0605WHC43 Pioneer VSX-915

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Group Test # Amplifier
Pioneer VSX-915 The new high-end T amplifier with

the amazing price tag.

AT A GLANCE

I FEATURES

7x 110W per channel FM-RDS/MW 30 preset tuner Hybrid power amplifier modules MCACC microphone assisted auto setup with 5-band auto GEQ Quick/full manual setup binding posts x7 pairs Audio line in x2 5.1 channel audio in AV line in x3 (inc Svideo & composite), one is tape in/out Component in x3, out x1 Monitor out S-Video x1, composite x1

I CONNECTIONS

Front: AV inputs: stereo audio, composite & S-video, digital optical Microphone in for MCACC auto setup 6.3mm headphone socket. Rear:4mm loudspeaker
he VSX-915 is so new (this is its first review) that its price was set just before this review was done. At 300, it will sell for 100 less than the model it replaces - a measure of the cut-throat state of today's marketplace. And it's well endowed. The VSX-D814 was a 6.1 channel receiver with a 110 Watt/channel power rating, the VSX-D915 has an identical per channel power yield, but 7.1 channels. It also has a number of useful added features that it's predecessors didn't aspire to, including a more sophisticated version of the microphone assisted system setup feature. The way that power has been specified leaves something to be desired. The 110 Watt/channel power output is an 8 Ohm 1kHz DIN rating for 1 percent distortion, and probably corresponds to around 65-70 Watts/channel using a more rigorous and more widely accepted measure. With all the channels driven together the figure probably drops substantially further. In practice there will be few real world systems priced to match that will feel overtly starved for power when driven by the VSX-915 (but see later comments). Where the new receiver really comes into its own is its use of new technologies, for example a new highly concentrated Digital Core Engine, a compact, highly integrated PC board that handles all the digital processing, and the use of a powerful double precision 48bit processing DSP. Produced by Motorola, this high tech and very high speed chip (180MIPS) performs all the Dolby and DTS processing, and is designed for low jitter and low noise. Its increased power enables it to do more than its predecessor.
In the last model an earlier version of the processor provided the power for the MCACC (MultiChannel Acoustic Calibration System) auto system setup, which automatically sets speaker size, delay time, levels etc) but in this case there is enough power to extend its capabilities to include GEQ speaker equalisation, which applies a five band graphic equaliser to each speaker, again with auto-setup. The equaliser settings are determined using the same procedure. The equalisation can be performed in a number of ways (or bypassed altogether), for example including Front Align, which leaves the main front speakers alone, and adjusts the others to match them as near as possible, on the grounds that these are usually the best speakers in a system. They may have been originally purchased for stereo replay as part of a quality hi-fi system. Another added feature is the ability to decode Windows Media Audio 9 Professional (WMA9 Pro) files. Cost has also been squeezed out by using newly developed hybrid power amplifier modules, reducing the parts count. As noted, the Pioneer offers 7.1 channels of amplification, and as is becoming increasingly commonplace the back surround speakers can be reassigned to a second zone, so that the main room

will play multichannel material through a 5.1 speaker array, and a second source can be played in the second zone in stereo. But the Pioneer has another trick up its sleeve. The rear speakers can be reassigned to the front main channel in parallel with the existing main speaker outputs (aka biamping).

Advantage: Pioneer

With biwireable speakers - those with two pairs of input terminals using the Pioneer this way provides extra current drive for the main front speakers, which is an important advantage for full size speakers, which are the ones that make the greatest power demands. There is also a clear advantage when the Pioneer is being used in stereo, (how wed recommend using it). Like other good home cinema amplifiers, the multichannel input provides a pure analogue signal path, bypassing all digital circuits, and improving sound quality as a result.

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OUR RESIDENT HOME CINEMA DOC GIVES THE LOWDOWN ON AMPLIFIER SEPARATES Separate amplifiers are becoming more and more popular with home cinema enthusiasts as well as hi-fi audiophiles. The reason, of course, is due to the impressive surround sound formats (Dolby Digital, DTS etc) to be found on the latest movie blockbuster DVDs. Another impressive attribute of these standalone amps is their compatibility to other pieces of kit.
Another cost reducing measure is the elimination of a conventional on-screen display. Setup uses the Pioneer's own front panel display, which means that selecting menu options is more fiddly than usual. But there is a proprietary feature called SR+ which with Pioneer plasma screens does provide a simple on screen display, for example of the volume level, as well as routing remote control commands between components. The other means that Pioneer has used to reduce costs is to cut the number of inputs available, but there are still enough for up to eight audio or video sources, including a 5.1 channel input, and there are no fewer then three component video inputs. Sound quality of the Pioneer is quite distinctive, certainly unlike other receivers in our experience. As already suggested, there is enough power on tap to meet all reasonable demands, but the character of the sound it produces tends to be on the lightweight side. There is no objective shortage of bass, but the tonal balance errs on the lean, dry side, emphasising detail at the expense of sonority and weight. Consistently the level of detail extracted from recordings tends to be quite high, the resulting balance being on the bright side of neutral, with occasional edgy dialogue

