Best "Bang for the Buck" of any Dolby Digital/DTS receiver with Super Video Switching I could find.

Feels light when you pick it up (it's 18.5 pounds),so it makes you wonder about build quality, but it sounds great, so who cares if it feels light.

This year, Pioneer discontinued the VSX-D608 that I was almost going to buy. The VSX-D509S has all the same features of the 608, but with a better (learning) remote and a cheaper price. I couldn't recommend a better receiver for the price.

Similar Products Used:

JVC Dolby Pro-logic receiver

Dolby Digital, DTS, Optical I/O, Learning Remote, Bannana Plug terminals, DSP, Runs cool.

Inputs too far left, should be centered. No backlight on remote (especially if it is universal)

This receiver has everything but the kitchen sink. Pioneer substituted the VSX-509S for the VSX-608 which had a much higher price tag with all the same features. The DTS playback is killer. I rent DVD's from NetFlix, and exclusively rent the DVD's with DTS (DVD player is a Sharp DV-750U w/DTS decoder). Dantes Peak became a better movie by having the DTS audio. I bought 2 pairs of KLH muti-purpose speakers (TW-09B), a KLH sub-woofer (BB-II), and a KLH center channel speaker (943PL). These speakers are not close to being top of the line, however when played through the VSX-D509S you think they were. Anyway I feel for the price of $262.96 I paid at Best Buy this bad boy is here to stay. Besides I am a die-hard Pioneer owner as well. Anyone wanting to stay on a budget should really consider this receiver. Did I mention that Best Buy also uses the VSX-509S for as its giant surround, Widescreen, play it loud, in store demo? At least the one in my area.

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None. I bought it to replace my 10 year old VSX-3300

audio and video inputs

Overloads at half volume.

Has anyone else had a problem with this receiver overloading. I have check for stray wires and there are not any. I have a pair of Cerwin-Vega LS-12. It overloads whenever you go past -50 volume. Please email me if you have the same combination of speakers and receiver or if you have had problems with it overloading. If it didn't overload, then I would give it five stars, but until then ...

Good power output, Awesome remote, solid build, great bass managment

A little high in the destortion, cheap connections on the back ( for rears )

I am simple amazed at the difference dolby digital makes, up from just Pro logic. I love the descrete channel steering offered with Dolby digital.

Like I said great power output but a little to high on the destortion side. 0.8 when in surround mode. My old amp also pioneer with .08 THD in surround mode.

The remote is simply the reason to settle for this reciever, it is after all the one item that you mess with the most with your system. Ease to use and program functions in to. Great support for third party codes and commands.

I will compare this reciever to one that a buddy of mine bought a Harman Kardon AVR100 or something like that. My reciever simple beats the pants off his.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-511s the model I upgreaded from

Good power output, Awesome remote, solid build, great bass managment

A little high in the destortion, cheap connections on the back ( for rears )

I am simple amazed at the difference dolby digital makes, up from just Pro logic. I love the descrete channel steering offered with Dolby digital.

Like I said great power output but a little to high on the destortion side. 0.8 when in surround mode. My old amp also pioneer with .08 THD in surround mode.

The remote is simply the reason to settle for this reciever, it is after all the one item that you mess with the most with your system. Ease to use and program functions in to. Great support for third party codes and commands.

I will compare this reciever to one that a buddy of mine bought a Harman Kardon AVR100 or something like that. My reciever simple beats the pants off his.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-511s the model I upgreaded from

Good power output, Awesome remote, solid build, great bass managment

A little high in the destortion, cheap connections on the back ( for rears )

I am simple amazed at the difference dolby digital makes, up from just Pro logic. I love the descrete channel steering offered with Dolby digital.

Like I said great power output but a little to high on the destortion side. 0.8 when in surround mode. My old amp also pioneer with .08 THD in surround mode.

The remote is simply the reason to settle for this reciever, it is after all the one item that you mess with the most with your system. Ease to use and program functions in to. Great support for third party codes and commands.

I will compare this reciever to one that a buddy of mine bought a Harman Kardon AVR100 or something like that. My reciever simple beats the pants off his.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-511s the model I upgreaded from

Good power output, Awesome remote, solid build, great bass managment

A little high in the destortion, cheap connections on the back ( for rears )

I am simple amazed at the difference dolby digital makes, up from just Pro logic. I love the descrete channel steering offered with Dolby digital.

Like I said great power output but a little to high on the destortion side. 0.8 when in surround mode. My old amp also pioneer with .08 THD in surround mode.

The remote is simply the reason to settle for this reciever, it is after all the one item that you mess with the most with your system. Ease to use and program functions in to. Great support for third party codes and commands.

I will compare this reciever to one that a buddy of mine bought a Harman Kardon AVR100 or something like that. My reciever simple beats the pants off his.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-511s the model I upgreaded from

Excellent sound & options

Boring display, rear channels outputs

Overall, excellent sound quality produced on this unit. Plently of options available. Audio/Visual inputs and outputs are great. Remote is easy to use, learns from other remotes with ease. Great value!

Weaknesses: The display panel is somewhat boring, single yellow/orange display. Rear channel output in non Digital mode appears to lack the 'kick' that my previous DPL system had.

Loaded with features: 4 S-Video inputs, one on front panel, 2 optical inputs, ONE optical OUTPUT, Great Learning Remote, Great Sound; Only 1 Watt standby

None discovered yet; No Phone in (but who needs that anyway)

After much research I came across this pioneer receiver at www.800.com which has a great comparison feature. Unfortunately 800.com did not list the opto output which I wanted for future digital transfer to MD or CR recorder. Discovered the VSX-D509S at Best Buy for $349.- and it has a opto output. This machine beats everything comparable in its price range + $300.- above it, i.e. the Sony strDE835, 845 and 935 (which the Best Buy sales guy called "heaters" due to their thermal behavior), the Kenwood 409 and 3080. So I bought it on the spot, and spend $35.- for the 4 year Best Buy guarantee (parts&labor) which is a steal (you never know when you need it...).

Hook up was easy. Because of the learning remote I now finally can throw the other 5 remotes away. In each DSP mode you can fine tune each speaker`s level. Sound and power output is great and plenty.

Highly recommended loaded AV Receiver

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None

Outstanding sound. Lots of connection options. Runs cool in my entertainment unit. Inexpensive for what you get.

None so far.

I had a Sony STR-DE 545 that I took back to store immediately upon hooking it up and hearing some horrible speaker hiss. I double checked everything, found it to be okay, and took it back. I checked out every single receiver with headphones while I was there, and found the 509 to have the least hiss and cross-channel noise. It is phenominal. I have it quarterbacking a nice if moderate surround system. S-Video for the image from the DVD player for great image and optical from the CD and DVD players for awesome sound.

Bass isn't a problem, folks. Properly set up, (biggest set-up difference: No matter what size left and right speakers you have, change them to *small* in the setup. It sends all the bass to your subwoofer where you want it anyway! Sounds great- I read it in another review here) this receiver sounds great whether it's a DVD (T2 and Jurassic Park shake the room in DTS) or listening to the radio or CD player.

I've programmed the remote to take care of my CD, VCR and DVD players too. The remote is well laid-out. Only gripe: The "Glow in the dark" feature only works if you "charge" it up with a light and it fades fast.

I am non-stop impressed with this machine. If you spend a little time to tweak it to your liking, you will be too.

If I can only get my dog to quit barking at the surround channels I'd be all set... ; P

Enjoy.
jim

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Sony. Pioneer CD player.