Pioneer VSX-1021-K 7.1 Home Theater Receiver, Glossy Black

by Pioneer

Product Features

• Bluetooth Ready with Pioneer AirJam App
• Home Network DLNA 1.5 Certified and Internet Radio with vTuner
• Pioneer iControlAV2 App
• HDMI 1.4a 3-D Ready with Audio Return Channel, Apple Airplay / iPad / iPhone Certified
• Amplifier Design Direct Energy Channels 7.1 Power Output Per Channel (20Hz-20kHz, .08%THD@8ohm) 90 Power Output Per Channel (1kHz@8ohm) 110 Power Output Per Channel (1kHz@6ohm) 130

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 17.2 x 6.6 inches ; 22 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 26 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B004M8RPBI
• Item model number: VSX-1021-K
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (172 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,710 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #73 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > AV Receivers & Amplifiers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 8, 2011

Product Description

Amazon.com

Popular Receiver Options

	Pioneer VSX-1021	Yamaha RX-V671 Check out the Yamaha RX-V671	Denon AVR-1912 Check out the Denon AVR-1912	Onkyo TX-NR609 Check out the Onkyo TX-NR609	Sony STR-DN1020 Check out the Sony STR-DN1020
Watts/Channel	90 x 7	125 x 7	90 x 7	100 x 7	110 x 7
Manufacturer Warranty	1 year	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years
3D Pass-through Ready?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Remote Included	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Subwoofer Pre-Out	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Radio Antenna (FM/AM) Input	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GUI/Onscreen Display	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Calibration Microphone	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video Upconversion	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Wifi Smartphone App Control	iPod/iPhone	iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android Device	iPod/iPhone/iPad	iPod/iPhone, Android Device	iPod/iPhone/iPad
Network Connected	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Zone Control	2 zone	Powered 2 zone	2 zone	Powered 2 zone	2 zone
Advanced Audio Formats:	Dolby: TrueHD, Digital, Digital Plus, Digital EX, Pro Logic II DTS: Master Audio, ES, Neo:6	Dolby: TrueHD, Digital, Digital Plus, Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx DTS: HD Master Audio, HD High Resolution, Express, Neo:6, ES Discrete, ES Matrix, 96/24 Yamaha CINEMA DSP	Dolby: TrueHD, Digital, Digital Plus, Pro Logic IIz, EX DTS: HD Master Audio, HD High Resolution, EX, ES, Neo:6, 96/24	Dolby: TrueHD, Digital, Digital Plus, Pro Logic IIz, EX DTS: Express, HD high Resolution Audio, 94/24, ES Discrete, ES Matrix, Neo:6 THX Select 2	Dolby: TrueHDDigital, Digital Plus, Pro Logic IIz, EX DTS: HD Master Audio, ES Discrete, ES Matrix, Neo:6, 96/24
HDMI Inputs	5	6	6	6	4
Composite AV Inputs	5	5	3	5	3
Analog Audio Inputs	6	5	6	7	6
Digital Optical Audio Inputs	2	2	1	2	2
Digital Coaxial Audio Inputs	2	2	1	2	1
Stereo Mini Jack Input	0	0	0	0	0
USB Inputs	1	1	1	1	1
Headphone Jack Output	1	1	1	1	1

Product Description

The Pioneer VSX-1021 is a Home Network Ready AV Receiver featuring a Bluetooth wireless audio option, Apple Airplay, DLNA 1.5 certifications, and Internet Radio Access via vTuner. Other features include 770 watts of high powered 7.1 home theater audio playback, 5 HDMI 1.4a 3-D ready inputs, Audio Return Channel, Advanced Video Processing and Up-Conversion, iPad / iPhone AV Playback with battery charger.Power Requirements: 120V AC 60 Hz.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

388 of 418 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointing May 3, 2011

By David Chandler

Amazon Verified Purchase

My Thoughts on the VSX-1021

Up until now I've been living with a limping-along Kenwood Soverign VR-5090. It was definitely showing its age. The lack of HDMI was really getting to be a problem. About a week ago it started completely breaking down and stopped detecting audio properly; instead of detecting digital audio it would default to analog inputs and simply not play anything. Time for a new receiver. I am no audiophile but I can tell the difference between high quality audio and an undersampled MP3. That said, most of my comparisons will be with respect to my old VR-5090 as that's what I was coming from.

