Class D³ Amplifier (Direct Energy HD Amplifier)

With the Class D³ (Direct Energy High fidelity class D) Amplifier, the SC-LX801 is ready to meet the needs of the latest HD content. With our MOSFET, the Direct Power FET, this simple, high powered solution is provided to fully meet today’s AV entertainment standards. The custom bypass capacitors further enhance the advantages of the Class D³ amplifier, producing powerful bass while also delivering subtle details.

High-Power Simultaneous Multi-Channel Drive
With Class AB amplifiers, driving all channels at full power is only possible for a short time, at around 300 W to 400 W power output. The SC-LX801’s Class D³ Amplifier has the ability to simultaneously drive 9-channels at 810 W (SC-LX901) power output, while managing to deliver dynamic content, more efficiently.

Quick-Response Sound
The Direct Power FET is directly connected to the print circuit board without any additional wiring. This simple structure maximizes audio performance by reduced noise and improved switching, offering a quick-responding sound, perfect for digital content playback.

High Efficiency
The Class D³ Amplifier has been designed with a simple structure to take a straight and short signal path, resulting in improved sound quality.

Improved Circuit Design
The SC-LX801 is equipped with dedicated ICs on the circuit board, all in the pursuit of reproducing a clean, clear sound. The operational amplifier IC for processing small signal is set apart from the amplifying section to prevent mutual interference. This allows clear signal to be transmitted to the Direct Power FET.

Low Heat Generation
The simple form of the Direct Power FET has the advantage of improved thermal characteristics. In addition to the upper-side heat dissipation from the heat sink, the circuit board’s heat radiation feature is also utilized for downward heat dissipation, providing efficient cooling for a superior performance.

Separate Design for Analog Small Signal

Dedicated ICs are lavishly used on the circuit in pursuit of ideal sound. The Op-amp IC for processing small signal is set apart from the amplifying section to prevent mutual interference. This allows clear signal to be transmitted to the Direct Power FET. Additionally, the Rubycon chip film capacitor MU 25p further reduces the influence of residue noise from the high power section.

ESS SABRE³² Ultra DAC

 The highly acclaimed 192 kHz/32-bit ESS SABRE³² Ultra DAC (ES9016S) is adopted to deliver exceptional sound, with ultra-low distortion and high signal-to-noise ratio. It offers jitter-free performance for an astounding audio reproduction with rich deep bass, maximizing the full potential of Pioneer’s Class D³ amplifiers.

Multi-Dimensional Excitement with Dolby Atmos

The SC-LX801 is compatible with 7.2.2ch/5.2.4ch configuration of the latest home theater sound platform, Dolby Atmos. The SC-LX801 can reproduce object oriented compatible movies/music in smooth, curving movements, or the realistic three-dimensional movement overhead by utilizing Dolby Atmos enabled and/or in-ceiling speakers.

Dolby Atmos Room Requirements
Using the Pioneer Elite Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers you will need the following in order to use the Dolby Atmos-enabled capability of these speakers, the listening room ceiling should have horizontal flat hard surface (for audio reflection) and a height of 8’ to 14’.

DTS:X™

DTS:X is the next-generation audio codec from DTS that leverages object-based audio to enable new immersive and interactive audio experiences. Since DTS:X can automatically adapt the audio to the existing channels and speaker system, no specific speaker layout is required. Experience an immersive soundscape with incredibly rich and life-like audio.

Chromecast Built-in*

The SC-LX801 has Chromecast Built-in, the same technology behind Chromecast, so you can use your mobile device to cast your favorite music, radio, or podcasts to the SC-LX801. You can control the audio from anywhere in the house using Cast-enabled apps running on your personal device—iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop, and Chromebook. Discover Cast-enabled apps at g.co/cast/audioapps.
* Chromecast Built-in will be available with future firmware update.

Ultra HD (4K/60p/4:4:4/24-bit) Upscaling/Pass-Through with HDCP 2.2

This feature lets you take advantage of the highest-quality video source for viewing on a 4K TV. With support for HDCP 2.2, you can enjoy premium content such as 4K videos with digital copy protection on a compatible display. What’s more, the SC-LX801 is ready for the HDR (High Dynamic Range) and BT.2020 next generation video standards.
* Supports up to 4K/60p/4:4:4/24-bit with HDCP 2.2 on HDMI IN (1/2/3/4/5) and HDMI OUT (MAIN/SUB).

