MID-RANGE PIONEER ELITE ‘VSX-LX303’ AV RECEIVER RAMPS UP WORLD-CLASS AMP TECHNOLOGY TO DELIVER IMMERSIVE 3D SURROUND-SOUND THROUGH NINE CHANNELS

April 30, 2018

 Pioneer & Onkyo Corporation invites families inside the film-director’s world with its new Elite VSX-LX303 9.2-Ch AV Receiver (MSRP $899 USD/$1,149 CAD), a component airing DTS:X® and Dolby Atmos® soundtracks via 5.2.4-ch or 7.2.2-ch loudspeaker layouts with ultimate realism. The Elite VSX-LX303 is now shipping.

Pioneer’s Multichannel Stereophonic philosophy treats discrete sounds encoded in surround formats equally through a marriage of Direct Energy amplification and MCACC*1 calibration. Key aspects of the Direct Energy design, such as shortened signal paths, clean grounds, and high simultaneous multi-channel power output achieve reproduction quality that’s source-faithful and in perfect harmony with adjacent channels. MCACC applies techniques refined in the studio environment to control phase timing and reverb through calibrated speakers for breathtaking sound-field clarity and cohesion.

Peerless surround-sound performance is matched by 4K HDR video support including Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dolby Vision™ and HDR10 formats, while Hi-Res Audio and a discrete phono stage join multi-room audio via 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi®*2. Chromecast built-in enables voice-controlled audio streaming via devices featuring the Google Assistant, while DTS Play-Fi® technology and FlareConnect™ broaden the choice of tailored multi-room platforms. Users can control audio with Pioneer Remote App*3 and Pioneer Music Control App*3, which can access entertainment services such as Amazon Music*4, Pandora®*4, TIDAL*4, TuneIn*4, Spotify*4, and Deezer*4.

High-Output Amps for Clarity and Control

Rated at 100 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20Hz–20 kHz, THD 0.08%, 2-ch driven, FTC), Pioneer’s acclaimed Direct Energy amplifier design delivers stable and precise high-output power through nine channels simultaneously, and displays stunning dynamic performance, wide frequency response, and low distortion. Augmented by 384 kHz/32-bit D/A conversion for accurate high-resolution playback, and a quad-core 32-bit chip and Aureus™ floating-point DSP chip facilitating 9.2-ch object-based audio playback, this powerful receiver drives any audio source with energy and assurance.

9.2-Ch Amp Supports Various Speaker Layouts Multi-Zone Audio

Users can assign nine available amplification channels to deliver audio entertainment that best suits their home and lifestyle. The VSX-LX303 supports 5.2.4-ch and 7.2.2-ch surround layouts for improved room coverage with object-based soundtracks. Alternatively, the four Height/Surround Back outputs can drive stereo loudspeakers in Zone 2 and Zone 3 with a 5.2-ch setup in the main room, or a 5.2.2-ch layout with Powered Zone 2 distribution. As well as analog, multiple DACs support digital source playback in up to three zones simultaneously*5.

4K/60p Video Supporting HDR and HDCP 2.2

HDMI® terminals*6 pass 4K/60p/4:4:4/24-bit, BT.2020*7, and 4K HDR (HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision) video through to compatible displays and projectors. All terminals are compatible with HDCP 2.2 content protection, while onboard Super Resolution 4K upscaling technology can upscale Full HD video to the quality of a 4K signal.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Playback with Dolby Surround® and DTS Neural:X™

Spatially mixed Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtrack formats utilize object-based metadata (as opposed to traditional channel-based data) to create a 3D soundscape in the room. The codecs contain height-channel audio information in addition to floor-channel audio, freeing sound to move all around the audience for an amazingly realistic entertainment experience. Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X up-mixing solutions are included to remap legacy movie and game soundtracks with a high degree of accuracy, enhancing playback immersion through any speaker layout. Both technologies are cross-compatible with a variety of common audio formats.