I settled on the VSX-1021 because the feature set was strong, the 1020 had some pretty impressive reviews, and because after getting burned by the Kenwood Soverign line I wanted some solid tech that didn't really represent being an early adopter again. Yes the 1021 is brand new, but it's very similar to the 1020 which is a fairly well-tested design.

Notes on my setup:
5.1 Home Theater + 2nd Stereo zone
HDMI Set Top Box that plays 720P and 1080i
HTPC with Blu Ray
Handful of video game systems, some HDMI, some Component

Audio
IMO the audio is solid. Certainly strong enough for my home theater system, stays smooth and gets as loud as the wife will let me make it. I wasn't thrilled with the results of MCAAC so I've tweaked calibration by hand... I'm still tweaking to find that perfect balance, but that's not an issue with the receiver.

I've put the system through its paces with a variety of DVDs, CDs, and digital music and I'm well satisfied with the results. Again, I'm no audiophile, but it's certainly on par with the 5090 paid quite a bit more for 10 years ago.

Video
Mixed results.... Handles clean signals just fine, but I'm not thrilled with any of the video processing features it is capable of. Every option seems to insert a great deal of noise in solid color/muted or out of focus backgrounds. I've pretty much turned any video processing feature the unit provides off and let my television handle the signals it receives as it sees fit. Even then I swear there's more noise in the signal than my 5090 used to allow. I'm no expert but I'm not as satisfied as I'd like to be here.

Set Up
Let's get this out of the way early: Setup is a bear. The software included is extremely limited, didn't work in Chrome, and I wasn't satisfied with the results once I did have it running. The manual is terrible, not to mention incomplete (I found a separate page floating around in my box explaining Airplay, it wasn't in the manual at all).

The system assumes to know what kind of devices you will connect. Instead of having 'VIDEO 1' 'VIDEO 2' 'VIDEO 3' and 'AUDIO 1' 'AUDIO 2' 'AUDIO 3' inputs it has 'DVD', 'BD', 'DVR' etc. HTPCs and Video Game systems are not considered. This leads to the Navi software to being nearly completely useless as it asks "Do you have a DVD" - no. "Do you have a Blu Ray" - No. Do you have anything else? Yes. Everything I had fell into the 'anything else' category which it only had very generic instructions for.

So the HTPC became the DVD input and the Playstation became the Blu Ray, the Xbox the DVR. You can rename all these inputs in software, but when it comes time to program a Harmony remote you had better have taken notes.

Moreover, the inputs are linked. When you switch to DVD the system outputs video from the DVD inputs and audio from the DVD audio inputs. The Kenwood 5090 made no such connection. I could set it to run Video 3 and Audio 2 if I wanted. This made watching TV but playing the radio (something I enjoy for sports games) or playing a video game while listening to digital music much easier. I haven't yet found a way to get all the setups I had in the past to work.

Features
Airplay
Probably the big one most people are interested about. Airplay takes a little getting used to, but I'm convinced that's more Apple's doing than it is the receiver's fault. That said I like it quite a bit. Especially due to the 2 Zone limitations (More on that later). A little info on my setup. I have used DD-WRT to convert a router into a wireless bridge for my home theater setup. Basically this means that I have all of my home theater components wired to a network component that connects to a 2nd wireless router that connects to the cable modem.

The end result is that as far as the 1021 is concerned, it has a wired connection to the network.

