Pioneer Elite VSX-42 (USA version)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Pioneer Elite VSX-42 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 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.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 66 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

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

7 channel Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer Elite 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 Elite VSX-42's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Configurations: Available configurations are:
5.1, 7.1 with internal amplifier.

Sound Processing

• Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite 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 Elite VSX-42 comes with room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

HDMI

Pioneer Elite VSX-42 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 1080/60p Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
• 1080p Upscaling: Pioneer Elite VSX-42 can upscale Anchor Bay up to 1080p from HDMI and analog sources.
• Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Pioneer Elite VSX-42 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite VSX-42 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Pioneer Elite VSX-42 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.

Zone 2

• Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
• Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.

Audio

• Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 1 optical output and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

Video

• HDMI:
Inputs: 6   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
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. Pioneer Elite VSX-42 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 1   Outputs: 0

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-42.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	VSX-42
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2012

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.1
Front Wide Channel Support
Amplifier	Direct Energy
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	TI Aureus
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	PLIIz
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC,
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	WAV/FLAC
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction
Auto Level Control	2 Channel
Dialog Enhancement
Dialogue Lift
Sound Retriever	Advanced (2-Channel)
Sound Retriever AIR
Digital Noise Reduction
Tone Control	Front L/R Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer
Digital Filter Slow Mode
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Direct Mode
Auto Surround
Optimum Surround
Advanced Surround	9 + Headphone Surround
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers
Virtual Depth
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
Manual MCACC
MCACC Memory	1
Phase Control
Full Band Phase Control
Standing Wave Control
EQ Bands	5
Symmetric EQ
X-Curve
Distance Adjustment	.1 Ft
Precision Distance
Polarity Check
Auto Subwoofer Crossover

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 1080p
Video Signal Upscaling	Anchor Bay up to 1080p
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component****, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080p (1125p)
Stream Smoother
Pure Cinema
Video Parameter Adjustments
Triple HD Noise Reduction
Super Resolution
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod/iPhone/iPad
Remote App	ControlApp (iPad, iPhone, Android)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	6
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	3
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
Composite Video Input	3 (1 front)
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	1
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.1
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Composite Video
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	2
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	GUI with Album Art
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display
HDMI Speaker B Link
AVNavigator
PC Set-Up
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Surround Back / Front Height / Speaker B
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Remote Controller	Preset
Detachable Power Cord
adapterport

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	30
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	vTuner
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Chassis
Front Panel	Hairline
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Ceramic Speaker Terminals
3D Space Frame Construction
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
Transformer Stabilizer
Power Consumption	520 W
Standby Power	0.4 W

GENERAL
Auto Power Standby
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 168 mm x 342.5 mm 17-3/16" x 6-5/8" x 13-1/2"
Weight	9.3 kg (20 lb 9 oz)
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.08% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB
S/N Ratio (Line, EIA, at 1 W (1 kHz))	79 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	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)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
HDMI Terminal	Type A (19-pin)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 100 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 2.1 A
adapterport Terminal	5 V, 100 mA
Extension Terminal
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

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

In 2013 Pioneer Elite VSX-42 was replaced by VSX-43. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-43	vs	Pioneer Elite 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
Ethernet		vs
More Component Video Outputs	1	vs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Composite Video	vs	USB, Composite Video
Spotify		vs

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

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-42 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-43.