It's the brain of your sound system. You'd hook the tv, surround sound speakers, dvd player, etc. to this receiver for your home theater set up.

endangereddelicacies wrote:Can someone explain to me, as if I was 12 years old, what this thing does? Where does it fit in in my living room? I have a TV which I connect my xbox and antenna to, and listen to music via my computer which has a decent soundcard and a nice set of speakers. What could buying this thing add to my set up?

Just checked NewEgg. An Onkyo 7.1 system goes for $385 w/ free shipping.

I've been itching for an upgrade from my old Sony 5.1 system, which can NOT seem to figure out how to play my Star Wars IV from my Blu-Ray with adequate sounds. (explosions too loud while dialogue too quiet)

This has FOUR HDMI inputs, so I should be able to plug in my computer (w/ a decent sound card w/ HDMI and sound card built in), plus my Blue-Ray, plus a video game system, plus whatever else comes down the pike in the next year or so.

Was about to buy the cheapo Sherwood system w/ the built in streeming hardware, but I'm glad I waited. This system looks like it can ACTUALLY deliver some good audio WATTage to my speakers.

I have a Pioneer Receiver, circa 1994, with a VFD and it's looking just fine. Been in use every day for 17+ years. I thought it was time to upgrade today.

Anyone know what PC Audio is in this model overview?

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/03/08/Pioneer_2011_AV_receiver_comparison.jpg?tag=mncol;rvwBody

I was really just looking for a receiver with good sound. Wasn't really looking for video or fancy features...then I started looking...

Either way, probably a good receiver if I just want to hook up some speakers and have good sound. Just wondering the best way to listen to my "non apple devices," like tablet and PC.

You can buy it from walmart for 15 bucks more after shipping. It will be there sooner and if something is wrong it will be easier to get support.

I love woot, but this one doesn't make sense to me.

dfunkmaster wrote:Anyone know what PC Audio is in this model overview?

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/03/08/Pioneer_2011_AV_receiver_comparison.jpg?tag=mncol;rvwBody

I was really just looking for a receiver with good sound. Wasn't really looking for video or fancy features...then I started looking...

Either way, probably a good receiver if I just want to hook up some speakers and have good sound. Just wondering the best way to listen to my "non apple devices," like tablet and PC.

Also, Woot! Can you pop my quality post cherry considering I linked a useful model overview?

It might be the deciding factor on whether I pull the trigger on this OK deal...

For another $100 Pioneer has their "top-o-the-line" 1021k if you don't mind a direct-from-manufacturer refurb...

I'm sorely tempted, frankly as it's got one more HDMI input and some other really nice add-on features

EDIT-THIS WAS INCORRECT including being BT-ready out-of-the-box with no adapter to buy. THAT WAS INCORRECT /EDIT

dfunkmaster wrote:Also, Woot! Can you pop my quality post cherry considering I linked a useful model overview?

It might be the deciding factor on whether I pull the trigger on this OK deal...

Wow - begging much?

What's the big deal with the "quality post" thing?

dedicateddad wrote:Wow - begging much?

What's the big deal with the "quality post" thing?

You'll find out when you reach 100.

endangereddelicacies wrote:Can someone explain to me, as if I was 12 years old, what this thing does? Where does it fit in in my living room? I have a TV which I connect my xbox and antenna to, and listen to music via my computer which has a decent soundcard and a nice set of speakers. What could buying this thing add to my set up?

Sits between your xbox (/other video sources) and TV, breaking out the audio to home-theater speakers for better sound quality than the junky little 10W barely-adequate squeakers built into your TV. Acts as an amplifier for the speakers, lets you hook up other audio sources to play over your nice surround sound speaker set.
Also acts as a video source switcher box if you have too few HDMI-inputs on your TV for your devices.
In the case of *this* one, also converts your analog (component/composite) video signals to go over the HDMI output instead, and tries to clean up the image quality while it's at it.

Does anyone know if this supports ARC (audio return channel)? I'd assume so, but didn't see it mentioned in the features.

Anyone know if this intercepts Handshakes or not? How about support for 4k resolution?

When I first saw nixie tubes I thought they were way cool !!!
Still cool - - must be the 3D effect...

Can anyone tell me FOR SURE if this is compatible with the IOS remote-control app?

I'm finding conflicting info online - some say yes, others no!

To me this would be the BIGGEST reason to go for the 102x upgrade for another $100...

Edit...It was $119 plus $24 S/H for a total of $143 at Buy.com back in October if they actually shipped it. I placed an order and it went through, but a few days later I was told that they were out of stock, not a price error as I had expected. Did anyone in the Woot community actually get one at that price from Buy.com back in October?

I can't answer if the receiver and iOS app play nice but keep in mind that the receiver is only bluetooth-capable. You have to buy an additional bluetooth adapter for about $80. Here's the AS-BT200 from Amazon.

Can anyone tell me if I can connect a turntable to this? thanks!!

