Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K
Manufacturer: Pioneer North America Part number: VSX1019AH-K
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K delivers an excellent feature set and outstanding sound quality for its price, making it our top midrange AV receiver pick so far.
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CNET editors' review
Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K price range: $488.49 - $599.00
- Reviewed by: Matthew Moskovciak and Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 10/15/2009
- Released on: 04/15/2009
The good: Outstanding sound quality for the price; four HDMI inputs; can connect an iPod/iPhone directly to its USB port and browse music using onscreen graphical user interface; analog video upconversion to 1080p, with acceptable image quality; onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; Sirius-ready; automatic speaker calibration.
The bad: Advanced controls can be difficult to setup; confusing manual.
The bottom line: The Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K delivers an excellent feature set and outstanding sound quality for its price, making it our top midrange AV receiver pick so far.
The iPod is the most popular audio gadget of the decade, which is why it's incredibly frustrating that it's not easier to use it with your AV receiver. Either you're stuck using a patch cable and getting up from the couch to make playback changes, or you have to shell out for a pricey proprietary iPod dock. That's why we were so excited when we saw the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K (and its step-down cousins) at CES 2009; just plug your iPod into the front panel USB port using the included iPod cable and you can navigate your music using your TV screen. That's a unique feature in this price range and the VSX-1019AH-K also has a full suite of standard features, such as four HDMI inputs, 1080p analog upconversion, and multiroom functionality. Even better, we were blown away by the sound quality of the VSX-1019AH-K for a $500 receiver, despite our initial worries that it weighs significantly less than last year's VSX-1018AH-K. With no major shortcomings, outstanding sound quality and its unique iPod-friendly USB port, the VSX-1019AH-K is our top midrange AV receiver pick and thus earns the Editors' Choice award.
Editors' note: The review has been updated since publication in June 2009 to indicate that the VSX-1019AH-K has earned the Editors' Choice award.
DesignIt's tough to make an AV receiver stand out from the pack, but the VSX-1019AH-K is likely to catch your eye on a retail shelf. That's mostly because of its glossy black front panel finish, which gives it a high-end feel, although it picks up plenty of fingerprint smudges. There are two large knobs on each side of the unit, one for volume and one for selecting inputs. Toward the bottom is a push-out cover that reveals more inputs, including the USB port for easy iPod connectivity. The LCD screen features bright white lettering and we had no trouble reading it from about 9 feet back. As long you keep the VSX-1019AH-K looking fingerprint-free, we think it's one of the best looking receivers in its price class.
The included remote control is decent, although a bit cluttered. The clicker does a good job of separating functions like the directional pad and playback controls, but the master volume buttons should be more prominent. Some of the buttons also serve dual functions, which can get confusing, but that's pretty standard on AV receiver remotes. As always, you can alleviate many of these problems with a quality universal remote.
User interface
Many receivers in this price range still include a basic text-based onscreen display, but the VSX-1019AH-K includes a full graphical user interface. Pioneer refers to it as "full color GUI," but that's a bit of a stretch; the color palette is limited to grayscale and some occasional blue for standard menu functions. Still, we found that the GUI made it easy to do most of the basic setup chores, such as setting speaker levels or assigning inputs.
Even better, the GUI works seamlessly if you plug in an iPod/iPhone to the front panel USB port. The GUI pops up and lets you browse your music collection using the standard iPod categories, such as artist, album, or genre. Movies and photos can also be played back, but only if you use the "iPod control" scheme, where you use the actual iPod for navigation, rather than the GUI. Yes, we would have liked if movies and photos were also accessible via the GUI, but it's not a big deal unless you plan on watching a lot of movies/slideshows on your TV.
As nice as the GUI is for functions like iPod navigation and assigning inputs, we really wish it handled more of the functions available on the VSX-1019AH. For example, when we wanted to activate the VSX-1019AH's "sound retriever" mode (which claims to make compressed audio formats sound better), we were forced to navigate menus using the unit's single-line LCD screen. Even then, we couldn't find it and had to spend way too much time digging through the lousy manual to discover that it only worked on particular sources. The good news is that all the basic functionality of the VSX-1019AH is easy to access via the GUI of standard remote buttons, but those looking to use all of the receiver's functions will encounter some headaches.
