DTS ES, 7.1 input, 6.1 output, price

No discrete amplification

The first thing I am going to mention is the bass output. This receiver has it and has plenty of it, you just need to setup the receiver correctly in order to get it. I will explain.

In order to get the bass output desired you set the LFE Attenuation to 0db regardless of whether or not you have a sub. If you turn off the LFE Att. the receiver will filter/attentuate all low frequencies from the output. In other words, frequencies below about 40Hz will be non-existant. Setting the LFE Att. 0db will allow the receiver output more then enough bass.

Next up, the sound quality. The only thing I don't like about this sub is that it does not have a discrete amplifier section with dedicated D/A converters for each channel. For those who don't what a discrete amplifier section is, well let's just say that it's like having 6 seperate amps in one box. Rather, this receiver uses one amp to power all 6 speakers and then a chip to direct the power to the approriate channel. It's not to say this is bad, but if you are watching a movie at high volume levels (and I do mean high volume levels) it does make the receiver sound a little fatigued. However, after listening to quite a few different movies and CDs and comparing to my Onkyo TX-DS656 (which was a $850.00 receiver a few years ago and has discrete amplifiers) the sound is right on par with it. Overall the sound is awesome for price paid. In two channel the soundstage is surprisingly open and overall smooth.

Now let's talk about features (which is whole reason why I bought this receiver). For $325.00 you get Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS ES, 6.1 output, 7.1 input, adjustable LFE crossover points, 3 optical inputs and Coax digital input (all digital inputs assignable which is a big plus), s-video swicthing, plus component video switching. Now I mentioned that this thing has no discrete amplification, but the nice thing about this receiver is that with it's vast array of options, it makes for the perfect entry level preamp/processor. By buying this receiver you can add seperate amps later and have a very, very nice home theater setup.

I would highly recommend this receiver to anyone looking to get, on a budget, in the world of home theater. Especially to those who are on a budget, but eventually want to be able to upgrade to a full "seperates" system. You really can't go wrong with this receiver.

I realy had a hard time bringing myself to buy a receiver of such a low price. Both of the receivers I owned before this cost more then $800.00 each. One was a Harman Kardan AVR30 from back in the Pro Logic days and the other was the Onkyo TX-DS656. Both receivers had discrete amplification and multiple options, but the Pioneer really competes with them very well, plus it includes DTS ES. I was very surprised by the performance this receiver has put out for the price paid. I would say that Pioneer has done a very nice job with this product.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Yamaha, Harman Kardon

2 Component Inputs, 6.1 and 7.1 capabilities,

Couldn't get any bass out of sub preout.

I bought this reciever three days ago and was very excited to get it home and hook it up. My first DTS experience was Gladiator, but I didn't have a sub, so I went and got an Aiwa TWS 150 at Circuit City the next day. I needed to stay under on cost so I the Aiwa was perfect for me. When I hooked up the sub I just could not get any big bass out of it. I tried hooking up my old RCA and Philips Magnavox receivers and found that the sub worked perfectly with them, but not with the Pioneer. Instead of trying to get another Pioneer, I went back to Best Buy and got the Sony STRDE-875 and it works wonderfully.

I'm sure that the Pioneer had a problem or something, but I didn't feel like trying to work out the problem and got the reciever that I really wanted in the first place.

The best A/V receiver on this planet

i'm thinking....well, of course, it will be obsolete next year. But then again, I only paid $309!

A strong recommendation for the most versatile A/V receiver you will currently find available.

Why the best? It is a receiver to grow on. One day you will want 200 Watts RMS per channel, and you will find the preamp on this pioneer to be just the ticket to allow a gradual transition upgrade. The preamp is as quiet and as advanced as they come, and who else has a 7.1 channel input preamp available today, with Digital Noise Reduction (useful if you started your music collection pre-cd, like to listen to the radio, or a friends VCR tapes made on a gasp! mono VCR!), 7.1 channel preamp output, 96 bit DAC's, DTS-ES, and all the connections you'll need. Or i should say, who has a comparable pre-amp that you don't have to take a 2nd mortgage out to buy?

