1-on-1 Comparison
Side-by-Side Comparison
Pioneer Elite VSX-90 (USA version)
Highlights
- 7.2 channels
- 7.1 channel processing
- 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- Dolby Atmos capable
- 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
- AirPlay
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB input
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Content
Overview
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.
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-90.
PROS |
---|
Front Wide Channel Support |
Dolby Atmos |
DSD via HDMI |
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
New HDCP Version |
4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling |
Analog To HDMI Upconversion |
Ethernet |
Wi-Fi |
Bluetooth |
Many HDMI Inputs |
USB Input |
Composite Video Inputs |
Component Video Inputs |
Zones |
Analog Tuner |
Pandora |
Spotify |
CONS |
---|
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
No DTS:X |
No IMAX Enhanced |
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
No eARC |
No HDR10 |
No HDR10+ |
No Dolby Vision |
No Chromecast Built-In |
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa |
Few 8K Inputs |
Few RCA Line Inputs |
Few Optical Inputs |
No RCA Pre-Outs |
No Tidal |
Old Bluetooth Version |
Predecessor
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.
Audio Section
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.
Video Section
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.
Multi-zone Playback
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
Inputs and Outputs
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


Specifications
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
Successor
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.