Hi...
I'm new to the forum. As you will see, I am not an expert, so I'm looking for some advice.
I would like to run 7.1 in my main room, and also run a bunch of speakers in Zone 2 all over my house and outside. To power the second zone, I have an AudioSource Amp210 and also my old Denon AVR-1801 that I could use as a Zone 2 amp.
I recently purchased the Pioneer VSX-1021. $300, seemed like a great deal. But I am having a bunch of problems.
1. It doesn't down-convert to Zone 2, so nothing that comes in on HDMI can go to Zone 2.
2. There is a delay on Zone 2 for certain inputs. When I run my Ipod through the USB port on the front, the main zone is noticeably behind Zone 2. It sounds terrible. I spent a couple hours trying to fix this yesterday, with no luck.
3. It appears that I can't run both 7.1 in the main room and also Zone 2 at the same time. When I run Zone 2, even through the line out, the main room can only do 5.1. (Is this because it only has a powered line-out rather than a pre-out?)
I am sort of frustrated with all this. Plus, it has been really hard to set up. I am considering returning it. I'd be willing to spend more, say up to $500-$600 or so, on another receiver that doesn't have these problems, or that has more capabilities. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Like should I upgrade to the 1121? Or the Onkyo 709? Or the Denon 2212? It appears to me that that is the next level up, and all of those have pre-outs.
I'd very much appreciate any advice.