Setup
We're generally big fans of Pioneer's MCACC (Multi Channel Acoustic Calibration) automatic speaker calibration system because it's easy to use and gives excellent results. The system automatically determines speaker sizes, speaker-to-listener distances, sets the volume levels of all of the speakers and the sub, and calculates the subwoofer crossover point. We also like that all of the measurements are taken from just one microphone position.
Plug in the included mic and the receiver automatically brings up the autosetup onscreen display. Commence MCACC and the receiver sends an unusually wide variety of tones, whooshes, and thumping sounds through all the speakers and the subwoofer. The whole operation took about 5 minutes.
Checking the results, we were surprised to see MCACC misidentified our Aperion Intimus 4B surround channel satellites as "large" speakers. Since the 4B satellites have 4-inch woofers (with limited deep bass capability) we classify them as "small" speakers. When a receiver recognizes a speaker as small it redirects some of the bass that would normally go to the speaker to the subwoofer. That's what bass management is all about. So we had to go to the manual setup menu to correct that mistake, which is easy enough to do. Never assume autosetup is perfect. We almost always have to correct some aspect of speaker setup after running autocalibration programs.
For once we were perfectly happy with an autosetup's handling of subwoofer volume and the way the sub's sound melded with the satellite speakers. We didn't feel the need to change anything regarding the sub setup.
Features
| Key features |  | |||
| Dolby TrueHD + DTS-HD MA | Yes | Onscreen display | GUI | |
| Analog upconversion | 1080p | Source renaming | Yes | |
| Selectable output resolution | Yes | Satellite radio | Sirius | |
The Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K is one of the most fully featured receivers in its price range. As mentioned before, it has a full color graphical user interface, which is better than the text-only onscreen displays on the comparable Onkyo TX-SR607 and Yamaha RX-V665BL. It's also capable of upconverting analog signals up to 1080p, and unlike most midrange receivers, it actually has acceptable image quality--more on this in the performance section. The VSX-1019AH-K only support Sirius (and not XM), but that's less of an issue since the merger of the two satellite radio companies.
| Connectivity | | |||
| HDMI inputs | 4 | Optical audio inputs | 2 | |
| Component video inputs | 2 | Coaxial audio inputs | 2 | |
| Max connected HD devices | 6 | Stereo analog audio inputs | 3 | |
| Composite AV inputs | 4 | Analog multichannel inputs | 5.1 | |
| Max connected video devices | 8 | Phono input | No | |
The VSX-1019AH-K's connectivity is also a strong point. Its four HDMI inputs should be enough for almost every home theater, although the comparable Onkyo TX-SR607 offers six HDMI inputs. There are two component video connections and the VSX-1019AH-K has enough input "slots" so you can use six high-def sources at the same time. One slight step-down compared with the competition is its 5.1 analog inputs; most midrange receivers offer 7.1 analog inputs.
We mentioned the iPod graphical user interface before, but it's worth stressing again that it's an excellent feature at this price range. Sony, Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo all charge extra for iPod dock accessories, while the VSX-1019AH-K includes a USB port that works out of the box with most recent varieties of iPods. (According to Pioneer, its cable is compatible with the following models: iPod Nano, iPod fifth generation, iPod Classic, iPod Touch, and iPhone.) The included cable is a huge plus as well--we were genuinely shocked to find it in the box.
| Multiroom features | | |||
| Line-level 2nd zone outputs | Yes | Line-level 3rd zone outputs | No | |
| Speaker-level 2nd zone outputs | Yes | Speaker-level 3rd zone outputs | No | |
| 2nd zone video output | Composite | 2nd zone remote | No | |
Multiroom functionality is a little better than average on the VSX-1019AH, with second-zone functionality offered using line-level or speaker-level outputs. Note that using the second-zone speaker-level outputs require you use the would-be surround back channels of a 7.1 configuration; you can't have a 7.1 setup and a second zone. Unlike all other receivers in this price range, the VSX-1019AH-K also includes a second-zone video output (composite), enabling you to view the GUI in a second room. If you're thinking of running a full-time second room off one receiver, it's a nice touch.
