VSX-94TXH Measurements and Analysis Report

Frequency Response

Pioneer VSX-94TXH Frequency Response

The -3dB point for the VSX-94TXH was around 80kHz which is plenty of bandwidth for high resolution audio.

Pioneer VSX-94TXH Power vs Distortion

I measured continuous power vs distortion by setting up a regulated sweep in my Audio Precision to automatically adjust input level until the maximum power output is achieved at < 0.1% THD + N. The VSX-94TXH was plugged directly into an APC S-15 Power Conditioner with regulation to ensure the line never dropped below 118Vrms.

Power output: <0.1% THD + N for Pioneer VSX-94TXH

• 165wpc x 1;   8 ohms
• 155wpc x 2 ;  8 ohms
• 270wpc x 1 ;  4 ohms
• 225wpc x 2 ;  4 ohms

Power output: <0.1% THD + N for the Marantz SR7002

• 144wpc x 1;   8 ohms
• 128wpc x 2 ;  8 ohms
• 180wpc x 1 ;  4 ohms
• 170wpc x 2 ;  4 ohms

The Pioneer VSX-94TXH is definitely more powerful than the similarly priced Marantz SR7002 counterpart, especially into 4 ohm loads. In contrast, the Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver equaled the power into 4 ohm loads of the Pioneer.

Editorial Note on Audioholics Power Measurements
Keep in mind most review publications don’t do continuous power measurements and they usually publish power measurements into clipping at 1% THD + N. Our measurements are very conservative and it is clear that the 140wpc power rating of this receiver is understated as Pioneer is delivering MUCH more than specified for 1 or 2 channels driven. For more info on amplifier measurements, see: The All Channels Driven (ACD) Test

FFT Distortion Analysis

Pioneer VSX-94TXH FFT Distortion Analysis at Full Rated Power

At near full rated power (116wpc, 8 ohms) the VSX-94TXH exhibited average distortion measurements (29.695+47.972)dBv = 77.7dBv or 100*alog^-1(-77.7/20) = .013% THD + N. These results were a tad worse than I measured on the Marantz SR7002 and not nearly as good as I’ve seen on similarly priced units from Yamaha and Denon.

SNR @ 1 watt

With 200mV in and driving the amp to 1 watt at 8 ohms, I measured a good Signal to Noise Ratio of around 75dB (unweighted) which was a bit better than the Marantz counterpart but not quite as good as the Denon and Yamaha units.

Output Impedance vs Frequency

Pioneer VSX-94TXH Output Impedance vs Frequency

The VSX-94TXH exhibited decent but not stellar output impedance maintaining around 150mohms for the audible frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz when driving 8 ohm loads. This was considerably higher than the 100mohms I measured on the Marantz SR7002 and the under 100mohm measurements I pulled on the Yamaha RX-V2700. While this is still a much better measurement than you’d get with a tube amp, the VSX-94TXH has the potential to sound more “different” when driving a variety of low impedance speaker loads compared to the other receivers mentioned here.

Pioneer VSX-94TXH Damping Factor vs Frequency

The VSX-94TXH, displayed a good damping factor commensurate with the output impedance the amp section exhibited. It just maintained the minimum 50 rating that we like to see when driving an 8 ohm load.