Pioneer's VSA-AX1AV 7.1ch receiver with 2 x HDMI and iPod support

Pioneer just dropped a couple of 7.1 channel receivers sportin' twin HDMI inputs. The mid-class VSA-AX1AV flaunts Pioneer's not-so-gimmicky Advanced MCACC technology which evaluates the acoustic characteristics of your room (including reverb) and then optimizes your home cinema speakers to approach "studio quality" sound. They also throw in an iPod input on top of generic USB DAP support which allows you to control your beloved iPod via Pioneer's remote while slapping your iPod's information up on the ol' TeeVee. And as we've seen in previous Pioneer receivers, this pup supports lossless WMA9 Pro audio playback in addition to the usual smattering of compressed formats like MP3, WMA, and AAC when you simply have no other choice. Also available is the trimmed-down VSA-1016V receiver which lacks MCACC and iPod support among other notables. Shipping in Japan mid-September with the VSA-AX1AV said to pull ¥118,000 (about $1,025) while the VSA-1016V should garner about ¥92,000 (about $800).

[Via Impress]

[oshean @ Aug 10th 2006 8:08AM]

Not a bad price for all of it's features, but that color is gawd awful.

[Solidstate @ Aug 10th 2006 8:13AM]

This looks exactly the same model as my VSX-2016 bought in the UK last week. Of course mine is Silver not Gold - but I'm pretty sure its the same model.

[Osheit @ Aug 10th 2006 8:47AM]

w00t... gold-tone bling fo my TV. Now it matches my teef.

[Gloves of Shiva @ Aug 10th 2006 10:27AM]

Denon so mo bettah.

[evan @ Aug 10th 2006 10:47AM]

What's the difference between the "new" VSA-AX1AV model from the VSX-80TXV model besides the fugly gold color?

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069789_310966022,00.html

[Rich @ Aug 10th 2006 10:48AM]

2 HDMI inputs is pretty comnon these days... nothing to get excitied about. Denon has been doing the iPod thing for a while also.

USB is nice. More receivers need that.

What I want is 3 HDMI inputs. I can't seem to find it for under $2000. I need to hook up my sat/cable, my disc player, and a PC. (Thankfully I don't have a gaming console also.) I'd like to keep everything all-digital, and that means HDMI. Why aren't there more HDMI x 3 receivers?

[Elliott @ Aug 10th 2006 10:59AM]

where does the 7th speeker go?

[evan @ Aug 10th 2006 12:42PM]

Rich,
If you don't have enough HDMI inputs then pick up an HDMI switch from MonoPrice.com where they have lots to choose from! I picked up the switch with 5 inputs to hook up my TV/DVD/HD-DVR/PS3 (when the PS3 is released of course) for $130 + S/H. It works beautifully! Best Buy has an HDMI switch, but it only comes with 2 inputs for $130. So, this should be the answer you need!

NOTE: This is the HDMI switch that I bought and it works like a charm!
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=2777&seq=1&format=2&style=

[Znuff @ Aug 10th 2006 12:58PM]

Uhm, evan: another remote control? who needs more? =/

[B @ Aug 10th 2006 2:08PM]

Elliot,
Each rear corner is split up into two channels and there is no center rear channel.

[Me @ Aug 10th 2006 2:33PM]

Dizzamn, dat's sum blingin' receiver! Wish they did the display in ice so it be done up right.

[Jeff @ Aug 10th 2006 3:01PM]

HDMI upconversion or not? 1080p or 1080i?

[jfox @ Aug 10th 2006 3:09PM]

I love the ubiquitous "with iPod support" in the title.

If this 1000$ player doesn't have an aux in, it would be pretty embarrassing.

[Jay @ Aug 10th 2006 3:34PM]

Man that is one UGLY piece of audio equipment. Hopefully the quality is better than previous models from Pioneer.

[Gloves of Shiva @ Aug 10th 2006 3:43PM]

jfox, "iPod support" usually means that the receiver can browse the iPod files and show you an interface on the monitor, so you can use the remote to operate the iPod.

[dabu @ Aug 10th 2006 4:08PM]

"Now it matches my teef."

Great asshole, now my co-workers are wondering why I'm laughing so much.

[Evan @ Aug 10th 2006 7:33PM]

Znuff -- actually, i'm using my universal remote (MX-850) to control the HDMI switch with a simple macro that switches to the proper device when i choose DVD, DVR, etc... So It's definitely worth it for anyone who really needs more HDMI inputs!

[Mike @ Aug 10th 2006 11:18PM]

These are the the same as the VSX-80 series units recently launched in the US. The only major difference appears to be DAB support and the bling-bling gold color.

[intrinsic_high @ Aug 11th 2006 1:39PM]

Pioneer does have 2 recivers under $1500 with more than 2 HDMI in's...try the VSX-82(3 HDMI in) or the VSX-84(4 HDMI in's)...they also both support ipod audio and video

[Rich @ Aug 11th 2006 5:58PM]

intrinsic,

Oh, sweet! I didn't know about those. Thanks!

[Rich Jerk @ Dec 6th 2006 3:47AM]

These really are great gadgets however it is beside me why Pioneer and most other Japanese producers like to color their high end units gold. Its extremely tacky and I think lowers their value.