Pioneer Elite VSX-44 (USA version)

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

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 71 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-44.

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 Elite 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 Elite 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-43.

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).

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.

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.

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 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

• 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 (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

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-44.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	VSX-44
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2014

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
Amplifier	Discrete Direct Energy
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability	Front

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Texas Instruments 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	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF
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
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	11 + 1 Mode
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers
Virtual Depth
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	MCACC
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
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 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit) 4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit) 4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion
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	1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod and iPhone via front USB
Remote App	iControlAV5 (for iOS and Android)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi	via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately)
Bluetooth	via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	6 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
RCA Line Input	3
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	1
Component Video Output	1
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	2
Powered Zones	2
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	1
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	Network GUI / Set-Up Text - HDMI Only
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display
AVNavigator
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Surround Back/Front Height/Speaker B/Bi-amp/ZONE2
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Remote Controller	System Remote Control
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
Front Panel	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	7
Color-Coded 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	0.1 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Auto Power Standby
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 168 mm x 342.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-5/8" x 13-1/2"
Weight	9.2 kg (20 lb 5 oz)
Warranty	2 Years Parts & Labor

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)	140 W (1% 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
HDMI Input/MHL Terminal	5 V, 900 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 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 2015 Pioneer Elite VSX-44 was replaced by VSX-45. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite 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
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 Elite 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
Less Zones	1	vs	2
adapterport		vs
More Speaker Terminals	7	vs	9
More 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-45.