Pioneer VSX-S520D – Spectacular AV receiver

Last updated Nov 3, 2022

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

Rationalize the style and not the efficiency, with the Pioneer VSXS520D.

Pioneer VSX-S520D receiver Troubleshooting

Cannot access the Internet radio?

– Certain network service or contents available through the

unit may not be accessible in case the service provider

terminates its service.

– Make sure that your modem and router are properly

connected, and make sure they are both turned on.

– Make sure that the LAN side port on the router is properly

connected to this unit.

– Make sure that connecting to Internet from other

components is possible. If connecting is not possible,

turn off all components connected to the network, wait for

a while, and then turn on the components again.

– If a specific radio station is unavailable for listening, make

sure the registered URL is correct, or whether the format

distributed from the radio station is supported by this unit.

– Depending on ISP, setting the proxy server is necessary.

– Make sure that the used router and/or modem is

supported by your ISP.

Cannot access the network server?

– This unit needs to be connected to the same router as

the network server.

– This unit is compatible with Windows Media Player 11 or

12 network servers or NAS that are compatible with

home network functionality.

– You may need to make some settings on Windows

Media Player.

– When using a PC, only music files registered in the

Windows Media Player library can be played.

Cannot access wireless LAN network?

– The wireless LAN router setting may be switched to

Manual. Return the setting to Auto.

– Try the manual set-up. The connection may succeed.

– When the wireless LAN router setting is at stealth mode

(mode to hide the SSID key) or when ANY connection is

off, the SSID is not displayed. Change the setting and try

again.

– Check that the setting of SSID and encryption (WEP,

etc.) is correct. Make sure the network settings of the unit

is properly set.

– Connection to an SSID that includes multi-byte

characters is not supported. Name the SSID of the

wireless LAN router using single-byte alphanumeric

characters only and try again.

VSX-S520D specs:

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