Customer Reviews

Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH 71 AV Receiver

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my first receiver that I have ever purchased and am very pleased overall (4 months of ownership). Set up was a breeze and the auto calibration (MCACC) works like a charm. Originally I had cheap speakers hooked up to the receiver (still shopping for quality speakers) and the sound out of them was horrible... Well, I ran the auto calibration and it made my cheap speakers sound spectacular!!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing and was starting to wonder if spending hundreds on speakers was going to be worth it. I have listed some pros and cons below. The only reason I did not give the receiver 5 stars is due to the cons that I listed which seem a lot because I tried to explain them in detail. Overall I would defiantly buy this receiver again due to the fact most of the cons listed could be fixed with a software upgrade and a new remote.

System:
Receiver-Pioneer VSX-21TXH, Monitor-Samsung LN46B-530, Center Channel -Polk TSi CS20, Fronts-Polk TSi 200s, Surrounds-Polk Monitor-30s, Subwoofer-? (Came from a computer system 300-W, 8in. woofer)

Pros
1. The auto MCACC calibration (microphone included!)

2. Price!! Buy buying from a non-authorized Pioneer Elite dealer off of Amazon I paid half the price my friend paid when buying the VSx-23 receiver from best-buy. The dealer also had a warranty and good customer service.

3. Being able to assign inputs

4. The amplifier power (Cranked up the volume in a 5.1 channel setup to uncomfortable sound levels and did not notice any distortion

5. Looks, I like the glossy front....well as long as it is kept clean, smudges are very noticeable

6. FM tuner works great!!! All stations come in very clearly. I know that some of the receivers I had listened to in the past need huge outdoor antennas to pick up stations. I just used the antenna that came with the receiver (single wire) and now get all stations in my area

7. Video up scaling. Hugh difference from using the TVs up scaling.

8. Inputs, Had all the inputs I needed excluding the third component input (Wii, PS2, DVD, VHS, HTPC, iPOD)

Cons

1. I wish it had one more component input (I still have to use my component switch)

2. Remote is a little hard to use due to the location of the buttons

3. When trying to change audio parameters when listening to a source the silver round button stops working after one push. This problem is only intermittent and has been noticed when multiple sources are selected. If your trying to change the channel level of a speaker you have to push the buttons (receiver then audio parameter then the circular Arrows) This must be done for each arrow button push. Switching to another source corrects this problem but then you can't tell how your modifications effect the sound in real-time.

4. Cheap speaker binding posts. Not really a major con but before I had purchased banana plugs for my speakers I used the post and screwed them down. I thought I was going to break them.

5. I wish the connection to the computer was a USB instead of a RS-232. I have still not connected it to my HTPC but will once I get the right cable

6. TV control seems to only work when I push the TV source button on the remote even though the remote has a region of buttons dedicated to the TV specifically (Was told that I probably just have the incorrect TV code in my remote but I still haven't gotten to correct)

7. No HD Radio, I didn't know how much I would miss this feature until I bought a receiver and now listen to the radio hours each day.

8. Receiver has to be reset when using my Home Theater PC that is connected through a HDMI cable. The receiver does not send the signal to the monitor after I turn on the PC until after I switch the receiver to HDMI source the turn off the receiver and then turn it back on. If I don't do this then the receiver just says its looking for a source. This could be an issue with my video card (ATI4650) but I'm not sure.

this is a great reciever. you can custumize everything. change volume on every speaker. skip the inputs you dont use. as for the customer who cant stop it from switching to tv the he should plug his cable into the tv slot and change the name from tv to whatever he wants. Though i feel it could use 1 more set of component inputs. this is a top notch reciever. be careful when you buy it from a third party. they only give you 1 years warrenty compared to its normal 2 year warrenty the video upscale is great. its the same upscaler thats in the vsk1019hk and the vsx-23txh. the only difference from the vsx23 and vsx21 is 1 more hdmi video output and a front hdmi input and a 3rd zone. This reciever is not for the beginner hometheater enthusiest.

I have been looking for a good HDMI switching receiver with at least 100 watts per channel for a number of months and I think that this one right now is the best for less than $1000. I really, really like it!

Pros:

While it does not weigh as much as the old Yamaha it replaces, it has the same channel watt rating but runs a little cooler (both are passively cooled).

The built-in set up program is pretty accurate but like most it needs a little tweaking before and after. It was recommended to me that you one, turn off the DRC before running the set up. Two, you may want to set the Sub to PLUS from the default. You need to check the speaker type after the auto setup as it appears to be pretty liberal about what it considers a large speaker to be. When you get it set right, then run the set up again (you may have to fix the speaker type each time but it seems the other changes will stay with you).