channel sibilants as a result. With certain types of music source material, the Pioneer can sound rather splashy, and occasionally when reproducing heavy transients at either end of the frequency band, the amplifiers appeared to momentarily 'duck' and loose focus before recovering. The digital inputs add further to the bright and sometimes thin atonal balance.

The pristine chapel

Objectively these departures from neutrality cannot be entirely welcome but the sense of pristine clarity that the Pioneer generates can help make recordings unusually engaging and immediate. Vocal intelligibility is also unusually good, so that dialogue is very easy to follow, and the Pioneer is adept at image steering with Dolby Digital
and DTS source material. You can sense immediately where images belong in the sound stage, usually in terms of distance, depth or direction. The secret to making the best of the VSX-915 is to use it in an appropriate context. It is probably best not to use very high bandwidth (ie full size floor standing) main speakers, but to use medium size stand mount speakers with a subwoofer. Avoid speakers that are obviously bright or edgy, and to avoid being confronted by the VSX-915's upfront balance, looks for speakers that have a touch of warmth. Also a fully matched set of speakers will still outperform a mismatched pair, though GEQ does present a belt and braces improvement. So no, the Pioneer is not a completely transparent interpreter, but it is well equipped, and its resolving ability, clarity and an almost tactile sense of presence make it a surprisingly enjoyable tool. At the price it is nothing less than a steal I

TEST SCENE

Alien Vs Predator
The Pioneer handles the latest blockbuster movie soundtracks with aplomb. So much so, that youll hear every grunt and groan in Alien Vs Predator

PRICE 300

www.pioneer.co.uk 01753 789789

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Sound Value Overall ###$$ ####$ ##### ####$ ##### ####$

WHC VERDICT

Incredible value for money. Very well equipped (auto setup, WMA9Pro etc, biampable front speakers), clean, articulate sound, though a tad bright and raw sounding

Audio outputs

S-video

Speaker terminals

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20_HCC_121 Pioneer VSX-915

15/8/05

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AVReceiver

PIONEER VSX-915 N 300 (Approx) N 789 N www.pioneer.co.uk
Penny pinching Pioneer pretends to be posh
Pioneers model naming still confuses a less than logical progression has the VSX-915 replacing the VSX-D814 in its 300 price point. Richard Arrowsmith wonders if it fits the bill
onsidering the price ticket, the VSX-915 is equipped with a specification that few other
simplicity. The Thermal Compensation Transistor design integrates all main components into a single circuit board designed to compensate for temperature fluctuations that can produce distortion when presented with high levels of current. All digital processing has been incorporated into a single circuit to shorten signal pathways and reduce radiation. So no matter how close you get you wont turn into The Hulk The compact digital core engine features an all-new double precision Motorola 48-bit DSP and naturally accommodates a full suite of surround
processing formats including all the usual surround cinema suspects along with some relatively new ones. Dolby Pro Logic IIx delivers seven-channel reproduction from two-channel content while WMA-9 processing allows you to play 2-channel and multi-channel Windows Media files directly from your PC a forward thinking feature thats shared with the rest of Pioneers latest range of receivers. Completing a comprehensive set of surround options theres eight advanced preset modes and useful alternatives like Virtual Surround Back and a 7-channel stereo mode.
budget receivers can lay claim to, including several improvements over its already able predecessor. An extra channel of amplification has been shoehorned in, giving the box full 7.1 capability; the brand a power rating of 100W/channel. In our Tech Labs, we measured the VSX-925 at 90W into 8 in two channel mode, dropping to 65W when five channels are driven. The construction of the VSX-915s internal components has an elegant

