Pioneer Elite™ VSX-56TXi Home Theatre Receiver

Mid-Priced Receiver With Punch And Performance

Pioneer Electronics has a long history in the audio industry, tracing its roots back to the late 1930s. The company was a pioneer of the LaserDisc format and introduced the first Universal Disc player, the DV-AX10. Many universal players available today are based on Pioneer's OEM kits.

"This $1,700 product's warm, rich sonic character does an excellent job in conveying the message."

Pioneer's Elite line represents their premium audio/video products, showcasing technological advancements. The VSX-56TXi receiver is equipped with Pioneer's i.Link (IEEE 1394) interface for digital audio transfer. It also features Pioneer's Multi-Channel Acoustic Correction Circuit (MCACC), a DSP-based room calibration and correction tool, which has been integrated into many of Pioneer's products.

Exterior Construction And Connectivity

The Elite line features Pioneer's Urishi finish, an elegant gloss black finish on a thick aluminum faceplate. The VSX-56TXi has a clean, symmetrical front panel with large knobs and a few buttons, with most other controls and inputs hidden behind a drop-down panel. The unit weighs 45 pounds and features a dual-layer chassis with an aluminum exterior and copper interior for improved noise shielding.

The back panel offers two TOSLink optical inputs and two S/PDIF coaxial digital inputs. It also includes three stereo analog audio-only inputs, a phono stage, four A/V inputs (composite, S-video, stereo audio), and a pair of assignable component video inputs. A 7.1 multichannel analog input is also provided. Analog tape loops include audio outputs, and video tape loops with stereo audio, composite, and S-video are also available. Digital audio outputs via TOSLink are included.

The VSX-56TXi supports i.Link (FireWire, IEEE 1394) for uncompressed digital audio transfer, including high-resolution DVD-Audio and SA-CD. It also features a USB Audio input for MP3, Windows Media Audio, and uncompressed PCM. i.Link operation has limitations, particularly with SA-CD direct mode, which disables MCACC and bass management. DVD-Audio functions more cleanly with direct PCM data processing. MCACC and bass management are available with 24-bit/96 kHz stereo and surround discs, and 24-bit/192 kHz stereo discs, though bass management is the only option for 24-bit/192 kHz DVD-Audio.

The binding posts are spaced at 1 inch, making banana plugs the most suitable connection method.

Digital Topology

The VSX-56TXi utilizes four stereo DACs for digital-to-analog conversion. The main channels (Front L/C/R, Subwoofer, Side L/R) use the Asahi Kasei Microsystems AK4383 DAC, capable of decoding PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD. The back surround channels use the AK4382A DAC. Digital signal processing is handled by two Freescale 56367 DSP chips. One DSP handles traditional functions, while the other is dedicated to MCACC. Analog inputs are converted to digital using the Asahi Kasei Microsystems AK5380 ADC.

Video Transcoding

A positive trend in receivers is the simplification of connections to high-definition displays through upconversion or transcoding. The VSX-56TXi offers a video transcoding function that allows composite and S-video inputs to be output as composite, S-video, or component video. Component video inputs are passed through. Testing showed no signal degradation. HDTV at 1080i was successfully passed via the component input. However, the On Screen Display (OSD) output for system configuration could not be synchronized via component video at 480i, requiring a separate composite or S-video connection for configuration.

Power To The People (And The Loudspeakers)

The VSX-56TXi is rated at 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms for all seven channels. Testing indicated that while the receiver could deliver 106 dB with stereo signals, some audible distortion was present when driving five channels simultaneously. This is attributed to the power consumption limit of 600 watts, with 50 watts available for digital processing and other functions when driving all channels at 110 watts.

The amplifier channels can be assigned for a 7.1 system, a 5.1 system with bi-amplified front speakers, or a 5.1 Zone 1 system with a stereo Zone 2 system.

Remote Control, Set Up, And User Interface

The VSX-56TXi comes with a substantial remote control, though a Harmony programmable remote was found to be more user-friendly. Basic setup for the VSX-56TXi is relatively straightforward, with analog inputs pre-assigned. The Input Assign menu allows for the assignment of digital audio and component video inputs. The i.Link input has its own dedicated menu.

Multichannel Acoustic Calibration And Correction

MCACC is Pioneer's proprietary system calibration and room correction solution. It has evolved over several iterations and is now included in mainstream products. The VSX-56TXi features Advanced MCACC, which includes a microphone for calibrating individual channel levels, setting channel delays, and determining speaker size. It also incorporates a nine-band equalizer for improving frequency response. Advanced MCACC further enhances this by considering room-specific reverberation and human hearing characteristics to apply optimum filters. Multiple curves can be stored and toggled through. The "Auto Pro" option automatically determines filters, while the "Manual Pro" option allows user selection of timing targets. An X-Curve can also be applied for a pleasing sonic result.

Movie Performance

The review notes that the VSX-56TXi provides a good sonic presentation for movies. Morgan Freeman's voice in "The Shawshank Redemption" was portrayed naturally, though Tim Robbins' voice exhibited some sibilance. The sound effects in "Se7en," such as gunshots and rain, were well-rendered. "The Complex Rock Tour Live" DVD-Video was noted for its compressed audio, but the unique instruments and overall presentation were good, with the backpack tubulum and mallet-stricken PVC tubes well-represented. The sound was not harsh, even at high volumes.

Music Performance

In stereo, the VSX-56TXi offers a good soundstage, though not as wide as some other components. Willie Nelson's "Stardust" (SA-CD) was praised for its natural presentation and the warmth of the lead vocal. Diana Krall's "The Girl In The Other Room" was noted for its clarity and precision in reproducing instruments and vocals. Steely Dan's "Gaucho" was well-handled, with good preservation of the tenor sax's tonal quality. The Flaming Lips' "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" provided an immersive surround soundstage.

Conclusion

The Pioneer VSX-56TXi represents significant progress in home theatre audio. Its $1,700 price point delivers high-end performance that was considered top-tier years ago. The receiver's warm, rich sonic signature effectively conveys the intended message. While the sonic performance is excellent, the user interface has some operational issues that could be improved with further polishing.

This review, Copyright © 2005 Widescreen Review, has been reproduced in its entirety from Issue 97, June 2005.

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