Pioneer VSX-43 vs Pioneer VSX-42

      Pioneer VSX-43

      Pioneer VSX-42
      71
      Image cannot be found
      67
      Image cannot be found
      USA
      USA
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
       
       

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Pioneer VSX-43 to Pioneer VSX-42 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 7 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.


      Pioneer VSX-43 Pioneer VSX-42

      Pioneer VSX-43 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/30Hz video signal.

      Pioneer VSX-42 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 1080/60p and upscales Anchor Bay up to 1080p video signal.

      Highlights

      • 7.1 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • 4K/30Hz Passthrough
      • Bluetooth, Ethernet

      Highlights

      • 7.1 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Bluetooth

      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Pioneer VSX-43
      4. Advantage of Pioneer VSX-42
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Audio Section
      7. Video Section
      8. Inputs and Outputs
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these receivers, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42.

      PROS

      Pioneer VSX-43

      Pioneer VSX-42

      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora

      CONS

      Pioneer VSX-43

      Pioneer VSX-42

      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   No Wi-Fi
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   No Wi-Fi
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Ethernet
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Spotify
      •   No Tidal


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Pioneer VSX-43

      Pioneer VSX-42

      •   7.1 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   7.1 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 Zones

      Advantage of Pioneer VSX-43

      Pioneer VSX-43
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer VSX-43 over Pioneer VSX-42.

      Pioneer VSX-43 vs Pioneer VSX-42
      Bi-amp capability Front vs
      Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, 192kHz / 24-Bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF vs WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC,
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF vs WAV/FLAC
      Gapless Playback vs
      Wide Surround vs
      Video Signal Passthrough up to 4K/30p vs up to 1080p
      MHL Input 1 (Front) vs
      More Component Video Outputs 1 vs
      Ethernet vs
      Front A/V Inputs HDMI, USB, Composite Video vs USB, Composite Video
      Spotify vs

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Pioneer VSX-43.

      Yamaha RX-A2030
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A770
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      95 W

      Onkyo TX-NR509
      Image cannot be found

      5.1 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A2010
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-V6A
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A1050
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Onkyo TX-NR656
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A1070
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-V685
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      90 W

      Yamaha RX-A3070
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Denon AVR-X2800H
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      95 W

      Yamaha RX-A3050
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Advantage of Pioneer VSX-42

      Pioneer VSX-42
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer VSX-42 over Pioneer VSX-43.

      Pioneer VSX-43 vs Pioneer VSX-42
      Headphone Surround vs
      Video Signal Upscaling vs Anchor Bay up to 1080p
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion vs Component****, Composite

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Pioneer VSX-42.

      Yamaha RX-V585
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-V4A
      Image cannot be found

      5.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A4A
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1070
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A1040
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A840
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A2040
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A3010
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Pioneer SC-65
      Image cannot be found

      9.2 channel

      130 W

      Pioneer VSX-932
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A1060
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Pioneer VSX-834
      Image cannot be found

      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Pioneer VSX-43 Pioneer VSX-42
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch Input 2-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
        New HDCP Version2.22.2
        Bluetooth via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately) via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
        USB Input1 Front1 Front
        Composite Video Inputs3 (1 front)3 (1 front)
        Component Video Inputs11
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
      WEAKNESSES Pioneer VSX-43 Pioneer VSX-42
        Low Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        No Dolby Atmos
        No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        No DTS:X
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No HDR10
        No HDR10+
        No Dolby Vision
        No eARC
        No 8K Passthroughup to 4K/30pup to 1080p
        No Wi-Fi
        Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        Few HDMI Outputs11
        Few 8K Inputs
        Few RCA Line Inputs33
        No Phono Input
        No RCA Pre-Outs0.10.1
        No Digital Radio
        No Tidal

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Pioneer VSX-43 Pioneer VSX-42

      7 channel Direct Energy Amplifier: Pioneer VSX-43 features 7 channel power amplifier with Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      7 channel Direct Energy Amplifier: Pioneer VSX-42 features 7 channel power amplifier with Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

        Speaker Configurations

        Pioneer VSX-43's and Pioneer VSX-42's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

        • Configurations: Available configurations are:
        • Pioneer VSX-43: 5.1, 7.1 with internal amplifier.
        • Pioneer VSX-42: 5.1, 7.1 with internal amplifier.
        • Bi-Amp: Pioneer VSX-43 is able to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

          • Sound Processing

          • Compressed Music Enhancer: Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.
          • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42 is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

          Room Calibration

          Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42 come with room correction system.

