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Pioneer VSX-LX503 review
The functionality of receivers is expanding rapidly and radically. The review of Pioneer VSX-LX503 will help us to understand the intricacies of this explosive progress. 8.6 points out of 10 are an adequate assessment of this receiver for functions and capabilities. The Pioneer released this model in 2018. The VSX-LX503 is equipped with an amplifier that can handle 9.2 channels.
Pioneer VSX-LX503 Pros
- ✔The receiver has a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
- ✔Bluetooth is now one of the key wireless communication protocols. In AV receivers, it is used for audio signal transmission or remote control. And it is in the model under review that Bluetooth support is implemented.
- ✔The presence of a USB port allows the receiver to play content from external media.
- ✔Like any modern receiver, VSX-LX503 has a Phono (MM) input for connecting a phonograph or turntable.
- ✔Dolby Atmos technology has been included in this model specifically to create a 3D effect when watching movies, which reveals all its features with a minimum 5.1 configuration.
- ✔Pioneer VSX-LX503 with an adaptive and flexible DTS:X surround format can support any speaker configuration, unlike Dolby Atmos.
- ✔With HDR10 pass-through support, it is possible to transfer data over the VSX-LX503 with a much wider range of colors.
- ✔With 4K/60Hz pass-through support, it is possible to pass data through this model without degrading image quality.
- ✔ARC feature eliminates the need for an additional composite or optical cable when connecting this unit to a TV.
- ✔The manufacturer claims support for CEC in Pioneer VSX-LX503 and therefore you can control any HDMI-connected device using one remote control.
- ✔This receiver supports the data encryption protocol HDCP 2.2 which allows licensed devices to play high definition audio and video.
- ✔Can stream audio using the AirPlay protocol.
- ✔Has access to the Amazon Music network service.
- ✔Stream music from one of the most popular services Spotify directly on the Pioneer VSX-LX503.
- ✔The main functions of this model can be controlled using voice control.
- ✔Pioneer VSX-LX503 uses bi-amping to amplify each dynamic in a speaker separately, resulting in clearer, better sound.
- ✔The reviewed receiver has a Pure Direct mode, when used it feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
- ✔This AV receiver is able to use 3 zones to send a source signal to speakers or a separate audio system in different locations.
- ✔With the included microphone, the Pioneer VSX-LX503 can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.
Pioneer VSX-LX503 Cons
- ✖HDMI eARC function not implemented.
- ✖Energy-saving ECO mode is not implemented.
- ✖Has no speaker A/B switching function.
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Pioneer VSX-LX503 back and front view
Pioneer VSX-LX503 specs and features
Amplifier
| Channels | 9.2 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 120/8, 230/6 |
| Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz |
| THD in stereo, % | 0.08 |
Audio features
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
| Bi-amping | ✔ |
| Pure direct (straight) | ✔ |
| Auto speaker calibration | MCACC |
| Speaker A/B switching | ✖ |
| Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz |
| USB | 2 (USB 2.0) |
| Bluetooth | ✔ |
| Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 |
| DLNA | ✖ |
| MHL | ✖ |
Streaming services
| Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay |
| Amazon Music | ✔ |
| Spotify | ✔ |
| Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio |
Extensive connection
| HDMI input/output | 7/2 |
| HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ |
| HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ |
| HDMI CEC | ✔ |
| Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 |
| Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 |
| Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 |
| Optical digital input | 2 |
| Coaxial digital input | 1 |
| Composite input | 2 |
| Component input/output | 1/0 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✔ |
| Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
| Multi channel preamp output | ✔ |
Video features
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 |
| 4K signal pass-through | 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 scaling | ✔ |
| HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ |
| Dolby Vision | ✔ |
| Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
Additional features
| Voice control | Google Assistant |
| App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
| Display | colour OSD |
| Tuner | AM, FM |
| Sleep timer | ✔ |
| Auto power off | ✔ |
| ECO mode | ✖ |
| Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ |
| Setup assistant | ✔ |
| Firmware update | network, USB |
| Other additional features | IP Control |
Multi-room
| Multi-room zones | 3 |
| Zone audio output | speaker, preout |
| Zone HDMI output | ✔ |
| Multi-room control | FlareConnect |
| RS-232 | 1 |
| Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 2 |
Multichannel surround
| Dolby Atmos | ✔ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✖ |
| Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus |
| DTS:X | ✔ |
| DTS HD Master | ✔ |
| DTS Virtual:X | ✖ |
| DTS Neural:X | ✔ |
| DTS (other) | 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 | AIFF |
Power
| Operational power consumption, W | 850 |
| Standby consumption, W | 0.15 |
| Removable power cord | ✔ |
Dimensions
| Size W x H x D, cm/inches | 43.5 x 18.5 x 38.6/17 x 7 x 14.9 |
| Weight, kg/lbs | 13/28.7 |
Other
| Release year | 2018 |