More Power...Well, Tim the toolman Taylor is right, the first upgrade will be for those 50/lbs per channel 200 watts per power amps. But until that happens, remember that the ultimate high end audio aficionados make do with 7-13 watts per channel on tube-type amplifiers. And happily pay $2000+/channel for them. Makes this unit's built-in amps look like a real powerhouse. But this unit will benefit from the same trick that all audiophiles use on their low power tubes....Set ALL speakers to small, and direct all the low bass frequency 100hz and lower, to the powered subwoofer. Once the low frequency demands have been taken off these power amps, they sing with a crystaline clarity that allows you to rediscover your speakers. And of course, Pioneer gives you all 6 DTS-ES channels driven to boot (L&R back channels for ES are driven by a mono amp) It only takes a few watts to make high sound pressure levels for the frequencies above 100 hz, and this puppy has that in mulitiples of 20.

Finally, after spending all the bucks to own those similar products above, now obsolete, it is truly wonderful to have paid so little for so much receiver!

ubid provided a very positive OOB experience. They advertised new, and my unit had been unopened since it's factory pack in June. a very happy camper.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ESD1000 Control preamplifier w/Kenwood THX Power Amp, Sony STR-D1090, Technics SA-DX930, Sherwood RV4050R, Kenwood KRF-7772D, The AR amplifier

Lots of features

Not as nice as the Elite products from Pioneer, but when it sit in a cabinet behind doors, who cares.

I have used Pioneer products in the pass and have been happy with them. I also would have expected to pay more for what you are getting with this product. For someone getting into build a home entertainment system and is on a tight budget, this reveiver is the best for the buck.

6.1 sound, loaded with inputs/outputs,

Lacks punch with sound, remote OK once you understand how to work all the features

I upgraded from the Pioneer VSX-D710S on a great deal from uBid and while the units are very similar the 810 lacks the power punch I was receiving from the 710. I have triple checked all the settings with no luck. I am using JBL SCS135 speaker package and Pioneer DV-603 DVD player. Anybody have any similar problem or a suggested solution??

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-D710S

Versatility, Power, Learning Remote, ease of setup, Supported Audio formats (including 6.1), Pre-outs for all speakers, # of S-video inputs, # of digital audio inputs

Binding posts could be constructed better (although much better than similar priced models)

I dont think there can possibly be a better valued receiver on the market today. The support of DTS-ES, 7.1 anolog inputs, pre-amp outs for all speakers, component video switching, and overall number of inputs makes this receiver an outstanding value.

The reason I paid the price I did was because I got an entire 6.1 surround system. It included 6 Pioneer surround speakers and a sub-woofer. I couldnt believe I found a system that had more than what I was looking for inside of my budget. The model number for the package is HTP-710. I have only seen it for sale on websites.

It has brought an entirely new dimension to my movie watching. DVDs really come to life when using this system. Movies on HBO and Showtime on Dish Network are more fun to watch now too.

This system is made for the audio/video enthusiast that is on a budget. You get many of the features that come on very expensive systems without breaking the bank.

Good Dolby Digital, DTS, and DTS ES sound, 600-watts, it does the job

some of the DSP modes seem useless

Well I just started on building a better hometheater, and after doing my homework, it seemed that this reciever is what suits me. When I bought this reciever, it came with three KLH speakers, which is nice, since I needed an extra speaker for the 6.1 surround sound capability.

The speakers I used are from a Sharp Dolby Pro Logic shelf system (or mini-component system; whatever you want to call it). I forgot the model number though. Anyway, I used those five speakers from the shelf system (minus it's subwoofer since it was just bad. The driver was probably five inches. Instead I bought the Velodyne CT-100 to replace it)and connected it to the reciever.

I played a DVD movie (Independance Day)and went straight to the scence where the aliens blow up Washington, D.C. And then BAM! I easily noticed a new level in sound. The sound was distinct and easily heard. Some sounds I didn't now existed. It was a new world, and it makes you "in" the movie. I tried other movies like the Matrix and Ninja Scroll, and it gave the exact same feel.

Here are some weaknesses. The DSP modes seems useless. Basically, I don't hear a distinct diffenece between them (except the 6-D Stereo mode and Standard mode compared to the rest of the modes). Also, if you are using the 6.1 DTS ES mode and the movie isn't supposed to be DTS ES, it wouldn't sound as good as if you changed it to the regular 5.1 Dolby Digital/DTS mode. Because sometimes the right surround channel goes to the rear surround channel for some odd reason. But if the movie is DTS ES capable (like Terminator 2 and Toy Story 2), then that's when the DTS ES mode sounds better than the Dolby Digital/DTS mode.

Overall this is a good reciever, and it does the job. All I care is if it can do Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound, and if the sound doesn't distort.

Preamp outs for all chanels, DTS-ES ability, Programable Remote, plenty of inputs/outputs. Good sound quality. All for a very resonable price.

Only 1 coax.

