3 replies to this topic

[cooksta]

Decided I wanted to upgrade my Avr after having nearly 4 years service from my Marantz 8002.

One of the main features that I wanted was a room equalisation program as the Marantz's basic Audyssey could not be used with HD audio. Wireless connectivity capabilities were also wanted as swmbo likes to use ipads and ipods etc.
Good video upscaling program.
Hopefully there would also be an improvement in sound quality.

I demoed the LX85 while helping friends buy their 1st HT setup and was impressed with what I heard so I went back with some demo discs. Being suitably impressed again I placed an order.

Whats in the box;
after a wait of approx 3 weeks I picked up the LX85 and headed home to open and install my new toy. Upon opening the box i found that there was no wireless adaptor included. The manual stated that this was optional ( along with the bluetooth adaptor). I was positive that I had read on pioneers website that the wireless adaptor was included and was able to find and confirm this on their website.
I contacted Pioneer and after directing them to the webpage they advised that this was a mistake but they would send me the w/a.
There is an rf capable remote (LX85 only) included which could be handy for hidden avr installs.

Initial setup;
A CD (av navigator) is included to make the installition easier. Unfortunately the 1st thing this program asks you is how is the avr going to be connected to the internet, wireless or wired LAN. Not having a hard wired LAN network I was unable to connect the 85 to the net which is were a lot of functionality of the 85 lies.
Setting the 85 up using the CD was however quite easy and in around an hour I had the 85 ready to go.

Initial impressions;
Without having run Pioneer's mcacc room equalisation program the 85 to my ears had a touch more detail than the 8002 and according to swmbo a "fuller" sound. For me I do feel that the 85 is more dynamic than the 8002. This is using the Pioneer's new class D amps; the B&O icepower amps having been dropped from the range. I have not yet reinstalled my power amp into the mix, the 85's amps seem to do a very good job of powering my Paradigm's. I suspect 2 channel music is where the 85 lags behind the power amp.
Also while the 85 is touted as 11.2 it has 9 amps and a power amp needs to be used to make use of the full 11 channels.

Being unable to switch between the avr's (8002 and 85) makes it hard to be definitive with my impressions of the audio differences between the 85 and the 8002 but I do feel that the 85 is an improvement over the 8002; its not light years better but it is better.

Mcacc;
Having nil experience with mcacc I used the easy mcacc guide on the avs http://www.avsforum....d.php?t=1112470
on page 1. There are 6 available storage points for various calibrations that you may choose to do. There are also 3 different types of calibration, Symmetry, All Channels adjust and Front. You can use a Full auto mcacc program; easy and takes round 10 minutes.An Auto mcacc and Manual mcacc are available as well.

The level of calibration available to the user is mindblowing really and even includes graphic equaliser type adjustment for each speaker channel. Mcacc also gives graphs of the each calibrations waveforms for before and after for checking results and to make further adjustments. You are also able to adjust mcacc measurement times (reverb) to compensate for room measurement issues. You can also download these results to your pc, when connected to the internet.

Mcacc does not calibrate below 63Hz, Pioneer choose not to do this with the mcacc program due to sound wavelength concerns with the lower frequencies I am led to believe. Also there is 1 crossover setting for all speakers.Individual crossovers are not possible.

I am still experimenting with the mcacc program but improvements are being made. For me the "All channels adjust" calibration seems to give the best results so far.

icontrolav2;
1of the reasons I bought this avr and now i have the unit connected to my network it really is quite brilliant, the wife loves it.
What is it? An app for apple ipads,ipods etc which allows the user to connect wirelessly and control the avr from connected ipads and ipods as well as stream music from the same devices. A cable is included to connect Ipads and ipods to the avr as well.

Features I like;
icontrolav2,  (when connected to your home network this avr shines).
max volume setting capable,
Power on volume setting capable,
mcacc,
Internet radio,
Dynamic with movies.

Conclusion;
A step up for me, a powerful feature laden avr. Needs the internet connection to get the most out of it. For the asking price the wireless adaptor should be included.i would advise potential purchasers to negotiate the wireless adaptor at time of purchase if you need one.
I am yet to look into the Marvel Qdeo upscaling program and I intend to reinstall the power amp.

[cooksta]

I have reconnected my power amp and as I suspected 2 channel cd listening has benefitted from this. A touch "thin" without the p/amp, not so with.

[Serentity]

Nice read on LX85, hope you enjoy the new Toy.

[cooksta]

Have been playing around with the mcacc calibrations.
Recently calibrated using "full band phase control" settings in mcacc and seems to give the best results to my ears.