Building a new home theater system so in for one. Now I just need to find a good set of speakers. Also, what do y'all think of 'power conditioners' and the like available. Necessary or not?

im very tempted.
I currently own a HK AVR 254 and works real well for the setup I have
so I dont know if I should replace this or not....
what to do, what to do

So if you have a wired Ethernet connection to this unit, it will do everything it says it will do?

you do not need the wireless adapter at all, correct?

Are the HDMI ports separate from the component?

so I could have 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and output them to 1 device via HDMI? or do the component devices have to ouput to via the component output on this receiver?

zlyons wrote:Anyone have any good speakers to recommend for hooking up to this (that won't break the bank)?

I would highly recommend the Energy Take Classic 5.1, And eventually add floorstanding speakers to get the Dolby IIz.

Not only are there almost ZERO bad reviews out of 200+ on amazon, but I personally have the speakers and, not only are the satellite speakers awesome, the subwoofer shakes the pictures off the other side of my house at only 50% volume.

Heres the deal:

This receiver is fantastic, recently acquired one through Amazon. Currently $419 through Amazon, disregarding any Prime shipping perk you may have.

I can ramble off a lot of pros but ultimately, for this price you can't touch a better receiver.

Downside: Note this receiver DOES NOT come with wifi or bluetooth - those are both add ons. The cost of WIFI is around $130 and $70 for bluetooth. The receiver does have a spot for cat5 cable but alas my media center is not sitting next to my modem so that was pointless.

spellow wrote:So if you have a wired Ethernet connection to this unit, it will do everything it says it will do?

you do not need the wireless adapter at all, correct?

Are the HDMI ports separate from the component?

so I could have 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and output them to 1 device via HDMI? or do the component devices have to ouput to via the component output on this receiver?

Yes, this will convert component inputs all to one HDMI output. It states this on the pioneer website. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer+Receivers/VSX-1021-K

TechGuy125 wrote:Better deal on newegg.com when you factor shipping and tax...

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Nov-0-2011/72HSale11/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL111111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL111111-_-EMC-111111-Index-_-E0-_-ShopBF

This does not seem to be active any more. the coupon code does not work.

It doesn't appear to have hdmi standby passthrough. I'm just not the type of guy that wants my receiver on every time I want to watch tv, and if all my hdmi devices are going through the receiver, I would need to.

Source (search for passthrough)

I've got one of these, and it works incredibly well, integrated with my components from multiple manufacturers. Great deal!

ciero wrote:It doesn't appear to have hdmi standby passthrough. I'm just not the type of guy that wants my receiver on every time I want to watch tv, and if all my hdmi devices are going through the receiver, I would need to.

Source (search for passthrough)

It does, Look at pioneers website
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer+Receivers/VSX-1021-K

Under specs/video processing you will see "HDMI Standby Through" But from what i read online, this is kinda hit or miss due to the standards not being adopted by all devices.

spellow wrote:So if you have a wired Ethernet connection to this unit, it will do everything it says it will do?

you do not need the wireless adapter at all, correct?

Are the HDMI ports separate from the component?

so I could have 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and output them to 1 device via HDMI? or do the component devices have to ouput to via the component output on this receiver?

depending on how the input channels are set up, it might require you to map a specific set of inputs to a specific channel, i.e., you can use either an hdmi or component input for one channel, but not both.

Does anyone know if you can watch TV with sound without the reciever being on (Just sound through the TV speakers)? We have the VSX-30 right now which is very nice, but with everything hooked to it you can only get TV sound with it on (And it does not have sound through the TV speakers). We have a large flat-panel TV on the wall and I don't want to run any more wires to the TV if I don't have to (We just the the HDMI cable going to it). THANKS!

spellow wrote:So if you have a wired Ethernet connection to this unit, it will do everything it says it will do?

you do not need the wireless adapter at all, correct?

Are the HDMI ports separate from the component?

so I could have 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and output them to 1 device via HDMI? or do the component devices have to ouput to via the component output on this receiver?

