LONG BEACH, CALIF. — Pioneer Electronics USA introduced last week two Pioneer Elite home-theater receivers for the custom market and three Pioneer-branded A/V receivers that feature the latest HDMI spec.
All five receivers will be available later this month.
Pioneer’s two entry-level Elite-branded receivers, the VSX-44 and VSX-80 7.2-channel receivers, included the recently announced HDMI 2.0 specification for the highest video signal transfer available, Roku Ready certification, ESS SABRE Premier Audio DAC, RS-232 and IP Control (VSX-80 only), expanded multizone and multisource management and functions, multichannel high-resolution playback, 4K 60p Ultra HD compatibility and Pioneer’s proprietary iControlAV5 app.
Pioneer said it is first A/V manufacturer to incorporate HDMI 2.0 into its line of Elite receivers.
Both models are Roku Ready certified, expanding the user’s world of entertainment with access to more than 1,000 entertainment channels. The receiver’s built-in MHL Connection located at the rear of the Elite receivers enables users to plug in a Roku Streaming Stick to start using the device.
Both models offer full control of the service from a Roku stick via the receiver’s remote control as well as the iControlAV5 app, and offer Internet radio music services, including Spotify, Pandora and vTuner. In addition, Pioneer incorporates the connectivity standards of HTC Connect, which enables wireless music files to be shared between compatible HTC One smartphones and Pioneer receivers.
Features of the VSX-80 include ESS SABRE Premier Audio DAC, advanced MCACC with subwoofer EQ, 4K2K Ultra HD 60p video up-scaling, and multichannel high-resolution music playback.
Both receivers feature multizone network capabilities, offering a variety of setup configurations and providing simultaneous entertainment for up to three zones.
The Pioneer Elite receivers have suggested retails of $500 (VSX-44) and $700 (VSX-80).
Pioneer-branded home-theater receivers debuting later this month include the VSX-824 5.2-channel and VSX-1024 and VSX-1124 7.2-channel receivers.
These three include the HDMI 2.0 spec, Roku Ready certification, ESS SABRE, Premier Audio DAC, multichannel high-resolution playback and the iControlAV5 app. The receivers also have access to Internet radio music services and to HTC Connect.
The new Pioneer branded receivers will be available at later this month with suggested prices of $399 (VSX-824), $499 (VSX-1024) and $599 (VSX-1124).
