Pioneer Elite VSX-44

    72
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    USA

    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough
    • Bluetooth, Ethernet
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pioneer Elite VSX-44 was introduced in 2014. 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 4K/60Hz video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 72 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.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. 2014 Lineup
    4. Predecessor
    5. Successor
    6. Audio Section
    7. Video Section
    8. Multi-zone Playback
    9. Inputs and Outputs
    10. Evaluation
    11. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-44.

    PROs

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

    CONs

    •   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
    •   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

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

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   6 HDMI Inputs
    •   2 Zones

    Pioneer 2014 Lineup

    In 2014 Pioneer released 11 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Pioneer 2014 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioZones Price
    SC-89 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-87 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-85 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2135 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-82 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2130 W7.19.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-81 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2120 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-80 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-44 Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.1 MCACC2
    VSX-1124-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-1024-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.280 W7.1 MCACC Auto2
    VSX-824-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.280 W5.1 MCACC Auto1
    VSX-524-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.180 W5.1 MCACC Auto1

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Pioneer SC-89 vs SC-87 vs SC-85 vs SC-82 vs SC-81 vs VSX-80.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-44 to its predecessor VSX-43 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-44 vs Pioneer VSX-43
    More Channels 7.2 vs 7.1
    Surround EX vs
    Headphone Surround vs
    Video Signal Passthrough up to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
    4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit)
    4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)    		 vs up to 4K/30p
    Wi-Fi via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately) vs
    USB DC Out Port 1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A) vs
    DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-44 vs Pioneer VSX-43
    Wide Surround vs
    Less Composite Video Inputs 2 vs 3 (1 front)
    Front A/V Inputs HDMI, USB vs HDMI, USB, Composite Video

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-44 vs VSX-43.

    Successor

    In 2015 Pioneer Elite VSX-44 was replaced by Pioneer VSX-45. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pioneer Elite VSX-44 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Pioneer VSX-45 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-44
    DTS-HD High Resolution Audio vs
    Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF
    DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input vs 2-ch Input
    DSD to PCM Converter vs
    Auto Level Control Multi-Channel vs 2 Channel
    Dialog Enhancement vs
    Sound Retriever Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC) vs Advanced (2-Channel)
    Digital Noise Reduction vs
    Virtual Speakers (Surround Back/Height/Wide) vs
    Manual MCACC vs
    Higher MCACC Memory 6 vs 1
    Auto Phase Control Plus vs
    Full Band Phase Control vs
    Standing Wave Control vs
    More EQ Bands 9-Band (Advanced) vs 5
    X-Curve vs
    Distance Adjustment 1/2 Inch vs .1 Ft
    Polarity Check vs
    Auto Subwoofer Crossover vs
    Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) vs
    Analog To HDMI Upconversion Composite vs
    Video Parameter Adjustments vs
    Super Resolution vs
    Wi-Fi vs via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately)
    Bluetooth vs via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
    RS-232C Interface vs
    On-Screen Display Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) vs Network GUI / Set-Up Text - HDMI Only
    AVNavigator Built-in vs
    IP Control for CI vs
    Function Rename vs
    More Presets 63 vs 30
    Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 100 dB vs 98 dB
    DOWNGRADES Pioneer VSX-45 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-44
    Less Channels 5.2 vs 7.2
    Less Channel Processing 5.1 vs 7.1
    Dolby Pro Logic PLII vs PLIIz
    Dolby Digital EX vs
    Surround EX vs
    USB DC Out Port vs 1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
    Less RCA Line Inputs 2 vs 3
    Less Component Video Inputs vs 1
    Less Component Video Outputs vs 1
    Front A/V Inputs USB vs HDMI, USB
    adapterport vs
    Less Zones 1 vs 2
    Less Speaker Terminals 7 vs 9
    Less Large Speaker Terminals 5 vs 7
    Smaller Power Supply 450 W vs 520 W

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-44 vs VSX-45.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Discrete Direct Energy Amplifier

    Pioneer Elite VSX-44 features 7 channel power amplifier with Discrete Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Front Wide Channel Support
      Amplifier DesignDiscrete Direct Energy
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability Front

      Speaker Configurations

      Pioneer Elite VSX-44's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer Elite VSX-44 allows you 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.
      Pioneer Elite VSX-44
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      DECODING
      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

      Sound Processing

      • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-44 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-44 comes with MCACC room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      • MCACC: Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) delivers an easy-to-use, automatic sound adjustment system to precision-tune your Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers with minimal effort. Every MCACC system comes with a microphone to measure and analyze reverb characteristics. The equalizer optimally adjusts sound parameters to fit the size and shape of your home environment while maintaining the integrity of high-resolution playback without any degradation to the quality of your music.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Pioneer Elite VSX-44 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
        4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit)
        4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit) video signal.
      • 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite VSX-44 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
      Pioneer Elite VSX-44
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      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
      4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit)
      4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)
      Video Signal Upscaling

      Multi-zone Playback

      Pioneer Elite VSX-44 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.
      ZONES
      Number of Zones2
      Powered Zones 2
      RS-232C Interface
      +12V Trigger Output1
      Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 1
      >

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input 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 (1 front)   Outputs: 1
        8K Inputs: 0
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Inputs: 2   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-44 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Inputs: 1   Outputs: 1

      Front A/V Inputs

      • HDMI, USB
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      TERMINALS
      HDMI Inputs6 (1 front)
      HDMI Outputs1
      8K Inputs
      USB Input1 Front
      USB DC Out Port1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
      Optical Inputs1
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs1
      RCA Line Inputs3
      RCA Line Outputs
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs0.2
      XLR Pre-outs
      Composite Video Inputs2
      Composite Video Outputs1
      S-Video Inputs
      S-Video Outputs
      Component Video Inputs1
      Component Video Outputs1

      Pioneer Elite VSX-44 Evaluation

      We evaluate Pioneer Elite VSX-44 and give score of 72 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 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.


      OVERALL
      72

      Amplifier

      GOOD
      72

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 72 for Amplifier features.

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W

      Audio Features

      AVERAGE
      68

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 68 for Audio Features features.

      •   7.2 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

      AVERAGE
      67

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 67 for Video Features features.

      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough

      Connectivity

      GOOD
      74

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 74 for Connectivity features.

      •   No eARC
      •   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

      Zones

      GOOD
      80

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 80 for Zones features.

      •   2 Zones

      Radio

      EXCELLENT
      85

      We give Pioneer Elite VSX-44 a score of 85 for Radio features.

      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal


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

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