Audio performance
The VSX-1019AH's sounds better than any $500 receiver we can think of. Looking over our notes for last year's Pioneer VSX-1018AH review, the two are similar, but the new receiver sounds like it has more guts and oomph, despite the fact that it weighs almost 10 pounds less.
Part of that can be attributed to two sound-enhancing features: S-Wave and Acoustic Calibration EQ. Both employ equalization to help improve the sound of your speakers, but S-Wave also compensates for your room's standing wave anomalies that can produce boomy or uneven bass response. We found S-Wave to be effective in the CNET listening room, but there's no guarantee it will net a positive effect in your room. We recommend listening to what S-Wave and Acoustic Calibration EQ sound like in your room.
They're both automatically turned "on" after you run MCACC--the menu to turn them off can be found on Page 64 of the owner's manual. As we said before, GUI is nicely laid out, but the VSX-1019AH is so jam-packed with features it can be difficult at times to find exactly what you're looking for. It took us way too long to get the Sound Retriever feature working, but ultimately we didn't find that it made much of a difference.
We had better luck with the VSX-1019AH's Auto Level Control that maintains a consistent volume in music and movies. To test its effect we went straight the DTS Master Audio soundtrack's navel battle scenes in the "Master and Commander" Blu-ray. The Auto Level Control worked like a charm, dialogue and cannon blasts were equal in volume level, so we could listen very quietly and not miss anything.
Of course, turning the ALC off and restoring full dynamic range sounded much better, but we were listening at much louder volume. Then the VSX-1019AH revealed all the tiniest details of sound; the creaking of the floorboards as the sailors in their heavy boots ran across the decks and the front-to-rear ambient sounds of the wind and surf filled the CNET listening room. Dialogue was exceptionally clear and articulate.
Next, we listened to the Dolby TrueHD soundtrack on the "Legends of Jazz" Blu-ray. The VSX-1019AH's clarity was balanced with a beautiful sense of warmth. Stand up basses had terrific weight and definition; each string pluck was distinct. Saxophones had the natural fullness and dimensionality that we can't remember ever hearing from a $500 receiver.
We compared the VSX-1019AH-K directly with Yamaha's RX-V665BL while playing Leonard Cohen's recent "Live in London" concert CD. The Pioneer's resolution presented a vivid sound, and the stereo soundstage was wide and deep. In fact the sound was so spacious, surround enhancement with Dolby Pro Logic II was unnecessary. Switching over to the Yamaha receiver, the soundstage was smaller, flatter, and less you-are-there realistic. The music's dynamics were scaled back.
Summing up, the VSX-1019AH's stellar performance makes it the go-to choice for sound-quality conscious midprice receiver buyers.
Video performance
The VSX-1019AH-K is capable of upconverting analog signals to its HDMI output, so we put it through our video testing suite. We connected the Samsung BD-P3600 via component video to the VSX-1019AH-K, with the BD-P3600 set to 480i output. The VSX-1019AH-K was set to output at 1080p over its HDMI output, connected to the Samsung LN46A950D.
We kicked off our video tests with Silicon Optix's HQV test suite on DVD. The first test is a resolution test and the VSX-1019AH was able to pass the full resolution of DVD, although we saw plenty of image instability in the horizontal lines plus other flickering. If this were a DVD player, we'd knock this performance harder, but just passing the full resolution is better than what we've seen on the Yamaha RX-V665BL or Onkyo TX-SR607. The next jaggies tests were worse; both a rotating white line and three pivoting lines were absolutely filled with jaggies. Finally, we looked at the 2:3 pull-down test, and the VSX-1019AH-K passed, as there was no moire in the grandstands as the racecar zooms by.
