|
|||||
Similar Items at a Lower Price
Frequently Bought Together
Product Specifications
Brand NamePioneer
Color NameGlossyBlack
Technical Details
- Bluetooth-ready
- 110 watts x 5 direct energy amplification
- Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD master audio decoders
- HDMI 1.4a 3D-ready with Audio Return Channel
- Pioneer MCACC room calibration
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Popular Receiver Options
Pioneer VSX-521 | Yamaha RX-V371 | Denon AVR-1312 | Onkyo TX-SR309 | Sony STR-DH520 | |
| Watts/Channel | 110 x 5 | 100 x 5 | 75 x 5 | 60 x 5 | 100 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 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Calibration Microphone | No | No | No | No | No |
| Video Upconversion | No | No | No | No | No |
| Smartphone App Control | No | No | No | No | No |
| Network Connected | No | No | No | No | No |
| Zone Control | No | No | No | No | No |
| Advanced Audio Formats: |
|
|
|
|
|
| HDMI Inputs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Composite AV Inputs | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Component Video Inputs | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Analog Audio Inputs | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Digital Optical Audio Inputs | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Digital Coaxial Audio Inputs | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Stereo Mini Jack Input | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| USB Inputs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Headphone Jack Output | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Product Description
Ultimate Sound Control
Of course the VSX-521-K supports the latest high-definition audio formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD® Master Audio to give your Blu-ray Disc® soundtracks unsurpassed audio quality. But Pioneer also includes all of the Dolby and DTS surround formats best suited for the wide variety of entertainment sources, including the newest Dolby Pro Logic IIz height channel.
New for this year, the VSX-521-K features Pioneer's exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system (MCACC), providing a near studio-quality, multi-channel listening experience customized specifically to your listening environment. An included microphone measures every speaker's connection, and notes its size, distance from the listening point, sound levels and timbre to calibrate and maximize performance.
Even compressed audio such as WMA, MP3 and AAC is enhanced with another Pioneer exclusive, Advanced Sound Retriever, by filling in areas where minute details were left out during the compression process.
And since the only thing that should shock you is how good it sounds, there's also an Auto Level Control that eliminates jarring volume changes between your favorite songs, albums and audio sources by equalizing volume differences between portable audio tracks or television programming
Available Warranties or Services for This Item
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
96 of 105 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
My choices for an entry level replacement receiver were between this and the Sony STR-DH720. I picked the Pioneer as I was replacing a 10 year old Pioneer that had just recently started acting up and I was quite happy with. This receiver is plenty loud, but I do have two primary complaints. My first (and biggest) is the fact that it doesn't seem to support ARC or Standby Passthrough unless you enable "Control via HDMI" which only works with certain pieces of equipment as is only spelled out in the manual. On the website, they simply have a check-mark next to both features, so I didn't expect either to have caveats. Perhaps I am wrong in thinking that the HDMI signal should pass through the receiver if it is in standby regardless of whether "Control via HDMI" is turned on and regardless of the equipment being Pioneer-compliant, but I feel it was a bit misleading in my mind. Please note that I am no A/V expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt and please research for yourself. In the mean time I am considering leaving the HDMI switching to my display and making use of the dual optical inputs like I did with my old receiver. My other complaint is that the on-screen-display (OSD) is only output through the RCA ports and NOT through HDMI. After purchasing brand new 1.4 HDMI cables and attempting to rid myself of all of the other optical-toslink, etc. cables, I find it a bit retro that you would only allow menu setup to happen through RCA video out. Just my opinions, decide for yourself, but given the info I have now, I believe I would've went with the DH720 and hoped for the best.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Wonderful receiver with the audiophile quality performance one would expect from Pioneer. It has clean stylish looks and not terribly complicated with all the audio features any home theater system needs at a fraction of the cost of the higher end receivers. The owners manual is fairly well written and easy to understand. It took me about an hour to setup and get all the internal settings to my liking. All the receiver functions are available via the remote control. Only a couple minor negative issues I could find was is the on screen setting menu is analog only and anything beyond basic control of the unit requires the remote so don't lose it! I believe the higher end units in this model line don't have these issues. Things like these are obviously left out to help keep it affordable for the budget minded.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I researched many receivers before going with the Pioneer VSX-521-K. This model is loaded with features! The 5th star is missing because of the HDMI performance. I properly hooked up all of my devices to the HDMI inputs and then tested the Blu-Ray, Roku, PC (YouTube), and standard TV chanells. For some reason lips/voice were all out of sync?! I experimented with one device at a time, and still the same out of of syc result. I did not call Pioneer for support on this issue. I have plenty of HDMI inputs on my Sony Bravia 46" internet LCD, so I just opted to use those inputs. The Pioneer remote is laid out in a "busy dizzy" fashion, so I rather use my Sony remote to choose my HDMI devices.
