Pioneer VSX-815-K Receiver Review

[jaxvon]

Pfft. I dunno what gas is where you live, but it's around $2.30 a gallon here in Michigan. And for reference, my Dad's suburban costs $80 to fill when it's down low.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Holy Cow! What the heck are you driving? A bus? You spend $45 a tankful?

$45 a tankful is only like 20 gallons, thats what it takes to fill my f-150

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Holy Cow! What the heck are you driving? A bus? You spend $45 a tankful?

$35 - I'm just averaging for those Pruis' owners. I own a full size Ford F150 extended cab with a rull ladder rack. It's more like $50 per tank. I was being nice at $70 for two tankfulls.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I was right, you guys all do drive buses.

 

[Iolaus]

My '90 Bronco has a 33 gal tank, that's an $80 fill-up.

Back on topic, I'd like to see a review on the 1015 as well, just to see what the thought is on what I already bought.

 

[MixedSignal]

Poor preamp in Pioneer entry level receivers

This is my first post here in Audioholics. I have been reading reviews and posts.
I have had a good look at several of the Pioneer internal circuitry. All the NON-Elite Pioneers use low quality(unaceeptable ) audio blocks (called opamps) in their preamps and multi channel inputs. This part is usually NJM4558, which sounds horrible. This is not the case with Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon and HK.
Its a shame that Pioneer uses such low quality stuff (this is not the case with most high end and older Pioneers)
I spent some time playing with the circuits of one of the entry level Pioneer receiver and upgraded some of these opamps. And the quality of sound improved several fold.
This is not a subjective conculsion, I have measured this change and have heard this change and most people who listened to this amp could recognise the change in the audio quality.

You can see a 3 stars in the review for this reciver's multi channel input. And that is probably because of this NJM4558 being used as a buffer for this input in this receiver.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

This is my first post here in Audioholics. I have been reading reviews and posts. I have had a good look at several of the Pioneer internal circuitry. All the NON-Elite Pioneers use low quality-unacceptable.

Welcome to the forum.
I'm pretty sure the Pioneer 1015TX and Elite 52TX are practically the same units. Have you compared the guts of those two?

 

[MixedSignal]

Not yet....

Welcome to the forum.
I'm pretty sure the Pioneer 1015TX and Elite 52TX are practically the same units. Have you compared the guts of those two?

Sorry, I havent had a chace to compare the internals of those two. If I ever do, I will post my comments here.

 

[MacManNM]

This is my first post here in Audioholics. I have been reading reviews and posts.
I have had a good look at several of the Pioneer internal circuitry. All the NON-Elite Pioneers use low quality(unaceeptable ) audio blocks (called opamps) in their preamps and multi channel inputs. This part is usually NJM4558, which sounds horrible. This is not the case with Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon and HK.
Its a shame that Pioneer uses such low quality stuff (this is not the case with most high end and older Pioneers)
I spent some time playing with the circuits of one of the entry level Pioneer receiver and upgraded some of these opamps. And the quality of sound improved several fold.
This is not a subjective conculsion, I have measured this change and have heard this change and most people who listened to this amp could recognise the change in the audio quality.

You can see a 3 stars in the review for this reciver's multi channel input. And that is probably because of this NJM4558 being used as a buffer for this input in this receiver.

What exactly did you measure and what did you measure it with? Can you post your data? I was thinking about using this unit in my 2nd system, so I'd be very interested in your results. The chip looks to have a cutoff above 20KHz, and any noise in it would be introduced by the PS. Thanks.

 

[MixedSignal]

What exactly did you measure and what did you measure it with? Can you post your data? I was thinking about using this unit in my 2nd system, so I'd be very interested in your results. The chip looks to have a cutoff above 20KHz, and any noise in it would be introduced by the PS. Thanks.

I am sorry I dont have the measured data stored anywhere.

Most opamps have very good frequency range, doesnt mean they can reproduce those frequencies with good accuracy.

Noise is a non issue since most of these opamps have uV(microvolt) noise levels and the signal is already in the few mV(millivolt) and above range.

NJM4558 is the equivalent of LM1458, which is the dual version of LM741 opamp. 741 and equivalents have slew rates (0.5v/microSec) that cant reproduce 20Khz faithfully.
4558 was improved a bit to increase the slew rate to 1v/microSec, so it does claim to work in the audio band, just good enough for 20-20Khz, but the sound quality has no depth, nor clarity

Pioneer uses some opamps in the chain like uPC4570 from NEC, which is equivalent of LM833, this is a very good opamp.
But once the source is degraded in the chain(multi-ch input), it cant be brought back to high quality sound.
Digital inputs sound better because the opamps after the DACs used are not 4558 in most Pioneers.

