Pioneer Elite VSX-45 (USA version)
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Overview
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 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.
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...
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-45.
PROS |
|---|
| 👍 Bi-amp Capability |
| 👍 Dolby TrueHD |
| 👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
| 👍 Dolby Pro Logic |
| 👍 DTS Neo |
| 👍 DTS-HD Master Audio |
| 👍 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio |
| 👍 DTS 96/24 |
| 👍 DTS Express |
| 👍 DTS-ES |
| 👍 High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network |
| 👍 Gapless Playback |
| 👍 DSD via HDMI |
| 👍 DSD via USB |
| 👍 DSD to PCM Converter |
| 👍 DTS Dialog Control |
| 👍 Dialog Enhancement |
| 👍 Sound Retriever |
| 👍 Sound Retriever AIR |
| 👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
| 👍 Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
| 👍 3-D Ready |
| 👍 4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
| 👍 4K or 8K Signal Upscaling |
| 👍 Analog To HDMI Upconversion |
| 👍 MHL Input |
| 👍 DLNA 1.5 |
| 👍 Ethernet |
| 👍 Wi-Fi |
| 👍 Bluetooth |
| 👍 New HDCP Version |
| 👍 USB Input |
| 👍 Composite Video Inputs |
| 👍 Composite Video Outputs |
| 👍 Zones |
| 👍 Analog Tuner |
| 👍 Pandora |
| 👍 Spotify |
CONS |
|---|
| 👎 Not Certified 4 Ω Performance |
| 👎 Few Channel Processing |
| 👎 No Dolby Atmos |
| 👎 No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
| 👎 No Dolby Surround Upmixer |
| 👎 No DTS:X |
| 👎 No DTS Neural:X |
| 👎 No DTS Virtual:X |
| 👎 No IMAX Enhanced |
| 👎 No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
| 👎 No High-resolution Music Enhancer |
| 👎 No HDR10 |
| 👎 No HDR10+ |
| 👎 No BT.2020 color space |
| 👎 No Dolby Vision |
| 👎 No Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) |
| 👎 No Chromecast Built-In |
| 👎 Does not Work with Amazon Alexa |
| 👎 Does Not Work with SONOS |
| 👎 No eARC |
| 👎 Few HDMI Outputs |
| 👎 Few Analog Audio Line Inputs |
| 👎 No Phono Input |
| 👎 No Component Video Inputs |
| 👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
| 👎 No Analog Pre-Outs |
| 👎 No Tidal |
| 👎 No Deezer |
| 👎 No Napster |
| 👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
| 👎 Old Bluetooth Version |
Major Changes from its predecessor
Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-45 to its predecessor VSX-44 and displaying the major changes.
| UPGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-45 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-44 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSD via HDMI | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input | vs | 2-ch Input |
| Sound Retriever | Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC) | vs | Advanced (2-Channel) |
| Video Signal Upscaling | up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) | vs | |
| Analog To HDMI Upconversion | Composite | vs | |
| Wi-Fi | vs | via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately) | |
| Bluetooth | vs | via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately) | |
| IP Control for CI | vs |
| 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 |
| Surround EX | vs | ||
| Less Analog Audio Line Inputs | 2 | vs | 3 |
| Less Component Video Inputs | vs | 1 | |
| Less Component Video Outputs | vs | 1 | |
| Less Zones | 1 | vs | 2 |
| Smaller Power Supply | 450 W | vs | 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 Advanced MCACC 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.
Specifications
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. | Advanced MCACC |
| 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+ | |
| BT.2020 color space | |
| Dolby Vision | |
| HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) | |
| 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 | 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 ARC | |
| HDCP Version | 2.2 |
| HDMI Input | 6 |
| HDMI Output | 1 |
| USB Input | 1 Front |
| USB DC Out Port | |
| Analog Audio Line Input | 2 |
| Analog Audio Line Output | |
| Phono Input | |
| Optical In | 1 |
| Optical Out | |
| Coaxial In/Out | 1 / |
| Composite Video Input | 2 |
| Composite Video Output | 1 |
| S-Video Input | |
| S-Video Output | |
| Component Video Input | |
| Component Video Output | |
| 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 | |
| +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 for CI | |
| 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 | 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
Successor
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 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-45 |
|---|---|---|---|
| More Channels | 7.2 | vs | 5.2 |
| More Channel Processing | 7.1 | vs | 5.1 |
| Dolby Atmos | vs | ||
| Dolby Surround Upmixer | vs | ||
| DTS:X | vs | ||
| DTS Neural:X | vs | ||
| HDR10 | vs | ||
| BT.2020 color space | vs | ||
| Dolby Vision | vs | ||
| FireConnect | vs | ||
| FlareConnect | vs | ||
| Chromecast Built-In | vs | ||
| More Analog Audio Line Inputs | 4 (1 front) | vs | 2 |
| Phono Input | vs | ||
| Tidal | vs | ||
| Deezer | vs | ||
| Bigger Power Supply | 460 W | vs | 450 W |
| Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz | vs | 2.8 MHz |
| Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n | vs | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
| Newer Bluetooth Version | 4.1 + LE | vs | 2.1 + EDR |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-LX101 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-45 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Retriever | Advanced | vs | Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC) |
| Sound Retriever AIR | vs | ||
| Analog To HDMI Upconversion | Composite | vs | Composite |
| MHL Input | vs | 1 Rear (Version 2.0) | |
| DLNA 1.5 | vs | (DMR) | |
| Less Composite Video Outputs | vs | 1 |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX101 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-45.