MCACC Pro Auto Room Tuning

MCACC Pro, the pinnacle of Pioneer’s auto room tuning technology, analyzes the phase and group delay characteristics to precisely control phase differences between speakers. MCACC Pro corrects phase differences in all ranges and all channels, from phase difference in the original audio material to the sound emitted from the speakers. Required microphone is included in the box.

Full Band Phase Control

Pioneer’s Phase Control technology effectively eliminates phase lag and significantly improves the multi-channel sound without any extra operation. Furthermore, The Full Band Phase Control technology focuses on the group delay in the speaker network filter, and adjusts the phase of each unit as well as the group delay for each speaker. Multi-range speakers gain the sound coherence of full-range speakers, while retaining the wide frequency range advantage. In an environment where the phase of all units and all channels are precisely controlled, a remarkably clear sound location with a surrounding feel is achieved. In combination with MCACC Pro, the ideal multi-channel reproduction environment can be created, which faithfully replicates object audio and the director’s original intent.

Advanced Sound Retriever

The Advanced Sound Retriever restores the output of compressed audio—such as WMA, AAC, and MP3—to the level of CD sound. The technology creates new signals to restore the minor details left out during the compression process. Advanced Sound Retriever for multi surround sound is compatible with DVD soundtracks featuring Dolby Digital or DTS.

Reflex Optimizer

When using Dolby enabled speakers, high directivity sound reflects off the ceiling, while low directivity sound directly reaches the ears. This difference causes a phase shift, making the sound feel unbalanced. To solve this, the new technology optimizes the performance of your up-firing elevation speakers for your listening environment, by aligning the phase of direct and indirect sound, matching the basic tone, and optimizing the upward-oriented frequencies. The result is overall seamless sound with Dolby enabled speakers, allowing the ideal reproduction of threedimensional surround sound.

Construction

Advanced Direct Construction
Less is more in circuitry design. Advanced Direct Construction allows the shortest and simplest signal paths—from input to output, circuit block by circuit block—to reduce distortion that can be caused by transmission loss, and to improve sonic clarity.

3D Space Frame Construction
The 3D Space Frame Construction is developed to clearly define the mechanical grounding of the chassis and make the structure strong enough to support heavy weight. Perfected by repeated CAE strength analysis and tests, this technology allows each part to deliver maximum performance. Interference is also reduced by separating and insulating the power supply, amp, analog circuit, digital circuit and video sections from one another.

The SC-LX801 comes with this Advanced 3D Space Frame structure, featuring precise framework design, separating the power supply block, and isolating the analog video/audio and digital functional blocks into specific compartments. This reduces interference by flat cables between the blocks and improves the operating characteristics to accurately reproduce even the most delicate signals.

Rigid Trans-Stabilizer
The rigid trans-stabilizer acoustically insulates the transformer and eliminates unwanted vibration, enhancing sound clarity.

Anti-Standing Wave Insulator
The Anti-Standing Wave Insulator has been developed through repeated listening tests, featuring a special form with no parallel sides inside to prevent cavity resonance. This makes the sound localization, tone, and scale clearer, while also enhancing the seamless connection between the channels, and the response to quick sound. The insulator enriches the realistic spatial description for movies, and the space representation of a concert hall for music sources.

Separated Pre and Power Amplifiers Blocks
Being compact and highly efficient, the Class D³ amplifier has allowed remarkably smaller heat sink and greater flexibility in circuit design and layout, and the ideal separate structure with independent pre and power amplifier blocks is realized. Additionally, the power supply for digital and analog circuits has been isolated to provide clean power, significantly contributing to clear signal transmission which is the basis for high-quality sound.

Clean Grounding with Insulated Dual Chassis
Steel plates shield the power amplifier block to eliminate unwanted noise caused by mutual interference, while Pioneer original Insulated Dual Chassis connects the power amplifier’s chassis to the main chassis via special insulators. The pre and power amplifier blocks are electrically separated, enabling the optimal ground design for each block. With thorough clean grounding and elimination of interference between the circuits and load changes, the sound quality and performance equivalent to separate amplifiers combined within a single chassis is achieved.