PIONEERSCLX56Black AV Receiver

"Pioneer has the recipe for success at this price - and we're sure you'd like a taste." What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision magazine 5-star review at £1299.95.

HUGE POWER WITH AUDIOPHILE QUALITY AND THX CERTIFICATION

At the heart of this impressive AV receiver is an audiophile-grade Class D amplifier that brings power and quality in equal measure. The high efficiency digital Class D amplifier produces a substantial 130 watts per channel while still using around 44% less energy than a comparable analogue amp. The circuit design features short signal paths and quality components for the most accurate and detailed sound quality. The casing is extremely well isolated, ensuring low transmission of audio degrading mechanical vibration.

When connecting a Blu-ray player via HDMI, proprietary PQLS technology ensures a jitterless transmission. Essentially, this means that the resulting sound quality is smooth and natural and exactly as the film studio originally intended. When all this is taken together, it's no wonder that the SC-LX56-K received Select 2 certification from THX - the cinema professionals.

OPTIMISED VIDEO INCLUDING 4K PASS THROUGH

With Advanced Video Adjustment, the Pioneer SCLX56K optimises the video signal according to the type of screen or projector used. It uses information from the MCACC calibration system and even adjusts image quality according to how far you sit from the screen. In addition to this, the SC-LX56-K also features Stream Smoother. Used with low resolution video from online sites this improves the blocky and grainy quality, making it more acceptable to watch on a big screen. This Pioneer AV receiver comes with 4K pass through enabled HDMI sockets, making it ready for the next generation of super HD TVs and sources. There's also 1080p video upscaling, ensuring you get the very best picture quality on your existing Full HD TV, whatever the source quality.

FULLY COMPREHENSIVE NETWORKING INCLUDING WI-FI, AIRPLAY AND MHL

Featuring a front-mounted HDMI socket that's compatible with MHL, it's easy to plug in your Android phone with just a single cable. With this you can then stream high quality video and audio plus charge your phone as an added bonus. There's also Apple AirPlay compatibility, DLNA streaming and a standard wi-fi dongle for wireless connectivity. Apple's AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream music from any compatible Apple device - without the need for a separate home hub. DLNA streaming gets you access to music stored on your PC, laptop or NAS and plays it through the receiver. There's also access to Internet radio and music services, making the SC-LX56-K a fully comprehensive streamer.

IMPROVED CONTROL

In addition to offering multiple networking possibilities, the SC-LX56-K keeps control better than ever. The new iControlAV2012 app lets you control more functions than ever via your smartphone or tablet (Apple or Android). With this app, you also have access to the receiver's advanced sound features such as Sound Explorer, which displays more than 18 of Pioneer's unique sound adjustment functions on one screen, and Virtual Speakers, which lets you create your ideal sound field, even when real speakers are not set up. The Pioneer is also compatible with Air Jam. Air Jam is a Bluetooth-based app that lets a group of people connect with their iPhones, iPod Touch or iPads and add their songs to the receiver playlist. In effect it's a local, social network for music and works well with the SC-LX56-K (optional AS-BT200 Bluetooth adaptor required).

HUGE RANGE OF CONNECTIONS INCLUDING TWIN HDMI OUTPUTS

When it comes to connecting more conventionally, the Pioneer SC-LX56-K is, once again, more than adequate. Eight HDMI sockets offer full compatibility with 3D TV and ARC (Audio Return Channel) for a less cluttered cable connection. There are also 2 HDMI outputs, making the Pioneer ideal for a twin screen or 3D system. Also standard is an iPod Digital USB connection. This allows plug-and-play flexibility without the need for a further docking station. The sound quality will be better than many docks, too, as you're using the processing power of the Pioneer rather than the dock's. Better still, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever system enhances the typically compressed music from MP3/AAC systems and returns the sound to CD quality.

For a big, enveloping sound to match your large screen, the Pioneer SC-LX56-K never fails to impress.

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