Pioneer Elite VSX-90 (USA version)

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

Pioneer Elite VSX-90 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

We evaluated the a/v 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.

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-90.

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-90 to its predecessor VSX-80 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-90	vs	Pioneer Elite VSX-80
Dolby Atmos		vs
More Tone Control Channels	All Channels	vs	Front L/R Channels
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	MCACC Pro	vs	Advanced MCACC
Full Band Phase Control		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)
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display	HDZone	vs
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	100 W (0.08% THD)	vs	90 W (0.08% THD)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	101 dB	vs	100 dB

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-90	vs	Pioneer Elite VSX-80
Dolby Digital EX		vs
Surround EX		vs
DTS Neo	Neo:6	vs	Neo:X
Dialogue Lift		vs	via Dialog Enhancement
Wide Surround		vs
Virtual Depth		vs
Stream Smoother		vs
Pure Cinema		vs
USB DC Out Port		vs	1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Component Video Outputs		vs	1
Less RCA Pre-Outs	0.2	vs	2.2
On-Screen Display	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)	vs	Graphical User Interface (GUI) with Album Artwork (HDMI only)
adapterport		vs

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-90 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-80.

7 channel Discrete Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer Elite VSX-90 features 7 channel power amplifier with Discrete Direct Energy design. It is rated at 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Speaker Configurations

Pioneer Elite VSX-90's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
• Front Wide Channel support: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 supports front wide channels. With the presence of two front wide speakers you can enhance the front surround stage. The following speaker configurations are available for front wide channels - 7.2.
• 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 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.

Dolby Atmos

Pioneer Elite VSX-90 supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

Sound Processing

• Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-90 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-90 comes with MCACC Pro 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-90 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 for MAIN and 1 for MAIN/HDZONE.

• 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.
• 4K Upscaling: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 can upscale up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) from HDMI and analog sources.
• Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Pioneer Elite VSX-90 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Pioneer Elite VSX-90 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 3 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 Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.

Zone 3

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: 7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
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-90 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 1   Outputs: 0

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-90.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	VSX-90
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2015

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	SABRE Premier (ES9006S)
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	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
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	All 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	10 + 1 Mode
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers	(Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Virtual Depth
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	MCACC Pro
Manual MCACC
MCACC Memory	6
Reflex Optimizer
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
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
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	up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo)
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
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
HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port
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
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	3
Powered Zones	2 and HDZone
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	HDMI
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display	HDZone
AVNavigator	Built-in
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Surround Back / Front Wide/ Front Bi-Amp/ Zone 2/ B-Speaker/ Powered HD Zone
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Remote Controller	Learning Remote Control (Lumius)
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	100 W (0.08% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	315 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	101 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
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-90 was replaced by VSX-LX301. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301	vs	Pioneer Elite VSX-90
Higher DAC Specs	384 kHz/32 Bit	vs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
DTS:X		vs
DTS Neural:X		vs
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	vs	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	vs	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Reflex Optimizer		vs
HDR10		vs
Dolby Vision		vs
BT.2020 color space		vs
FireConnect		vs
FlareConnect		vs
Chromecast Built-In		vs
More RCA Line Inputs	6 (1 front)	vs	3
More Optical Inputs	2	vs	1
More Optical Outputs		vs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Mini-Jack	vs	HDMI, USB
+12V Trigger Output	2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA)	vs	1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)
Tidal		vs
Deezer		vs
Bigger Power Supply	580 W	vs	550 W
Longer Warranty	3 Years Parts & Labor	vs	2 Years Parts & Labor
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	106 dB	vs	101 dB
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
Wider AM Frequency Range	530 kHz - 1710 kHz	vs	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301	vs	Pioneer Elite VSX-90
Front Wide Channel Support		vs
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIz
DSD to PCM Converter		vs
Jitter Reduction		vs
Dialog Enhancement		vs
Sound Retriever	Advanced	vs	Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
Sound Retriever AIR		vs
Digital Noise Reduction		vs
High-resolution Music Enhancer		vs	Hi-bit24 Audio Processing
Headphone Surround		vs
Virtual Speakers		vs	(Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Less Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	MCACC	vs	MCACC Pro
Higher MCACC Memory	1	vs	6
Full Band Phase Control		vs
Standing Wave Control		vs
X-Curve		vs
Distance Adjustment	0.1 feet	vs	1/2 Inch
Polarity Check		vs
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite	vs	Component, Composite
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i	vs	1080p (1125p)
Video Parameter Adjustments		vs
MHL Input		vs	1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5		vs	(DMR)
Less HDMI Outputs	2 (simultaneous)	vs	2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
Less Composite Video Outputs		vs	1
Less Zones	2	vs	3
Less Powered Zones	2	vs	2 and HDZone
AVNavigator		vs	Built-in
Less Presets	40	vs	63

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-90 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301.