As an amplifier, this Pioneer model is fantastic! I have the amp pushing a Polk Audio 5.1 surround system. Actually, I shouldn't say that the amp is "pushing" because the Polk's are rated for 100W and the Pioneer is rated the same. I can't even go past a volume level of 40 without rumbling all of the walls in the house! Now that is just with a movie!
The VSX-521-K has MANY surround & stereo modes to choose from. This is an AWESOME feature since I listen to a lot of music. Depending upon the the source of your music, the amp delivers crisp and clear output! Tryout [...] for a sampling of music at 256Bit! Not only will you become a "MOGGER", but you will be addicted to the clarity of this amp!
Setup was very easy with the comprehensive manual included. OH, if you have a Logitech Harmony Remote, this model is not a compatible device. That was a slight bummer, so I returned my Harmony back to Amazon without a problem. I used my favorite and what I consider to be the BEST speaker wire... Mediabridge 16 guage through Amazon of course.
I consider the Pioneer VSX-512-K as a mid-entry Home Theater Receiver. Possibly a more expensive unit would not have the HDMI problems that this unit has? Regardless, I'm VERY SATISFIED with this Pioneer unit, and highly recommend it! This unit is PACKED with features that should satisfy all of your needs.
Happy Theatering
As an amplifier, this Pioneer model is fantastic! I have the amp pushing a Polk Audio 5.1 surround system. Actually, I shouldn't say that the amp is "pushing" because the Polk's are rated for 100W and the Pioneer is rated the same. I can't even go past a volume level of 40 without rumbling all of the walls in the house! Now that is just with a movie!
The VSX-521-K has MANY surround & stereo modes to choose from. This is an AWESOME feature since I listen to a lot of music. Depending upon the the source of your music, the amp delivers crisp and clear output! Tryout [...] for a sampling of music at 256Bit! Not only will you become a "MOGGER", but you will be addicted to the clarity of this amp!
Setup was very easy with the comprehensive manual included. OH, if you have a Logitech Harmony Remote, this model is not a compatible device. That was a slight bummer, so I returned my Harmony back to Amazon without a problem. I used my favorite and what I consider to be the BEST speaker wire... Mediabridge 16 guage through Amazon of course.
I consider the Pioneer VSX-512-K as a mid-entry Home Theater Receiver. Possibly a more expensive unit would not have the HDMI problems that this unit has? Regardless, I'm VERY SATISFIED with this Pioneer unit, and highly recommend it! This unit is PACKED with features that should satisfy all of your needs.
Happy Theatering
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Weak
So, two months of putting up with a pitifully thin sound, hopelessly complex set up and slow response from turn on to sound, we find the 'overheat' message and turn itself off in... Read more
Published 13 days ago by dan brewer
Pioneer VSX-521-k receiver
DO NOT BUY THIS OR ANY OTHER PIONEER PRODUCT! STOPPED WORKING 5 WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING FROM AMAZON.COM The only reason I rated one star was you must choose at LEAST one star at... Read more
Published 1 month ago by on-line purchaser
Hardly know what to say...WOW?
I bought this to replace my old Carver Magnetic-Field Amp/AV unit...which was stolen by some scum in my neighborhood who could not possibly have known what he/she got away with. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David S
Pioneer VSX-521
I am pleased with the price I paid for the receiver and the quick delivery! It's hard to beat this receiver for the money; it has decent power and features. Read more
Published 1 month ago by BF
Bam
For a less than high end unit this thing rocks. The sound is crystal clear and this unit has more than enough punch for any application. The surround and separation is right on. Read more
Published 2 months ago by PascoFloyd
Great Product, Great Price, Great Service
As long as Amazon continues with quick service, excellent worry free return policy, and free shipping I am a consistent customer. Read more
Published 2 months ago by F. Ramos
PIONEER DISAPPOINTMENT
no instructions did retrieve them on line the unit has poor power output the center speaker or the sub woofer dont work before long this unit will go in the trash like the onkya i... Read more
Published 2 months ago by IRISH MIKE
Lasted 20 mins.
I took mine out of the box and spent 1 1/2 hours hooking it up just the way I wanted. It worked for 20 minutes and died. Called Pioneer and they said it was a bad unit. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bear
That was a mistake
Had the unit set up for one whole evening. Worked decently for television, but as soon as I turned the Xbox on and the volume got loud it would randomly power down. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Samuel Rickerson
Good feature, low price, good sound but poor reliability
I purchased this receiver to drive a set of Pioneer SP-PK21BS speakers. I used this system mostly for movies. Read more
Published 2 months ago by TJ
Related Items
- Most Popular
- Service & Replacement Plans
- Audio & Video Cables & Interconnects
- Home Audio & Stereo System Components
- Audio & Video Connectors & Adapters
- Blu-ray Players & Recorders
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Search Customer Discussions
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
Look for Similar Items by Category
|
