Pioneer VSX-815-K Receiver Review

[rparamount]

DDB5454, see my other thread I posted regarding the speaker buzzing. I too have experienced the same problem and through some searching have found another guy that also ran into the same problems. Also in the thread I posted here, there is yet another guy who also had the problem. After exchanging the receiver for another 815 I still experienced the problem but to a lesser degree. I finally ended up upgrading to a Pioneer vsx-1015 and am no longer experiencing any issues. At this point I am convinced that this isn't a coincidence and that there might be an issue with this particular model from Pioneer in some of their units.

-Cheers, RP

 

[thegreenmenace]

MCACC hassle

I like the reciever a lot, I got it last week. The only problem I am having is that when I did the automatic MCACC I kept getting an error (number 3) something about the wiring. Now I have checked the wiring several times, its high quality Monster cable, hooked up to the Klipsch Quintet II. I don't get it. Any susggestions?

 

[Spiffyfast]

I like the reciever a lot, I got it last week. The only problem I am having is that when I did the automatic MCACC I kept getting an error (number 3) something about the wiring. Now I have checked the wiring several times, its high quality Monster cable, hooked up to the Klipsch Quintet II. I don't get it. Any susggestions?

have you tried swapping out the speaker wires for something else, I know it's very unlikely but I've had it happen before where I had a short in my speaker wire and it kept resetting the receiver.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Update

Just finished reading a July review of S&V's three entry level receivers. Impressively, they picked the VSX-815 over the SR4500. It's just one mans opinion, but what might that say about the VSX-1015 in comparison to something like the SR5500 or SR7500? Check out the article.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=848&page_number=1&preview=

 

[LA_Joe]

Novice 815 owner w/ Lip Sync Issue

As stated I'm a novice....

My TV is a Sony KDF42WE655 Grand Wega LCD Rear Projection.

I have the Optical out direct to the receiver and am experiencing a lip sync problem...

My DVD Player is the Oppo video up converting model via HDMI so the DVD id direct to display via HDMI and Optical out to the receiver....

Also have lip sync issue there...

Any suggestions??


Joe

 

[L68X]

815

thanks for a thorough review of the pioneer. i bought the receiver last week at best buy for $283. i was pleased mainly with the sound field right away. my other receiver an expensive brand with a burned out center channel. that unit was 4 yrs old.and i don't think a costly repair and shipping was something i wanted to do right now. using the auto setup.i found the surround and back speakers more active. of course it depends on how it's encoded. the fundemental= the hsu ftf2 worked well .theres a lot i'm going to tweak with this unit. also there are more features in the new pioneer. i'm running 8 speakers. front pair klipch 8" sub woofers surround advents back channel yamahas.

 

[mt-dew]

This is probably a dumb question but...........

does this unit have AM/FM tuner with it?

 

[jaxvon]

A "receiver" is, in essence, an integrated amplifier (preamp + poweramp) with a radio tuner built in. So yes, it does.

 

[seesara]

Phono input for Pioneer VSX-815

I'm close to buying the receiver and speakers recommended in the $1,000 Audio System buying guide, but in the "useful features" section for the receiver, it lists "lacks phono input." I can't find mention of this anywhere else. Does this mean I can't connect my record player to this receiver? The alternate in the recommended system is the Yamaha HTR-5840...can I connect my record player to that receiver?

Also, if I buy either the Pioneer or the Yamaha receiver and the Athena Micra 6 speaker system, can I add a pair of Epos ELS-3 bookshelf speakers later, to enhance my audio sound system or do I have to look for a different receiver in order to add speakers?

I'm totally new to all of this, so pardon my entry-level questions. Thanks!

 

[skipsterut]

We probably won't review the 1015, but we will be doing some higher-end Pioneers in the future. On the next go-around I also likely won't go quite as entry level so that eventually we can get a feel for the whole line.

Clint -- Great review of the 815. Thanks for thinking of us audio enthusiasts with a more limited budget. Much appreciated.

Have you decided which higher-end Pioneers to review in the future? Any idea when it will be published?

FWIW -- I cast my vote for the VXS-72/74 series.

 

[MDS]

I'm close to buying the receiver and speakers recommended in the $1,000 Audio System buying guide, but in the "useful features" section for the receiver, it lists "lacks phono input." I can't find mention of this anywhere else. Does this mean I can't connect my record player to this receiver? The alternate in the recommended system is the Yamaha HTR-5840...can I connect my record player to that receiver?

You can't connect the turntable directly, but all is not lost. You can buy a phono pre-amp. The turntable connects to the phono pre-amp and then the pre-amp connects to the receiver using any of the line level inputs (tape, cd, aux, etc).

Alternatively, you can buy a turntable that has a built-in phono pre-amp.

