Test Bench: Pioneer VSX-74TXVi receiver

DOLBY DIGITAL PERFORMANCE All data were obtained from various test DVDs using 16-bit dithered test signals, which set limits on measured distorting and noise performance. Reference input level is -20 dBFS, and reference output is 1 watt into 8 ohms. Volume setting for reference level was -8. All level trims at zero, except for subwoofer-related tests, all speakers were set to "large," subwoofer on. All are worst-case figures where applicable. Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms) 1 channel driven: 172/296 W (22.4/24.7 dBW)* 5 channels driven (8 ohms): 61 W (17.9 dBW)* 6 channels driven (8 ohms): 52 W (17.1 dBW)* Distortion at 1 watt (THD+N, 1 kHz) 8/4 ohms: 0.04/0.05% Noise level (A-wtd): -74.9 dB Excess noise (with sine tone) 16-bit (EN16): +1.4 dB Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -0.3 dB * Speaker-impedance setup switch set to 8-ohm position.

MULTICHANNEL PERFORMANCE, ANALOG INPUT Reference input and output level is 200 mV; volume setting for reference output level was -3. Distortion (THD+N, 1 kHz, 8 ohms): 0.06/0.06% Noise level (A-wtd): -87.7 dB Frequency response: <10 Hz to 94 kHz +0, -3 dB

STEREO PERFORMANCE, DIGITAL INPUT Reference level is -20 dBFS; all level trims at zero. Volume setting for reference level was -4. Output at clipping (1 kHz, 8/4 ohms, both channels driven): 154/237 W (21.9/23.7 dBW)* Distortion at reference level: 0.05% Linearity error (at -90 dBFS): 1.2 dB Noise level (A-wtd): -74.4 dB with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: -88.4 dB Excess noise (with/without sine tone) 16-bit (EN16): 1.5/1.4 dB quasi-20-bit (EN20): 16/16.1 dB Noise modulation: 0.5 dB Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -0.4 dB with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: 20 Hz to 44 kHz +0, -1.2 dB * Speaker-impedance setup switch set to 8-ohm position.

BASS-MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE Measured results obtained with Dolby Digital test signals. Subwoofer-output frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 24 dB/octave above -6-dB rolloff point of 89 Hz High-pass-filter frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 12 dB/octave below -3-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz Maximum unclipped subwoofer output (trim at 0): 8.8 volts Subwoofer distortion (from 6-channel, 30-Hz, 0-dBFS signal; subwoofer trim set to 0): 8.6% Crossover consistency: bass crossover frequency and slope same for all signal formats that receive bass management. Signal-format consistency: consistent for all applicable formats; bass management not available for multichannel analog signals. Speaker size selection: all channels can be set to "small." Speaker-distance compensation: available for all main channels.

The Pioneer VSX-74TXVi produced consistently solid numbers, the sole exception being high subwoofer-output distortion with fully 6-channel, 0-dBFS, 30-Hz signals, a fairly non-real-world condition; with -3-dB signals distortion was suitably low. Noise level in all modes was very good or excellent, though 96-kHz/24-bit stereo noise performance was a few decibels poorer than some receivers have shown, a condition I presume derives more from the analog circuitry than any digital-domain errors. When the speaker-impedance switch was set to its 6-ohm position, output power measured half or less as much as in the 8-ohm position. As compared with the published specifications, a low measurement in our steady-state multichannel power tests is often a consequence of power-limiting or steering circuitry and is not unusual - only the largest, heaviest, and most expensive receivers and amplifiers perform perfectly in these tests.