Excellent

Average

LAB REPORT

Manufacturers Rated Output 110W per ch into 8 Measured power @ 1kHz 2ch driven: 90W into 8 5ch driven:65W into 8 2ch driven: 140W into 4 5ch driven: 140W into 4 Fidelity firewall @ 1kHz/2ch 85W: into 8 (0.04%THD) Distortion @ 1kHz 0.005%THD @ 50W (8) Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.2dB
ITEM SUPPORT DETAILS Dolby Digital G Dolby Digital 5.1; Dolby Pro-Logic IIx DTS G DTS ES Matrix, ES Discrete, 96/24, Neo 6 AV Inputs G 4 composite/S-video/phono 1 rec out) Audio Inputs G 6 stereo phono inputs Component Inputs G 3 inputs Tape Loop G 1 input/output AV Monitor output G 2 composite/S-video Component output G 1 output (monitor out only) Video upconversion G (composite to S-video only) HDMI input/output DVI input/output No digital video connectivity here Multi channel input G 1 bank of 6 analogue audio inputs Subwoofer output G 1 phono output Digital Audio input G 3 optical, 2 electrical Digital Audio output G 1 optical Phono input stage Speaker out G 7 pairs large banana speaker outputs Headphone G 1 output Amplification 7 x 110W Tuner FM/AM RDS with 30 presets Dimensions 420(w) x 158(h) x 402.5(d)mm Weight 9.7kg Also featuring Thermal compensation transistor amplifier design; double precision 48-bit Motorola digital engine; 96kHz/24-bit analogue-digital converter; 192kHz/24-bit digital-analogue converter; 5 band EQ MCACC automatic calibration; WMA9 Pro decoding; 9 advanced surround modes; virtual surround back; learning LCD remote

SPECIFICATIONS

Ease my install
Pioneer, as the name suggests, paved the way with automatic calibration systems. While once reserved for more expensive models, they are now commonplace. The VSX-915 uses an updated version of the MCACC (MultiChannel Acoustic Calibration System) used on its predecessor, with 5 band GEQ for each channel. All you have to do is position a supplied microphone in your listening position and wait while the

RATINGS

Highs: Affordable and easy to use; features; detailed, spacious sound Lows: Lacks weight; bright sound doesnt suit all soundtracks
Sound Build Features OVERALL

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Tried&Tested

receiver uses a series of electronic sounds to determine the speakers size, level and delay distances. Its a painless process that only takes a matter of minutes and the subsequent settings are remarkably accurate and can also be customised to any environment. I found that the auto setting tends to result in sound thats a little bright for my tastes, so you might want to de-claw this cat. A Quick Set-Up option is offered but the lack of onscreen menus (unless you own a Pioneer plasma with SR+ compatibility) makes it fiddly. Connections include a variety of inputs for audio and video sources including 5.1 inputs for multi-channel music formats
like DVD-A and Super Audio CD. And there are three component video inputs for video switching as well as video up conversion from composite to S-video. Like other Pioneer models, the surround back channels can be reassigned to a second zone or used to bi-wire a pair of large front speakers to improve stereo performance. The rear panel arrangement could be better and speaker terminals in particular are difficult to reach but a removable panel on the front conceals standard AV inputs and an optical connection for flexible access. Build quality is pleasingly upmarket. The bevelled, brushed aluminum fascia is carefully finished and

Pioneer has included a learning LCD remote for extra poshness.
job of finding tonal consistency, and this leads to fast, accurate steering. Dialogue is detailed and pronounced but unless youre careful in set up, can be compromised by brightness. Music performance, especially in stereo, is surprisingly adept. Bi-wiring your front pair of speakers and embracing a pure direct analogue pathway which bypasses all digital circuitry improves stereo performance. Detail and dynamics are joined by a lively sense of timing that extends to multi-channel music formats.

Tells you how it is

The VSX-915 has an upfront character thats been typical of entry-level Pioneer receivers over the years. The clean, crisp sound is immediately engaging, enlivening film scores with energy and excitement; a bright balance emphasises detail to reveal a spectrum of subtleties, which suits some soundtracks but leaves others sounding brash and overly aggressive. However, while the sound is full of clarity and resolution it comes at the expense of scale and weight. Despite the power claims made by Pioneers on-paper specifications the resulting sound struggles to fully stamp its authority on demanding soundtracks. Theres still enough oomph to satisfy most rooms but the lean balance leaves you yearning for a little more. The automatic calibration system does a fine

Conclusion

Pioneers VSX-915 tries hard to deliver a lot of kit for a small amount of money. The detailed, spacious sound is a tad more refined than its predecessor but I feel still lacks a little weight and errs toward brightness. However, at this price the VSX-915 represents solid value for money I
Theres still enough oomph to satisfy most rooms but the lean balance leaves you yearning for more
The front panel has an optical input as well as the regular AV ones
Another premium is the Learning LCD handset
Options on the backside include 5.1 inputs for multi-channel music and the facility to bi-wire front speakers or use a second zone
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