The Pioneer VSX-S520D is a do-it-all AV receiver that is half the size but fully featured, including a DAB radio and network streaming.
Compact Design
The Pioneer VSX-S520D is only 70mm height, which is half the height of most AV receivers. This means it can go where others can’t and, more importantly, it can stay cool. It also happens to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing AV receivers on the market. For a clean look, a clear display is flanked by only a few controls.
Performer with a punch
Despite its small size, the VSX-S520D makes no sacrifices in terms of power. 80 watts per channel (at 4 ohms) is sufficient for all but the largest rooms.The power is supplied by a Class D amplifier that is not only powerful but also quiet, making it ideal for this small Pioneer. A unique feature of this AV receiver is the powered subwoofer output. This allows you to use a passive subwoofer, though an active subwoofer can also be connected via the standard RCA sub output.
When using Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, high directivity sound from the unit reflects off the ceiling, while low directivity sound directly reaches the ears. The different pathways cause a phase shift, making the sound feel uncomfortable. The Reflex Optimizer which uses the Phase Control technology adjusts this shift, and improves the localisation of the sound image by aligning the frequencies with those of the floor speakers, creating the ideal reproduction environment.
Google Cast, AirPlay, and Bluetooth are all options
With Googlecast and AirPlay built in, it’s simple to stream music from your smartphone or tablet. Connect wirelessly and use the Google (Android) or iTunes (Apple) operating systems to stream your stored music or favorite music services. Bluetooth wireless music streaming is also available for universal compatibility, including many laptops and PCs.
Wi-Fi, Tidal, Spotify, and Internet radio are all available for a complete networking experience.
Wi-Fi, Internet radio, Tidal, and Spotify are also included with the VSXS520D. Simply connect to your home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to gain access to thousands of Internet radio sites as well as subscription services like Spotify Connect and Tidal.
FlareConnect powered by Blackfire allows you to add a wireless speaker
It is possible to create a multi-room speaker system – wirelessly, using the latest FlareConnect by Blackfire technology. Simply add compatible Pioneer wireless speakers to another room to mirror what’s playing on the main system.
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)
The Pioneer VSXS520D is the only AV receiver in its class featuring a built-in DAB digital radio. This allows you access to a large number of stations as well as the convenience of hiss-free digital radio. There’s also an FM tuner for listening to local and national stations on the analogue radio network, in addition to the DAB radio. Photo: Pioneer
Turn your vinyl- turntable
If all of this connection wasn’t enough, the VSX-S520D also functions admirably as a hi-fi amplifier. Most home entertainment systems just require two line inputs and two digital connections. The dedicated phono (MM) input allows you to connect your turntable, bringing the total number of inputs to five.
Quick set-up
Regardless of packing a great deal of tech in, the VSXS520D is simple to set-up and use. Pioneer’s exclusive MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration) system tunes the amp to the size involving music playing place and phone speaker position, with the touch involving a button. Cycle Command technology implies some sort of natural sound among typically the audio system, anywhere you decide on for you to place them in the room.
Just like the top AV receivers that cost near $500, it comes with a variety of wi-fi solutions, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay. Nevertheless, because it’s much more compact than many receivers, it does not have legacy inputs – there aren’t any analog audio inputs or composite inputs for older DVD players or video gaming consoles that do not have HDMI outputs. It does have a phono input for playing records on a turntable.
The Pioneer VSX-S520 is the most compact AV receiver on the marketplace, which makes it a very good choice if your home entertainment center has small area to spare. On the other hand, its size arrives with some disadvantages – it’s not very strong, only has four HDMI inputs and just supports 5 channels of audio. However, it is a fine receiver for a compact surround sound system.
Rationalize the style and not the efficiency, with the Pioneer VSXS520D.
Pioneer VSX-S520D receiver Troubleshooting
Amplification
Channels: 6
Amplification Type: Class D
80 W/ch (4 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven)
Audio Features
Dolby Atmos® for 3.1.2ch/Dolby Surround
Surround Enhancer
DTS:X/DTS Neural:X
Reflex Optimizer
Dolby® TrueHD/Dolby Digital Plus
DTS-HD Master Audio/DTS-HD High Resolution Audio/DTS
DSD Playback via Network/USB (5.6 MHz/2ch 2.8 MHz/2ch)
DSD Disc (SACD) Playback via HDMI (2.8 MHz/5.1ch, 2ch)
Digital Core Engine with Cirrus Logic (Quad Core) x 1
HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)
MCACC Auto Room Tuning
Phase Control
Subwoofer EQ (4 Band)
Advanced Sound Retriever (2ch)
Advanced Surround Modes
Classical, Unplugged, Entertainment Show, Drama, Advanced Game, Action, Rock/Pop, Sports, Extended Stereo, Extended Mono, Front Stage Surround, Auto Surround
Video Features
Ultra HD Pass-through with HDCP 2.2 (4K/60p/4:4:4/24-bit, 4K/24p/4:4:4/36-bit, 4K/60p/4:2:0/36-bit)
HDR10 and BT.2020 Pass-through Support
Ultra HD Upscaling (1080p 4K)
3D Ready (Blu-ray Disc™, Broadcast, and Games)
Deep Colour (36-bit), “x.v.Colour”
Home Network Features
FlareConnect for Multi-room Audio
Chromecast built-in
DTS Play-Fi
Apple AirPlay Certified
Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer Music Streaming Services Ready
Internet Radio (TuneIn)
Hi-Res Audio File Playback via USB/Network
Up to 192 kHz/24-bit ALAC, AIFF, FLAC, WAV
5.6/2.8 MHz DSD Playback
Convenience Features
Built-in Wi-Fi® (Dual Band 5 GHz/2.4 GHz)
Built-in Bluetooth® Wireless Technology (Version: 4.1, Profile: A2DP/AVRCP, Codec: SBC/AAC)
Works with Pioneer Remote App (iOS/Android™)
New GUI with System/Network Setup Menu
Auto Power Off in HDMI Standby Through
DAB/DAB+ Tuner
FM (RDS) Tuner 40 Presets
Sleep Timer
User-Friendly Simple Remote Control
Front Terminals
USB 1 In for USB Drive
MCACC Setup MIC In
Phones 1 Out
Rear Terminals
HDMI 4 In
HDMI 1 Out (ARC)
Ethernet 1 In
Audio 2 In (Assignable)
Phono (MM) 1 In
Digital Coaxial 1 In (Assignable)
Digital Optical 1 In (Assignable)
Subwoofer 1 Pre Out
Speaker 6 ch Out (FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND, SUBWOOFER)
FM/DAB Tuner Antenna
HDMI
Input
IN1 (BD/DVD, HDCP2.2), IN2 (CBL/SAT, HDCP2.2), IN3
(STRM BOX, HDCP2.2), IN4 (GAME, HDCP2.2)
Output
OUT (HDCP2.2)
Supported
Deep Color, x.v.ColorTM, LipSync, Audio Return Channel,
3D, 4K 60Hz, CEC, Extended Colorimetry (sYCC601,
Adobe RGB, Adobe YCC601), Content Type, HDR
Audio Format
Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby
Atmos (to be supported in a future update), DTS, DTS:X
(to be supported in a future update), DTS-HD Master
Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS 96/24, DTSHD Express, DSD, PCM
Maximum Video Resolution
4k 60 Hz (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Specifications
Power Requirements: AC 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption/Standby: 60 W/0.38 W
Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 70 x 325 mm
Weight: 4.0 kg