I was impressed with the clarity of dialogue on DVDs that I had some trouble understanding at a volume that would not blow out your ears during the action sequences.

If you think the sound is a little too bright, there is an X-curve adjustment which is unusual for this price point which you roll back some of the high end to match the room.

From what little I used the HDMI up scaling feature, it is quite good and may be better than some receivers for 2X to 4X the cost based on other reviews. On 480p to 1080i I saw zero artifacts on a 65" screen from my DVR with component cables and the input to the DVR was 480i via S-video - I thought that was outstanding!

Cons:

The number of HDMI inputs (four) is good but one of them is permanently dedicated to a BR player. You can use any HDMI device on it for audio and video of course but you can not reassign the audio input nor rename it like you can the other inputs. Not a big thing but a little annoying.

If you have a ton of stuff to connect, there are not many inputs in total to use. I have two Dish Receivers, a DVD player, a CD player and a DVR (and wanted to save the BR HDMI for that in the future) but I also wanted to connect my TV to the receiver for sound when watching over the air programing and about the only option left was to use CD-R.

With the Dish Receiver, I also have a problem switching from programing in HD to SD like those on Direct TV According to the front display the receiver recognizes it as stereo but there is no sound but I found a work around without using optical or coax. If I tune in a SD channel and it has no sound, if I switch momentarily to another device and back to Dish while tuned to an SD channel, BINGO there is sound! Strangely enough it will then switch from HD To SD and back all day with no problems until you turn it off.

The On Screen Display (OSD) for Setup is attractive, and easy to navigate BUT there are two other menus one for audio adjustments and one for video adjustments that are not shown on the screen. Those you have to navigate from the small led display on the front of the receiver which not easy to do from 11+ feet away. Also those menus are not nearly as intuitive as the Setup is.

There is no OSD for things like volume, tuner frequencies, etc. I was a little disapointed because I had read all the reviews I could find before purchasing and every one of them raved about the quality of the OSD but no one mentioned that the OSD only works for the Setup! I downloaded the manual and read it from cover to cover twice and it was still a surprise that you don't even get pong like OSD for volume, etc. I would still get this receiver but I think reviewers should qualify their remarks about OSDs as to what functions they cover if it not universal so there are no surprises. In retrospect a full OSD in this price range would be unusual and since it has a number of other features beyond many others at its price point, I guess they traded full OSD for other goodies.

In summary, this receiver is remarkable for its price and I would recommend it to any one.

I used the AUTO MCACC feature with the supplied microphone. But unlike other users, the sound that I got out of my VSX-21THX was thin, sounded if it was coming out of a can. Bass was absent, and the MCACC function checked if the subwoofer was there, because I had to turn the power on the sub way down. Now my Infinity HT-20 speakers and sub are entry level high end (so is this receiver), but they sounded a lot better with my old Onkyo TX-DS595. I replace that one because it skipped sound, because apparently the sound processor could not handle the amount of signal (even through optical cable).
After much tweaking, by shifting filters, boosting dB levels on each speaker and on the sub, I have now some resemblance of my old Onkyo, but I still can't get the sound to become vibrant and clear with the definition that I am looking for. I have no good idea on how to accomplish this, so if anybody has a good idea please let me know.
And like others, this receiver does have a problem when I go from HD to SD broadcast on my DirecTV HD-DVR: There is no sound! Once you turn the receiver on and off, the problem goes away (switching to another input seems to work as well).

And I can't get the subwoofer dialed into a PLUS version, which would give it more bass. This option is grayed out. The manual tells you in the troubleshooting version on what to do when there is no bass, but if you can't get that done, then it becomes quite a pain in the neck how to figure it out.
I have been spending hours with the manual in my hand trying to figure out how to get this damned receiver to do what I want it to do.
I have not given up yet, but this is certainly not a task for a novice.
I had such high hopes for this receiver, but so far they have not come true.

I also love this receiver. The sound is clean and bright. I also have the same issue where it switches to Sat/TV after power on. And no you cannot plug your TV into the Sat/TV connection if you are using only HDMI and not composite connections (There is a TV out HDMI). I tried to hide the TV/Sat but it still powers up to HDMI1 (My Comcast box) and then switches to Sat/TV into which I have nothing plugged in. All in All though I still like the receiver.

Amazon knows that Pioneer will not honor the warranty for any Elite product sold online, yet they persist in allowing these listings. I'm currently involved in a nightmare scenario trying to get my Vsx 21 Elite repaired. Do not, repeat, do not purchase any Elite product from any online vendor. Shame on you Amazon, you should not allow this practice on your site.

