Pioneer Elite VSX-70 (USA version)
Highlights
- 7.2 channels
- 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
- AirPlay, DLNA
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB input
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Overview
Pioneer Elite VSX-70 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.
We evaluated the Receiver and gave 77 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-70.
PROS |
|---|
| 👍 Front Wide Channel Support |
| 👍 Bi-amp Capability |
| 👍 Dolby TrueHD |
| 👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
| 👍 Dolby Pro Logic |
| 👍 Dolby Digital EX |
| 👍 Surround EX |
| 👍 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 |
| 👍 DTS Dialog Control |
| 👍 Dialog Enhancement |
| 👍 Dialogue Lift |
| 👍 Sound Retriever |
| 👍 Sound Retriever AIR |
| 👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
| 👍 High-resolution 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 |
| 👍 Many HDMI Inputs |
| 👍 USB Input |
| 👍 Composite Video Inputs |
| 👍 Composite Video Outputs |
| 👍 Component Video Inputs |
| 👍 Component Video Outputs |
| 👍 Analog Pre-Outs |
| 👍 Zones |
| 👍 Detachable Power Cord |
| 👍 Analog Tuner |
| 👍 Pandora |
| 👍 Spotify |
CONS |
|---|
| 👎 Not Certified 4 Ω Performance |
| 👎 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 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 |
| 👎 No Phono Input |
| 👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
| 👎 No Tidal |
| 👎 No Deezer |
| 👎 No Napster |
| 👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
Major Changes from its predecessor
Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-70 to its predecessor VSX-60 and displaying the major changes.
| UPGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-70 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gapless Playback | vs | ||
| Video Signal Passthrough | up to 4K/30p | vs | up to 1080p |
| Video Signal Upscaling | up to 4K/30p | vs | up to 1080/24p (Marvell Qdeo) |
| MHL Input | 1 (Front) | vs | |
| More HDMI Inputs | 8 (1 front) | vs | 7 (1 front) |
| More HDMI Outputs | 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE) | vs | 1 |
| More Analog Pre-Outs | 2.2 | vs | 0.2 |
| More Zones | 3 | vs | 2 |
| Spotify | vs |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-70 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less Analog Audio Line Outputs | vs | 1 | |
| Less Optical Inputs | 1 | vs | 2 |
| Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs | 1 / | vs | 2 / |
| Less Composite Video Outputs | 1 | vs | 2 |
| SiriusXM Internet Radio | vs |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-70 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-60.
Amplifier
Pioneer Elite VSX-70 has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven). This receiver even supports front wide channels which is found only in a very few high-end receivers these days.
Video Features
The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 30p and 4K upscaling up to 30p.
Advanced Sound Retriever
Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-70 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-70 comes with Advanced MCACC room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.
Connectivity
Pioneer Elite VSX-70 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or wirelessly via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately). It can also connect to bluetooth devices via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately). The Receiver supports AirPlay. It has 8 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.
Front panel has HDMI, USB and Composite Video inputs.
Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-70.
| BASICS | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pioneer |
| Series | Elite |
| Model | VSX-70 |
| Type | A/V Receiver |
| Country | USA |
| Release Year | 2013 |
| AMPLIFIER | |
|---|---|
| Channels | 7.2 |
| Front Wide Channel Support | |
| Amplifier Design | 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 | 7.1 |
| Air Studios Monitor Certification | |
| Dolby Atmos | |
| Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | |
| 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:X |
| 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, 192kHz / 24-Bit 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 | |
| Gapless Playback | |
| DSD via HDMI | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
| DSD via USB | 2-ch Input |
| DSD to PCM Converter | |
| USB DAC | |
| Jitter Reduction | plus PQLS (HDMI Bitstream/ Multi) |
| Auto Level Control | Multi-Channel |
| Dialog Enhancement | |
| Dialogue Lift | via Dialog Enhancement |
| 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 | Hi-bit24 Audio Processing |
| 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 Dual Subwoofer Output | |
| CALIBRATION | |
|---|---|
| Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | Advanced MCACC |
| Manual MCACC | |
| MCACC Memory | 6 |
| 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/30p |
| Video Signal Upscaling | up to 4K/30p |
| 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 | YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma, Black Level |
| Triple HD Noise Reduction | |
| Super Resolution | |
| isf Certified Calibration Control | |
| CONNECTIVITY | |
|---|---|
| MHL Input | 1 (Front) |
| 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 and iPad via front USB |
| Remote App | iControlAV2013 (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 | |
| Enhanced ARC | |
| HDCP Version | 2.2 |
| HDMI Input | 8 (1 front) |
| HDMI Output | 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE) |
| USB Input | 1 Front |
| USB DC Out Port | 1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A) |
| Analog Audio Line Input | 4 |
| Analog Audio Line Output | |
| Phono Input | |
| Optical In | 1 |
| Optical Out | |
| Coaxial In/Out | 1 / |
| Composite Video Input | 4 (1 front) |
| Composite Video Output | 1 |
| S-Video Input | |
| S-Video Output | |
| Component Video Input | 2 |
| Component Video Output | 1 |
| PC In | |
| Multi-Channel Input | |
| Analog Pre-Outs | 2.2 |
| XLR Inputs | |
| XLR Pre-outs | |
| Front A/V Inputs | HDMI, USB, Composite Video |
| Speaker A/B | |
| Headphone Out | 6.3 mm |
| ZONES | |
|---|---|
| Zones | 3 |
| Powered Zones | 2 |
| Zone 2 | Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out |
| Zone 4 Outs | HDMI |
| RS-232 | |
| +12V Trigger Output | 1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone) |
| Remote (IR) Input/Output | 1 / 1 |
| MISC | |
|---|---|
| On-Screen Display | Graphical User Interface (GUI) with Album Artwork (HDMI only) |
| Multi-Zone On-Screen Display | |
| HDMI Speaker B Link | |
| AVNavigator | Built-in |
| PC Set-Up | |
| IP Control for CI | |
| PreAmp Mode | |
| Versatile Speaker Configuration | Surround Back/ Front Height/ Front Wide/ Front Bi-Amp/ Zone 2/ B-Speaker |
| FL Dimmer | |
| Function Rename | |
| Remote Controller | Learning 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 | 9 |
| Large Speaker Terminals | 9 |
| 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 | 550 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 363 mm 17-3/16" x 6-5/8" x 14-5/16" |
| Weight | 9.8 kg (21 lb 10 oz) |
| Warranty | 2 Years Parts & Labor |
| SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 | 90 W (0.08% THD) |
| Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC) | 165 W (1% THD) |
| Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line) | 315 mV/47 kΩ (Line) |
| S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 100 dB |
| S/N Ratio (Line, EIA, at 1 W (1 kHz)) | 81 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 (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 | 19-pin (not DVI) |
| HDMI Output Type | 5 V, 100 mA |
| HDMI Input/MHL Terminal | 5 V, 900 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
Successor
In 2014 Pioneer Elite VSX-70 was replaced by VSX-80. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.
| UPGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-80 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Video Signal Upscaling | up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) | vs | up to 4K/30p |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer Elite VSX-80 | vs | Pioneer Elite VSX-70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less HDMI Inputs | 7 (1 front) | vs | 8 (1 front) |
| Less Analog Audio Line Inputs | 3 | vs | 4 |
| Less Composite Video Inputs | 2 | vs | 4 (1 front) |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-80 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-70.
