033 EHC 06 Pioneer VSX-C501

4/6/04

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Page 72

>>Reviews Amplifier

Pioneer VSX-C501

Sam Kieldsen runs the rule over a petite yet powerful receiver with space for all your Scarts
LTHOUGH THEIR MAIN PURPOSE IS to decode surround signals and supply speakers with audio signals, many AV receivers also sport a high number of video inputs. Whats the point, you may ask. Well, the idea is that you plug the video outputs of all your audiovisual gear DVD player, digital TV box, games console et al into the back of the receiver, which is in turn hooked up to your display device via a single video cable. The receiver is able to throughput the video from source to screen, and you can switch between the different items, selecting each ones video and audio at the same time.
What we like about this amplifier Useful Scart inputs Bright and breezy audio performance Compact design What we dont like about this amplifier Very few audio inputs 5.1 input with Scart Clip terminals rather than binding posts
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Video switching is intended to cut down on clutter and make switching between your bits of kit easier, but in reality very few people bother using it. Most people keep their entire system in close proximity to their screen, so cable lengths arent too much of a problem unless, perhaps, youre using a projector. A more significant factor is the popularity of Scart outputs for a variety of AV products Scart inputs arent common on surround receivers, which usually only feature the basic composite, S-video and component video sockets. Pioneer obviously believes theres a gap in the market here, and has launched the VSX-C501, a tidy receiver that features no fewer than four Scart sockets. Assuming you use one as an output to your TV, that leaves three vacant spots for hooking up, say, your DVD deck, PlayStation 2 and Sky digibox. These three inputs are each capable of accepting composite, S-video or RGB signals, while the output can carry these as well. This means that, unlike video switching on some receivers, you wont have to downgrade your picture quality. All the Scarts allow stereo audio input, and two feature output as well. Of course it wouldnt be an
AV receiver without inputs for surround sound, so Pioneer has provided one coaxial and three optical digital audio sockets, as well as a single 5.1 channel analogue audio-in. With the latter, the front L and R channels have to be input from a Scart, which could prove a bit of a headache for some people. There isnt much in the way of other audio inputs, either, which severely limits the number of additional devices you can connect; a single analogue stereo input is all you get, and its on the front of the receiver. Setting up the system is incredibly simple, as Pioneer has come up with an ingenious way of calibrating the setup. Once youve connected your speakers, you place a microphone (provided) in the listening position, plug it into the VSX-C501 and a series of test tones from the speakers determines the optimum channel levels and distance settings and adjusts the levels accordingly. If you arent satisfied with the results, theres a manual set up mode to fall back on. The video switching aspect of this works brilliantly. As we said, there is no downgrading of the picture and, as far as we can tell, the image is exactly the same as it would be if you were connecting the source directly to the TV. This

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Key Features 6.1 channel digital amplifier 100W RMS per channel output Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix), DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic II 11 DSP modes FM RDS tuner MCACC speaker calibration Connections 2 x Scart input/output Analogue 5.1 channel audio input 3 x optical digital audio input Coaxial digital audio input Composite video input Stereo audio input Subwoofer output 3.5mm headphone output Dimensions 420(w) x 70(h) x 383(d)mm
Front panel offers composite video/stereo audio, another digital audio input and the mic socket for the automated set up procedure

Speaker terminals

AM and FM antennae

Control cable

Four Scarts

Subwoofer line out

2 x optical digital audio in + electrical digital audio out

Audio line inputs

might seem obvious, but theres no picture delay either, which means you can play video games through the receiver. Switching between the input items is quick, and you can assign the digital inputs yourself so if you need to use coaxial rather than optical for your DVD output it isnt a problem. Power output is rated at 100W RMS per channel, with the digital amplifier supporting a maximum of 6.1 discrete channels. This means you can add a surround back channel located immediately behind the listening position to the basic 5.1 configuration used by Dolby Digital and DTS. Even if you decide not to do this, Pioneer has included a virtual surround back option that does a more than passable job at creating a phantom extra channel just behind you. The actual sound quality is highly impressive considering the fact that this is a compact digital amp, but then this is exactly what weve come to expect from Pioneer. Multichannel soundtracks from the likes of Behind Enemy Lines, Minority
Report and Fantasia worked well, blending finesse with a sufficient amount of power to fill our medium-sized test room. We used the mic-assisted calibration and had no complaints about the way the receiver distributed effects to our KEF speakers, with the virtual surround back working extremely well at times. Stereo music performance is good, if perhaps not so dazzling as multichannel, and Pro Logic II and Neo:6 mean you can surroundify any of your two-channel material with confidence.

Verdict

Sales Web www.pioneer.co.uk
Pioneer has come up with an ingenious way of calibrating the setup for you
As well as DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and Dolby Digital EX, the receiver features Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 decoders, which are able to produce multichannel soundtracks from a two-channel source. These work nicely with both music and movies, and are great for turning basic TV stereo sound into surround audio. Overall, the VSX-C501 is a well conceived and nicely designed piece of AV kit available at a temptingly low price.
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES SOUND VALUE
VERDICT Slim, sleek and designed for would-be video switchers. The sound quality is high, and as long as you dont require the flexibility of a full-sized amp, its a winner.

Overall

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