Audio Equipment

When Yamaha first announced their premium Aventage lineup, in which the receiver RX-A6A takes second place to the top-of-the-line RX-A8A, they made an incredible leap forward in audio and video performance.

We have long been accustomed to the fact that even the average receiver has so many functions that it’s almost impossible to use 100% of them. But why overpay if you’re primarily interested in music?

Purchasing a receiver is might what you need, especially considering that today, even the most inexpensive devices have rather good capabilities.

The TX-8220 stereo receiver resembles AV devices in appearance, but it is a two-channel amplifier. This simple unit combines various connectivity options with pure analog amplification technology.

You don’t have to buy a monster of a receiver or the unit of a sky-high cost that comes with it if you want a compact home theater setup. A simpler model, such as the TX-SR494, can be a simpler approach for you to operate your speakers and equipment.

Today, in my Onkyo TX-NR6100 review, I am testing the budget receiver, a modernized copy of Onkyo’s previous model TX-NR696.

Home entertainment systems do not have to be ridiculously costly. When it is related to purchasing one, RX-V385 is an optimal affordable alternative.

Price isn’t always the decisive factor when it comes to flagship receivers. In this instance, we’ll need to pay close attention to factors that might tempt you one way or the other.

My Yamaha RX-A8A review is dedicated to the flagship model in the Aventage line, which is an organic symbiosis of modern components and innovative technologies.

In the evolving world of home theater equipment, the VSX-LX305 stands out as a feature-rich addition to the Pioneer Elite series. In my opinion, this is a quite successful solution from the manufacturer, which will satisfy not only movie buffs but also music lovers. In addition to being certified to the highest standards by IMAX Enhanced, this model has a lot to surprise you with. In my Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 review, I’ll talk about its key features and what kind of experience it can bring to your home theater.

Features and specs

Elite VSX-LX305 specifications start with a 9.2-channel system. It supports configurations like 5.1.4, 7.1.2, or basic 9.2, giving you flexibility in setting up your home theater. The receiver is not too powerful, but its 0,08% THD with the power of 100W (8 Ohm, 20 Hz – 20 kHz) allows it to produce crystal clear sound even at maximum power (provided you have good speakers, though).

This device comes with 6 HDMI inputs 2.1 and 2 outputs 2.0 with support for 8K/60 Hz, HDCP 2.2, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (beneficial for those who regularly watch real-time content). The model can upscale 1080p to 4K/8K and 4K to 8K from HDMI sources. Gamers also should pay attention to this AVR since it supports ALLM, VRR, and QFT. For those who prefer multi-room audio/video setups, there’s a discrete HDMI Zone 2 switching. Zone 1 will have 8K/60 Hz in this scenario, while Zone 2 – 4K/120 Hz.

The VSX-LX305 features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream music wirelessly via Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, TIDAL, and Deezer. Additionally, it supports popular wireless audio protocols like AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, enabling easy integration with your smart devices. If you have a Sonos system, you may connect to this AVR, however, the Sonos port is required to purchase.

Moreover, you can transmit audio from the gadget to the receiver using both SBC or AAC with Bluetooth of 4.2 version. In addition, you can send sound via the receiver to suitable wireless headphones that are equipped with SBC, aptX, or aptX HD codecs. DTS Play-Fi also transfers audio data from any connected gadget to your receiver as well as other compatible audio sources across your home. This results in a flexible multi-room audio configuration.

And now, the most critical aspect of this receiver is the surround sound technologies it supports. There are Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Height Virtualizer, and DTS Virtual:X. As you can see, enjoying a more immersive audio experience is guaranteed, especially without the need for complex speaker installations with the last two processing technologies.

Did you think that was all? No, on top of that, this unit comes with an Advanced MCACC and Dirac Live room correction system, including the calibration microphone. It’s great that Pioneer gives us these two options. If you want a basic room calibration system, you may use MCACC since it’s more straightforward and may be adequate for less complex setups. Dirac Live is ideal if you seek a higher level of audio optimization and have more advanced audio equipment.

Listening experience

Testing VSX-LX305, I mainly wanted to check how it works as part of a home theater. This time, I’ve chosen MCACC. Its automatic settings are sufficient for the average viewer. As a result, the overall sound quality of the system was significantly improved, and the bass became clearer and more energetic. When watching movies, this Pioneer receiver demonstrated excellent conversion and playback quality. As for music, in my opinion, it sounded quite rich, creating a realistic acoustic picture.

Onkyo hasn’t modified the exterior look of their premium RZ models in a long time, and it appears that the TX-RZ50 doesn’t change this tendency. Since it belongs to the RZ series, this device has some significant hardware, with some common components for all of the brand’s top models.

Before I start my Marantz NR1200 review, I’d like to remind you that a brand had an identical SR5023 model that was highly well-received by many people but had already been discontinued. And so, Marantz has released another stereo receiver.