1-on-1 Comparison
Side-by-Side Comparison
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104 (North American version)
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
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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.
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


Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104.
BASICS | |
---|---|
Brand | Pioneer |
Series | Elite |
Model | VSX-LX104 |
Type | A/V Receiver |
Country | North America |
Release Year | 2019 |
AMPLIFIER | |
---|---|
Channels | 7.2 |
Front Wide Channel Support | |
Amplifier | Direct Energy |
THX™ Certification | |
Continuous 6 Ω Rated | |
Certified 4 Ω Performance | |
Bi-amp Capability |
AUDIO | |
---|---|
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine | Digital Quad-Core 32-bit DSP (Cirrus Logic) |
DAC | AKM AK4458 |
DAC Specs | 384 kHz/32 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 | |
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 USB | MP3, 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 USB | Apple 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 Surround | 10 + 1 |
Wide Surround | |
Front Stage Surround Advance | |
Headphone Surround | |
Virtual Speakers | |
Virtual Depth |
CALIBRATION | |
---|---|
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | MCACC |
Manual MCACC | |
MCACC Memory | 1 |
Reflex Optimizer | |
Phase Control | |
Full Band Phase Control | |
Standing Wave Control | |
EQ Bands | 9-Band |
Symmetric EQ | |
Distance Adjustment | 0.1 feet |
Precision Distance | |
Polarity Check | |
Auto Subwoofer Crossover |
VIDEO | |
---|---|
Enhanced ARC | |
HDCP Version | 2.3 |
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 Passthrough | up 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 Inputs | 6 |
HDMI Outputs | 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2) |
8K Inputs | |
USB Input | 2 (1 Front) |
USB DC Out Port | |
RCA Line Input | 5 (1 front) |
RCA Line Output | |
XLR Line Inputs | |
Phono Input | |
Optical Inputs | 1 |
Optical Outputs | |
Coaxial Inputs | 1 |
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-Outs | 0.2 |
XLR Pre-outs | |
Front A/V Inputs | USB, Mini-Jack |
Speaker A/B | |
Headphone Out | 6.3 mm (1/4") |
ZONES | |
---|---|
Zones | 2 |
Powered Zones | 2 |
Zone 2 Outs | HDMI |
RS-232C Interface | |
+12V Trigger Output | 1 (MAIN: 100 mA) |
Remote (IR) Input/Output | 1 / 0 |
MISC | |
---|---|
GUI Languages | 7 |
AVNavigator | |
IP Control for CI | |
PreAmp Mode | |
Versatile Speaker Configuration | Speaker 9ch Out (FRONT, CENTER,SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT/Bi-AMP, ZONE 2) |
FL Dimmer | |
Detachable Power Cord | |
adapterport |
RADIO | |
---|---|
Analog Tuner | FM/AM |
Presets | 40 |
Digital Radio | |
Internet Radio | TuneIn |
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 | |
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals | |
Ceramic 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 | 460 W |
No Sound Power | 55 W |
Standby Power | 0.15 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" |
Weight | 9.4 kg (20.7 lbs) |
Weight of Package | 12.0 kg (26.5 lbs) |
Warranty | 3 Years |
SPECS | |
---|---|
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 | 80 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 |
THD | 0.08% (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 Impedance | 8 Ω - 600 Ω |
Rated Headphone Power Output | 80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) |
Phono Overload | 70 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 HDMI | 2.8 MHz |
DSD Sampling Rates via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz |
Ethernet Standard | 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency | 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 4․1 + LE |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
USB Terminal | Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 500 mA |
Extension Terminal | |
FM Frequency | 87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz |
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.) | Mono: 1.0 µV (11.2 dBf) |
AM Frequency | 530 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.