Pioneer VSX-1020-K 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver - Review

The Pioneer VSX-1020-K 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver provides practical features and good audio performance in an affordable package. Some features include 3D compatibility, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD decoding and Dolby Pro Logic IIz audio processing, 6 HDMI inputs, and analog to HDMI video conversion with 1080p video upscaling. Extra bonuses include direct iPod connection via USB port, Sirius Satellite radio compatibility, and Internet radio access via Ethernet connection to a home network (router). After reading the following review, also check out my Photo Gallery, and Video Performance Tests.

1. The Pioneer VSX-1020-K delivers 80 WPC into 8-Ohms (measured from 20Hz to 20Khz two channels driven - actual power output with 7 channels driven will be lower).

2. Audio Processing: Dolby and DTS surround sound processing options including DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

The VSX-1020-K also incorporates the HDMI™ Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS) for jitterless audio transfer between receiver and compatible Pioneer Blu-ray Disc Players for optimum audio CD playback.

3. Video Processing: HDMI pass through of 3D and high definition signals up to 1080p. Standard definition video signals are deinterlaced and can be upscaled up to 1080p utilizing PureCinema processing and Anchor Bay ABT-1015 deinterlacing/scaling chip. There are video settings for Output Resolution (Auto, Pure, 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p) Aspect Ratio (4x3, 16x9), Progressive Motion, Noise reduction, Detail, Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Chroma Level.

4. Audio Inputs/Outputs: Two Coaxial and two Optical), Analog stereo audio connections and a subwoofer pre-out.

5. Video Inputs/Outputs: The Pioneer VSX-1020-K offers six HDMI inputs and one output, as well as two Component inputs and one output. There are four Composite Video and a VCR/DVR/DVD Recorder connection loop.

6. Front Panel Display, OSD, and LFE Features: The fluorescent front panel display and Onscreen menu system make setup and operation of the receiver easy and fast. Also featured is an adjustable crossover on the Subwoofer LFE pre-out channel.

7. AM/FM/Sirius Satellite Radio: AM/FM tuner and built-in Sirius satellite radio capability. Subscription and optional antenna are required for receiving Sirius Radio Service. 40 station presets provided that can be used for setting any combination of favorite AM/FM or Sirius stations or channels.

8. iPod and Flash Drive Connectivity: With the front mounted USB port you can plug an iPod directly into the VSX-1020-K without an additional accessory adapter. You can also connect USB flash drives.

9. Wired internet connectivity via provided Ethernet port. Provides access to internet radio stations.

10. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity via optional adapter.

11. Lip Synch Adjustment (Sound Delay for non-HDMI sources and Auto Delay for HDMI sources): Allows the user to compensate for any audio/video time discrepancies.

12. Dialog Enhancement: Insures understandable center channel sound levels when listening to DVD or Blu-ray multi-channel soundtracks.

13. MCACC: By connecting the provided microphone and following the instructions outlined in the user manual, the MCACC uses a series of test tones to determine the proper speaker levels, based on how it reads the speaker placement in relation to the acoustical properties of your room. You may still have to some minor adjustments manually after the automatic set up is completed in order to conform to you own listening tastes. As an added bonus, completed MCACC settings can be stored on a USB flash drive for additional reference.

14. Zone 2 Operation: The Pioneer VSX-1020-K can be used in a full 7.1 channel configuration, or in a 5.1 channel configuration in the main home theater room, with simultaneous 2 channel operation in a second room. If you want to use the full 7.1 channels for the main room, you can still run an additional 2-channel system in another room by using the Zone 2 preamp outputs. However, you will have to add a secondary amplifier to power the speakers in Zone 2.

The Zone 2 function allows control of either the same, or separate, source than the one being listened to in the main room, in another location. The user can watch a Blu-ray Disc or DVD movie with surround sound in the main room, while someone else can listen to a CD player in another, at the same time. For details how the 2nd Zone feature is implemented, refer to page 30 in the Pioneer VSX-1020-K User Manual.

15. iPhone Remote Control App. A downloadable app allows an iPhone to be used for select remote control functions (see video demo).

Hardware Used

The additional home theater hardware used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Blu-ray Disc Players: OPPO BDP-83 and Sony BD-PS350 Blu-ray Disc players.

DVD Player: OPPO DV-980H

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 1 (7.1 channels): 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s, Klipsch Synergy Sub10.

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 2 (5.1 channels): EMP Tek E5Ci center channel speaker, four E5Bi compact bookshelf speakers for left and right main and surrounds, and an ES10i 100 watt powered subwoofer.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and Syntax LT-32HV 720p LCD TV. Displays calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

DVDO EDGE Video Scaler used for baseline video upscaling comparisons.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Level checks made using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

The software used in this review included the following titles:

Blu-ray Discs used included scenes from from the following: 300, Across The Universe, Avatar (2D), Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2D), Hairspray, Iron Man, Kick Ass, Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Transporter 3, and War of the Worlds (2005).

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, U571, and V For Vendetta.

CDs: Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light, Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Sade - Soldier of Love.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible, Sheila Nicholls - Wake.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take