With that setup, any computer on my network with the latest version of Itunes is capable of setting the 1021 as one of its speakers. The little airplay button appears in the bottom right corner of itunes. This happens as long as the 1021 is on. It does not have to be in HMG mode, however as soon as music starts the 1021 will switch to HMG mode. Where I have had difficulty is I can't seem to get my remote to control the receiver when it is running airplay. Normal play/pause are treated as receiver commands (Play acts as Phase control for example). If I put the remote in HMG mode commands push it OUT of airplay and to the HMG home screen. Music stops until I stop and restart airplay on the computer. There doesn't seem to be a 'Back to Airplay' function on the remote or HMG screen either. Frustrating but works great if you leave it alone.
iPod/iPad control
I've only played a bit with this as I don't own an iPhone or iPad and borrowed a friends to test the system with. Works very well. No hiccups like I've described elsewhere. I hope Pioneer releases an Android version but I kind of doubt they well. This device has an 'apple exclusive' feel to it.
Zone 2
The Zone 2 support is disappointing. This is primarily because there is no down-conversion from digital sources. Sound that enters the 1021 via HDMI or digital signals (Optical or Co-ax) can not be broadcast to Zone 2. This was something the 5090 did seamlessly and I assumed the 1021 wouldn't have a problem with it either. At minimum I'd expect a setup that reduces both zones to stereo play but at least allows sound to be sent. In effect this means that I can't stream sound from my HTPC to zone 2, unless I use airplay which limits me to only that which iTunes plays. VERY disappointing.

Beyond that, Zone 2 support is decent. The interface is intuitive (something I can NOT say about the 5090) and straight forward. One interesting hiccup though: If I want airplay in zone 2, but not in zone 1 I have to:
Initiate Airplay from a PC
This puts Zone 1 into HMG mode with music playing.
Start Zone 2 and shift it to HMG

If I want Zone 1 to be doing something different I can change it now, but it MUST be in HMG playing Airplay when I set zone 2 to HMG. If Zone 1 is not in HMG and I shift Zone 2 away from HMG, the receiver stops handling the airplay signal. Shifting zone 2 back to HMG will result in no sound. Shifting zone 1 to HMG will display the HMG home screen (which gives me the option of playing internet radio or files from USB).

In other words, if both zones go away from HMG, the receiver drops Airplay and won't pick it back up until you restart Airplay from the computer. The computer thinks it is sending airplay to the receiver, so you actually have to deactivate it, and reactivate it to get music playing again.
HMG
The HMG main screen allows you to listen to music off of connected devices and networked computers. I can't seem to get it to connect to my computers. It sees them, but gives me an 'not authorized' message for each. The manual does not indicate how you give authorization. Frustrating. The internet radio option is nice and well stocked, but I can't seem to add a particular station I'd like to add. Perhaps this is my fault, I could be doing something wrong. Still the Manual is unclear.

Odds and Ends
The system is slow. The receiver takes about 5 seconds to power up before it will respond to commands. Switching between HDMI components can take up to 5 seconds (usually less, but sometimes this long) while the screen is blank but audio plays. Shifting between signals of different resolutions suffers a similar delay. Be careful if your cable box is configured to deliver whatever the station is broadcast at because if you change channels from a 1080i to a 720p source the simple channel change could cost you several blank screen seconds.

Conclusion
So there's my review. I know it probably comes across as heavily negative, but I figure that most 'Reviews' supplied by groups like CNet and other AV web sites are really highly positive feature lists (read: Commercials). I'd like to make sure people know what to expect from both sides. In conclusion the 1021 is a good but not great piece of tech. It does the job nicely, but some of the features feel a bit half-baked and the manual is terrible. Fight through that and it's a good receiver at it's core. Just don't expect all of the wiz-bang features to be as well worked out as you'd like. Read more ›

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great unit... just read the manual!!! November 11, 2011

By D. Marino

The VSX-1021 Receiver is my first true home theater/surround sound system. Previously I had been listening to Blu-ray audio through a JVC shelf system, and since that wasn't fitting the bill, I purchased this Pioneer based on my parents' positive experiences with the brand in the 80s and 90s. I have to say that the name has not let them (or me) down!

The sound quality of the VSX-1021 is amazing; I didn't realize what a difference surround sound would make for movies. Furthermore, it sounds excellent with my CDs and vinyl records too. I could never have hoped for better sound or picture quality.

