Pioneer VSX-509S Dolby Digital/DTS Surround Receiver A/V Receivers Reviews

Price Paid:  $199.00 from REX TV

Summary:
Home theater/audio amplifier with more features than you will need with Dolby Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS. Inputs for all your audio needs from CD, DVD to TV.

Strengths:
Brisk, full stero sound, (typical 2 speaker format), from CD's and other stero input. Has good 5.1 seperation on Dolby Digital DVD's.

Weaknesses:
Lacks fullnes from rear surround speakers in CD and other music modes. Difficult to set correct audio mode for DVD's and other Dolby 5.1 inputs. To tweak surround speakers requires manual in hand as do changing some other settings. Surround for non-digital DVD's, VCR tapes and cable broadcast leaves room for improvement.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
All in all a very good product. One important issue: It only decodes DTS Surround sound. You can't decode DTS audio cd's. With DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 everything is fine.

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Costco

Summary:
This is a good entry-level receiver because of it's price/performance ratio. After I got my Denon AVR3802, I hear stuff in DD 5.1 that I've never hear with the Pioneer. I'm not talking about a nuance here and there, but I'm actually hearing 40% more sound from the fronts and surrounds with the Denon. The music performance on this receiver is what you would expect from spending $199 at Costco. Very harsh, bright, limited soundstage, and muddy. My 35wt Teac minisystem receiver performs on par with this Pioneer.

Strengths:
Better than your average HTIB receiver.

Weaknesses:
Poor performance with music and DD5.1, although the DSP modes are nice.

Similar Products Used:
Denon AVR3802 Paradigm Monitor 11s Boston Acoustics VRM-50s Infinity Micros

Price Paid:  $130.00 from EBAY

Summary:
WOW, this is one awesome receiver. The sound is Incredible with 5.1 & DTS. Sound is cristal clear and has lots of power for the price payed. Never once, had I had an overheating problem. If you have a plain dolby prologic receiver and would like to upgrade, this is a great receiver to start with. You can tell the difference between night and day.

Strengths:
EVERYTHING!

Weaknesses:
NONE!

Price Paid:  $300.00 from A&B Sound

Summary:
Boufgt for dvd movies this is a great reciever for the money. So so for music. although this is more due to using sattelites and a powered sub. I use enrgy take 2's and a paradim 100 watt powered sub. Lots of options to tweak and enough juice to properly drive 100 watt speakers. DD and DTS movies sound great, crossover for your sub, and too many other features found in more expensive amps included. Great buy for anyone on a budget or not.