1-on-1 Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 (North American version)

SCORE:
87

Highlights

  • 7.2 channels
  • 7.1 channel processing
  • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X capable
  • HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
  • AirPlay 2, Chromecast, DTS Play-Fi
  • Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
  • USB and Phono inputs

Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

Content

Overview

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 was introduced in 2019. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales 1080p to 4K video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 87 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
86
VIDEO FEATURES
95
AUDIO FEATURES
87
CONNECTIVITY
84
MULTIZONE
83
MISCELLANEOUS
64
RADIO
92
OVERALL
87

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104.

PROS
  Dolby Atmos
  Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
  DTS:X
  DSD via HDMI
  Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
  New HDCP Version
  HDR10
  Dolby Vision
  4K or 8K Video Passthrough
  4K or 8K Signal Upscaling
  Chromecast Built-In
  Ethernet
  Wi-Fi
  Bluetooth
  USB Input
  Many Optical Inputs
  Zones
  Analog Tuner
  Pandora
  Spotify
  Tidal
CONS
  No Front Wide Channel Support
  No IMAX Enhanced
  No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
  No eARC
  No HDR10+
  Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
  Few 8K Inputs
  No Composite Video Inputs
  No RCA Pre-Outs

Predecessor

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 to its predecessor VSX-LX103 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization vs
DTS Virtual:X vs
Dialog Enhancement vs
Newer HDCP Version 2.3 vs 2.2
AirPlay AirPlay 2 vs AirPlay
More HDMI Outputs 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2) vs 1
Zone 2 Outs HDMI vs RCA Pre/Line Out

DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103
Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD vs Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
Analog To HDMI Upconversion vs Component**, Composite
Less Composite Video Inputs vs 2
Less Component Video Inputs vs 1

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX103.

Audio Section

7 channel Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 features 7 channel power amplifier with Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

    Speaker Configurations

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104'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.
    • DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as 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.
    • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 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-LX104 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.

    • Dolby Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.
    • Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization: Dolby Atmos height virtualization is a digital signal processing solution that leverages Dolby's deep understanding of human audio perception to create the sensation of overhead sound from the listener-level speakers.

    DTS:X

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 supports DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

    • DTS Neural:X: DTS Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.
    • DTS Virtual:X: DTS Virtual:X bridges the gap between DTS:X codec and the reality of so many consumers' homes, allowing you to enjoy multi-dimensional sound regardless of room size, layout, or speaker configuration. If you have a limited speaker setup you will miss a full immersive potential of your entertainment system. DTS Virtual:X adds height and surround audio effect to your system without adding height speakers. It works with multiple configurations and delivers immersive sound experience out of 5.1 or even 2.1 speaker layouts.
    • DTS Dialog Control: This function adjusts the dialog levels during playback of the DTS:X stream. It allows you to separately increase the dialog levels in contrast with the background sound and hear dialog easily even under noisy circumstances.

    Sound Processing

    • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 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-LX104 comes with MCACC 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-LX104 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 MAIN and 1 SUB/ZONE 2.

    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4) video signal.
    • 4K Upscaling: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 can upscale 1080p to 4K from HDMI sources.
    • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
    • HDCP 2.3 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.3 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
    • 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

    HDR (High Dynamic Range)

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

    • HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
    • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
    • Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

    Multi-zone Playback

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 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.
    • HDMI Output: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 offers HDMI output for Zone 2. This means that it can send two different HDMI signals to two displays.

    Inputs and Outputs

    Audio

    • Analog Line Inputs: There are 5 line inputs for analog audio connection.
    • Digital Inputs and Outputs: 1 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: 6   Outputs: 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
      8K Inputs: 0
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Specifications

    Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104.

