Pioneer VSX-521 650W 5.1 Channel 3D Receiver $243 ( save $54 ) Delivered, 2x $20 iTunes Cards $30 at JB.
Key Features
5.1 Channel AV Receiver
4 HDMI Inputs
Full HDMI - Audio & Video in one Cable
3D Ready
Dolby True HD
DTS Master Audio
Have a good day all
Pot, kettle, black.
Is it that hard to google the model number…
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/products/42/98/405/VSX-521/inde…
Some other features here: http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/products/42/98/405/VSX-521/spec…
and here: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Fil…
How does this compare with Yamaha RX-V471.
In my opinion, and historically (and I must be careful here not to be flamed by audiophiles, which happened to me before), the main quality criteria for an amplifier is its THD (total harmonic distortion), which expresses as a percentage how much the produced sound deviates from the input sound. The lower the THD, the more "true to original". When comparing THD's at "normal" levels (don't look at the THD at 'full blast' - it is not representative), the Pioneer surprisingly seems to do very well. In the past, Yamaha's did better, but judging by the links I posted above, the Pioneer actually achieves 0.05%, which is rare for consumer-grade receivers nowadays. In short: I think the Pioneer is a better choice here.
Thanks for explaining in simple terms.
On the link you posted above, it says THD 1% at 6 ohms
That's at 125 watt. As I mentioned, it's probably not meaningful to look at THD at full blast. The PDF document (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Fil…) says 0.05% at 110 watt at 1khz.
Ah i see, cheers.
"at 1kHz" is not as useful as a measurement from 20Hz-20kHz
So the more useful comparison is
"80W x 5 (20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD 0.08% @ 8 ohms FTC)"
thats the measurement you should be using when comparing different receivers/brands whatever…
but low THD /= good sound… its one 'part' of the chain and is no guarantee that the thing will sound as good or better than a receiver the a 'higher' distortion level…
Agreed a full range(20 Hz – 20 kHz) rating is what should be used for comparison purposes, figures with just a single frequency can be misleading for both THD and power ratings.
This is a very good deal for those wanting an entry level AVR.
I just bought one last week for $297. I'm cursed.
How do you find it performance?
Oh yeah, I should have written something about it. I'm really liking it. Don't think you'll find anything better (new) for the money. Only downside I can think of is the onscreen configuration menu doesn't work through HDMI (you need to switch to composite or component). That said its not like you need to enter that menu more than once really.
Haven't worked out whether or not you can rename the inputs on the display with this amp, disappointing if you can't. Like Hambuger said you can only access the TV config display via analog inputs, which is also a bit of a let down. For the money though it is a pretty good receiver.
Yeah, it's not possible sadly. I had to print out a legend and stick it up next to my receiver as to what each input really was (eg: TV = Xbox, Video = Foxtel…)
Regardless, I've had this particular model for about six months now, been quite happy with it overall.
Onscreen config doesnt work through HDMI?
That's pretty poor :(.
Hmmm, could it be time to upgrade my 11-year-old Sony STR-DE475 (400W)?
Hmmm, could it be time to upgrade my 11-year-old Sony STR-DE475 (400W)?
Only if you are really bothered but not having HDMI passthrough.
Or need more digital inputs.
Agreed ive still got my 475 still going strong, HDMI would be nice but nothing that optical and switching the hdmi on the tv camt fix, better to invest the the money into better speakers.
+'d cos I really want one, but would have to increase size of TV stand…hurm
Have mine (bought same price thru earlier JB deal) inside cupboard. Basic controls work thru hdmi cable from connected panasonic device and its remote. Appears that kuro link, pioneer's device control over hdmi is fully compatible with viera link, panasonic's device control over hdmi. So after initial setup I can keep the VSX-521 locked away inside an adjacent cupboard and control it over the hdmi cable using the pana remote.
Does it turn on and off with the TV remote?
I bought this last time it was cheap (http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/68838). No regrets. Nails the value for money quandary.
What are this amp like for music? Looking for something that plays music well….
Nearly all amps play music well. Speakers are way more important
Seems like they put the price up on the packages with 5.1 speakers.
Glad I bought (bundle) during the Super Saturday Sale. Though delivery was slow, and I had to make a few phone calls to get it moving.
Any recommendation on speaker package?
There is one with speakers - is this better?
http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/home%20theatre/home%20theatre…
Yea to bad this isn't $300 like last time
I have 2 Oe6 One outdoor speakers under the eaves over my deck. Bagged them from Audio solutions at$499.while retail price was $899.
any idea if this unit has mutliple zones?
I got it for $299 last year and I thought it was cheap.
can't seem to find confirmation on pioneers website, can you use an attachment to make rear speakers wireless?
what kind of 'attachment' are you hoping to use?
there are no 'pre-outs' for the rear channels so any adapter would be a powered -> line level converter, then wireless to rear speakers which would be amplified themselves..
im guessing no, as I know of nothing on the market that does this
actually this model does have rear/front height pre-outs so the adapter wouldn't need to do the powered->line level conversion, but I still don't know of any separate product which does this
(e.g. line level input into 'sender', 'receiver' has 2 channel amplifier that rear speakers plug into)
Is it possible to hook this thing up (or any reciever for that matter) to a PS3 to watch blu ray movies on? I have a set of 5.1 speakers from a stereo system that I'd love to connect to this receiver and then connect the receiver to the PS3. Not sure if that set up is possible or not though as Im new to all this. Can anyone shine some light on this and answer my noob question?
Yep you would connect 1 HDMI cable from PS3 to AVR then one more HDMI cable from AVR to TV.
What are the speakers you have?
This is the stereo system that I have: http://www.chung-sim.com/foto1/sony.lbt-xb800av.jpg
Here are some specs and a better pic: http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/…
The instruction manual for this thing is here, in case you need specific specs: http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/3865551131.pdf
I want to use its speakers in my setup. They are fantastic speakers and although the system still plays CDs (with a few hiccups), the sound quality out of those things is insane. Will they work? The systems speakers uses wires (one black and one red) that I need to shove into a hole thingy at the back of the stereo unit.
Yep they should work ok on this AVR, you just connect the wires up to this AVR the same as they connect to the current system.
Thanks youre a legend. I just had a look at some of the links provided to the Pioneers website page for this AVR and the pictures also seem to indicate exactly what you've just confirmed. Legend :)
Wow that thing is old school - 1998!! I haven't seen tape decks in a long time.
No worries Trishool glad to help out :)
Actually 1997 to be exact :)
Ok… the PDF of the instruction manual had (c) 1998 ?
Yeah the system was futureproofed.
So has anyone else noticed the 2x $20 iTunes Cards $30?
Cause no one has made comment about this, and I cant find any proof that it is a current deal?
plus im real shattered I missed out on HN deal yesterday!
Did anyone receive their Pioneer VSX-521 yet ?
My PayPal payment is just sat "Pending" and I've had no order confirmation eMail or order number or anything from JB HiFi !
It's still "In Stock Ships Next Day" on the website…
I hate the JB website, they give you no real details.
Is it that hard to copy paste from somewhere, like everyone else.