We switched over to program material and the first disc up was "Star Trek: Insurrection." The Pioneer had no difficulty clearly rendering the opening sequence, with the curved edges of the bridge railing and boat hulls looking jaggy-free. Lastly, we looked at the difficult introduction to "Seabiscuit" and the VSX-1019AH-K actually surprised us with its performance, showing very few jaggies on the slow pans over black-and-white photographs. In all, the VSX-1019AH-K's video performance is far from impressive when compared with quality upscaling DVD players or quality HDTVs, but it's the best we've seen from AV receivers in this price range this year and is probably good enough for those last remaining analog devices in your home theater.
User reviews
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Fantastic AVR for the price with a few wishes
by jdcbuy1 on May 26, 2009
Pros: Ipod connect with OSD - no $100 dock - it's all in the box. Voice enhance helps bring out dialog in movies. Problem free HDMI upscaling. Painless setup via the included mic. Nice high def GUI for setup. Crisp clear sound
Cons: GUI - OSD: Not as thorough as I would have liked as it does not apply to all inputs (i.e., radio is front panel only). Way too many acronyms and abbreviations - makes system very confusing initially.
Summary: Would highly recommend this receiver to anyone looking for top-notch sound and features without breaking the bank. This is my first HDMI receiver but not my first home theater system ...
Summary: Would highly recommend this receiver to anyone looking for top-notch sound and features without breaking the bank. This is my first HDMI receiver but not my first home theater system - finally making the move to HD. I've actually reverted back to older speakers I had retired in the search for better sound. With the quallity of sound from the 1019AH I've found it was actually my old receiver with muddy sound and not my speakers. II always assumed I'd get a Denon or Yamaha unit but with the new Pioneer lineup they've won me over.
9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good Features, Average Sound
by mpjcapust on June 23, 2009
Pros: ipod interface is a really nice feature, lots of ways to customize the sound
Cons: Sound is good, but not overly impressive
Summary: I picked up a 1019 after returning a malfunctioning HK 254. I feared that something as small and light as the Pioneer couldn't possibly match the HK for power, ...
Summary: I picked up a 1019 after returning a malfunctioning HK 254. I feared that something as small and light as the Pioneer couldn't possibly match the HK for power, and that fear was confirmed when I listened to the receiver. Using the HK, the soundtrack on The Dark Knight has a tremedous amount of dynamic impact. While the Pioneer sounds crystal clear, much of that impact is missing. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound terrible. But it doesn't have the warm, natural sound of the HK with the HK's weight and dynamic punch. If I wasn't comparing it to the HK, I probably would have liked it fine. But I returned it and picked up another HK, because I would rather live with the HK's glitches to enjoy the HK's sound.
Incidentally, my old receiver was a Yamaha RXV-659. I think my Yamaha sounded a little better than the Pioneer 1019. If, as cnet claims, this Pioneer sounds better than the Yamaha 665, then the current Yamaha's amplifier is markedly inferior to the models that they replaced.
If you want the Pioneer's features, then you may be happy with this receiver. If you want top notch sound quality, look to HK (I have heard similarly good things about Marantz). Note that alot is dependent on speakers, and I think that the HK happens to pair wonderfully with my Paradigm Mini Monitors. Also, if you want something that works without any headaches whatsoever, you may be much happier with this Pioneer than with the HK 254. I, however, will put up with a few headaches for (to my ears) the superior HK sound. With the HK my system sounds downright thunderous in the most pleasant way possible. That thunder is lacking in the Pioneer - it sounds merely good. I, for one, like my thunder, so I didn't like the Pioneer enough to keep it.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent audio and video performance
by Absolut187 on August 27, 2009
Pros: 4 HDMI inputs
Takes analog video inputs and outputs on HDMI (with optional 1080p upconversion)
Good customization optionsCons: None. Really.
Summary: I have this in my home theater connected to (1) Nintendo Wii via component video and stereo audio (2) HD cable box via HDMI and (3) DVD via HDMI.
I ...Summary: I have this in my home theater connected to (1) Nintendo Wii via component video and stereo audio (2) HD cable box via HDMI and (3) DVD via HDMI.
