Pioneer VSX D812 - Its like the pictures!

Advantages: Fantastic sound Quality, affordable (without losing manufacturer quality), Very easy to use, can handle several speakers without the need for adding additional amps, Plenty of inputs and outputs (ideal if you want to hook it up to the stereo and tv)
Disadvantages: None. My parents have bought the system, and have a technological knowledge of zero, therefore they find the use of the remote control a little confusing, but after set-up and a good read of the manual, its relatively easy to get to grips with

...- Initial Note - My parents recently travelled to the States, and was expecting a gift when they got home, but have instead bought the Pioneer Reciever. They had been talking about getting a good surround system, as they watch the television quite a lot (too much), and generally listen to a lot of music when entertaining. I must say they have got a brilliant buy, and at an affordable price. (Prices are generally a lot cheaper if you buy in the states, and therefore got a bargain at only US $349, which at todays exchange rate is £188, which may I say is a lot cheaper than at home) However, even at the UK prices I think this system is well worth a try. The sound quality is so precise, strong and clear. When you have it turned up to the hilt, the bass system doesnt crackle or fade, and generally seems to respond effectively to...

anthmack 23.03.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-D812 A/V Receiver

Another winner from Pioneer

Advantages: Compact, Excellent sound, attractive and slimline, versatile, multifunction remote
Disadvantages: Only SCART connectors for inputs, Adaptor needed for non-scart stuff

...When looking for a decent AV amp to complement my DVD player, I couldn't believe how bloody enormous most of them are. I have enough HiFi gear on the rack without making it look like the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise. I eventually managed to fight my way through the tortuous one-way system in Watford (I must be MAD) to RICHER SOUNDS in St Albans Road. (they have a car park at the back). After looking at the Yamaha and Marantz offerings I decided that a 2001 monolith lookalike would go down like a lead balloon, and then I saw the Pioneer.... They had VSX-C301 hooked up in the demo-room and despite the traffic and shop noise, the sound was powerful and clear without being strained and distorted. It is clear that it is generously rated for higher volumes (with the appropriate speakers). It is compatible with Dolby...

jerzed 20.10.2005 (22.10.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-C301 A/V Receiver

Well equipped receiver with great sound & price!

Advantages: Lots of power, great sound, and superb functionality/connectivity
Disadvantages: USB interface quite limited, learning remote struggles with some remotes

...A great sounding and versatile receiver for the money. I was not intending to buy a new amp as I was very happy with the existing Yamaha DSP-AX620 that I had until recently. The problem only arose after buying a 50" Samsung plasma that caused a lip sync problem when running sound through an amp. I won't bore with all the details here but it meant I had to get a new amp that came with an adjustable audio delay in order to ensure sound sync'd correctly with picture. After looking at alternatives like Denon and Sony I settled on the Pioneer on the advice of a friend in the trade, bought one and am very pleased with it. It also solved the sync problem easily. The amp is a doddle to set up, using its MCACC automated setup sequence which works via a supplied microphone, placed in the normal listening position. This proved very...

Traybor 12.06.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-2016AV

A great piece of kit

Advantages: A Very solidly Built piece of Equipment
Disadvantages: A bit dated now

...About three years ago I invested in the bargain of a lifetime, a superb Pioneer stereo system composed of a File Type Compact Disc Player - a PD-F1009, , a VSX - D512 Audio/Video Multi Channel Receiver, A DV-565A DVD Player, a CT- W208R Double Cassette Deck, a pair of S-H510V Speakers and an S-CR59 (centre and two rear) Set of Speakers and a Pioneer Stand to house it all, brand new, for under £650. The sound I have to say is fabulous. I've already Reviewed the CD player, I'm now going to review the VSX - D512 Audio/Video Receiver (The Amplifier) As I said in my previous Review I bought it from a catalogue clearance place (Bargain Street, Thorpe Arch Retail Park near Wetherby), the boxes filled up my little brothers E class Merc Estate. On the subject of Bargain Street - they do some incredible deals on Electricals, I bought my PC (a...

RichPrice 12.03.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-D512 A/V Receiver

Pioneer DV-600AV quality for good price

Advantages: High quality video, supports many formats
Disadvantages: Confusing labels on remote controller

...Pioneer DV-600AV was interesting for me because it has possibility to play DVD-Audio and SACD and it has got integrated decoder with analog output for 5.1. Extra interesting is the quality of sound which some DVD players are having bad quality. Quality of sound was pretty good with nice serve of acustic which i wasnt able to heat on my older players. I/O Back side includes HDMI, component Video, S-video, audio 5.1, scart, optic and koaxial output.On the front panel is placed conector USB 1.1 for USB devices. There should be more conectors, but on the other hand we shall be glad that none of the important connectors is missing. Extern USB devices are not supported as manufacturer has written. In the real it is working with no problems:) I tried from flash disk Kingston Data traveller II. It is possible to play mp3 with variate...

hauran 17.10.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer DV-600AV

An A/V receiver with the WOW factor

Advantages: Looks great, sounds awesome, feels awesome
Disadvantages: Detailed set up can be tricky - just as well it comes idiot proof!