Wootish things bothering me this morning,

1. How come the mail slug doesn't have a red nose?
   
   
2. Is the black market in Dolby HD so pervasive that there was a need to create Dolby TrueHD?
   
   
3. If deals.woot hawks sellout.woots wouldn't the conspicuous absence of the Woot!® woot be indicative that it's not seen as good enough to be a deals.woot?
   
   
4. Whom exactly plucks Grizzlies? Do you need to dip them in boiling water to facilitate plucking? Are these domesticated or free-range Grizzlies?
   http://goo.gl/cvBCp

Amazon had this same unit for the same price, 229.99, a couple of weeks ago, from 11/24/11 - 12/01/11.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Pioneer-VSX921K-7-1-Channel-Ready-Receiver/product/B004MYFJME?utm_campaign=firefox_ext&utm_medium=www&utm_source=product_link_wtp

...with free shipping.

dedicateddad wrote:Wow - begging much?

What's the big deal with the "quality post" thing?

That was begging? I think you would not make a very good homeless person.

I've had Pioneer receivers since the '70s (anybody remember the SX-838? The mode-select contacts finally quit after 15yrs, so I used it as an amp for a passive subwoofer for another decade) and have always found them to be a good+ quality product with enormous bang for the buck. I went thru a Sony phase when they had some of the first sound fields built in, and lately have had a couple Yammies from good ol' Costco.
With three surround systems in the house and one in the RV, there's almost always room for an upgrade. This seems like a pretty sweet price/features/value point. Another cuppa coffee here and I just might do it.

I am on a mission to convince anyone who has recently sprung for a big-screen high-def monitor to buy a surround sound system to go with it. It's the audio equivalent of high-def--once you watch "Lord of the Rings" with it, you'll wonder why it took so long to upgrade. Even a cheap package is better than none. (This one is more of an upgrade, because...well, no speakers. But the point stands.)

From deal news.com: For its newsletter subscribers only, newegg offers the Pioneer 840-watt 7.1-Channel 3D Home Theater Receiver in Black, model no. VSX-1021-K, for $549.99. Coupon code "EMCYTZT951" makes it $299.99. With free shipping, that's tied with last week's mention and it's the lowest total price we could find by $159. Features include 120 watts per channel into seven channels, iTunes streaming, iPod, iPhone, and iPad compatibility, Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity, five HDMI inputs with 3D passthrough, one HDMI output, and more. Coupon ends December 11.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3705318&SID=skim1043X499650Xee5a8bae0f82562abca27fa35f5a1098

how does this stack up against say, a denon 1911 which can be had around 300 refurb?

I'm not asking if it's superior - just how it stacks up. My brother is looking for an inexpensive setup for his basement.

Question for you guys Where's the all the live woot go the one that you sell and they have to up the another after the first one sell. Why they have only one product all day long? Any clue?

Talesin wrote:Sits between your xbox (/other video sources) and TV, breaking out the audio to home-theater speakers for better sound quality than the junky little 10W barely-adequate squeakers built into your TV. Acts as an amplifier for the speakers, lets you hook up other audio sources to play over your nice surround sound speaker set.
Also acts as a video source switcher box if you have too few HDMI-inputs on your TV for your devices.
In the case of *this* one, also converts your analog (component/composite) video signals to go over the HDMI output instead, and tries to clean up the image quality while it's at it.

Does anyone know if this supports ARC (audio return channel)? I'd assume so, but didn't see it mentioned in the features.

Yes, all the Pioneer 2011 receivers have ARC per their spec sheet.

Shaw11946 wrote:I am on a mission to convince anyone who has recently sprung for a big-screen high-def monitor to buy a surround sound system to go with it. It's the audio equivalent of high-def--once you watch "Lord of the Rings" with it, you'll wonder why it took so long to upgrade. Even a cheap package is better than none. (This one is more of an upgrade, because...well, no speakers. But the point stands.)

You are absolutely correct. I set up my first one in the late '80s for a 19" TV.

sdc100 wrote:Thanks for the info, 1 wire is indeed goodness. I have way too many wires around my entertainment center right now (1 LCD HDTV, 1 CRT HDTV, 2 DVD recorders, 1 VHS/DVD recorder, 1 cable box, 1 Tivo, 1 Roku player, 2 USB/SD Media players, 1 Pico projector). You can only imagine how may remote controls I have floating around ... including several Logitechs that failed to live up to its promise of replacing my other remotes.

Just plug 'em all in to the receiver, and then plug one HDMI cable into your HDTV and your good to go. (Or component or otherwise if your television doesn't support HDMI!)

It has a big ol' fat dial (plus a remote, since you obviously need another remote, haha) that make it nice and easy to switch between devices!

Awright, darn it, in for one. Looked carefully at the kewl features on the 1021 and decided that even at only +$70, I was unlikely to use most of 'em. For $234 delivered, this is a very nice package.
Why is it I go on here looking for C'mas gifts for others,and wind up buying stuff for myself??

The HDMI pass through only works for HDMI 1.3 equipped components. So your tv and salelite dish boxes with not pass through, fair warning.

sneuf wrote:Can anyone tell me if I can connect a turntable to this? thanks!!

