Pioneer VSX-817

The Pioneer VSX-817 is a very solid 7.1 surround sound home theater receiver that would be a good fit for any home system. It features a very flexible (assignable) input system, a strong 110W per channel, built in decoders for just about every format out there, and it is XM and Sirius Ready (Special Cable required). Not listed in the features is the upscale and downscale of different signals or the cooling fan for the unit. Last but not least is the advanced sound mapping (DSP) which is more than just a label as it actually works.

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Pioneer VSX-817
MSRP $240.00
Release date January, 2007
Brand Pioneer
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
1 review
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mixed
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0 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

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Weak on full range speakers
+1agreedisagree


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Details

Specs

POWER

  • 770 Watts - 110 x 7 / 1kHz .9% THD 8 Ohms
    • Some advanced bridging options
    • A+B, A or B, selectable Outputs

INPUTS

  • XM and Sirius compatible
  • Audio/Video Output 1A / 1AV + 1V 
  • Digital Inputs 4:
    • Optical In 2 - Assignable
    • Coaxial In 2 - Assignable
  • Multi-Channel Component Input 5.1
  • Preamp Output Sub 
  • Composite Video Input/Output - 3 to 1
  • S-Video Input/Output - 2 to 1
  • Component Video Input/Output - 3 to 1
  • Headphone Output 
  • Front A/V Inputs
  • AC Outlet
  • Banana Speaker Terminal

DIGITAL DECODING & PROCESSING

  • Digital Engine Freescale 180 MIPS Processing DSP
  • Dolby(R) Digital 5.1
  • Dolby Digital EX
  • DTS(R) 5.1
  • DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
  • DTS 96/24
  • DTS Neo:6
  • Pro-Logic II
  • WMA9 Pro
  • Front Stage Surround
  • 5 / 6 / 7 Channel Stereo 7
  • Virtual Surround Back
  • Mid-night Listening
  • Dialogue Enhancement
  • Loudness
  • Basic Phase Control
  • MCACC
  • Sound Retriever
  • Speaker Configuration
  • Speaker Size Adjustment (Per sets- F/S/R+R)
  • Speaker Level
  • Speaker Distance
  • Acoustic Equalization
  • Digital Analog Conversion (DAC) 192kHz / 24-bit

NOTE: The K designates BLACK and S is for Silver (case color)

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This report was started December 29, 2007 at 3:47 am by Charon9
with the last edit occurring April 25, 2008 at 4:39 pm by Erik
This page has been viewed 1737 times, with 14 edits by 3 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Yamaha RX-V659

Yamaha RX-V659

MSRP  $400.00    Released  April, 2006
Pros
  • Excellent value (high quality, great features for a great price)
  • Component video switching (3 inputs)
  • Upconverts S-Video, composite video inputs to component output (simplifies switching)
Cons
  • Volume displayed as a bar graph instead of typical dB
  • No HDMI inputs or outputs
  • Requires extra accessories for iPod and XM to work
ProSCORE
1 review
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Pioneer VSX-817   vs. vote Yamaha RX-V659  

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Comments

1.  avatar Charon9 said:

I got two of these for Christmas (Three Cheers for Santa's goof!). I have always been a big fan of Pioneer, and this unit is no different. The first unit is my main AV processor for home theater. It powers the custom built full range speakers with only a slight lack of punch (I guess 15's all the way around is just a little too much), I will have to add a powered subwoofer (Gasp) to bring out the low range.
The Second unit is on my main computer (Yeah, Overkill and I love it). The performance is much better on this system as it is satellite speakers with a Powered Subwoofer and when connected to my ProDigy card the sound is just amazing.

I would call this a mid range unit, although budget would be more accurate. In the end however it has a lot of bang for the buck. Also, the Pioneer VSX-516 is the same unit less the XM Sirius and front panel connectors - plus being a close out it is cheaper.

Dec 29, 2007 4:17am
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Reviews

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Charon9

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December 29, 2007
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ProSCORE
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Weak on full range speakers

Comments

"

I got two of these for Christmas (Three Cheers for Santa's goof!). I have always been a big fan of Pioneer, and this unit is no different. The first unit is my main AV processor for home theater. It powers the custom built full range speakers with only a slight lack of punch (I guess 15's all the way around is just a little too much), I will have to add a powered subwoofer (Gasp) to bring out the low range.
The Second unit is on my main computer (Yeah, Overkill and I love it). The performance is much better on this system as it is satellite speakers with a Powered Subwoofer and when connected to my ProDigy card the sound is just amazing.

I would call this a mid range unit, although budget would be more accurate. In the end however it has a lot of bang for the buck. Also, the Pioneer VSX-516 is the same unit less the XM Sirius and front panel connectors - plus being a close out it is cheaper.

"
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This product is also known as:

VSX, 817, VSX817