 

[skipsterut]

I'm close to buying the receiver and speakers recommended in the $1,000 Audio System buying guide, but in the "useful features" section for the receiver, it lists "lacks phono input." I can't find mention of this anywhere else. Does this mean I can't connect my record player to this receiver? The alternate in the recommended system is the Yamaha HTR-5840...can I connect my record player to that receiver?

You can't connect the turntable directly, but all is not lost. You can buy a phono pre-amp. The turntable connects to the phono pre-amp and then the pre-amp connects to the receiver using any of the line level inputs (tape, cd, aux, etc).

Alternatively, you can buy a turntable that has a built-in phono pre-amp.

Most receivers at this price point do not have phono input. It requires the pre-amp with RIAA equalization which adds to the cost and since most people in today's world don't need them, the manufacturers have eliminated them from the entry level receivers. I think there is one Harmon Kardon unit around this price point that has it, but I can't rmember the model, and I don't know anything about its other features.

But MDS is right, it's pretty simple to solve the problem with a relatively inexpensive phono pre-amp. At one point I was considering both the Pioneer 815 and 1015 and since I have an older turntable without a pre-amp I was looking at options to be able to play my "beloved vinyl" collection. (Eventually I decided on the Pioneer VSX-72 which has the phono input, so that solved the problem, but it's a more expensive reciever.)

Anyway -- in the process of working thorugh all this I came across a web site that offers a variety of pre-amps, switches, etc. so I thought I would pass it along FWIW. http://www.audioreplay.net/. This isn't an endorsment, I have no idea if the are any good, but it's a source to check out. They have a great link at the top of the page 'So, you want to know, "what's a phono preamp, and why do I need one?" we're glad you asked...' I'm sure other forum member have sources of phono pre-amps they can recommend based on experience.

Also as MDS says -- if you're in the market for a new turntable -- just get one with a built-in pre-amp -- end of problem. Hope this helps.

 

[pcguy760]

Question about component inputs on VSX-815 ...

Hello Everyone!!

This is my first post and I am glad I joined this friendly site. Well, my question about this receiver is that I noticed that it was stated that the Component video inputs have a 40Mhz Bandwidth. Now I have noticed that on some other receivers (ie. Sony), the Bandwidth is 80Mhz - so what difference does this actually make?

I mean does it affect picture quality or higher resolutions like the 1080i ? To be very honest with you guys, I was going to buy a Sony STR-DE897S BEFORE I read your review here about this VSX-815. Now I am more set on getting this one but I want to get this dilemma I have rectified first.

Thanks in advance.

Mo

 

[seesara]

Pioneer VSX-815 vs Onkyo TX-SR501

I believe that the Onkyo TX-SR501 Receiver (5.1 channel 65 watts x 6) has the phono input. Can someone tell me how that compares to the Pioneer VSX-815? I read that although the numbers show less power than the Pioneer, that Onkyo actually calculates power using different criteria than other manufacturers, so the numbers don't really show the whole picture. I really don't know how much power I really need anyway. I'm buying the Athena Technologies Micra 6 speaker system and my old 30-year-old Sony receiver needs to be replaced as a result. I'll be looking for an HDTV next to hook into the system.

Thanks!

 

[cleafus]

connecting a phono turntable to the vsx-815

Clint, is there any way to connect a phono turntable to the pioneer vsx-815? It would be disheartening if I could not. Please let me know. Thank you, Mike.

 

[MDS]

Clint, is there any way to connect a phono turntable to the pioneer vsx-815? It would be disheartening if I could not. Please let me know. Thank you, Mike.

LOL. Did you read the two posts directly above yours?

 

[smoudgil]

7.1 setup with this receiver

Hi,
I am thinking of setting up a budget home theatre package. I have bought your recommended receiver Pioneer VSK-815 and Athena Micro 6.

As I was getting a good deal on the Polk bookshelf speakers (RK15) I thought of buying those aswell to have a 7.1 setup.

The question I had was if the receiver can handle a 7.1 setup? Also would this be a good combination ? And lastly is the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 so much that it warrants purchase of additional speakers?

I would appreciate your help a lot.

Thank you
sM

 

[Jin-X]

Can the 815k run two subs at the same time?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Can the 815k run two subs at the same time?

Yep, with one of these.
http://www.trianglecables.com/6inrcayadrca.html

 

[feadin]

Hi,

Could anyone help me to compare the Pioneer VSX-815 to two nearly identical Denon receivers? How does the 815 compare to the AVR-1506/AVR-486?

See here for the Denon receivers:
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/257.asp?compareitem=243&compareitem=2120&imageField.x=94&imageField.y=22

Would you recommend the Pioneer or one of the Denon receivers?

Many thanks!