I only have one HDMI cable running to my projector, so it was essential to have the analog-to-HDMI output for the Wii. At first the video wasn't working well with the projector (Mitsubishi HC5500), but I reconfigured the video upscaling to "pure" which I think is just a pass-through, and now it works great because the projector does the upscaling. I figure the upscaling in a $2,000 projector is going to be better than any mid-range AV receiver anyway. The sound is excellent. I have it connected to all Polk in-wall speakers and a sub in a 7.1 arrangement, and it just sounds great. Dialogue is crisp and easy to hear, even in those annoying movies where the explosions are 50x louder than the dialogue. It is really a perfect mid-range receiver for movies and games. Really could not be better. A+2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great AVR, not just for the price
by brjoce on June 17, 2009
Pros: This system has wonderful sound, got my PS3, 360, wii, and dvd routed through and they all sound and look great. Setup was relatively easy. Plays my Sony Walkman A728, not even Sony AVRs do this without the $100 add-on.
Cons: Not really, the system produces a significant amount of heat, but most AVRs do in my experience, so find a space with adequate ventilation-you need about 3 in above the player to cool it.
Summary: Performance: Can't say anything but nice things about this AVR. All my components sound great, it appears to be future proof with 4 HDMIs, I'm currently only using ...
Summary: Performance: Can't say anything but nice things about this AVR. All my components sound great, it appears to be future proof with 4 HDMIs, I'm currently only using 1. I have this hooked up to my WEGA 34XBr970 (3 year old 1080i HDTV) and it compliments it nicely with its 7.1 sound, this was a significant upgrade from my 8 year old ancient AVR. My den is an ok size and this fills it with great sound without any problems. The fact that this works with my Sony walkman is fantastic, considering that even Sony's AVRs support it only after you buy an additional add on...I just plugged in via USB and boom my music was on the GUI and I was able to navigate from the remote to play whatever I wanted in MP3 or WMA.
Setup: This part was fairly intuitive, I did have to reference my manual a few times to make sure I was doing some of the calibrations and manual setups correctly. The manual is a bit clumsy but overall you can find what you need in it. The remote does need an overhaul in functionality, but you get used to it. The system does produce significant heat and so you will need to place it in a well-ventilated area...as the previous poster had mentioned, I also placed mine in a tv stand but only had about 3 cm of space above the unit, so it generated alot of heat on the shelf above it. I had to move the unit to an audio pier, from which the unit performs beautifully now while remaining cool (I have about 3 in head space above the AVR).
Bottom Line: I could have gone more expensive with some convincing needed for my wife, but this unit caught my eye and shocked me when I started researching it about a month ago. For the money and then some, this unit is a definite purchase and my home theater is better for it.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent receiver, abismal manual, need users group!!
by dano77vette on April 29, 2009
Pros: Has everything that you can need for home theater and more, room setup is a snap with teh automatic sound system
Cons: Operation manual is clueless, no logic to it.
Summary: Best value for the money, great sound and upconversion, and if I ever learn it, it will be great. They need to think about an online course for operationl.
Summary: Best value for the money, great sound and upconversion, and if I ever learn it, it will be great. They need to think about an online course for operationl.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The best receiver in it's price range!!!
by nstewart769 on July 9, 2009
Pros: Excellent sound, Great GUI, direct iPod connectivity included, looks sharp.
Cons: Remote control could be better, manual not the most user friendly, "handshaking" issues when sound from Satellite box is run through HDMI cable.
Summary: I just purchased my VSX-1019AH-K a week ago on 07/02/09 from Best Buy. I really didn?t want to pay the full $509 price if I didn?t ...
Summary: I just purchased my VSX-1019AH-K a week ago on 07/02/09 from Best Buy. I really didn?t want to pay the full $509 price if I didn?t have to so I found a listing on eBay for $450 (taxes and shipping included) and brought it with me to see if Best Buy would at least give me a bit of a discount. To my surprise they matched the price? selling me the unit for $414.99 + tax! Very happy with the deal I got, I couldn?t wait to get home and set up my new receiver!
