VSX-815 First Impressions & Build Quality
Despite all of the mid-fi and hi-fi product reviews written by us at Audioholics, we get a steady stream of reader requests for more entry level systems. In fact, it's almost imperative that we provide them because to assume that a manufacturer's flagship products necessarily reflect the quality and usability of its entry-level units ignores the lessons learned from our article on Product Managing Receiver Platforms & Power Ratings .
So, it was with a desire to investigate Pioneer's new entry-level line of receivers that we requested the VSX-815 and HTP-4600 , two products that give us a nice slice of Pioneer's lower-priced offerings. The VSX-815 is a 100 watt x 7 product with auto setup and room EQ. Main features for this receiver include:
- MCACC auto setup with calibration microphone
- 100 watts x 7 (1kHz; 1% THD @ 8-ohms)
- Integrated biamping mode for 5.1 systems (using Surround Back amplifiers)
- Powered Zone 2 (using Surround Back amplifiers) *not independent source
- Programmable remote control with 1-line 8 character LCD
- Speaker delay settings with 0.5ft increments
- Selectable crossover (50/80/100/150/200)
First Impressions
The Pioneer VSX-815 is a pretty clean-looking receiver. Source buttons are easily located in the front of the unit - the active source being lit. Two rotating knobs grace the front of the unit on the right side. One is for the Master Volume and one serves as a jog wheel for menu selection and tuning. There are a decent number of inputs on the back of the unit and the receiver even provides for 7.1 channel pre-outs and a 5.1 channel analogue input for a DVD player. The manual was easy to understand and well diagrammed and labeled.
Plenty of inputs for a $365 receiver
Looking at the back of the receiver we see a few significant things. First of all, the receiver has multi-channel preamplifer outputs - almost unheard of at this price point. If you have an extra amplifier lying around you can use it in conjunction with this receiver to achieve better system performance or drive more difficult loads. It also has binding posts for all speaker connections while many other receivers offer spring clips for at least some of the channels. For a receiver that often has a street price under $300 I'm not sure any other connections or features could be added to this unit without Pioneer losing money in the process.
Build Quality
The VSX-815 is of average build quality for a receiver at this price point. While it states 7 x 100
watts output, that is obviously not an "all channels driven" rating (nor
is it implied in the specs) and based on the power supply and information we could glean from the
components, you can expect to have no trouble powering a set of 8-ohm moderately efficient speakers in
an average sized living room with this receiver.
A respectable power transformer and a pair of 4700uF capacitors make up the major components of the power supply. Heat is dispersed through the use of an aluminum radiator well-positioned over air intake vents. A fan is also present just beyond the heat sink fins though I never actually heard it turn on during or just after my listening sessions. The overall layout seems to be organized and efficient. I noticed no apparent issues in terms of grounding or interference and the engineering that went into this product seemed to be very well thought-out.