There are several features that other customers are complaining about "not working," and I'd like to clear up some facts here...

First of all, Airplay is an amazing, flawless feature on the 1021. It allows you to stream music from your computer's iTunes library through the 1021. For this feature to work properly, you must allow file sharing and various other exceptions within your computer's network settings and your iTunes settings. All of this is outlined either in the manual and/or on Pioneer's online customer service website. Once the correct settings are made, your music will play seamlessly. You can even control such functions as play/pause and previous/next song using the Pioneer remote, but, again, you have to adjust your iTunes settings to allow outside sources to control playback. Those who complain about Airplay simply haven't read though the instructions thoroughly enough.

There are other customers who've complained about the preset input labels on the 1021. One of the best features of this unit is its ability to rename labels.... For example, I have my turntable connected to the CD-R/Tape input, but through the 1021's menu, I've renamed the input to "Phono," thus to indicate the connection to the turntable rather than a CD recorder. Similar modifications can be made for connections to video game systems as well. Virtually any auxiliary connection can be made and accordingly labeled!

Others have complained about the system's auto-tuning function. Let' say, for example, that you were playing a CD which finished, and then turned on your TV to watch ESPN. The 1021 recognizes digital audio signals and automatically changes inputs to reflect the most recent audio input change. This saves the user the step of having to change inputs manually. This is a fantastic feature! Why anyone would complain about this is beyond me. How many people truly and honestly listen to the radio while watching a movie and still invest in a multi-hundred dollar receiver?

Finally, I'd like to address the complaint about the setup software. I've read plenty of reviews which complain about the software's lack of input flexibility. For example, people rate the 1021 lower than they would have rated it otherwise because they have to classify their Xbox 360 Elite as "other" during the setup process. This is all that I have to say... the setup software is to make life easier for people who don't know much about electronics. The setup software is not mandatory for use of the receiver, nor is it intended to be used by people with advanced audio/video knowledge. If you're smart enough to know how to use a 360, PS3, or Wii, then you should be smart enough to know how to connect the system and change the input name without the babysitting of software for noobs. The software is fantastic for people who don't know much about stereos or electronics; it makes connection of common peripherals a snap, but if you're even remotely adept at installing electronics, then you won't need the guide, thus it won't be tailored to your specific needs.

In summary, the VSX-1021 is a fantastic system. Video and audio quality is superb, features abound, and the price can't be beat. The naysayers simply haven't read the instructions... this system does everything that it's advertised to do with excellent quality for equal or less money than its serious competitors. It is easy to use for those who don't know anything about electronics, and for those who do, this system is completely customizable if you use what you know and follow the instructions. Read more ›

88 of 99 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneer hits an in-field homerun, but just short a grand slam May 13, 2011

By WDH

Over the past two years, few other CEs have pushed the value lever as hard as Pioneer in offering mid-range features in an entry-level product. Both the Pioneer VSX-1019 and 1020 offered exceptional featureset (Ipod Playback via USB in the 1019; iphone control, blutooth and internet streaming i the 1020) in what were effectively entry level receivers in the minds of most home theater enthusiasts. In many ways, the Pioneer VSX-1021 carries the torch of its predecessors in offering features that were rarely found in last year's receivers at twice the price. More importantly, Pioneer demonstrated some important upgrades in the basic construction and build quality that would satisfy the more visceral needs of audiophiles.

The VSX-1019 of 2009 was in many ways the darling of the entry level receiver market on the professional review circuit. Reviews praised it for its featureset and its ability to ascend its pricepoint in musicality. The 1020 pushed featureset over traditional muscle in offering bluetooth streaming, internet radio, and iphone control, but trimming back on power consumption to a lean 240 watts. Pioneer appears to have listened to the audiophile criticism of the lower power draw and answered with a beefier successor in the 1021. Power consumption shot up to an 1120-eclipsing 550 watts. They also replaced the cheap-looking spring closing crimp speaker terminals for front height on the 1021 for nine screw binding posts. The 1021 retains two up-market features not found in nearly all of its competitors: wide speaker capability and a learning remote, both inherited from the 1020.

