Pioneer have announced the launch of the SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 network AV receivers. All three models feature Multi-Room Audio, which allows for the wireless distribution of a variety of sound sources — including LPs and streaming services — in different rooms. Also included are the latest network functions, including Google Cast and music streaming services including TIDAL, DEEZER, Spotify®, and TuneIn.  Each model also incorporates MCACC Pro, an automatic room calibration technology that adjusts specifically to your environment to deliver optimized object-based audio. This automatic acoustic calibration system works in sync with the new ‘Reflex Optimizer’ feature, this delivers the ideal object-based audio reproduction when using up-firing speakers in a Dolby Atmos speaker array. The featured Direct Energy HD amplifiers, allow simultaneous output from all channels with no power loss.

A new user-friendly GUI gives users quick access to network settings and simplifies the initial set up of the product with easy-to-understand on-screen guidance.

The SC-LX701 (RRP £1399), SC-LX801 (RRP £1899) and SC-LX901 (RRP £2499) will all be available from September 2016

Features of the new SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 include:

Based on a decade of Class D design experience, Pioneer refurbished their Direct Energy HD amplifier from scratch and it is included on all three models.

• SC-LX701: 9.1-channel receiver with 760W multi-channel simultaneous drive (8 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %) / 185W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven FTC) / 135W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC)
• SC-LX801: 9.1-channel receiver with 770W multi-channel simultaneous drive (8 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %) / 200W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven FTC) / 140W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC)
• SC-LX901: 11.1-channel receiver with 880W multi-channel simultaneous drive (8 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %) / 200W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven FTC) / 140W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC)

All models incorporate the high grade ESS SABRE32 Ultra DAC for clear.

Pioneer makes it easy to set up the perfect surround sound environment with its Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC). With the custom microphone, the system automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, level and distance, and equalizes response.

Pioneer’s new Reflex Optimizer feature was designed to maximize object-based audio reproduction with Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers to generate the best sound experience from stand-alone and/or add-on speakers, allowing users to fully enjoy the latest 3D immersive sound technologies.

The SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 (pictured) support the latest Dolby Atmos object-based audio technology, creating a three-dimensional sound field that reproduces the movement of sound. In addition, DTS:X will be supported ‘out of the box’ with no firmware update required.

The SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 supports 4K/60p/4:4:4 24-bit video signal transmission with HDCP 2.2 technology, ensuring compatibility with the many upcoming UltraHD (4K) sources and televisions.  Pioneer’s Super Resolution, which was developed for the company’s BDP-LX88 Universal player, has also been integrated, allowing the upscaling of all picture sources to HD-quality performance.

In addition, all three models are prepared for next generation video standards. HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology is used in the next-generation Blu-ray standard and expands the maximum brightness of video from 100 nit to 10,000 nit, whilst BT.2020 is a video format standard that covers a wide color space more than twice that of the currently used BT.709 standard.

The SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 are all Google Cast ready, allowing users to wirelessly send music, radio, or podcast content from their mobile devices to playback through their system.  Audio can be controlled from anywhere in the house using Cast-enabled apps running on personal devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Android phone/tablet and Windows laptop and Chromebook.

The SC-LX701, SC-LX801 and SC-LX901 have a Zone 2 (Powered / Line Out) and Zone 3 (Line Out only) output and will support FireConnect by BlackFire Research – a stable wireless protocol that mirrors any audio source connected to the receiver.  From vinyl to streamed audio, all sources can be forwarded on to an optional FireConnect compatible speaker in another room.  An optional Pioneer range of FireConnect compatible Wi-Fi speakers is to be released in late 2016.

Through a Wi-Fi connection that supports dual band 5 GHz (11a/n) and 2.4 GHz (11b/g/n), which provides transmission with fewer interruptions, high-fidelity high-resolution sound sources can be accessed wirelessly.  Music can also easily be enjoyed through Bluetooth® wireless technology and AirPlay®.

In addition to high-resolution sound sources (192kHz/24bit) in FLAC, WAV, AIFF and Apple lossless file formats, DSD (2.8/5.6/11.2 MHz) and Dolby® TrueHD® files are supported, offering the ability to play a wide array of high-resolution sound sources.