I see that you use Yamaha 5790, this has high quality opamps in the audio chain like NJM2068. These opamps are equivalent to LM833 too
I have the same reciever.

Also, most Pioneer uses chip power amps made by Sanyo, depending on the version of the chip these have 0.1% to 1%THD(lower quality version) or 0.08%THD(higher quality version)
These chips arent that bad, but the lower quality, flat sound comes from the pre amp sections.
Yamaha, Onkyo etc.. use discrete power amps that are designed well.

Compare the THD numbers for Yamaha and Pioneer receivers, you will know what I mean.

I am sure in the end, you might like the Pioneer, but it wont be as good sounding as an entry level Yamaha or Onkyo, just as an example

Happy shopping

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

but the sound quality has no depth, nor clarity

What does this mean? It's a receiver. It should simply pass the signal through to the speakers untouched.

 

[MixedSignal]

What does this mean? It's a receiver. It should simply pass the signal through to the speakers untouched.

Untouched? the signal passes through a dozen components at least,
it should pass the signal without introducing any distortion of its own.
Most recievers dont even come close.

The improvements can be described in a subjective manner on a forum like this, hence the comment about "depth" and "clarity". In my opinion the NJM4558 removes the good qualities of the original sound.

 

[joemama]

Can the 815 receiver drive 6 Ohm speakers?

Hi,

I have 6Ohm speakers, Mirage OM-9s. Does anyone think the 815 can drive them well?

Thanks!
Joe

 

[jnm4lsu]

Pioneer VSX-815-K vs. Sony STR-DE898 ??

This is my first post here and I am by no means an "audiophile", just looking for the best bang for the buck and dependability. For music, TV and Movies, how do these units stack up against each other? The Sony being about $80.00 more.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Sony STR-DE 898 Specs
Pioneer Specs:

 

[mulester7]

Untouched? the signal passes through a dozen components at least,
it should pass the signal without introducing any distortion of its own.
Most receivers dont even come close.

The improvements can be described in a subjective manner on a forum like this, hence the comment about "depth" and "clarity". In my opinion the NJM4558 removes the good qualities of the original sound.

.....MixedSignal, to my understanding, the signal should pass through the processing and pre-amp sections as UNALTERED as possible, pertaining to the +/- db from top to bottom of the signal....most receivers have a signal/noise ratio of at least 100db below audibility, so any distortion/noise added from the processing or pre-amp sections is usually derived from inadequate grounding, imo, pertaining to the terms depth and clarity.....now, color and warmth are different issues.....

.....or, the receiver in question, could have a manufacturer's list of $19.95, and suffer vehemently from all the above......

 

[Takeereasy]

jnm4lsu, if you are willing to spend in the $400 region for a receiver then I'd say you should go for this unit: the pioneer 9100 . It leaves the sony in the dust and the link I gave you is to an authorized dealer. I know you can get the Sony cheaper on line but in my opinion you might want to stay away from most Sony receivers. I'm saying this from my own experience. Also Sound and vision just compared the Pioneer 815, the Sony 698, and the Marantz 5400. The Pioneer was the winner by a mile it seemed, and the Sony was left in the dust by the other two. I'm sure that the 898 is a closer match to the 815, but the 815 is the better buy. If you can swing it though that 9100 that I linked you to seems to be a great unit at an unbelievable price.

 

[cojo]

Any Difference between VSX-815-K and VSX-D815-K?

I am in Canada and I am shopping for a reciever to use with my computer system this one seems to fit the bill.. But I am noticing that my local retailers like Best Buy and Future Shop etc. seem to have a D in the model numbers. Anyone know what the difference between the models are? Is it just a geographical designation?

 

[esytan777]

Vsx-d815

I am in Canada and I am shopping for a reciever to use with my computer system this one seems to fit the bill.. But I am noticing that my local retailers like Best Buy and Future Shop etc. seem to have a D in the model numbers. Anyone know what the difference between the models are? Is it just a geographical designation?

Hi Cojo, the VSX-D815 being sold in Futureshop is similar with the unit here. I got mine at Futureshop, and when you get the box, the "D" is actually missing, and the unit is "VSX-815". Enjoy.

 

[DDB5454]

do me a favor and check your surround sounds back speakers

Hi, I have this receiver and love it. The only problem I see is that there seems to be a slight buzzing coming from the surround sound back speakers. I mean you can't notice it unless you put your ear right up to it.I sthis normal or not? If not Before you guys say speaker cables and use a power conditioner I have tried all that. I've even had it to an authorized Pioneer repair place and they said they couldnt find anything wrong with it. I was wondering if anyone else has found this out on their 815-K? If you could take a second and see if you can hear anything on yours i'd much appreciate it. Thanks guys for the help.

 

[mulester7]

.....how many of us have nothing but cobwebs on the ground posts of our equipment?.....