Pioneer refreshed the front fascia of the 1021 in a conservative, clean design that does abandon the somewhat signature blue led pioneer lights we have seen in the past.... The front panel is clean and symmetrical and reminiscent of the SC series. While it is hugely subjective, a quick walk down a big box retailer's entry-level receiver aisle will demonstrate the attractiveness of the refreshed design.

Pioneer's envelope push this year is largely limited to airplay, dlna 1.5, and a more robust iphone control app. Airplay is a feature Denon and Marantz debuted this fall in their networked receivers. It is also available via the Apple TV ($100) and Airport Express (~$100), but only the Apple TV offers video streamed as well. In many ways, Airplay is Itunes-based DLNA that your mother can figure out with a few patient phone calls. It streams your itunes mp3s to your receiver and provides control over playback and volume via the itunes application itself. Many consumers will opt for simply an Apple TV that offers video (via HDMI only) and audio streaming from itunes, but multi-zone users will be left in the cold absent a receiver (or separate DAC) that can transmit Airplay to multiple zones. Pioneer deserves industry kudos in out-smarting $1,500 Denon and Marantz receivers that offer crippled Airplay playback to zone 2 and 3 in that all zones must play airplay simultaneously. The 1021 offers discrete Airplay playback to Zone 2 while you're watching TV or a movie in the main zone.

In respect of upscaled and upconverted video quality, Pioneer relies on a lower-spec'd ABT chip that is a component upscaler and upconverter of legacy video sources (composite and component only as s-video connections have been dropped). Synthetic test discs show the ABT chip is very compotent at candece recognition and deinterlacing of most sources. That said, most folks might prefer the capability of their display. The largest video short-coming of this and all Pioneer receivers is the inability to overlay display information (such as source, volume, etc) on the video content. This is a feature found in Onkyo, Harman Kardon, Denon, Marantz and Yamahas. Historically, it has been my understanding that Pioneer has opted for purity in video over processing and status integration, a philosophy that is commendable, but frankly limiting in this day and age.

In respects of basic audio performance, the more robust power supply (and draw) is not unnoticed. The 1021 has longer legs in high-intensity actuon sequences that pushed the 1020 to its edge. The 1021 is more similar to the 1120 save the THX listening modes' impact on theatre tracks. Advanced MCACC is a very capable room-correction despite its usual critics that lampoon its limitation with LFE correction. In my experience/opinion, MCACC shines in some regards and pales in others, but overall I would caution buyers from blanket statements like, "Audyssey is superior to MCACC."

All in all, the Pioner VSX-1021 is a real stand-out in the entry-level market in offering Airplay, compotent video processing, Iphone and Blutooth compatability, and most imprortantly an upgraded and robust amplification section. That said, Pioneer needs to sort out some basic issues that will limit its universal appeal: it needs Pandora streaming; it needs source information overlay; and lastly the GUI/setup menu needs refreshing and simplification for newbie users. That said, this is a homerun, allbeit an in-field homerun.

As a post-script, I will mention the on topic I loathe more than any other amongst AV Receivers - Standby HDMI passthrough. To me, this is the most moronic feature/buyer concer I have seen in a long time. Folks rush out to buy power receivers only to be concerned about some high-minded green appeal to actually NOT use them and rely on the crap 3 watt speakers tucked behind their flat panel. What do they achieve? Massively higher standby power consumption and a complete disregard of their investment. The importance of standby hdmi pass-through is equivalent to buying a Ferrari on the basis of its ability to coast with its engine off. Ranting on the absurdity of this feature, the Pioneer VSX-1021 has this capability, but it is built upon the very fickle daisychain of hdmi cec. This invevitably means that one third of all devices in this condemned link will not work properly, resulting in every poorly educated consumer to singularly blame the Pioneer. I caution anyone concerned about standy HDMI passthrough to buy a pioneer receiver, or any receiver for that matter. Read more ›