Pioneer VSX-534 5.2ch Receiver
Specs:
150 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10 %, 1ch Driven)
135 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven
HDMI 4 In (4 Assignable)
HDMI 1 Out
USB 1 In for Streaming Dongles
Audio 3 In (Assignable)
Digital Coaxial 1 In (Assignable)
Digital Optical 1 In (Assignable)
Subwoofer 2 Pre Out
I agree 100%, still enjoying my Pioneer amp, it's just a shame that many (if not all) manufacturers seem to be following / adopting a similar stance with their products, apps/services. Luckily my remote & iControlAV5 app still works with the amp, be it sometimes the IP address changes on the amp & I have to reconfigure the app.
+1. I have the VSX-529 and its native Spotify Connect functionality was deprecated years ago, with no firmware updates to make it work again. Secondly, the iControlAV5 app is rubbish and the digital radio station mappings no longer seem to work (e.g. RRR here in Melbourne).
On another note, the IP address changing is a problem with the DHCP configuration of your home router rather than with the Amp itself. You can assign a "static DHCP lease" in most routers, which ensures the receiver will always be given the same IP.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the clarification on the IP address, something I'll have to look into with the Nest WiFi. I've got the VSX-930 & have the same issue with Spotify, firmware updates & BT music streaming from a device use to be a pain with connection dropping out/stopping after awhile.
Yeah, the original remote has half a bazillion buttons, so none of the generic alternatives have a hope of replacing that unless they offer those horrendous combinations ("press FUNC then VOLUME UP then 3 to change to Blu Ray source").
I looked into RF remote control apps for Android recently, but they all seem to be flaky, unmaintained or lacking features (any combo), and I didn't come across anything suitable. If my old remote doesn't work, I can't teach the "learning" ones, so I'm stuck looking for ones that support my particular receiver… All too hard considering Pioneer should just sell replacement remotes.
Is there some reason you didn't use a Logitech Harmony when you first bought the Receiver ? Once you've got past the initial setup, you can store the factory remote safely away !
@Nom: I didn't buy a second remote because the first one was working fine! It never occurred to me that one day I'd lose part of the functionality of my receiver because the remote would start failing and Pioneer wouldn't be able to fix or replace it for me.
Besides, not sure buying a Harmony would have been a better move considering Logitech has discontinued them now as well! :)
@tophorus: That's why I said "when you first bought the receiver" … Harmony were in full swing back then, and I can't imagine many people were buying Receivers and then using 5 different remote controls to control the devices connected to the Receiver 😁
Tried simply cleaning the back of the buttons/ PCB with isopropyl alcohol?
Also, check the IR LED itself (use a phone camera to check it flashes consistently with a button that does work). eBay sell replacement IR LED 10 packs for $1.
I've saved a couple of remotes with these two methods. Also have a Harmony I paid $15 for 20 years ago. uploaded a new remote to it the other day. So it still works. I also couldn't find my TV, but tried older similar models . Some of the buttons worked from various profiles. Could then map them into my own single profile to revive a complete set.
Yep, did all that. IR LED is fine because the little-used buttons still work perfectly, but the regularly-used ones (power, volume, etc.) were the ones that started glitching and then stopped responding.
My foil solution seems to be working for now, except for one button where I think I might have accidentally got a bit of glue on the circuit board itself, so that particular one might be cooked! :(
I had one of these receivers a while back. It is a good basic unit. It is easy to setup and use.
Additionally it can be set up as a 3.1.2ch Atmos configuration. Meaning the rear channels are virtual. I never used it in this setup, so cant comment to how effective it is.
Other than that, when set up as a 5.1, it will do Virtual Atmos and DTS Virtual X. You do have to do a firmware update to get this. Has to be done via USB stick as this receiver does not support WiFi. I cant seem find the link I used. You may have to contact OP to get the link.
Can say the virtualisation was somewhat effective. It adds a degree of height effects, but certainly not fully enveloping, which is as you would expect.
Just found a link to the firmware update for anyone looking to buy this.
Scroll down, click on Docs, then click on Firmware. Should auto download.
Bluetooth 4.2, isn’t 5 the latest and best for audio.
This is amongst the cheapest AV Receivers on the market - if you want the latest and best of anything, then this isn't really where you're going to find it.
It’s a solid deal otherwise.
Personally holding out for something with AirPlay to replace my basic Yamaha unit
looks like an early 2019 age unit so… technology has marched on since then
but you can look at the back panel and see its a basic unit
no wifi no ethernet… i mean… and spring clips…
@[Deactivated]: They do - I have an RX-V870 from so long ago I can't remember. Still works a treat. Remote doesn't work 100% but I don't need it. All functions are accessible using the front controls.
For bluetooth I use a TaoTronics adapter.
I've decided that trying to have something like an AV receiver have all the latest stuff is a waste of time and money. Go with something that sounds great and has the right connections for your speaker setup, then get a separate device for your streaming or other needs (like a Chromecast or whatever Apple offers) to plug in. That way when the technology moves on, you upgrade the dongle and the receiver just keeps chugging away making nice music.
Man, I know this is cheap, but not sure about this model - it just looks a tad bit too basic for my liking.
I bought a Yamaha V6A from Bing-Lee in Feb for $950, and although it's $450 more, i feel that the extra features completely justify it.
the V4A was as low as $600? that seems much newer and just a superior unit all round…
i always think…. this piece of shit is $488… what can i get for a little bit more
also what do i do with this shit when i just dont need or like it any more
I love how my Pioneer SC-LX57 receiver drives my speakers, but I've run into the issue where many of the keys on the remote have stopped working, making it very difficult to use a lot of the features. Pioneer no longer sells compatible remotes, either, and the third party ones are missing many features e.g. zone control. To make it worse, their app seems to have been last updated in about 1840 and so I can't even fall back to that.
I've had to try conductive paint (didn't work, Pioneer seems to have some silicon/Teflon hybrid that nothing much sticks to) and resorted to gluing dozens of bits of aluminium foil to each key to get them to work again.
So just be aware that while the receivers may be great (don't know anything about this particular model, but I've been very happy with mine), you may not get the long term support you might expect from something as core to your home theatre as this.