Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 to Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 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 amplifiers.

Let us have a look at some highlights of the models.

We have evaluated both receivers. Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 gets higher overall score in our ranking system which is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K passthrough, upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 has more zones. It supports SONOS.

	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Works with SONOS	✔	✖
More HDMI Inputs	6	4
USB Input	2 (1 Front)	2 (1 Front)
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	5 (1 front)	3 (1 front)
More Component Video Inputs	1	✖
More Zones	2	1
More Speaker Terminals	9	7
More Large Speaker Terminals	9	7
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	135 W (1% THD)	130 W (1% THD)

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 has bigger power supply.

	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Bigger Power Supply	460 W	480 W

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 share common strengths such as Dolby Atmos support, DTS:X support, HDR10, Dolby Vision, ChromeCast, DTS Play-Fi, ethernet connection, wi-fi, bluetooth, phono input, internet radio, Spotify, Tidal and Deezer.

STRENGTHS	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Dolby Atmos	✔	✔
DTS:X	✔	✔
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✔ 2-ch Input
HDR10	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling	✔ 1080p to 4K	✔ 1080p to 4K
FlareConnect	✔	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✔	✔
DTS Play-Fi	✔	✔
Ethernet	✔	✔
Wi-Fi	✔	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
USB Input	2 (1 Front)	2 (1 Front)
Phono Input	✔	✔
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Zones	2	1
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM
Internet Radio	✔ TuneIn	✔ TuneIn
Spotify	✔	✔
Tidal	✔	✔
Deezer	✔	✔
New Bluetooth Version	4.1 + LE	4.1 + LE

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 share common weaknesses such as no front wide channel support, no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no DLNA 1.5 support, no Amazon Alexa, no analog multi-channel input, no analog pre-outs, no Pandora, no Napster and no SiriusXM.

WEAKNESSES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
No Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
No DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
No Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
No Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No DLNA 1.5	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
No Pandora	✖	✖
No Napster	✖	✖
No SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

Amplifier

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 have 7 channel amplifiers. They both deliver 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and have stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support and these models are no exceptions.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. They both do 4K upscaling. The receivers support HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 support Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. They can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 support DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. Both of them can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is an upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Advanced Sound Retriever

Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 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.

Connectivity

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with SONOS and supports AirPlay. It has 6 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver.

Front panel has USB and Mini-Jack inputs.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver supports AirPlay. It has 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver.

Front panel has USB and Mini-Jack inputs.

And in the end let us list the detailed specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

Note: The following table shows only those details which are applicable for both models and excludes the ones that are applicable for only one model. If you want to see a full list of specs for each model please visit their individual pages here - Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103 and here - Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102.

BASICS	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Brand	Pioneer	Pioneer
Series	Elite	Elite
Model	VSX-LX103	VSX-LX102
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	Taiwan	Taiwan
Release Year	2018	2017

AMPLIFIER	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Channels	7.2	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
Amplifier Design	Direct Energy	Discrete Direct Energy
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✔	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✔	✔

AUDIO	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Digital Quad-Core 32-bit DSP (Cirrus Logic)	Digital Core Engine with Cirrus Logic (Quad Core) x1
DAC	AKM AK4458	AKM AK4438
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✔	✔
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✔	✔
Dolby Pro Logic	✖	✖
Dolby Digital EX	✖	✖
Surround EX	✖	✖
DTS:X	✔	✔
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✖	✖
DTS Neo	✖	✖
DTS-HD Master Audio	✔	✔
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio	✔	✔
DTS 96/24	✔	✔
DTS Express	✔	✔
DTS-ES	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
PCM	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit	✔ 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✔ up to 192 kHz/24 bit	✔ up to 192 kHz/24 bit
Gapless Playback	✔	✔
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖	✖
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✖
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
Sound Retriever	✔ Advanced	✔ Advanced
Sound Retriever AIR	✖	✖
Digital Noise Reduction	✖	✖
Tone Control	✔ All Channels	✔ All Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔ Advanced Sound Retriever	✔ Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✖	✖
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✔	✔
Auto Surround	✔	✔
Optimum Surround	✖	✖
Wide Surround	✖	✖
Front Stage Surround Advance	✔	✔
Headphone Surround	✖	✖
Virtual Speakers	✖	✖
Virtual Depth	✖	✖

