Pioneer announces A/V receivers, DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD support

Pioneer is expanding its CES lineup with four new audio-video receivers, one of which supports the new high-definition audio codecs found in Blu-ray and HD DVD. The VSX-518-K, VSX-818V-K, VSX-918V-K, and VSX-1018TXH-K A/V receivers all feature Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration with an included microphone for tweaking acoustics in the room, three 1080p-capable component inputs, and Auto Level Control for equalizing volume between sources. The VSX-518-K, 818V, and 918V all feature P.H.A.T (Pioneer Hybrid Amplifier Technology) power sources and support for WMA9 Pro over 5.1 channels, with the 518 dropping support for XM and Sirius satellite, iPod, and HDMI inputs. The big news is the VSX-1018TXH-K, with its support for 130 watts over 7.1 channels using a Direct Energy power supply, HDMI upscaling to 1080p, six digital inputs, and support for the lossy Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution, and lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. The VSX-518-K is priced at $199, the VSX-818V-K at $249, the VSX-918V-K at $349, all releasing in April, and the VSX-1018TXH-K will come to market in June for $599.

[phez @ Jan 6th 2008 4:24PM]

Whoa whoa - 130 watts and lossless HD audio for $599? What's the catch?

[cg006 @ Jan 6th 2008 4:31PM]

man this sounds good!1 with HDMI upscaling! i was planning on get the pioneer elite 94 thats like 1600 but for 600 this one sounds awesome! cant wait for more details. i hope it has at least 3 hdmi in and that the upscaling is for all sources ie component, svideo etc.. i just want to run 1 cable to my projector

[Student Driver @ Jan 6th 2008 4:36PM]

Who cares about the specs when you can claim your amp is P.H.A.T. at hosted LAN parties!

[oxfdblue @ Jan 6th 2008 4:58PM]

Any ideas as to what a $599 suggested list will actually be when it hits the store shelves?

Also...instead of XM and Sirius... I wouldn't mind seeing HD Radio built in.

[Jeremy @ Jan 6th 2008 5:26PM]

This seems like a good deal. An equivalent receiver that comes to mind is the Onkyo 805 which runs for about $900. Will be interesting to see the final specs.

[RyogaHibiki @ Jan 6th 2008 5:32PM]

The 805 is on sale at Fry's for $700 right now. So $600 for the high-end Pioneer in June sounds like a reasonable price point.

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=32664&adid=5591395&subid=19338095&type=

[Jeremy @ Jan 6th 2008 5:34PM]

You'll have to excuse my n00bishness, but is that coupon only good in store or also online?

[RyogaHibiki @ Jan 6th 2008 5:46PM]

It's not a coupon. It's a newspaper ad and it's only good in store, not online.