...Ok then, so I'm a lucky boy.... On my last birthday my wife decided that she wanted to treat me to a home cinema system so off we went to our local Richer Sounds store (they are VERY cheap and VERY helpful - recommended everyone pays them a visit!) with cash in hand an wangled a deal. I got this Marantz A/V Receiver , A Yamaha surround sound speaker package and a Panasonic DVD recorder for the princly sum of £350 - a bit of a discount from the £900 RRP! I'll be reviewing each product in turn so check out my other reviews if you want a full system checkup! So into the review of the A/V Receiver: 1) The Theory I wanted a reciever that not only looked good, but that also provided the output and poer to match. I've long been a fan of the Marantz range as they not only look and feel good to use, they also have the reputation...

Durahm.Dazzler 24.05.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Marantz SR 4400 A/V Receiver

The pioneer vsx-d814

Advantages: Sound, Price, Quality, Looks
Disadvantages: None

...A reasonably powerful amplifier/receiver that does a very job from producing dazzling video and audio. You can connect this amplifier/receiver to your TV from the monitor out composite socket or from the s-video monitor out if you have an s-video compatible TV, check and makesure your TV is s-video compatible and once you have connected composite or s-video to your TV you can then connect game consoles / dvd player to the amp/receiver so you can get picture and sound going from the amplifier/receiver to your TV. The amount of inputs you have on the rear also are extremely reasonable featuring eight analouge phono inputs/outputs, three optical inputs/output, two coaxial inputs, two component input/output, three s-video inputs/outputs and five composite inputs/outputs. This should makesure that you will find it very hard to run...

oxygenuk 05.10.2004 (23.10.2004) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-D 814

Pounding sound of Pioneer!!!

Advantages: Excellent sound quality, easy to set up, reliable product, great value
Disadvantages: Overload on volume(but only at extreme levels) unrealistic to the daily user.

..., and tune(automatically or manually) and then if displays the station on the front panel. It also has countless ways to set it up with your DVD player, televsion, satelite receiver etc. Now this may not be something you would think about, espeicially these days, were near enough everything is compatible, but is good to know that it can be attched to your system in many ways. The functionality of the remote is also incredible. These days programmable remotes are nothing new, but considering that the remote control on this system can be programmed for every device connected up to your system, i.e satelite box, DVD player, VCR, CD player, MP3 player etc, it is quite versatile, (the remote control has a menu where you select the device your wanting to control, and then programme it to control that device by the use of the remore control usually...

Jamesy123 03.03.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-916

Does a lot, but does it extreemly well!

Advantages: 5 separate source inputs, easy to set-up, superb sound.
Disadvantages: Weighs a lot (16kg!), quite big.

...With over 10 years of faithful service, it was with great reluctance that I decided to replace my JVC all in one stereo system. There were several reasons for this, firstly it did not have all of the required inputs for the additional pieces of audio visual hi-fi kit that I now have (Freeview receiver, DVD player, Media Player, CD changer, etc). Secondly the speakers were getting on a bit and were not surround sound and with movies now coming with at least 5.1 surround sound, I felt it was necessary to be able to listen to them like this! To replace my JVC system I would need two components; an AV amplifier (the Pioneer VSX-AX3) and a set of speakers (see my review of the Mordaunt-Short Genie). Before I settled on these components I did a lot of research on the web to find out what the current trends are and what the reviewers...

Omertron 08.07.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-AX3 Multi-Channel Stereophonic A/V Receiver

Superb all-round amp!

Advantages: Solid build, looks, quality
Disadvantages: None yet

...The range of features on this amp is outstanding. It looks fantastic with the all metal constructions and brushed aluminium front panel. The display is well lit, but can be dimmed if it becomes an interference. The rear panel is intimidating to look at for a beginner, but after close examination everything is very well laid out. It has almost every available input/output option you might need for nearly all cable types (I have managed to plug in all of my a/v equipment!). The controls on the front are conveniently hidden behind a flip down panel. When I first used it I found that the controls seemed limited but everything you want is there (it has just been simplified). The best feature(s) on this amp has to be all quick set up options. The amp asks you a series of questions to give you the optimal sound output depending on this...

omutumo 21.06.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-D912 A/V Receiver