I hooked it up to my 10 yr old full size JBL 5.1 speaker system. I was actually considering replacing these speakers with a new set (like the Aperion 4T Hybrid SD) but I have to tell you, after hearing what my JBL speakers sound like with this receiver, I think I?ll save myself the $1500. This Pioneer receiver blows away my old 10 yr old Yamaha. The sound is fuller, cleaner, and has way more depth. Everything sounds better? T.V, DVD?s, Blue Ray, games and music.
The set up was a cinch with the automatic speaker calibration. It made a mistake thinking my rear speakers were large but that was easy enough to fix. The only other thing I had to adjust was to change the subwoofer setting from ?yes? to ?plus.? This sends lower frequencies to both your large speakers and your sub at the same time, which gave my particular system a more full rounded sound. The manual isn?t the most user friendly so it took a while to figure out how to do this but I?m very happy with the end result. I was happy with the calibration of all my other speakers so I left them alone.
The direct connection option with my iPod was easy as well and very much appreciated. I can also hook my iPod up through my PS3 but the Pioneer lets me control the iPod through a menu on my T.V. with the same options as the iPod itself (searching by artist, playlist, ect.) This is actually the feature that sold my wife on agreeing to purchase a receiver at all in the first place so it holds a special place in my heart. :-)
On the Con side, I think the remote could have been a little better designed. For instance, when you switch between the different surround sound options, often times you have to hit the ?receiver? button first. This button is all the way at the bottom of the remote and isn?t noticeable enough for my taste. It?s really nit picky but there?s not much to dislike about this receiver so I had to mention it. Another nuisance is the ?handshaking? issue I have with the sound on standard digital channels (non-HD). It should first be noted that I have a Dish Network HD DVR box and run an HDMI cable from the Dish box to the receiver and then another HDMI cable from the receiver to my LCD T.V. This handshaking issue is a little difficult to explain but I?ll do my best. What happens is, if I turn my T.V. and receiver off when I?m on an HD channel, when I turn everything back on, I can only hear sound from HD channels, not the standard digital ones. To fix the issue I either have to go into the GUI menu and back out? or switch the input in the receiver to my DVD player (or any other input) and then back to HDMI. This forces the receiver to sink back up (re-handshake) with Dish Network, which kicks the sound for digital channels back on. I called Pioneer to see if the issue could be resolved and they advised it?s a common ?handshaking? issue between a Satellite box and the receiver when you run the sound through the HDMI cable. They advised me to call Dish Network thinking on my Dish box could be changed that would resolve the issue. A 30 min call to Dish Network later, the issue could not be resolved. It should be noted that both Pioneer and Dish Network advised this is a common problem for all receivers hooked up this way and isn?t specific to just Pioneer. I can?t confirm this as this is the first receiver I?ve owned with HDMI inputs, but at any rate, it?s not a deal killer for me by any means.
The bottom line is, in my opinion, the Pro?s way out weigh the Cons and I highly recommend this receiver to anybody looking in the $400-$600 price range. You will not be disappointed!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I'm impressed!
by PioneerFan on November 21, 2009
Pros: * iPod compatible - will upconvert video to 1080p and displays album art while playing songs from your playlist
* terrific value
* automatic power shutoff when all of the other components are shutoff (ie. TV, cable TV box etc.)Cons: * must separately tell which input to source Zone 2 output from
* only RCA inputs can be Zone 2 outputs
* Owner's manual is poorly-written, but you will figure everything out without it anywaySummary: I have this receiver hooked-up with Polk Audio surround package with subwoofer (150W). It's fantastic and sure beats my old Yamaha RX-V496. The sound is great and no complaints ...
Summary: I have this receiver hooked-up with Polk Audio surround package with subwoofer (150W). It's fantastic and sure beats my old Yamaha RX-V496. The sound is great and no complaints there.
