Being able to compare Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 and Sony STR-AN1000 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. We estimated the compared receivers and both received a 8.5 out of 10 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX305 is 2021, and STR-AN1000 is 2023.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-AN1000 supports a 7.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the Elite VSX-LX305 this value is 225/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-AN1000 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 225/6 | 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 6 |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX305 9 out of 10, and the STR-AN1000 - 8.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Sony STR-AN1000 has Pure Direct mode.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | DCAC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction | Acoustic Center Sync, DSEE Ultimate, DSD Native Playback, Pure Direct, In-Ceiling Speaker Mode, Center Speaker Lift Up |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Sony STR-AN1000.
MHL combines the functionality of the HDMI and MicroUSB interfaces and lets you connect any mobile devices to a receiver. The STR-AN1000 has MHL support for streaming content from external devices.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✔ |
MHL | ✖ | ✔ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 got 7 points, but Sony STR-AN1000 received 8 points.
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-AN1000 has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The STR-AN1000 features HDMI CEC.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the Elite VSX-LX305 has a Phono interface.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 6/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 1 |
Component input/output | 0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | HDMI, USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✔ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the Elite VSX-LX305 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the STR-AN1000.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 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, BT.2020, LipSync | Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX305 got 9 points, but the STR-AN1000 has 10.
Sony STR-AN1000 has the ECO mode.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | 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 | App Control, Sonos Connect control | IP Control, Web Control, App Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 8 points out of 10.
Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.
Elite VSX-LX305 | STR-AN1000 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | DSD, LPCM |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |