Pioneer VSX-821 AV-receiver

The budgetary Pioneer VSX-821 attracts by a decent performance. It can accept up to four HDMI sources, has a wide range of analog inputs, and a separate USB port on the front panel. The five-channel amplifier has a power of 5 x 130 W, and there are linear outputs to connect another pair of rear channels. The on-screen menu is not available via HDMI - we will orientate to the display while setting. However, MCACC auto-calibration takes a few minutes.

The most qualitative and comfortable sound is in Pure Direct mode, when all secondary circuits are disconnected. At a digital connection the sound differs by passion and density - the receiver can create a real sound wall. But despite the energetic nature of playback, attention to detail is not in the last place here. Middle band is extremely informative, bass register is sharpened, tops are correct and natural.

In the case of analog switching, the above noted positive qualities are saved. The happened changes firstly concern the formation of a sound stage. Space becomes broader and is read better in depth, however, the positions of imaginary sources are not so accurate.

In cinema, Pioneer VSX-821 receiver behaves very confidently, clearly demonstrating the significant superiority of modern high-resolution sound formats. At the same time, the created sound field is so dense and uniform that it literally envelops.