My only complaint is that I use the Zone 2 output to feed into my sound distribution system hub for the rest of my house. Ideally, I would like Zone 2 to do everything that Zone 1 does by default, however you simply have to take the extra step, and slide the switch at the bottom of the remote to Zone 2, and select the input source. The other problem is that Zone 2 does not accept the audio from the HDMI inputs, but I have overcome this issue by simply feeding RCA cables from the same sources (cable box, DVD player) to the other RCA inputs on the receiver, and selecting the corresponding ones for Zone 2. Not a big deal, does not affect anything, but makes the switching between sources (cable box, DVD player, Internet Radio, iPod) etc. slightly more cumbersome if you want this signal to your Zone 2. Why Pioneer did not allow Zone 2 to source from the HDMI inputs is truely bizarre to me. If one of the readers has insight on this, I would appreciate some feedback! Overall, given the value of this receiver, I don't mind pressing a few extra buttons on my remote to get everything the way I want it. If you mostly need Zone 2 for one particular item, such as an iPod, then you're laughing, since you can leave Zone 2 in the iPod mode for example. I like to use both my iPod, and my Internet Radio on my Aux input, so a bit of extra button pressing is involved. -
Great Sound, great features
by joejoe123 on November 16, 2009
Pros: Great crisp sound, very good speaker setup, looks good not to big, not to heavy
Cons: Remote, no glossy easy setup guide, HDMI handshake issues initially but works fine now
Summary: IMHO sound is the number one most important feature for an AV receiver and this receiver does not disappoint.
I listened to this receiver side by side an expensive ONKYO ...Summary: IMHO sound is the number one most important feature for an AV receiver and this receiver does not disappoint.
I listened to this receiver side by side an expensive ONKYO receiver and this one blew it away. (ONKYO was too boomy) I actually chose to get the VSX-919AH-K instead of the VSX-1019AH-K because I didn't need the extra HDMI port (three is enough for me, XBOX & DVR) I also don't need up conversion (which I expect a Blu-Ray player to do once I get one) . The up conversion and HDMI cable are the only differences between the 919 & 1019. Unfortunately BB doesn?t carry it, I used B&H and saved lot?s of money.
I have very nice L R Center and Sub woofer speakers, cheap back speakers and the sounds are great. Games like COD MW2 are amazing. You are surrounded by sound, games and movies that take full advantage of this receiver are fantastic.
Sounds are very crisp and full, not loud, so even listening to TV late at night is better with the sound turned down. You can hear it so much better. This is compared to an older expensive receiver (before HDMI and Digital audio) with the same speakers. Increasing the volume it nice and gradual unlike my old receiver which always seemed hard to hear or too loud.
I thought I was going to have to get rid of my center speaker (Cambridge Sound Works) because I was not getting good sound from in on my old receiver but it turns out it's great with this Pioneer.
Now at first when I received the receiver I thought it was broken. I had no video no matter what I tried. The first video I got working was with the IPOD (actually my G3 iPhone)
I have two HDMI connections in and one out to the TV. I was getting no video from them at all. I was almost ready to box in up and send it back. I was using HDMI 1 and 2, then switched to the BD and 1 HDMI inputs and everything worked. Not sure if this is what fixed my problem or if I just didn't get a good initial HDMI handshake.
If you?re not getting a video signal turn all of your the devices off and back on together. A good HDMI handshake between devices is very important. Once I got it, it worked great and I haven?t had a problem since.
Areas for improvement. BB should carry the 919 version it?s a great version, better than the 819 because it is 7.1 instead of 5.1 and more economical if you don?t need a fourth HDMI connection.
They should also supply a simple glossy easy setup guide with a nice picture of the back of the receiver on it. I find them very helpful. After you put your receiver on a shelf and realize you need to connect something but can?t see the markings a picture is worth a thousand words.
Also the remote is nothing special, i don't like it.
I also think the sound displayed in negative numbers is annoying. I watch TV and -34BD according to the receiver.
Summary
Great receiver, fantastic sound, all the necessary features and a nice IPOD feature. Good automated speaker setup. Setup screens are not pretty but they get the job done. Remote is not great but won?t be used since I like most others I imagine will use universal remotes like the Harmony ( I have the cheap xbox model and it works fine)
I highly recommend this receiver and can?t believe I get this kind of sound from a receiver I picked it up for well under 4 bills. -
Value Value Value
by J Todd Smith on October 30, 2009
Pros: Video switching is excellent. I have it connected to my Sanyo 1080p projector at 130" and it delivers an awesome image! All my components connect seamlessly.
