Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver - Product Review

Home Theater receivers keep bringing new levels of performance in affordable price ranges. Having had a chance to use the Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS, I must say that it is an excellent value, with extensive connection capabilities, power to spare, and very flexible audio and video operation. For those wishing to own a receiver that integrates both audio and video functions, as well as performance very well, then check out the Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS.

Features of the VSX-82TXS include:

1. Home Theater Audio/Video Receiver with THX Select2 Audio Processing and Faroudja DCDi Video Processing and Scaling.

2. 7 Channels of amplification featuring 130 WPC at .09% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) FTC Rating

3. Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro logic IIx, DTS 5.1, DTS-ES, and DTS Neo:6 Surround modes. Windows Media 9 and XM Neural Surround Compatible.

4. 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output, 3 HD-compatible component video inputs and 1 output. 7 composite and S-Video A/V inputs. 4 Monitor outputs.

5. 2 VCR connection loops for VCRs or VCR and DVD Recorder. 1 iPod input, XM Radio Antenna connection, and 1 Phono Turntable input.

6. Composite, S-video, Component video to HDMI video conversion and upscaling.

7. 7 assignable digital audio inputs (2 coaxial and 5 optical ), RCA audio connections for CD player and CD or Cassette audio recorder. 5.1 channel audio inputs for DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD. HDMI audio is supported.

8. Dual banana-plug-compatible multi-way speaker binding posts. Subwoofer line output provided.

9. AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio tuners. Subscription and optional antenna are required for receiving XM Satellite Radio Service.

10. Room Audio Calibration via Auto MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) with supplied Microphone.

Setup - Hardware

Additional components used in the review of the Pioneer Elite VSX- 82TX Home Theater Receiver included a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Outlaw Audio Model 950 Preamp/Surround Processor paired with a Butler Audio 5150 5-channel power amplifier.

Video displays used: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV and an Optoma H56 Video Projector using both S-video and Component-to-DVI connection conversion.

The LCD TV/Monitors are HD-compatible. The Westinghouse LVM-37w3 (1080p) and Samsung LN-R238W (720p) both have HDMI input; the Syntax Olevia LT-32HV (720p) has a DVI-HDCP input. The Syntax was connected to the Helios X5000 via HDMI-to-DVI Connection adapter. All LCD units have progressive scan HD-Component inputs as well. The Optoma H56 projector has a native resolution of 1024x768.

A variety of loudspeakers, including Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Reference AV mains and center, A'diva-Ti Surrounds, and TR-2 Subwoofer. Also used in additional setups: Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-3, Optimus LX-5IIs, a Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofer, and additional speakers, in both matched and mismatched setups were used.

Comparison DVD players (with 720p/1080i upscaling) included , Samsung DVD-HD931 (DVI-HDCP output) and Helios X5000 DVD/Media Player(HD-component and HDMI output), as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player played both HD-DVD or Blu-ray Discs and standard DVD's in 1080i or 1080p upscaled mode.

Recordable DVDs used were made using: Sony RDR-HX900, Philips DVDR985, and a Presidian PDR-3222.

Connections between components were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

HD-DVDs used included: Serenity, Phantom of the Opera, The Last Samurai, Million Dollar Baby, Swordfish, Blazing Saddles, and The Italian Job.

Blu-ray Discs used included: Into The Blue, Ultraviolet, XXX, Underworld Evolution, House of the Flying Daggers, and Stealth

Pre-recorded standard DVDs for additional playback tests included scenes from the following: Serenity, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Valley Of Gwangi, Underworld, Moulin Rouge, Zathura, The Corpse Bride, and The Mummy, as well as video content on DVD-R and DVD+RW discs recorded on DVD recorders.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones: Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb: Firecracker, Blue Man Group The Complex, Telarc: 1812 Overture. DTS discs included: Queen: Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles: Hotel California, Sheila Nicholls: Wake, Alan Parsons: On Air. Also included: The Corrs: In Blue (Dolby Digital). In addition, music content on CD-R/RWs were also used.

Divx Demo files, both in standard and HD resolution formats.

The Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD video test disc was also used for more precise video performance measurements.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation and Final Take