Pioneer VSX-D514 Multi-Channel Digital A/V Receiver

by Pioneer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 20.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 23 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007KIWRQ
• Item model number: VSXD514S
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,842 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 26, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed to give consumers full control over their home entertainment experience, the Pioneer VSX-D514-S 5.1-channel digital A/V receiver is a great fit for the discriminating movie and music fan. The receiver, which powers five channels at 100 watts each, is equipped with Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II surround processing, giving DVDs a rich, full-bodied sound through a multichannel speaker system. Dolby Digital and DTS decoding technologies split the audio signals among four left and right surround speakers, a center speaker, and a subwoofer, while Pro Logic II converts two-channel stereo sources into five-channel surround sound. On surround encoded material such as movie soundtracks, the resulting audio is powerful and explosive, while with two-channel encoded material such as music CDs, the effect is a wider and more encompassing sound field with more localized vocals.

Internally, the VSX-D514-S boasts a single compact circuit board for all digital signal processing, thus ensuring exceptional purity, plus a double-precision Motorola 48-bit DSP engine that's similar to the one used in top theaters worldwide. The receiver also offers a discrete configuration along with Pioneer's hybrid amplification system, which directs the correct amount of bias signal to each transistor for extremely low distortion. This means that Pioneer's amps are designed to handle the full bandwidth of Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, and DVD-Audio encoded software. Add that to the high-end digital-to-analog audio converter and you have a top-shelf receiver.

Installation takes just a few minutes thanks to the Quick Setup feature, which walks the consumer through the setup process. Listeners simply tell the receiver how many speakers are connected and then select the room size. The receiver then delivers an accurate surround sound performance based on the configuration. Additional features include component and S-video switching, which allows both progressive and interlaced NTSC and HDTV signals to travel to the TV or monitor; five digital signal processing modes, including game and movie modes; multiple digital coaxial and optical inputs; and a preset LCD remote control. The VSX-D514-S measures 16.56 by 6.25 by 15.5 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
VSX-D514-S receiver, remote control, two AA batteries, AM and FM antennas, user's manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sounds fine, easy to use, limited expansion, December 24, 2005

By 

Nicolas S. Martin (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pioneer VSX-D514 Multi-Channel Digital A/V Receiver (Electronics)

I've used this receiver for a year, during which time I've had nothing to complain about. It's a respectable buy in its price range, sounds quite good, and is not overly complex. I've just replaced it as my primary receiver, though, because it doesn't have enough digital inputs to handle a variety of sources. To manage the optical inputs from my TV, DVD recorder, Macintosh computer, cable box, and CD recorder, I was required to buy a switching device from Radio Shack. Now my new receiver has enough inputs to manage the load, as well as vastly more power and features. The 514 has only one optical and two coax inputs.

I expect the 514 to continue to give service for a long time, hooked up the bookshelf speakers in my bedroom.

If you want basic stereo and surround capability, this is a model worth considering, but if you imagine your needs will grow like mine have, then you might want to bump up to a more expensive/expansive unit. (In case you wonder, I now have a Yamaha HRT-5890, and it early on seems an excellent choice.)

Note that I do not dabble in the black arts of the audiophiles. I'm an unpretentious listener with reasonably high expectations. I doubt if I would care about the alleged sound distinctions between, say, a Denon and a Yamaha. I do care a lot about the quality of the user's manual, and the D514 has one that is not hard to understand.

You might have a problem figuring out from the Amazon description that the 514 is 5x100 watts.

4.0 out of 5 stars $60.00 Pioneer Reciever!!!!!, September 6, 2009

By 

Marjorie L. Haake "mjh" (Roseville, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pioneer VSX-D514 Multi-Channel Digital A/V Receiver (Electronics)

Very happy with the item, however, next time I suggest a little better padding inside the carton. It got knocked around pretty good, but works fine. Small dent on top of unit.