New Firmware Brings Improved Functionality & Dirac Performance to Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer AVRs

Since 2021, Premium Audio Company has been the parent company of some major brands in the world of home AV, including Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer/Elite. It was also in 2021 that those brands began offering Dirac Live Room Correction in select products. (PAC also owns Klipsch, Heco, and Magnat, and is the exclusive US Distributer for TEAC and Esoteric.) Premium Audio Company says that its brands are “committed to continuously monitoring, challenging, and improving their products to ensure the best user experience.” So far, the company has made good on its promise to deliver updates that improve the performance of the equipment its customers already own. In January of 2024, we reported about firmware updates for PAC’s three flagship AVR products — the Integra DRX-8.4, Onkyo TX-RZ70, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX805 — all of which launched in the spring of 2023. Those updates added support for Roon, Auro 3D, and improved Dirac Live features. Now, Premium Audio Company has released several more firmware updates for a wider selection of its AV receivers and Hi-Fi Stereo receivers.

These new updates will improve audio playback, functionality, and Dirac Live room correction on select Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer/Elite models. The rollout of new firmware began on October 28th, and completed on November 18th, 2024 so if you own one of these AVRs, make sure you have automatic updates enabled or go in and manually do it AFTER reading this article. The firmware brings enhancements for streaming via Amazon Music and Tidal, and also includes some improvements to Dirac Live room correction — both in terms of features and performance. Other updates include support for Google Cast 2.0 and an HDMI video feature called Source-Based Tone Mapping. Different models will receive different upgrades depending on their existing capabilities and their hardware features and limitations.

The models affected by these new firmware updates include:

Onkyo: TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR5100, TX-NR6050, TX-8470

Pioneer/Elite: VSX-LX805, VSA-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-935, VSX-LX105

Integra: DRX-8.4, DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DTM-7.4

What Was Updated???

Dirac Live Bass Control

One of the most asked-for updates is the addition of Dirac Live Bass Control, which is coming to the Onkyo TX-RZ50 and Integra DRX-5.4. Owners can purchase a license for $299 from the Dirac Live online store. One thing to note is that, owing to hardware limitations in these AVR models, Dirac Live Bass Control will be limited to a single subwoofer. These AVRs can’t correct for multiple subs because their sub outputs are not independent. Some of PAC’s other AVR models already have the ability to add Dirac Live Bass Control, including the multi-sub version. These include the aforementioned Onkyo TX-RZ70, Integra DRX-8.4, and Pioneer VSX-LX805, plus the brand new Onkyo TX-RZ30. At $1,199, the TX-RZ30 is the least expensive AVR I’m aware of that supports Dirac Live Bass Control for two subs.

Improved Dirac Measurements

The new firmware also brings improved Dirac Live measurement capability to the Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer app. PAC says that the new version reduces the rate at which measurement errors appear, contributing to a smoother measurement process and better end results. The models affected by this update include the following: Onkyo TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, and TX-NR7100; Integra DRX-8.4, DRX-4, and DRX-3.4; and the Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, and VSA-LX805.

Amazon Music HD

The firmware update allows several AVR models to access Amazon Music HD’s highest-quality Ultra HD streaming tier, allowing up to 24-bit/192kHz playback. Using the smartphone applications from Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer, owners can now enjoy the highest resolution available from Amazon’s streaming service. Models receiving the upgrade include the following:

Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, and TX-NR5100

Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4

Pioneer/Elite: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VX-LX105, and VSX-935

Some of PAC’s AV receivers already supported this feature. These include the Onkyo TX-RZ70, Integra DRX-8.4, Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805 and VSA-LX805. Stereo receivers already supporting Amazon Music Ultra HD include the Onkyo TX-8470 and Integra DTM-7.4.

Tidal MAX 

Just like Amazon, Tidal offers FLAC music files up to 24-bit/192kHz. The firmware update brings support for these high-res streams via Tidal MAX on the smartphone applications from Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer. Models receiving the upgrade include the following:

Onkyo TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100, and TX-8470;

Integra DRX-8.4 DRX-4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4, and DTM-7.4; and the Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805, VSA-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, and VSX-935.

Dolby Atmos Music Playback

Dolby Atmos Music playback is now supported for both Amazon Music HD and Tidal with this new firmware update. The ability to play Dolby Atmos content natively will allow more users to enjoy immersive spatial audio music experiences. Models receiving the upgrade include the following:

Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, and TX-NR5100

Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, and DRX-2.4

Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX505, VSX-305, VSX-105, and VSX-935

Note that the Onkyo TX-RZ70, Integra DRX-8.4, and Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805 already feature Dolby Atmos Music playback.

Google Cast 2.0

New setup screens on the Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer smartphone apps will allow AV products to be connected more easily using the Google Cast 2.0 network connection method. Models receiving the upgrade include the following:

Onkyo TX-RZ70, TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, and TX-NR5100

Integra DRX-8.4 DRX-4, DRX-3.4, and DRX-2.4

Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805, VSA-LX805, VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, and VSX-935

Note that the Onkyo TX-8470 and Integra DTM-7.4 stereo receivers already supported this feature.

Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI 2.1a

Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) allows a portion of the HDR mapping to be performed by the source device instead of the display device. This automatically produces an optimized HDR signal to maximize processing and display capabilities without manual user configuration. An HDR-capable gaming console, for example, can perform tone mapping adjustments, rather than relying on the TV or projector to do so. Some gamers appreciate this feature, which promises to improve contrast and detail. Models receiving this upgrade include the following:

Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, and TX-NR5100

Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, and DRX-2.4

Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, and VSX-935

Note: The Onkyo TX-RZ70, Integra DRX-8.4, and Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805 AVRs already supported this feature, along with the Onkyo TX-8470 and Integra DTM-7.4 stereo receivers.

Improved Amplifier Power Supply Sequence

Lastly, the firmware update includes a tweak to the power supply sequence for the amps in some of these receivers. This modified sequence offers “an improvement of the relay sound from the inside of the product in a silent state,” according to PAC. Essentially, it should reduce audible relay switching noises, providing a small improvement to the overall listening experience. It may not be a huge change, but it does suggest that PAC’s engineers pay attention to detail and continue to make improvements to existing products whenever possible. Models receiving this update include:

Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, and TX-NR5100

Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, and DRX-2.4

Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, and VSX-935

This modified power supply sequence is already in use in the Onkyo TX-RZ70, Integra DRX-8.4, and Pioneer/Elite VSX-LX805.

PAC says that the availability of firmware updates will be indicated via the on-screen display and front panel display for all Onkyo and Pioneer/Elite models connected to the internet. For non-connected devices, the software can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website and uploaded via a USB drive. The firmware update will be available on the Integra AVRs by navigating to the “Setup Firmware” menu and following the on-screen prompts.