I got this reciever 4 days ago, and I am already basking in beautiful sound.

First off, I started by hooking up all my speakers to the 810S to test its own amplifying capabilities. After reading the 290watts AC input on the back, I wasn't expecting very good sound at all from the mains. I tweaked things a little, and was really surprised at how well it sounded, knowing that it never would consistently produce 100wpc. It was very clear and defined. In case you are wondering, my main speakers are big old 1960's-1970's Pioneer CS-77A speakers.

After testing the main amps of the 810S, I then used the preamp out for the mains to go to the preamp ins on my vintage Pioneer SX-850 (65wpc) reciever. It took a bit more tweaking, and the sound was once again great. Movies had so much dynamics and great sound quality. Crashes and booms roared and shook the room, dialog was natrual, music was acuratly reproduced with cleanness and warmth at all listening levels.

Now don't think I just jumped right into good sound. It took me a while to get sound to seem right. After some expermentation, setting the subwoofer to the "plus" mode and setting all speakers to Large really helped out any unbalance in sound, both in stereo and any surround mode.

Setting all speakers to large disables that crossover garb, which, in my opinion has a tendancy to make sound very uneven. Of course, if you are using some wimp speakers that have 3 inch low-mid speakers, You're most likely best off setting all speakers to small and using the built in crossover to send all the lows to the sub. In my case, I've got big power hungry speakers and an outside amp to give them what they need. I wouldn't put my trust in any modern amp to drive my large speakers in surround modes.

Getting good sound from any amp will ALWAYS take some tweaking. And in this recievers case, the tweaking was easy. Just make sure you've done things right before you complain about sound quality. I had no problems getting sound that I am very happy and comfortable with, for all styles of music and movies.

For the first time, I can say that music in Surround actually sounds good as well. Navigating the options on the reciever was made easy with the remote and the manual. Tuning the speaker distance (allows a range of 1-30 feet!) for the reciever makes getting even sound from all speakers very easy.

The remote is very handy. It takes a minute to get used to what it does, but after a while you'll get the hang of it. It really makes just about every useful feature on the reciever controlable by remote so you don't have to get up to play around beind the flip face on the front of the reciever. And I have even been able to put a couple of my many remotes in the closet since I can control so much from one remote (even older and odd brand equipment).

My statment on the whole Digital NR is that it is cool for things like regular TV reception, but other than that, it is pretty bothersomly noticable when it cuts in and out on music and movies. Liten to Pink Floyd's "Us and Them" during the intro SAX solo. It ruins the sound of the sax and cymbals.

As I stated above, the manual seems to be very good for todays standards. It actually gives good explanation of what the features do, instead of just leaving you hanging with some half-baked explanation like I've seen in some manuals.

Conclusion: I can completely recommend this reciever to anyone looking for DD and DTS at a reasonable price level. For $300, you can get one in completely brand new in retail packaging. Reaching a happy setting with this reciever was easy, and doesn't require me to re-adjust anything between all types of music and movies to get great sound. You won't regret bying this reciever. Just hook it up right. use the right speakers, the right wiring, and the right physical acoustical setup, and you should be hopping in no time.

Similar Products Used:

older Pioneer & JVC Dolby pro logic recivers.

Very versatile integrated receiver

just the looks

This product is so amazing (VSX-D850) with my klipsch quintet system, so many acoustic settings (DTS/DSP) to choose from, preouts for future additions for spreakers and amps.

Lots of connections. Built-in decoders.

none other than quirkiness with the volume.

I bought this unit about a week ago from ubid.com. While I had heard mixed reviews about ubid, I still couldn't pass up the deal. The box was delivered in reasonable condition.
I unpacked the receiver and hooked up my front speakers (Bose 4001s) with the banana plug connectors. When I turned on the receiver, I could barely hear anything. This was very different from my Technics SA-AX720, where the increase in volume was fairly linear. The increase in the Pioneer seems more logarithmic. As I get closer to -30db, the volume increases in tiny increments. From -30db up towards 0, it gets quite a bit louder with each increment. Do other people experience this phenomenon? Or is it just something wacky with my setup?

In any case, I was able to hookup my DVD changer (Harman Kardon DVD50) without any problems and even regular cds seem to come alive. Guess my old cd changer wasn't all that great.

More info when I get all the pieces and parts put together.

Ben

P.S. I'm giving it 4 starts for Overall Rating until I get some feedback from both Pioneer and maybe some of you all on the volume issue.

Similar Products Used:

Technics SA-AX720