Good receiver. Good company.
Written: Jun 29 '02 (Updated Jul 02 '02)
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Pros: Price. 100w per channel. Pre-amps out, 8 channels. Center Surround split for "7.1."
Cons: Fewer inputs/outputs. Relatively high distortion (1.0%). No flexibility in impedance.
The Bottom Line: Not for serious audiophiles, but this machine has everything you could want, and will upgrade to a higher calling later. The best you can get for its price, or more.
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| jubal28's Full Review: Pioneer VSX-D811S 7.1 Channels Receiver |
I was on the prowl for a good 7.1 receiver, perusing both stores and the Internet. My budget put the top-end Pioneer Elite receivers out of reach, but I wanted, at the very least, discrete 6.1 surround. I was surprised to find a Pioneer with exactly that at less than $400. The machine had everything I could have wanted -- more than ample inputs (though perhaps not for the serious audio junkie -- my primary interest is home theater, and everything else is secondary), Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS-ES Matrix, Pro-Logic II, DTS Neo:6 . . . but what really sealed the deal was the 7.1 capability. Like most of the Pioneer Elite models, the 7.1 is unreachable without further amps included, but as there's very little material out there available in 6.1, let alone 7.1, it was the upgradability which attracted me the most. It has inputs for 7.1, and pre-amp outputs for all 8 channels, including the subwoofer. I thought of it as "transitional" machine -- it would be great for all my current 5.1 and 6.1 DVDs, would accept high-definition cable feed (through the coaxial digital input and one of two component video inputs), so watching Showtime and HBO movies in high-definition widescreen is now DVD-quality or better, and when the time comes that 7.1 becomes more widespread, I could upgrade through added amplification. Or, I reasoned, the total price of the machine was low enough that I could justify the purchase of totally new receiver in another two years, if need be. Also, there are outputs for two center rear speakers already, so you can simulate 7.1 from a 6.1 source. However, that splits the center channel power between the two center rear speakers.
Because all of the channels have pre-amp outs, you can use the center out to use the TV speakers for your center front speaker if you like. I've done it; it works well -- but most TV speakers aren't very high quality, and you'd probably want a good center channel speaker anway.
The sound quality is excellent, for my needs. I'm pretty much a complete home theater guy, so while CD/music capability is important, it's not my main concern (other than the movie soundtracks). Various factors (see below) might make very serious music buffs turn away. But the DTS rocks my living room, and the Neo:6 gives a pretty fair impression of 6.1 sound from a two-channel source, and seems to work better than the Pro-Logic II. However, the Neo:6 only works with an analog source, whereas the Pro-Logic will work with digital or analog signal.
Of course, it's not entirely a DTS world, and anyone who doubts it needs to watch "Star Wars: Episode I" on this machine. The Dolby Digital EX, in a word, delivers.
On the downside, the total harmonic distortion is relatively high -- 1.0%. Compared to the sound, that's hardly anything, but other receivers, such as the Yamahas, have THD as low as 0.04%. In fact, of all the receivers I've researched, this one had the highest. Now, it doesn't translate to much of anything when you're listening, but it might annoy the very trained ear. Also, there's no switching for impedance -- all channels are at 8 Ohms. This means very little, for the most part, but the Yamaha speakers I wanted for the fronts and surrounds are 6 Ohm. I could get away with using them for a while, but overall, it's not good for either the speakers or the receiver. Always be sure to match your speakers.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
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Epinions.com ID:
jubal28
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Movie nut. DVD freak. Some extra cash to do something about it. Wicked combination.
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