Cons: Remote control kind of chugs. Buttons are small. You have to press the "Receiver" button on the bottom before changing sound fields which means turning up the lights so you can find the button. Not really a big deal though.
Summary: For around $500 clams you cant find a better machine.
Summary: For around $500 clams you cant find a better machine.
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Excellent performance at a great price
by fenway42012 on October 22, 2009
Pros: The digital sound output in games (both XBox and PS3) and blu-ray movies is fabulous. Unlike some others here, I found the setup uncomplicated, especially the auto setup using the included microphone to determine speaker sound levels.
Cons: A minor inconvenience is that on starting up, it occasionally needs to have the input button pushed a 2nd time to connect to my component XBox 360. It seems to have an initial preference for connecting to the HDMI connecting my PS3.
Summary: You will not regret buying this system. Great performance for a price that is not outrageous.
Summary: You will not regret buying this system. Great performance for a price that is not outrageous.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Pioneer North America
- Part number: VSX1019AH-K
- Description: This hub for your home entertainment center allows you to enjoy your favorite movies on Blu-ray Disc, DVD or VHS on your flat-panel television like never before. With standard features that include a phenomenal ability to upscale and convert analog video signals to 1080p when transmitted through HDMI to your high definition television, the VSX-1019AH-K's video scaler presents you with nothing but the best quality possible today - regardless of what video source it receives. And as portable audio devices are now becoming a primary source of entertainment, it's also why the VSX-1019AH-K is Works with iPhone certified. With this certification comes a myriad of benefits for enjoying your iPhone on the VSX-1019AH-K: easy connectivity with the front USB port and included cable - even charging the device while connected; music and movies are automatically muted with incoming calls (no longer requiring you to put the phone in Airplane Mode); compressed music files are greatly enhanced by Pioneer's exclusive Advanced Sound Retriever technology; Auto Level Control maintains a consistent volume from to song to song and all this control is still possible from the palm of your hand through the iPhone itself or the VSX-1019AH-K's remote. Add the VSX-1019-AH-K's color Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the ability for 2nd zone A/V distribution, and enjoying a Blu-ray Disc movie in the living room while someone else scrolls through iTunes album art while listening to music in a bedroom is all but effortless. But the benefits certainly don't stop there. With 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component video inputs the potential to expand your HD entertainment experience even further is not only a dream come true but also a technical reality.
General
- Product Type AV receiver
- Width 16.5 in
- Depth 13.7 in
- Height 6.2 in
- Weight 19.2 lbs
- Enclosure Color Gloss black
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Built-in Decoders DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS Express, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-HD High Resolution
- Equalizer Yes
- Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
- Surround System Class 7.1 channel
- Amplifier Output Details 120 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD 0.05 % - 7 channel(s) ( Surround )
- Timer Sleep
- Additional Features iPod ready, Dual-zone capability, Windows Media Audio 9 Professional decoding, Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration Circuit (MCACC)
Connections / Cables / Slots
- HD connectors HDMI connection(s) on this receiver make it a great choice for your High-Def home theater. One cable carries digital audio and video data directly to your display.
Signal Processing Features
- Video Conversion/Scaling HDMI to HDMI scaling, Analog to HDMI up conversion
Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
- Coaxial Digital Output Yes
- Optical Digital Input Yes
Equalizer
- Equalizer band qty 9 bands
Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
- Preset Station Qty 30
- Additional Features Station naming, Sirius satellite radio ready
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type Digital player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards MP3, WAV, WMA
- Additional Features JPEG photo playback
Remote Control
- Remote Control Universal remote control
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm ) - Front, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Front, 1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) - Front, Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x Component video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 2 x SPDIF input - Rear, 1 x SPDIF input ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x 5.1 channel audio line-in ( RCA phono x 6 ) - Rear, 4 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, 1 x HDMI output ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
- Power Consumption Operational 350 Watt
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Auto calibration microphone
Manufacturer info
- Pioneer North America
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Pioneer North America products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/
- Address:
2265 E. 220th St.
Long Beach, CA 90810 - Phone: 310/952-2111
