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Pioneer VSX-S520 review
Audio and video content is increasing quality and a suitable system is required to consume it home. The review of Pioneer VSX-S520 that can become your home entertaiment center is brought to your attention. This device got 6 points out an evaluation of 10 practicable for its features. In 2016, this receiver model appeared on the market. The receiver is fitted with the 5.1-channel amplifier.
Pioneer VSX-S520 Pros
- ✔The receiver has a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
- ✔Bluetooth is now one of the key wireless communication protocols. In AV receivers, it is used for audio signal transmission or remote control. And it is in the model under review that Bluetooth support is implemented.
- ✔The presence of a USB port allows the receiver to play content from external media.
- ✔Like any modern receiver, VSX-S520 has a Phono (MM) input for connecting a phonograph or turntable.
- ✔Dolby Atmos technology has been included in this model specifically to create a 3D effect when watching movies, which reveals all its features with a minimum 5.1 configuration.
- ✔Pioneer VSX-S520 with an adaptive and flexible DTS:X surround format can support any speaker configuration, unlike Dolby Atmos.
- ✔With HDR pass-through support, it is possible to transfer data over VSX-S520 with a much wider range of colors.
- ✔With 4K/60Hz pass-through support, it is possible to pass data through this model without degrading image quality.
- ✔ARC feature eliminates the need for an additional composite or optical cable when connecting this unit to a TV.
- ✔The manufacturer claims support for CEC in Pioneer VSX-S520 and therefore you can control any HDMI-connected device using one remote control.
- ✔This receiver supports the data encryption protocol HDCP 2.2 which allows licensed devices to play high definition audio and video.
- ✔Can stream audio using the AirPlay protocol.
- ✔Stream music from one of the most popular services Spotify directly on the Pioneer VSX-S520.
- ✔The reviewed receiver has a Pure Direct mode, when used it feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
- ✔When using the VSX-S520, it is possible to switch between the main and additional set of speakers - speaker A/B switching.
- ✔With the included microphone, the Pioneer VSX-S520 can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.
Pioneer VSX-S520 Cons
- ✖HDMI eARC function not implemented.
- ✖Pioneer VSX-S520 is unable to use Amazon Music.
- ✖There is no voice control function.
- ✖Energy-saving ECO mode is not implemented.
- ✖Bi-amping is not available.
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Pioneer VSX-S520 back and front view
Pioneer VSX-S520 specs and features
Amplifier
| Channels | 5.1 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 50/4 |
| Output impedance, Ohm | 4 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz |
| THD in stereo, % | 0.09 |
Audio features
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit |
| Bi-amping | ✖ |
| Pure direct (straight) | ✔ |
| Auto speaker calibration | MCACC |
| Speaker A/B switching | ✔ |
| Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz |
| USB | 1 (USB 2.0) |
| Bluetooth | ✔ |
| Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 |
| DLNA | ✖ |
| MHL | ✖ |
Streaming services
| Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay |
| Amazon Music | ✖ |
| Spotify | ✔ |
| Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio |
Extensive connection
| HDMI input/output | 4/1 |
| HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ |
| HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ |
| HDMI CEC | ✔ |
| Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 |
| Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 |
| Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 |
| Optical digital input | 1 |
| Coaxial digital input | 1 |
| Composite input | 0 |
| Component input/output | 0/0 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✔ |
| Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic |
| Multi channel preamp output | ✖ |
Video features
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ |
| 4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz |
| 8K signal pass-through | ✖ |
| HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ |
| 3D signal pass-through | ✔ |
| HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ |
| Video conversion | ✖ |
| Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ |
| HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ |
| Dolby Vision | ✔ |
| Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
Additional features
| Voice control | ✖ |
| App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
| Display | colour OSD |
| Tuner | AM, FM |
| Sleep timer | ✔ |
| Auto power off | ✔ |
| ECO mode | ✖ |
| Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ |
| Setup assistant | ✔ |
| Firmware update | network, USB |
| Other additional features | has not |
Multi-room
| Multi-room zones | has not |
| Zone audio output | has not |
| Zone HDMI output | has not |
| Multi-room control | has not |
| RS-232 | 0 |
| Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 0 |
Multichannel surround
| Dolby Atmos | ✔ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✔ |
| Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus |
| DTS:X | ✔ |
| DTS HD Master | ✔ |
| DTS Virtual:X | ✖ |
| DTS Neural:X | ✔ |
| DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 |
| Auro-3D | ✖ |
| IMAX Enhanced | ✖ |
| Multichannel stereo | ✖ |
Audio file formats
| MP3 | ✔ |
| WMA | ✔ |
| AAC | ✔ |
| WAV | ✔ |
| FLAC | ✔ |
| ALAC | ✔ |
| Other audio file formats | AIFF |
Power
| Operational power consumption, W | 60 |
| Standby consumption, W | 0.2 |
| Removable power cord | ✖ |
Dimensions
| Size W x H x D, cm/inches | 43.5 x 7 x 32.5/17x 2.7 x 12.6 |
| Weight, kg/lbs | 4/8.8 |
Other
| Release year | 2016 |