    BASICS
    BrandPioneer
    SeriesElite
    ModelVSX-LX104
    TypeA/V Receiver
    CountryNorth America
    Release Year2019
    AMPLIFIER
    Channels7.2
    Front Wide Channel Support
    AmplifierDirect Energy
    THX™ Certification
    Continuous 6 Ω Rated
    Certified 4 Ω Performance
    Bi-amp Capability
    AUDIO
    Digital Signal Processing (DSP) EngineDigital Quad-Core 32-bit DSP (Cirrus Logic)
    DACAKM AK4458
    DAC Specs384 kHz/32 Bit
    Maximum Channel Processing7.1
    Air Studios Monitor Certification
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    Dolby Atmos Music
    Dolby TrueHD
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Dolby Surround Upmixer
    Dolby Pro Logic
    Dolby Digital EX
    Surround EX
    DTS:X
    DTS Neural:X
    DTS Virtual:X
    DTS Neo
    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 USBMP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
    High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USBApple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, 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
    Dialog Enhancement
    Dialog Normalization
    Dialogue Lift
    Sound Retriever Advanced
    Sound Retriever AIR
    Digital Noise Reduction
    Tone Control All 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 Surround10 + 1
    Wide Surround
    Front Stage Surround Advance
    Headphone Surround
    Virtual Speakers
    Virtual Depth
    CALIBRATION
    Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. MCACC
    Manual MCACC
    MCACC Memory1
    Reflex Optimizer
    Phase Control
    Full Band Phase Control
    Standing Wave Control
    EQ Bands9-Band
    Symmetric EQ
    Distance Adjustment0.1 feet
    Precision Distance
    Polarity Check
    Auto Subwoofer Crossover
    VIDEO
    Enhanced ARC
    HDCP Version2.3
    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 Passthroughup to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
    Video Signal Upscaling 1080p to 4K
    Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    Stream Smoother
    Pure Cinema
    Video Parameter Adjustments
    Super Resolution
    isf Certified Calibration Control
    CONNECTIVITY
    MHL Input
    DLNA 1.5
    FireConnect
    FlareConnect
    Chromecast Built-In
    DTS Play-Fi
    Works with Amazon Alexa
    Google assistant
    Apple Siri
    Works with SONOS
    AirPlay AirPlay 2
    Apple Product Connection Made for iPhone, iPod and iPad (Airplay only)
    InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
    Ethernet
    Ethernet Switch
    Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth SBC, AAC
    HDBaseT Compatible
    HDMI Inputs6
    HDMI Outputs2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
    8K Inputs
    USB Input2 (1 Front)
    USB DC Out Port
    RCA Line Input5 (1 front)
    RCA Line Output
    XLR Line Inputs
    Phono Input
    Optical Inputs1
    Optical Outputs
    Coaxial Inputs1
    Composite Video Input
    Composite Video Output
    S-Video Input
    S-Video Output
    Component Video Input
    Component Video Output
    PC In
    Multi-Channel Input
    RCA Pre-Outs0.2
    XLR Pre-outs
    Front A/V InputsUSB, Mini-Jack
    Speaker A/B
    Headphone Out6.3 mm (1/4")
    ZONES
    Zones2
    Powered Zones2
    Zone 2 OutsHDMI
    RS-232C Interface
    +12V Trigger Output1 (MAIN: 100 mA)
    Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 0
    MISC
    GUI Languages7
    AVNavigator
    IP Control for CI
    PreAmp Mode
    Versatile Speaker ConfigurationSpeaker 9ch Out (FRONT, CENTER,SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT/Bi-AMP, ZONE 2)
    FL Dimmer
    Detachable Power Cord
    adapterport
    RADIO
    Analog Tuner FM/AM
    Presets40
    Digital Radio
    Internet Radio TuneIn
    Pandora
    Spotify
    Tidal
    Deezer
    Napster
    SiriusXM Internet Radio
    CONSTRUCTION
    Front PanelBrushed
    Solid Aluminum Front
    Speaker Terminals9
    Large Speaker Terminals9
    Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
    Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
    Ceramic Speaker Terminals
    3D Space Frame Construction
    Gold plated RCA terminals
    POWER
    Power SupplyAC 120 V, 60 Hz
    Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
    Transformer Stabilizer
    Power Consumption460 W
    No Sound Power55 W
    Standby Power0.15 W
    GENERAL
    Dimensions (W x H x D)435 mm x 173 mm x 370.5 mm
    17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 14-9/16"
    Dimensions of Package (W x H x D)536 mm x 265 mm x 458 mm
    21-1/8" x 10-7/16" x 18-1/16"
    Weight9.4 kg (20.7 lbs)
    Weight of Package12.0 kg (26.5 lbs)
    Warranty3 Years
    SPECS
    Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 280 W (0.08% THD)
    Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)170 W (10% THD)
    Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)160 W
    Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)125 W
    Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)85 W
    THD0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)
    Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)200 mV/47 kΩ
    Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)3.5 mV/47 kΩ
    Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance8 Ω - 600 Ω
    Rated Headphone Power Output80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)
    Phono Overload70 mV (MM, 1 kHz 0.5%)
    S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)106 dB
    S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)80 dB
    Frequency Response (Analog In)5 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct/Pure Audio)
    DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI2.8 MHz
    DSD Sampling Rates via USB5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
    Ethernet Standard10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
    Wi-Fi StandardIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
    Bluetooth Version4․1 + LE
    Bluetooth Frequency2.4 GHz
    USB TerminalVer. 2.0, 5 V, 500 mA
    Extension Terminal
    FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
    FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)Mono: 1.0 µV (11.2 dBf)
    AM Frequency530 kHz - 1710 kHz

    * - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
    ** - 480i/576i only
    *** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
    **** - 1080p signal is not converted

    Successor

    In 2021 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 was replaced by VSX-LX105. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.


    UPGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104
    Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, LPCM, AIFF, DSD vs MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
    Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) vs
    HDR10+ vs
    QMS vs
    Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through vs
    VRR vs
    QFT vs
    Video Signal Passthrough up to 8K/60p YCbCr4:2:0/10-bit vs up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
    Video Signal Upscaling 1080p to 4K/8K and 4K to 8K vs 1080p to 4K
    Works with Amazon Alexa vs
    Google assistant vs
    More 8K Inputs 3 vs
    Zone 2 Outs HDMI, RCA Pre/Line Out (shared with Zone B line out) vs HDMI
    Bigger Power Supply 635 W vs 460 W
    Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 100 W (0.08% THD) vs 80 W (0.08% THD)
    Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) 210 W (10% THD) vs 170 W (10% THD)
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 3 Ω, Front) 240 W vs 160 W
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 4 Ω, Front) 210 W vs 125 W
    Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 8 Ω, Front) 120 W vs 85 W
    Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB 11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz vs 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
    Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac vs IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Newer Bluetooth Version 4․2 vs 4․1 + LE

    DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104
    Lower DAC Specs 192 kHz/24 Bit vs 384 kHz/32 Bit

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105.

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.