Pioneer Elite VSX-45 (USA version)

Pioneer Elite VSX-45 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 32 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.

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 video signal passthrough and 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...

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-45.

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-45 to its predecessor VSX-44 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-45	Pioneer Elite VSX-44
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch Input
Sound Retriever	✔ Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)	✔ Advanced (2-Channel)
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo)	✖
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Composite	✖
Wi-Fi	✔	✔ via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately)
Bluetooth	✔	✔ via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
IP Control for CI	✔	✖

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-45	Pioneer Elite VSX-44
Less Channels	5.2	7.2
Less Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
Surround EX	✖	✔
Less Analog Audio Line Inputs	2	3
Less Component Video Inputs	✖	1
Less Component Video Outputs	✖	1
Less Zones	1	2
Smaller Power Supply	450 W	520 W

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

Amplifier

Pioneer Elite VSX-45 has 5 channel amplifier and delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 4K upscaling up to 60p.

Advanced Sound Retriever

Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-45 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 Correction

Pioneer Elite VSX-45 comes with MCACC Advanced room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Pioneer Elite VSX-45 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 6 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB input.

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-45.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	VSX-45
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2015

AMPLIFIER
Channels	5.2
Amplifier Design	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
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLII
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	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
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, DSD
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, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✔ up to 96 kHz/24 bit
Gapless Playback	✔
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✔
USB DAC	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖
Auto Level Control	Multi-Channel
Dialog Enhancement	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖
Sound Retriever	✔ Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
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	10 + 1 Mode
Wide Surround	✖
Front Stage Surround Advance	✔
Headphone Surround	✔
Virtual Speakers	✔ (Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Virtual Depth	✖
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ MCACC Advanced
Manual MCACC	✔
MCACC Memory	6
Phase Control	✔
Full Band Phase Control	✔
Standing Wave Control	✔
EQ Bands	9-Band (Advanced)
Symmetric EQ	✔
X-Curve	✔
Distance Adjustment	1/2 Inch
Precision Distance	✖
Polarity Check	✔
Auto Subwoofer Crossover	✔

VIDEO
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 (4:4:4 24-bit) 4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit) 4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Composite
Component Video Upscaling	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖
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	✔ (DMR)
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	✔
Bluetooth	✔
HDBaseT Compatible	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Inputs	6
HDMI Outputs	1
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	2
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖
Phono Input	✖
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2
Composite Video Outputs	1
S-Video Inputs	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖
Component Video Outputs	✖
PC In	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Inputs	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB
Speaker A/B	✔
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	1
RS-232 Interface	✔
+12V Trigger Output	1 (Main)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
AVNavigator	✔ Built-in
IP Control	✔
PreAmp Mode	✖
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Speaker B / Bi-Amp
FL Dimmer	✔
Function Rename	✔
Remote Controller	System Remote Control
Detachable Power Cord	✖
adapterport	✖

RADIO
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM
Presets	63
Digital Radio	✖
Internet Radio	✔ vTuner
Pandora	✔
Spotify	✔
Tidal	✖
Deezer	✖
Napster	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖

CONSTRUCTION
Front Panel	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front	✖
Speaker Terminals	7
Large Speaker Terminals	5
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	450 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 331.5 mm 17-3/16" x 6-5/8" x 13-1/16"
Weight	8.7 kg (19 lb 3 oz)
Warranty	2 Years Parts & Labor

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	80 W (0.08% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	315 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	100 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	Dual band 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
HDMI Terminal	19-pin (Not DVI)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 55 mA
HDMI Input/MHL Terminal	5 V, 900 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 1 A
Extension Terminal	✖
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 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 2017 Pioneer Elite VSX-45 was replaced by VSX-LX101. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX101	Pioneer Elite VSX-45
More Channels	7.2	5.2
More Channel Processing	7.1	5.1
Dolby Atmos	✔	✖
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✔	✖
DTS:X	✔	✖
DTS Neural:X	✔	✖
HDR10	✔	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✖
Dolby Vision	✔	✖
FireConnect	✔	✖
FlareConnect	✔	✖
Chromecast Built-In	✔	✖
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	4 (1 front)	2
Phono Input	✔	✖
Tidal	✔	✖
Deezer	✔	✖
Bigger Power Supply	460 W	450 W
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	2.8 MHz
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Newer Bluetooth Version	4.1 + LE	2.1 + EDR

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX101	Pioneer Elite VSX-45
Sound Retriever	✔ Advanced	✔ Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
Sound Retriever AIR	✖	✔
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Composite	✔ Composite
MHL Input	✖	✔ 1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5	✖	✔ (DMR)
Less Composite Video Outputs	✖	1

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX101 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-45.