That's my question too. I would like all the video to SUM OUT to the HDMI output. That way, I use the receiver to do all the video switching, and don't have to fool with inputs on my TV. I've downloaded the manual; I'll report what I find.

dpinter wrote:Does anyone know if you can watch TV with sound without the reciever being on (Just sound through the TV speakers)? We have the VSX-30 right now which is very nice, but with everything hooked to it you can only get TV sound with it on (And it does not have sound through the TV speakers). We have a large flat-panel TV on the wall and I don't want to run any more wires to the TV if I don't have to (We just the the HDMI cable going to it). THANKS!

Thats called "HDMI Standby Through", which this receiver supports It seems to be hit or miss with devices though.

dpinter wrote:Does anyone know if you can watch TV with sound without the reciever being on (Just sound through the TV speakers)? We have the VSX-30 right now which is very nice, but with everything hooked to it you can only get TV sound with it on (And it does not have sound through the TV speakers). We have a large flat-panel TV on the wall and I don't want to run any more wires to the TV if I don't have to (We just the the HDMI cable going to it). THANKS!

Read the above reply, it looks like the receiver has to be on to do any HDMI switching.

I also saw the deal from New Egg and was also tempted. I ONLY look at the negative reviews because I want to see the potential problems with this unit. ( checked New egg and Amazon reviews)

There seems to be an inordinately high failure rate for this model after about 8 months and service was very hard for many people to obtain because of the lack of approved service centers in most areas.

I took a pass there, and I take a pass here.
I would recommend a Square Trade extension for anyone who bit the bullet.

Looks like this is a great deal! This is $448.77 on Amazon.com.

Wow!!!!!

According to the manual, you can output Component and Composite to HDMI. The only thing it WON'T do is downgrade an HDMI input to a Component or Composite output. Why you'd want to do that is beyond me, unless perhaps you wanted to make a video copy of something coming in over HDMI. But playback looks like everything can go out over HDMI.

Gah! I've been looking at THIS SPECIFIC RECEIVER, but I just sunk a grand into my car and it's three days until payday. Damn.

If this had pre-outs, I would probably be trying to find a way to afford this and replace the receiver I JUST bought Whew... dodged a bullet there.

I respect that they gave the full response range power rating. Often, companies use 1Hhz because it looks better on paper.

I bought this reciever from bestbuy about 1 & 1/2 years ago. I love it and I paid much more than this price. It has I think 5 hdmi cables and someone else asked but yes it has hdmi pass through as well. I might buy another one just because its such a good deal.

I've got a Denon AVR-591. Is this a good upgrade or not worth the trouble. The AirPlay feature is what interests me...

Looks like a great deal, but then I look closer. It said AirPlay was built in, which is what made it so attractive, but the description says that for AirPlay to work you need to buy a separate AS-WL300 adapter ... which happens to be an obscene $150!

spellow wrote:So if you have a wired Ethernet connection to this unit, it will do everything it says it will do?

you do not need the wireless adapter at all, correct?

Are the HDMI ports separate from the component?

so I could have 4 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and output them to 1 device via HDMI? or do the component devices have to ouput to via the component output on this receiver?

Yes that is what I have setup with this reciever. I have everything going to the reciever (componenet and hdmi both) then out to one hdmi to my tv.

Does this thing have on-screen menu support or what?

ciero wrote:It doesn't appear to have hdmi standby passthrough. I'm just not the type of guy that wants my receiver on every time I want to watch tv, and if all my hdmi devices are going through the receiver, I would need to.

Source (search for passthrough)

yes it does pass through as I found out by accident this past weekend.

recneps7 wrote:Does this thing have on-screen menu support or what?

yes it does

DrAdvertising wrote:Looks like a great deal, but then I look closer. It said AirPlay was built in, which is what made it so attractive, but the description says that for AirPlay to work you need to buy a separate AS-WL300 adapter ... which happens to be an obscene $150!

It works out of the box if you have it connected through ethernet cord. If you have to use wifi to connect the receiver to your home network then yes you will have to buy the addon or use a workaround which can be done for cheaper.

