Onkyo, Pioneer, Elite, and Integra Announce New Firmware Updates: Fresh Features for Audiophiles and Home Theater Enthusiasts

(November 7, 2024) Firmware updates usually don’t make headlines, but if you’re a fan of Onkyo, Pioneer, Elite, or Integra AV and Hi-Fi receivers, you might want to pay attention to this one. The latest round of firmware updates from these brands—courtesy of Premium Audio Company (PAC)— is notable, ranging from Dirac Live room correction enhancements to support for high-quality music streaming. PAC says these enhancements began rolling out last week and will continue to drop through November 18th.

The following is a list of key update features you can expect to experience.

Dirac Live Bass Control​

Available for Onkyo's TX-RZ50 and Integra's DRX-5.4 as an optional license purchase from the Dirac Live Store, Dirac Live Bass Control (DLBC) fine-tunes bass response by managing subwoofer integration within your room’s acoustics. Having used DLBC for several years, I can confidently say it's a feature that bass heads, particularly those running multiple subwoofers, will love as it lays the foundation for a much smoother and even bass experience across a seating area. Just ask owners of Onkyo's TX-RZ70, Integra's DRX-8.4, Elite's VSX-LX805, and Pioneer's VSA-LX805... they've had access to DLBC for quite some time.

Amazon Music HD Add-On​

This update brings Amazon Music HD and Ultra HD compatibility to the following models:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100
• Integra: DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, VSX-935

By supporting Amazon Music HD, Amazon Music Unlimited’s High Definition (HD) and Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD) audio formats can be played on smartphone applications, giving users access to bit-rich high-resolution audio. Owners of Onkyo's TX-RZ70 and TX-8470, Integra's DRX-8.4 and DTM-7.4, Elite's VSX-LX805, Pioneer's VSA-LX805 already have access to this feature.

Dolby Atmos Music on Amazon Music HD and TIDAL​

Previously only available on Onkyo's TX-RZ70, Integra's DRX-8.4, Elite's VSX-LX805, and Pioneer's VSA-LX805, additional models can now stream Dolby Atmos Music via Amazon Music HD and TIDAL Native Playback for an immersive audio experience:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100
• Integra: DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, VSX-935

Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) for HDMI 2.1a​

Have a mix of HDR content, gaming consoles, and more? Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) shifts part of the heavy lifting for HDR optimization to your source device, automatically adjusting and maximizing display performance without manual configuration.

Owners of Onkyo's TX-RZ70, Integra's DRX-8.4, Elite's VSX-LX805, and Pioneer's VSA-LX805 already have SBTM enabled on their gear. Now, that gear list has expanded significantly:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100
• Integra: DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, VSX-935

Enhanced Amplifier Power Supply Sequence​

PAC says a new enhanced amplifier power supply sequence reduces internal relay noise during silent states for these models:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100
• Integra: DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, VSX-935

In practical terms, relays in audio equipment often make a clicking sound when switching between states. The update aims to reduce this noise, leading to a quieter and smoother overall user experience. It's a feature that, until now, has only been available on Onkyo's TX-RZ70, Integra's DRX-8.4, Elite's VSX-LX805, and Pioneer's VSA-LX805.

Google Cast 2.0 Support​

Models with Google Cast 2.0 support include:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100
• Integra: DRX-8.4, DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, Pioneer VSA-LX805, and VSX-935

This feature changes setup screens for brand-specific smartphone applications to allow products to be easily connected using the Google Cast 2.0 network connection method.

TIDAL MAX Compatibility​

Support for Hi-Res Lossless Audio Codec playback up to 192kHz/24bit is added for:

• Onkyo: TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100, TX-8470
• Integra: DRX-8.4, DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4, DTM-7.4
• Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, Pioneer VSA-LX805, and VSX-935

Update Notes​

Updating firmware is easy. Assuming your receiver is connected to the internet and carries an Onkyo, Pioneer, or Elite badge, you’ll see an on-screen prompt upon power-up; Integra owners must navigate to the “Setup Firmware Menu” and follow the on-screen prompts. Of course, if you aren't connected to the internet, you can still get in on the action—just head to the manufacturer’s website and download the firmware to a USB stick.

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Related Reading:

• Onkyo and Dirac Strengthen Ties, Tease What's to Come
• Pioneer Pads Its AVR Offerings with Two Wallet-Friendly Options: VSX-835 and VSX- 535
• Dirac in the News: StormAudio Rollout, Elite/Pioneer/Onkyo/Integra Get Bass Control, Spatial Audio Deal with ASUS