Pioneer VSX-C100 5.1 Channels Receiver
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- Surround Sound: Dolby Digital® DTS® Dolby Pro Logic II
- THX Certification: No
- Number of Channels: 5.1 Channels
- Type: Receiver
- Surround Mode Power: 30 Watt @ 8 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 1%
- Stereo Mode Power: 30 Watt @ 8 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 1%
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Excellent diminutive machine
Pros
Slim size and good looks;stackability; multiremote, Prologic II, sound quality.
Cons
Speaker cable connections are clips, "only" 40 watts
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Perfect when space limited, or when large amp would spoil the looks of a room. Power, sound quality, versatility are surprisingly good. Don't be too put off by lower power
This is a good-looking and well proportioned receiver in miniature. At only 55mm high, it sits elegantly on a shelf, and yet has all the basic features and more. This isn't a machine for an audiophile or "Tweaker", so the review is more aimed at general usability & feature sets.
The quality of output is good, but not excellent. It does compare favourably with other large machines of this price. At 40 watts, it is easily sufficient for most household rooms. (How often do you actually crank your machine right up?). It's not as clear as the Elite Pioneers (obviously), and maybe lacks slightly in the strength of bass. But that's being very fussy, and an unfair comparason given the advantages of having a slim stackable machine.
The cooling fan used to avoid a large heatsink rarely switches on (slightly less often than on the similar VSX-C300, which I also own), and is reasonably quiet anyway. The machine is solid and well built, with smooth and unobtrusive lines at the front.
Connectivity is somewhat limited - one coaxial digital in, three optical digital in (switchable), one on the front for easy access - but there's really not space at the back for much more. 5.1 speaker out on the rear, AV input also on front.
The Dolby Digital, DTS and Prologic II are all easily controlled from the remote, which is pre-programmed for most common brands. The Auto mode sorts out sound source selection admirably in most cases, making use especially easy, and reflecting the type of use this machine is perfectly designed for. There is a fair selection of DSP modes, which are better than some. I prefer as little effect as possible with DD & DTS. The Surround Stereo is surprisingly successful with 2 channel sources like CDs.
The remote is not a learning remote, but behaves well anyway, controlling all components of three widely differing set-ups I have. (The remote isn't small and svelte like the machine, which I think is a shame. The VSX-C300 remote is smaller, classier, and easier to use, the C100 remote has a lot of buttons specifically for set-up, which you'll use once if you are lucky; I'd rather have fewer buttons, and have to access the set-up via shift key, etc).
Overall, an excellent little machine. I use it in my office (15 feet by 18 feet, fairly book-lined, and acoustically poor), and it is fine. If you want lots of power, maximal connectivity, and superb quality output, you'd probably not be looking at this machine anyway. If you are after a civilised machine for a smart room, and don't want to boast that "mine is bigger than yours" to your neighbour then I'd recommend it! If you want power, maximum connectivity, and yet more power, then go for something bigger. Otherwise, the very few cons of this that are outlined above are greatly outweighed by the strong pros. Overall, an excellent machine, and a rarety amongst the thundering great ugly brutes we let clutter our otherwise-tidy rooms.
I'd recommend it!
The newer VSX-C550 is (I believe) technically absolutely identical to the VSX-C100. I feel the casing is much less attractive on the 500, with the 100 & 300 looking classier & more discrete.
The 300 is very similar to the 100, but is older. It lacks a digital coaxial in, doesn't have Prologic II, and lacks a couple of sound modes. The Pioneer DVD DV454 and DV350 match the 300/100. With the 300, the lack of coaxial digital input means you'll have to go for the marginally more expensive DV454, which has optical out. The 100 can go with either the DV350 (coax dig in) or 454 (coax OR optical in). Both DVD players are otherwise technically identical, fascia difference excepted! Both are excellent players.
The quality of output is good, but not excellent. It does compare favourably with other large machines of this price. At 40 watts, it is easily sufficient for most household rooms. (How often do you actually crank your machine right up?). It's not as clear as the Elite Pioneers (obviously), and maybe lacks slightly in the strength of bass. But that's being very fussy, and an unfair comparason given the advantages of having a slim stackable machine.
The cooling fan used to avoid a large heatsink rarely switches on (slightly less often than on the similar VSX-C300, which I also own), and is reasonably quiet anyway. The machine is solid and well built, with smooth and unobtrusive lines at the front.
Connectivity is somewhat limited - one coaxial digital in, three optical digital in (switchable), one on the front for easy access - but there's really not space at the back for much more. 5.1 speaker out on the rear, AV input also on front.
The Dolby Digital, DTS and Prologic II are all easily controlled from the remote, which is pre-programmed for most common brands. The Auto mode sorts out sound source selection admirably in most cases, making use especially easy, and reflecting the type of use this machine is perfectly designed for. There is a fair selection of DSP modes, which are better than some. I prefer as little effect as possible with DD & DTS. The Surround Stereo is surprisingly successful with 2 channel sources like CDs.
The remote is not a learning remote, but behaves well anyway, controlling all components of three widely differing set-ups I have. (The remote isn't small and svelte like the machine, which I think is a shame. The VSX-C300 remote is smaller, classier, and easier to use, the C100 remote has a lot of buttons specifically for set-up, which you'll use once if you are lucky; I'd rather have fewer buttons, and have to access the set-up via shift key, etc).
Overall, an excellent little machine. I use it in my office (15 feet by 18 feet, fairly book-lined, and acoustically poor), and it is fine. If you want lots of power, maximal connectivity, and superb quality output, you'd probably not be looking at this machine anyway. If you are after a civilised machine for a smart room, and don't want to boast that "mine is bigger than yours" to your neighbour then I'd recommend it! If you want power, maximum connectivity, and yet more power, then go for something bigger. Otherwise, the very few cons of this that are outlined above are greatly outweighed by the strong pros. Overall, an excellent machine, and a rarety amongst the thundering great ugly brutes we let clutter our otherwise-tidy rooms.
I'd recommend it!
The newer VSX-C550 is (I believe) technically absolutely identical to the VSX-C100. I feel the casing is much less attractive on the 500, with the 100 & 300 looking classier & more discrete.
The 300 is very similar to the 100, but is older. It lacks a digital coaxial in, doesn't have Prologic II, and lacks a couple of sound modes. The Pioneer DVD DV454 and DV350 match the 300/100. With the 300, the lack of coaxial digital input means you'll have to go for the marginally more expensive DV454, which has optical out. The 100 can go with either the DV350 (coax dig in) or 454 (coax OR optical in). Both DVD players are otherwise technically identical, fascia difference excepted! Both are excellent players.
