Pioneer VSX-1124 AV-receiver
It turns up in tunes by others, among the Bee Gees, Jefferson Starship, Pearl Jam, Slade. Among the continuing wonders in my own entire life, aside from the reality that I am still walking is the audio/video receiver.
I would like to remind you the AV receiver notably is among the wonderful wonders. A wonder because it provides an enormous quantity of functionality in a price that is humane. That the better ones paired with loudspeakers that are efficient, are lean, mean music machines. That surround sound that is affordable is an ideal complement to your large flat-panel display, a matter of brilliance, as well as a strategy to immerse yourself in a film that's unmatched by conventional two channel stereo.
The Pioneer VSX-1124 is a wonder.
New receivers are brought by yearly dollar volume in the Elite line, both of the receiver lines of Pioneer and routine line. The Elites that are brand new range from the VSX-80 ($700) and VSX-44 ($500). In the line that is normal, the entries that are brand new will be the VSX-1124 ($600), reviewed here, plus the VSX 1024 ($500) and VSX-824 ($400). None have the Dolby Atmos functionality that is new.
The VSX-80 and VSX-1124 additionally support UHD upscaling.
Plug a Roku Streaming Stick (3400M, $70) to the back MHL- empowered HDMI jack, and love music, TV shows, and films. The jack additionally supports any MHL 2.0 telephone.
Sound-associated developments range from subwoofer equalization's inclusion to the MCACC room correction system of Pioneer. As Pioneer describes: "Subwoofer EQ determines the space and features of your subwoofer and makes corrections using four distinct frequency parameters and an exceptionally low-latency DSP to reduce period and time errors which are frequently discovered in other room calibration systems."
Other sound developments comprise added support and FLAC file formats up to 96/24 resolution that is highres. Previous generations supported two channel variations of these formats in addition to AIFF, AAC, ALAC, the standard MP3, as well as the not-so-normal Direct Stream Digital (DSD). This receiver can play with that stuff, if you're able to load it on a USB drive. Not to mention AirPlay wireless streaming covers the Apple-approved formats up.
One generally do not make a big deal of sound chips because I can not review silicon from the remainder of a receiver. What would really impress one would be a computer- USB input signal that is worthy, something Pioneer provides at a greater price point and just infrequently (and at all isn't provided by the majority of other makers).
Incremental improvements have been made by Pioneer. IControlAV5, the most recent edition of iOS management program and the Android, now contains collection of sign kind and management of the Roku Streaming Stick from the internal video scaler of the AVR.
Pioneer's AVNavigator, which enables some functions to be controlled via cellular program or computer Web browser, is assembled to the receiver. The computer variant allows you to click on an onscreen facsimile. As well as day to day use, the program also helps with loudspeaker placement, connecting sources, renaming input signals, optimizing audio modes, fixing much more, and MCACC. In addition, it has a two way tutorial.
This version supports AirPlay from the carton though several receiver brands offer built in WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay only at that price point. Bluetooth needs the AS-BT200 adapter ($99) to be plugged right into a back adapter interface. If you would like WiFi, add the AS-WL300 adapter (cost lowered to $129) from $149. It plugs to the Ethernet jack and is powered by the DC output signal interface that is back. Network sound characteristics contain Pandora Spotify, and common Internet radio.
While this receiver supports two screens and seven HDMI signal sources, there's but one component video input jack and no component video output signal. Composite video is whittled down to one output signal plus two inputs, likely adequate for many users.
Pioneer has had the knack longer, while it really isn't the single maker that could make an AVR seem amazing for $600. Even break- before one ran the MCACC vehicle setup and room correction, was a delight. In the demos that were proper, this small receiver hit one home run with midrange expressing only a little on the warm side. The leading end where low-cost receivers are poorest was communicative and smooth, about as much from that filthy, gauzy, low-cost-receiver sound because you can get without going nicely into four-figure cost land. If you would like really visionary and totally resolved highs, slammin' bass with full-range loudspeakers, or in case your loudspeakers are of low efficacy, look at a step up receiver (or move into different-amp land). But you need fulfilling, and when your loudspeakers are of typical or better efficacy, well rounded functionality, this receiver gives and then some.
Kevin Costner's ailing assassin is plunged by Luc Besson's 3 Days to Kill with a lot of mordant wit along with a soundtrack that is dynamically changed in the most effective manner or as one think of it, Paris! into Paris. The receiver incorporated challenging high level action scenes with slower, more quiet, character-based scenes just like the marbling on a great cut. Rather than expertise pinnacle moments as interludes of pressure, they were relished by me within a story well told. Bass effects were hefty from tipping into bloat, but they were kept by the sandwich EQ.
Music is one thing this receiver does good, also it was unsettling to know a delicate slice juxtaposed with road violence. Following in-house fight came complete using a security gate that came down using lots of clattering gunplay and a resounding thud. The receiver held the narrative together, and mingled action sequences hushed but clear enough.
Prisoners is a serial killer epic turns by Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman. It nourished 153 minutes of my focus with dark effects including loads of enveloping thunder and rain effects to which I am emotionally susceptible when the room fills. The receiver measured subdominated effects that underscored ruminative minutes of impending danger out.
CD was minimal what small the VSX-1124 left from a Lang Lang piano concerto. The receiver did not fail and delivered rock solid imaging the depth measurement. Still, one nearly consider that the piano and orchestra were in an identical room and really could shut my eyes just the spell was broken by the accustomed room sound. One considered to myself: This is precisely how I need this music to sound.
A true 5.1-channel SACD, it set the bandleader's vocal in the front centre station, just where it went, and applause in the surrounds. I won't ever condone the custom of underusing the center channel in the mixture to compensate for the probability of a center loudspeaker that is poorly coordinated. The Pioneer produced a demonstration that was warm, natural, though dynamic, with business, tuneful bass and tripping impetus that was irresistible.
Keith Emerson and Greg Lake's shortlived duet tour is kept from Manticore Hall in Live. Much as myself adore my Peachtree/Age background system, the Pioneer/Paradigm system managed this CD with better total focus and more vibrant tone colour.
Having reviewed receivers for generation after generation, one'd say this product group has been enjoying a golden age, and I can not help wondering eminent producers can keep it up while I don't need to bum everyone out. The worldwide market is an area that is tumultuous, and all of the great reviews on the planet were not enough to save the worldbeating Kuro plasma screens of Pioneer. The brand goes through important corporate changes, using a private equity firm taking a majority position in Onkyo's AV companies and a mixture. Will Pioneer receivers that are future be executed as that one?
This leaves a predicament to the UHD-aware consumer. If you buy into the expertly fine tuned sound of this receiver while you can and accept that it lacks HDCP 2.2 digital rights management, possibly a demand K content? Or in the event you wait for the following model year when HDCP 2.2 across the board will be most likely included by HDMI support? It is a demanding call, as well as the extra-price method of Bluetooth and the value proposition also reduces. But I am happy to testify the VSX-1124 is a top-performing receiver in a price point that is competitive. For subscribers who can not manage to pay much for it and would like an excellent receiver, that may be reason enough to purchase it.
