New Pioneer VSX-819H-K - Is this the new budget AVR king?

cleanlude · 2009-05-15, 12:33 PM

The new Pioneer VSX-819H-K was released on 1 May 09, so it's fairly new and there is not a whole of info online about it. No reviews, only a few stores are stocking it right now, online.

To me, it just screams value compared to other competitors...

Key features :

- LPCM over HDMI (Not just a pass-through, it will playback the audio)
- Lossless audio codec decoding (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD MA)
- 110w x 5 (not sure how true that is... Is Pioneer known for inflating these specs?)
- 3 HDMI in/1 out (no upconversion, not a big deal if your using all digital sources like me)

Here's the brochure... http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/eph...VSX-819H-K.pdf

Can anyone comment or offer a review on this model?

Thanks

Jeff

Tezster · 2009-05-15, 01:05 PM

This is a review of the older VSX-918, and can perhaps be used as a basis for comparison for the 819.

I have yet to see any reviews specifically for the 819.

Cockroach · 2009-07-24, 01:34 PM

I'm looking at this AVR (and considering the 919 too). Took my HTPC to a retailer yesterday to check out whether it works. It does, quite nicely, outputting 5.1 sound using a HD-DVD copy of Planet Earth. The only glitches were the sound testing under Vista being intermittent (first speaker in the test, the front left - would rarely sound up).

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...86&postcount=8

David Susilo · 2009-07-24, 02:30 PM

I think the 919 makes more sense since it has PQLS and Advanced MCACC (which is heads and shoulders compared to regular MCACC on the 819)

G1nger · 2009-07-29, 01:58 PM

Some 819 owners have complained of video pass through issues which doesnt seem to be the case with the 919. I went with the 919 just to avoid the hassle. The 919 also supports the On screen setup via HDMI which the 819 doesnt.

Cockroach · 2009-07-29, 08:10 PM

I took my HTPC to check it out on an 819 precisely because of the reported video pass through problems but encountered none.

I did buy the 919 eventually as it only cost USD50 more than the 819 (which reportedly has power problems too).

One feature that had me initially sold on the 819 was the two unamped outs for connecting to amp'd speakers which would add the rear surrounds to give 7.1. Unfortunately you can't run these independently of the other main room speakers.

David Susilo · 2009-07-29, 08:23 PM

you mean you want to do 2nd zone? There is a line-level output for 2nd zone that runs separately from the main zone.

Cockroach · 2009-07-30, 07:37 AM

No, 2nd zone from the unamped output, not the amped speaker output.

2009-05-15, 12:33 PM	#1
cleanlude Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 32	New Pioneer VSX-819H-K - Is this the new budget AVR king? The new Pioneer VSX-819H-K was released on 1 May 09, so it's fairly new and there is not a whole of info online about it. No reviews, only a few stores are stocking it right now, online. To me, it just screams value compared to other competitors... Key features : - LPCM over HDMI (Not just a pass-through, it will playback the audio) - Lossless audio codec decoding (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD MA) - 110w x 5 (not sure how true that is... Is Pioneer known for inflating these specs?) - 3 HDMI in/1 out (no upconversion, not a big deal if your using all digital sources like me) Here's the brochure... http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/eph...VSX-819H-K.pdf Can anyone comment or offer a review on this model? Thanks Jeff Last edited by 57; 2009-05-15 at 01:45 PM. Reason: Pricing removed, per forum rules.

2009-07-24, 02:30 PM	#4
David Susilo Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: in my home theatre Posts: 2,416	I think the 919 makes more sense since it has PQLS and Advanced MCACC (which is heads and shoulders compared to regular MCACC on the 819) __________________ THX, ISF, Control4 Certified Professional; CEDIA Trainer

2009-07-29, 01:58 PM	#5
G1nger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 27	Potential Video issues with 819 Some 819 owners have complained of video pass through issues which doesnt seem to be the case with the 919. I went with the 919 just to avoid the hassle. The 919 also supports the On screen setup via HDMI which the 819 doesnt. Last edited by 57; 2009-07-30 at 09:54 AM. Reason: Minor edit.

2009-07-29, 08:23 PM	#7
David Susilo Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: in my home theatre Posts: 2,416	you mean you want to do 2nd zone? There is a line-level output for 2nd zone that runs separately from the main zone. __________________ THX, ISF, Control4 Certified Professional; CEDIA Trainer

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2009-05-15, 01:05 PM	#2
Tezster Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mississauga Posts: 1,526	This is a review of the older VSX-918, and can perhaps be used as a basis for comparison for the 819. I have yet to see any reviews specifically for the 819.

2009-07-24, 01:34 PM	#3
Cockroach Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 287	I'm looking at this AVR (and considering the 919 too). Took my HTPC to a retailer yesterday to check out whether it works. It does, quite nicely, outputting 5.1 sound using a HD-DVD copy of Planet Earth. The only glitches were the sound testing under Vista being intermittent (first speaker in the test, the front left - would rarely sound up). http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...86&postcount=8

2009-07-29, 08:10 PM	#6
Cockroach Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 287	I took my HTPC to check it out on an 819 precisely because of the reported video pass through problems but encountered none. I did buy the 919 eventually as it only cost USD50 more than the 819 (which reportedly has power problems too). One feature that had me initially sold on the 819 was the two unamped outs for connecting to amp'd speakers which would add the rear surrounds to give 7.1. Unfortunately you can't run these independently of the other main room speakers.

2009-07-30, 07:37 AM	#8
Cockroach Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 287	No, 2nd zone from the unamped output, not the amped speaker output.