MCACC Creates the Ultimate Surround-Sound Field

MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System), developed with the expertise of professional recording studios, creates an ideal listening environment in media rooms and entertainment spaces. The system automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, level, and distance, and equalizes response for exceptional clarity.

Phase Control

An innovative solution to resolve phase-lag between the subwoofer and front L+R speakers, Phase Control compensates for bass delay at the viewing position to improve sound synchronization. Consequently, it makes low-frequency effects more dynamic and facilitates clearer reproduction of sound in the mid- and high-frequency bands.

Reflex Optimizer

When using Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, high directivity sound from the unit reflects off the ceiling, while low directivity sound directly reaches the ears. The different pathways cause a phase shift, making the sound feel uncomfortable. The Reflex Optimizer which uses the Phase Control technology adjusts this shift and improves the localization of the sound image creating the ideal reproduction environment.

Make Multi-Room Audio Easy with DTS Play-Fi Technology

DTS Play-Fi technology facilitates wireless streaming of virtually any audio content from any compatible mobile devices to the VSX-LX303 and other supported audio systems, creating a flexible multi-room system in the home. Different sources can be streamed to different speakers at the same time from the free Pioneer Music Control App.

Chromecast built-in Audio Streaming Platform

The VSX-LX303 comes with Chromecast built-in. Stream and control your favorite music from Chromecast-enabled apps on your iPhone, iPad, Android™ phones and tablets, Chromebook™, and the Chrome™ web browser right to your speakers. Owners of devices with the Google Assistant built-in can control music on the VSX-LX303 by voice.

FlareConnect™ Wireless Multi-Room Audio

FlareConnect shares audio from network and external audio input*8 sources between compatible components. Enjoy effortless multi-room playback of LP records, CDs, network music services, and more with supported components and speaker systems. Music selection, speaker grouping, and playback management across the home are built into the Pioneer Remote App.

High-Grade Audio DAC

The VSX-LX303 incorporates a high-grade 384 kHz/32-bit DAC (AK4458) produced by AKM. The device offers clear and precise audio reproduction with a unique digital filter that achieves extremely low distortion and excellent S/N performance.

Get the Most from Hi-Res Audio

Careful attention has been invested in digital audio processing design to achieve best possible Hi-Res Audio fidelity. DAC filtering and wideband amplification are tuned for flawless reproduction of formats including SACD via HDMI (5.6 MHz/2-ch, 2.8 MHz/5.1-ch) and digital files via network and USB input. Supported formats comprise 192 kHz/24-bit FLAC, WAV (RIFF), AIFF, and ALAC*9; DSD 5.6 MHz/2.8 MHz*10; and Dolby® TrueHD to 192 kHz/24-bit*11.

Internet Radio and Online Music

A limitless flow of music, sports, talk, news, and audiobooks is ready to explore courtesy of Internet radio and online music services including Amazon Music, Pandora®, Spotify, TuneIn, TIDAL, and Deezer. Services are accessed with Pioneer Remote App or Pioneer Music Control App.

Dual-band 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

High-fidelity sound sources can be played wirelessly over a built-in Wi-Fi connection offering 5 GHz (11a/n) and 2.4 GHz (11b/g/n) bands. In busy households with many devices contributing to congestion on the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz channel provides stable transmission of audio files.

Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is a convenient audio streaming solution for almost any content playing on mobiles, tablets, and laptops, from audiobooks and podcasts to music played from smartphone applications.

Graphical User Interface with Easy Setup

Pioneer’s class-leading GUI makes using the VSX-LX303 enjoyable. A clean graphical layout details receiver functions and streamlines everyday operability, while Setup Guidance makes initial network setup fast and easy.

Other Features

• Apple AirPlay® certified
• 2 x 12 V trigger outputs, IR input and output, RS-232C-compliant
• AM/FM tuner with 40 memory presets
• Assignable component and composite video inputs
• Zone 2 pre-/line output