CALIBRATION	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ MCACC	✔ MCACC
Manual MCACC	✔	✔
MCACC Memory	1	1
Reflex Optimizer	✔	✔
Phase Control	✔	✔
Full Band Phase Control	✖	✖
Standing Wave Control	✖	✖
Symmetric EQ	✔	✔
Precision Distance	✖	✖
Polarity Check	✖	✖
Auto Subwoofer Crossover	✔	✔

VIDEO	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
HDR10	✔	✔
HDR10+	✖	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✔	✔
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✔	✔
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖	✖
3-D Ready	✔	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ 1080p to 4K	✔ 1080p to 4K
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Component**, Composite	✔ Component**, Composite
Stream Smoother	✖	✖
Pure Cinema	✖	✖
Video Parameter Adjustments	✖	✖
Super Resolution	✔	✔
isf Certified Calibration Control	✖	✖

CONNECTIVITY	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
MHL Input	✖	✖
DLNA 1.5	✖	✖
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✔	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✔	✔
DTS Play-Fi	✔	✔
Works with Amazon Alexa	✖	✖
Works with SONOS	✔	✖
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay	✔ AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	✔ Made for iPhone, iPod and iPad (Airplay only)	✔ Made for iPhone, iPod and iPad (Airplay only)
Remote App	✔ Pioneer Remote App	✔ Pioneer Remote App
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✔	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✔	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC, AAC	✔ SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✖
HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
HDMI Inputs	6	4
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	2 (1 Front)	2 (1 Front)
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	5 (1 front)	3 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✔	✔
Optical Inputs	1	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2	2
Composite Video Outputs	✖	✖
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	1	✖
Component Video Outputs	✖	✖
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2	0.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Mini-Jack	USB, Mini-Jack
Speaker A/B	✖	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Zones	2	1
RS-232 Interface	✔	✔
+12V Trigger Output	1 (MAIN: 100 mA)	1 (MAIN: 100 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 0	1 / 0

MISC	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
GUI Languages	9	9
AVNavigator	✖	✖
IP Control	✔	✔
PreAmp Mode	✖	✖
Versatile Speaker Configuration	FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT/ Bi-AMP, ZONE 2	FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT/ Bi-AMP
FL Dimmer	✔	✔
Function Rename	✔	✔
Remote Controller	✔ User-Friendly Simple Remote Control	✔ User-Friendly Simple Remote Control
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✔
adapterport	✖	✖

RADIO	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM
Presets	40	40
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✔ TuneIn	✔ TuneIn
Pandora	✖	✖
Spotify	✔	✔
Tidal	✔	✔
Deezer	✔	✔
Napster	✖	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖	✖

CONSTRUCTION	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Front Panel	Brushed	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front	✖	✖
Speaker Terminals	9	7
Large Speaker Terminals	9	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
Ceramic Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
3D Space Frame Construction	✖	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer	✖	✖
Transformer Stabilizer	✖	✖
Power Consumption	460 W	480 W
No Sound Power	55 W	45 W
Standby Power	0.15 W	0.1 W

GENERAL	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 173 mm x 370.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 14-9/16"	435 mm x 173 mm x 320.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 12-5/8"
Weight	9.4 kg (20.7 lbs)	8.6 kg (19.0 lbs)
Warranty	3 Years	3 Years Parts & Labor

SPECS	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX102
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	160 W (10% THD)	160 W (10% THD)
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	135 W (1% THD)	130 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	160 W	160 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	125 W	125 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	85 W	85 W
THD	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ	200 mV/47 kΩ (Unbalanced)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)	3.5 mV/47 kΩ	3.5 mV/47 kΩ
Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance	8 Ω - 600 Ω	330 Ω
Rated Headphone Power Output	80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)	80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)
Phono Overload	70 mV (MM, 1 kHz 0.5%)	70 mV (MM, 1 kHz 0.5%)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	106 dB	106 dB
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	80 dB	80 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct/Pure Audio)	5 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct/Pure Audio)
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	5 GHz, 2.4 GHz	5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth Version	4.1 + LE	4.1 + LE
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 500 mA	Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 500 mA
Extension Terminal	✖	✖
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1710 kHz	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted