Skip to main content

Pioneer debuts four feature-packed AV receivers for 2013, adds 4K/Ultra HD, MHL, HD audio streaming to the mix

Pioneer VSX-1123 FrontThe Ides of March approach, and for us AV geeks, that means a big-ass ball bursting with AV receivers is about to drop. Yamaha has already unveiled some of its new lineup, Denon just sent out word on its new user-friendly E-Series, and now Pioneer is taking the wraps of its new affordable, standard line of receivers. Let’s have a look, shall we?

Pioneer may have stopped making HDTVs (which was a colossal loss for home theater enthusiasts), but the company has pushed forward supporting the home theater market with a number of quality AV receivers, Blu-ray players, and surround sound speaker systems like the SP-PK52FS  5.1 package we favorably reviewed last week. Pioneer also offers an Elite product line-up which includes the over-achieving SC-57 AV receiver, a beast that offers tremendous sound quality and video scaling for under $2,000. For 2013, Pioneer has just announced 4 new AV receivers in its standard line including the top VSX-1123-k 7.2 model,  priced at a highly-affordable $630.

Recommended Videos

The VSX-1123 7.2 looks like a genuine bargain if you factor in all of its features along with Pioneer’s penchant for good sound quality. The VSX-1123-k offers 90 watts per channel into seven channels and support for 2 subwoofers – a feature that doesn’t always show up on more expensive competing models. The top model also offers 4K/Ultra HD pass-through and upscaling of analog and HDMI video signals to that $20, 000 4K/Ultra HDTV you’re dying to pick up on Black Friday. Three of the new  receivers – the VSX-1123-k, VSX-1023-k, and VSX-823-k – also include support for Apple AirPlay, which means that you can stream music from your Mac or PC, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

The top three models include support for Mobile High Definition Link 2.0 (MHL), a feature that is starting to show up on select HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and AV receivers. MHL allows you to connect a smartphone or tablet to your device and transmit 1080p video content along with 7.1 channels of audio via a single cable. The format also allows you to charge your phone or tablet at the same time. MHL 2.0 supports 3D, 1080p/60Hz and faster charging. 

All four of the models include expanded support for iOS devices and enable iPhone, iPad and iPod users to enjoy audio playback stored on their devices as well as display album art and metadata when connected to a television or monitor. The top three models allow playback and charging of all versions of iPad. The AV receivers will also charge connected iPhone, iPad and iPod devices via corresponding cables, including the new Lightning or 30-pin cable.

The flagship VSX-1123-K also features Pioneer’s AVNavigator (now available for the Mac), an interactive owner’s manual that provides a linked two-way interactive manual, giving users a quick way to learn about all of the new features of the AV receiver. For instance:  A push of the ALC button on the front of the receiver will take the user directly to the portion of the manual that explains the Automatic Level Control feature. Smart!

If you are not part of the Apple cult, Pioneer has not left you holding an empty Kool-Aid pitcher. A  new ControlApp in now available for Android fans at Google Play (there is also a new iControlAV2013 App for iOS users available at Apple.com) with expanded control over the receivers and their home theater settings from the convenience of a smart device. Ideal for music lovers, both apps offer a new feature that enables users to access the music libraries stored on their devices and create playlists that can be streamed wirelessly to the receiver, all from within the app. ControlApp, available for use with the VSX-823-K and VSX-1023-K, offers features available in the previous version of the app, including management of inputs, audio adjustments and modes, and streaming content.

Pioneer also has support for HTC smartphones as the first consumer electronics manufacturer with HTC Connect certification. HTC Connect allows you to stream music and control specific receiver functions via your HTC device while maintaining the ability to speak on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time.

Streaming high-resolution digital audio is growing in popularly, so kudos to Pioneer for making it a standard feature on these non-Elite models.  The top 3 models mentioned here  now support Apple Lossless, AIFF, FLAC, AAC, WAV, MP3, and DSD (VSX-1123-K only) via USB connection. That’s right, you can playback DSD files via USB or through your network and the built-in 24/192 DAC will handle the rest. 

The AV receivers are also DLNA 1.5 certified and offer Pandora and vTuner for access to tens of thousands of Internet radio stations.

Pioneer continues to expand connectivity options on its receivers, offering eight HDMI inputs on the VSX-1123, 6 HDMI inputs on the VSX-1023-K and VSX-823-K, and 4 HDMI inputs on the VSX-523-K . To distribute audio/video to the rest of the house, the VSX-1123-K offers what it calls  HDZone, a Zone 2 HDMI output which can either mirror the main zone’s signal or deliver a separate source to a remote area via HDMI. A third, audio only zone can also be powered by the receiver and controlled through Pioneer’s iControlAV2013 App.

The new Pioneer receivers will be available at authorized Pioneer retailers in March at the following suggested retail prices:

  • $280 (VSX-523-k)
  • $430 (VSX-823-k)
  • $530 (VSX-1023-k)
  • $630 (VSX-1123-k)
Ian White
Former Contributor
Ian has been a full-time A/V journalist since 1999, covering the world of high-end audio, video, music, and film for Digital…
Topics
This Corsair gaming headset is usually $230 — today it’s $80
CORSAIR VIRTUOSO XT on headset stand

Are you still using a basic gaming headset? It's time to upgrade to a better model, and the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is currently on sale for only $80, following an attention-catching 65% discount on its original price of $230 -- though this is a refurbished model that's part of the brand's Revival Series. You'll still be able to elevate the gameplay experience with this gaming headset, but the $150 in savings isn't going to last forever, so we highly recommend for you to hurry with your purchase if you want to take advantage of this special price.

If any other peripherals at Corsair catch your eye -- maybe a gaming mouse or gaming chair -- you can use the code DIGITALTRENDS10 to get 10% off. This code excludes systems, monitors, and stuff that's already on sale.

Read more
The perfect earbuds for your dad (or even you) are just $40 for a limited time
JBL Vibe 2 Beam.

Recently, the staff has been collecting quality Father's Day gift deals — deals for fatherly gifts that you might not otherwise splurge on. One deal, in particular, is for the JBL Vibe Beam at $50, which is $10 less than its already attractive $60 price. They're pretty "dadly" earbuds (more on that in a moment) and have a super attractive price point for anybody. Tap the button below to go check them out directly yourself or keep reading for our take on what has to be one of the best-priced headphone deals out there at the moment.

Why you should buy the (very dadly) JBL Vibe Beam earbuds

Read more
Check your gadgets: FBI warns millions of streaming devices infected by malware
evil android mascot

The FBI issued a public warning last week about a massive cybercrime operation exploiting everyday internet-connected devices. The botnet, dubbed BADBOX 2.0, has quietly infiltrated millions of TV streaming boxes, digital projectors, tablets, car infotainment systems, and other smart gadgets commonly found in homes across the U.S.

What BADBOX 2.0 actually does

Read more