I am so happy for this deal today. I have been shopping around for a good receiver and speakers. I originally had my eyes on the Denon AVR-1912 but when I saw newegg and amazon were selling this model for $200 less that the Denon I was sold since they are basically the same feature/spec wise and both have received pretty favorable reviews. I had this receiver in my cart at amazon only to find out it went back up after newegg did. I found some speakers I liked for a great price on newegg yesterday and went ahead and ordered them. Now I will have my receiver and speakers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269003

Those are the speakers I bought. Energy RC Micro 5.1 set. I can't seem to find a bad review for them on the internet. They are $350 with promo code that ends today. Most of the highly praising reviews of these speakers were back when they were selling for $900 a couple of years ago.

I'll be playing my Dunlavy Audio Labs SC-IVa speakers with this...

Very excited.

Just bought mine.

can iOS device stream through home wireless network and then to VSX-1021-K or does airplay enabled iOS device have to connect directly to VSX-1021-K wirelessly via optional wireless adapter?

I bought the next one up of last year's model, the 1120, last year and haven't hooked it up yet, for that for the 'great price' of $500 at the time.

I've forgotten what it adds over this one.

This would be perfect for my new (empty) media room. Too bad my wife had to spend all of our money on new beds for the kids.

glgeek wrote:can iOS device stream through home wireless network and then to VSX-1021-K or does airplay enabled iOS device have to connect directly to VSX-1021-K wirelessly via optional wireless adapter?

the iOS device can stream through home wireless network and then to VSX-1021-K as long as its plugged into your router in some way

hwlester wrote:I own the 1120, but was seriously considering the 1020 (the previous year's model). The main reason I went with the 1120 is that the 1120 offered web browser control while the 1020 only offered an iPhone/iPod Touch app. Since I have an Android phone, the 1120 could still be controlled by my phone. Pioneer released an Android app for the 2011 line (which this is one of), but there is also a third party Android app that controls both the 2011 models as well as the older models. I love my 1120, but this is an EXCELLENT price on the 1021 and if I didn't already own the 1120, I'd jump on this in a heartbeat. If I had some extra cash, I'd probably buy one of these for a second room.

This is great info. Thank you.

rpecot wrote:This would be perfect for my new (empty) media room. Too bad my wife had to spend all of our money on new beds for the kids.

Right, it is good that the kids have sleeping quarters. This deal is really good. Amazon offered a GoldBox deal on the 1020-k a week or two ago, and I did not purchase b/c of no ARC support. This has ARC support which is essential for the future of TV/Blu-ray products. I purchased one, and recommended it to two colleagues who purchased as well. This might sell out due to the price. Squaretraded as well, due to only 1 year warranty, and on Amazon, a few failed receivers.

jaybones wrote:Nope, looked up the Crutchfield article, it specifically says that there's no phono input and you'll need a preamp. Sorry

That pretty much sealed the deal for me. I've got a very old (going on 15 years now) Technics 5.1 Surround receiver and am looking to replace it. But my old horse has phono, because being an old horse myself, I've still got a lot of vinyl. No phono = FAIL.

Ah well ...

There seems to be some conflicting information on whether or not this has full functionality using android as well. Can anyone speak to that, or is this simply built for the iFolks and the geeks among us should probably pass?

madgonad wrote:Pretty much only for the iFans since the advanced features only work with Apple hardware and iTunes.

Maybe that is why the receiver is already half off of MSRP after only being around for six months. Kind of odd since the majority of computer users run Windows and the majority of smartphones are Android. I guess that makes me in for zero. I am sure it would sell like gangbusters if there was an Apple logo on it instead of Pioneer....

I was recently in the market for an upgraded AV receiver. I was shocked to see that many of the producers catered to iOS. It kept me from buying many different models. I will never, ever buy anything that only integrates with an Apple device. Ever. I find Apple/iTunes/iOS way, way more restrictive a platform than Android or Windows. And that's because it it.

Someone else here did say that Pioneer got with the program and created an app for this. Check into that. If it's true, Pioneer just enabled 12 times more potential use among Android users.