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

2
2

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF, DSD

Power

Operational power consumption, W

750
850

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 17.3 x 37/17 x 6.8 x 14.6
43.5 x 18.5 x 38.6/17.1 x 7.5 x 15.3

Weight, kg/lbs

13.5/29.8
13/28.7

Other

Release year

2018
2021
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505
Pioneer VSX-LX303
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.2
  • 8.7
  • 8.2Pioneer VSX-LX303
  • 8.7Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505