          Video Section

          HDMI

          Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42 come with 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

          • 4K/30Hz Passthrough on Pioneer VSX-43: All inputs pass up to 4K/30p video signal.
            1080/60p Passthrough on Pioneer VSX-42: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
          • 1080p Upscaling on Pioneer VSX-42: It can upscale Anchor Bay up to 1080p from HDMI and analog sources.
          • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: Pioneer VSX-42 supports analog to HDMI Upconversion, so you can input your analog video sources and output them digitally via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
          • HDCP 2.2.0 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.2.0 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
          • 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

          Inputs and Outputs

          Audio

          • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
          • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connections on both receivers.
          • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

          Video

          • HDMI:
          • Pioneer VSX-43
            Inputs:             6 (1 front)   Outputs: 1
            8K Inputs: 0.
          • Pioneer VSX-42
            Inputs:             6   Outputs: 1
            8K Inputs: 0.
          • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
          • Pioneer VSX-43
            Inputs:             3   Outputs: 1.
          • Pioneer VSX-42
            Inputs:             3   Outputs: 1.
          • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Both receivers support up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
          • Pioneer VSX-43
            Inputs:             1   Outputs: 1.
          • Pioneer VSX-42
            Inputs:             1   Outputs: 0.

          Front A/V Inputs

          • Pioneer VSX-43: HDMI, USB, Composite Video
          • Pioneer VSX-42: USB, Composite Video

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Image cannot be found Image cannot be found

          Pioneer VSX-42

          Image cannot be found Image cannot be found
          >

          Evaluations

          We evaluate Pioneer VSX-43 and Pioneer VSX-42 and give them scores of 71 and 67 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          OVERALL
          71
          OVERALL
          67

          Amplifier

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          GOOD
          72
          •   7.1 Channels
          •   Low Power Output - 80 W
          GOOD
          70
          •   7.1 Channels
          •   Low Power Output - 80 W

          Audio Features

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          AVERAGE
          68
          •   7.1 Channels
          •   No Front Wide Channel Support
          •   7.1 Channel Processing
          •   No Dolby Atmos
          •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
          •   No DTS:X
          •   No IMAX Enhanced
          •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
          •   DSD via HDMI
          AVERAGE
          67
          •   7.1 Channels
          •   No Front Wide Channel Support
          •   7.1 Channel Processing
          •   No Dolby Atmos
          •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
          •   No DTS:X
          •   No IMAX Enhanced
          •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
          •   DSD via HDMI

          Video Features

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          AVERAGE
          60
          •   No HDR10
          •   No HDR10+
          •   No Dolby Vision
          •   No 8K Passthrough
          POOR
          54
          •   No HDR10
          •   No HDR10+
          •   No Dolby Vision
          •   No 8K Passthrough
          •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion

          Connectivity

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          GOOD
          75
          •   No eARC
          •   New HDCP Version
          •   No Wi-Fi
          •   Bluetooth
          •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
          •   6 HDMI Inputs
          •   1 HDMI Outputs
          •   0 8K Input
          •   USB Input
          •   Few RCA Line Inputs
          •   No Phono Input
          •   No RCA Pre-Outs
          •   Composite Video Inputs
          •   Component Video Inputs
          •   Ethernet
          AVERAGE
          67
          •   No eARC
          •   New HDCP Version
          •   No Wi-Fi
          •   Bluetooth
          •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
          •   6 HDMI Inputs
          •   1 HDMI Outputs
          •   0 8K Input
          •   USB Input
          •   Few RCA Line Inputs
          •   No Phono Input
          •   No RCA Pre-Outs
          •   Composite Video Inputs
          •   Component Video Inputs
          •   No Ethernet

          Zones

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          GOOD
          80
          •   2 Zones
          GOOD
          79
          •   2 Zones

          Radio

          Pioneer VSX-43

          Pioneer VSX-42

          EXCELLENT
          85
          •   Analog Tuner
          •   Pandora
          •   Spotify
          •   No Tidal
          GOOD
          79
          •   Analog Tuner
          •   Pandora
          •   No Spotify
          •   No Tidal


          For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

          Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

          ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.