I have owned this receiver for over 18 months. It powers my 6 speaker JBL home theater room with excellent clarity and power. I have previously owned receivers by Onkyo, Kenwood, Denon, Mitsubishi and as a kid - Realistic. This is my first Pioneer product and purchased it based on price, reviews and listening to a comparable Elite receiver on a friends HT.

Pros:
The VSX-21 features more than enough inputs/outputs and we love the up scaling feature! Works pretty good on low resolution media. The case looks great! It is easy enough for my very "low tech" wife and kids to operate on a daily basis. We have connected to it our HD cable, blue-ray player, Nintendo Wii, an iPod and a super VHS (for some of the older viewing material!). We are VERY happy with the sound quality, features, and power output.

Cons:
I used the MCACC calibration program (mic was included) and found the results a little too conservative for my listening enjoyment. Of course you are able to adjust every parameter thinkable for each speaker, but it took me hours to do this. Just wish Pioneer would make it easier to make these adjustments. We also have our iPod linked up... the menu screen appears to be from the early 80s! It could use a HUGE face lift - it reminds me of the old IBM green/gold lettering screens! The remote has tons of capabilities, but is about as poorly designed as can be... luckily, most HT owners have a much better universal remote for daily usage.

In all, to get all these great features, tons of expansion capabilities, Elite quality, Pioneer power and for around $600 - we feel it is the best bet out there. A very happy owner.

Had mine for about one month and so far I am very impressed. This is my very first AV receiver purchase (yes I've been living in the dark ages for a while), so perhaps I'm just easily impressed?

I researched for a long time before jumping into a whole new electronics setup and I was sold on this one for a lot of reasons, but mainly for the inputs -- 4 HDMI input and 1 output is very nice. I found the setup to be very straight forward. In other words, didn't need to read the manual when wiring, just for the configuration of each device -- and they are very configurable. Agree with other reviewers that the video upscaling is very nice. I have had no issues about it switching to TV/SAT mode on startup as one reviewer noted, but perhaps it's just an issue with our differing setups.

I replaced my TV with a projector when I purchased this and have all devices running through it -- DVD, Epson 8100 projector, PS3, laptop, AT&T uverse box. All function great and switching between these devices is fast and seamless. I'm using my AT&T uverse control to manage all devices as that seems to be much easier for everyone than the remote that comes with this. If I didn't have so many people in my household prone to losing remotes on a daily basis, I'd get a better remote to manage it all, but the AT&T one seems to work just fine. To sum it up, I absolutely love my new toy!

This is an amazing receiver. I got mine a few months ago and I am just blown away by its features and sound. After doing a lot of research and I had decided on the Pioneer VSX-1019, but then came across the Elite VSX-21. Feature wise, it was definitely a big step up from the 1019, so decided to get the VSX-21 instead. The VSX-21 has enough inputs to connect all your AV equipment. If you want to use an external amplifier, it also has pre-outs. I have owned Sony and Onkyo receivers earlier and this Pio unit beats them hands down.
Room calibration using MCACC is a breeze and makes a huge difference in the sound. For some reason, Auto MCACC had set my front speakers to Large, so I had to manually set them to Small and run Manual MCACC once more.
I have it hooked up to the Energy RC-10 speakers and the ESW-V8 subwoofer. Blu rays sound fantastic, especially in DTS-HD Master audio. I have started listening to my old audio CDs once more and they just sound so much better.
The video upscaling feature works really well. Video signals input through the composite, S-Video and Component inputs all get upscaled to 1080p. The VSX-21 uses the Anchor Bay chip for upscaling and it does a very good job.
I am extremely happy with this unit and would recommend it to everyone.

I bought this last November and it sounds great. Like all A/V Receivers it is quite complicated and I wanted to wait until I used all of its features before I wrote a review for it. Bottom line it sounds great in both A/V mode (for movies and HD TV) and in two channel Stereo mode. However one of it shortcomings is a lack of a phono input. The volume knob takes a lot turning to make the volume change significantly, so use the remote control. It has plenty of power, and plays cleanly. the sound in stereo mode is warm and in pure direct is even cleaner. The built-in video up-scaling through the HDMI connection is even better than the Fararoda upscaler built into the LCD TV. this alone makes it worth the price which at approximately $500.00 is a great bargain. The video up-conversion turns regular TV into a great viewing experience. It turns regular DVDs into a near HD quality picture. The DAC is of excellent quality I now use the digital output from my Logitech Duet instead of the DAC within the Duet receiver. Makes the music server sound even better than the original CDs. If it had a phone input it would rate 5 stars. If you need a receiver under $1,000.00 you cannot go wrong here.