This one does not have phono inputs. As I understand it, that means you'll need some sort of a pre-amp in order to make it work. That is, unless it's a modern turn table that has a built in pre-amp (even a lot of new ones don't, however), in which case in can just plug into the RCA stereo jacks.

goatcrapp wrote:how does this stack up against say, a denon 1911 which can be had around 300 refurb?

I'm not asking if it's superior - just how it stacks up. My brother is looking for an inexpensive setup for his basement.

Both are fine receivers and way better than necessary for the stated purpose. The Pioneer may have a few more features and the Denon might be a little better in sound quality. Were I him, I'd do the Pioneer based on this price-point. YMMV.

sneuf wrote:Can anyone tell me if I can connect a turntable to this? thanks!!

You will most likely need a pre-amp. I have the big brother of this unit, the VSX-1021-k, purchased from woot! last month:

http://www.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=20211

My turntable has a switch where I can turn on the internal pre-amp of the turntable. If your turntable doesn't have a built in pre-amp, you will need to buy something like this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2573420#

dfunkmaster wrote:Anyone know what PC Audio is in this model overview?

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/03/08/Pioneer_2011_AV_receiver_comparison.jpg?tag=mncol;rvwBody

I have the VSX-1021-k, and I can't find the term "PC Audio" anywhere in the manual. I believe it is referring to the types of audio files it can play. The VSX-1021-k has an ethernet jack. So if I run a media server on my PC, like MediaTomb, I can play the audio files directly.

The VSX-921-k doesn't appear to have an ethernet jack, so I don't believe it applies to this model.

Note: MediaTomb is for Linux operating systems.

These things have become so sophisticated, and cheap! The only feature this doesn't have that I'd like is built in net-radio (Pandora, etc.), and the ability to stream music from my PC.

Upconversion: I wouldn't have to have the component cable in the wall for my Wii, just one HDMI for everything. Nice!

One more thing, worthy of note.

On my VSX-1021-k, I have a HTPC running Ubuntu Linux hooked via a HDMI cable. If I am not switched to the proper input when I boot the PC, the video signal goes dead. I have to force a reboot of the PC to get it to return. I did find that if I Ctrl+Alt+F1 to a different terminal, then Ctrl+Alt+F7 back to the primary output, the picture returns.

I don't know if this is because of the video card, the operating system or what. I will try the PC's on-board video to see if the problem persists.

GGA1759 wrote:Woot.com better drop the price even lower for this to be a good deal. No turntable input.

I gave up on demanding turntable inputs on my receivers a few years ago - it simply limited my choices too much. Instead, I got a dedicated phono preamp. That way, I can connect my turntable to any standard RCA inputs on the receiver. Plus, when I buy a new receiver I can just move the preamp over to the new receiver, so it was a one-time purchase.

sdc100 wrote:Thanks for the info, 1 wire is indeed goodness..

Also some of the higher end sound codecs for Dolby and DTS can only be transferred by HDMI. So if your source has only one HDMI port then you need the receiver to separate and process the sound and then pass the video to the TV.

I am one of those people that have a problem with marketing BS. If I see one thing that is an absolute lie or impossibility, then there probably more in the feature discriptions.

This receiver consumes 550 watts. How is it possible that it delivers 770 watts of power if it consumes 550 watts? Is this the miracle that the government is willing to pay billions for? This MAKES MORE power from input power.
Or maybe it's just another exaggerated marketing line of BS.
I said my part.

wasserkapf wrote:I have the VSX-1021-k, and I can't find the term "PC Audio" anywhere in the manual. I believe it is referring to the types of audio files it can play. The VSX-1021-k has an ethernet jack. So if I run a media server on my PC, like MediaTomb, I can play the audio files directly.

The VSX-921-k doesn't appear to have an ethernet jack, so I don't believe it applies to this model.

Note: MediaTomb is for Linux operating systems.

Yeah, I'm debating between this one and the model you have. I really wasn't looking for anything special and this will work just fine. The problem is when you start looking at models with more features you question whether you might regret not stepping up. It's not like a computer where you can upgrade components.

With that said, I'm looking for good audio quality, and at this price it's a pretty good deal to hold me over until I spend the money and find something that I really want down the road. By then, I will be ready for new speakers as well.

jeffjchang wrote:From deal news.com: For its newsletter subscribers only, newegg offers the Pioneer 840-watt 7.1-Channel 3D Home Theater Receiver in Black, model no. VSX-1021-K, for $549.99. Coupon code "EMCYTZT951" makes it $299.99. With free shipping, that's tied with last week's mention and it's the lowest total price we could find by $159. Features include 120 watts per channel into seven channels, iTunes streaming, iPod, iPhone, and iPad compatibility, Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity, five HDMI inputs with 3D passthrough, one HDMI output, and more. Coupon ends December 11.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3705318&SID=skim1043X499650Xee5a8bae0f82562abca27fa35f5a1098

Thanks! Worked perfect, got that one instead with free shipping! A LOT better deal. Coupon worked $299.00, in for one at Newegg, sorry Woot!