Pioneer VSX-D409 5.1 Channels Receiver
Out of stock |
Similar in Receivers
- Surround Sound: Dolby Digital® DTS® Dolby Pro Logic
- Number of Channels: 5.1 Channels
- Type: Receiver
- Surround Mode Power: 100 Watt @ 8 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 0.8%
- Stereo Mode Power: 100 Watt @ 8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD: 0.2%
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
What a great deal!
Pros
GREAT SOUND, features, lots of features
Cons
Hard to program remote, no optical output, might be hard for some to hookup.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
GREAT. Good plug and play usability, but enough features to keep a hardcore Audiofile entertained. Sound quality is very good for this price range!
This receiver is great. Everyday I discover a new really cool feature. With all the options and features, and all the inputs on the back, this receiver could be a little daunting to the entree level user. The instructions are clear though and should be kept handy for a week or so after installation to check how to adjust things.
The VSX-D409 has great surround sound. It gives you numerous options on speakers and speaker placement. You can customize each channel with settings for speaker size, location, and distance from the listener. If you have small rear speakers, you can dial the settings in to perfect the sound coming in over them. If your right front speaker is an extra 2 feet away, the tuner will adjust by delaying the sound on that channel so it all reaches you and your couch at the same instant. It has more than enough DSP settings to choose from for whatever you?re listening to. Add some echo to a ballgame with the ?Hall? setting. Or use ?Theater? for movies. They all sound pretty good but some do add a considerable echo reminiscent of a stadium sound system. I LOVE THE OPTICAL INPUT. Don?t allow your CDs and DVDs sound quality to diminish in conventional cable. This tuner incorporates this new technology that sends light through fiber optics between components.
The unit has tons of options for hooking up components. Whatever you have, it will plug in somewhere on this thing. Even video can be sent through the receiver and routed to your TV. No S-Video inputs though, so you?re better off bypassing the receiver. Also, if you have a MiniDisc player or a CD burner, there is no optical out. The subwoofer pre-out also allows the receiver to control exactly how much bass is sent to the woofer. I spent about 3 days fine tuning my sub before I realized this feature. It makes the sub unobtrusive when you don?t want it, like during a news cast, and perfect when it is needed.
In terms of ease to use, it is pretty strait forward. It is pretty much plug and play, but for optimal sound quality, the more advanced settings will have to be played with. The basic features can be set up in a few minutes by anyone, the more advanced ones will require reading the instructions and spending 15-20 mins fine tuning. One fault is the programmable remote. It is a little cluttered and confusing to use. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn?t get the remote to work with my CD player. The 509 model has a self learning remote that makes programming a snap, but I feel it really doesn?t make sense to pay the extra $40 dollars for a fancier remote and some extra features like front mounted inputs. I would save the $40 and buy a few DVDs to really take advantage of the surround.
In terms of quality, the Pioneer is solid. They are known for being a little better that Sony, and from experience with Sony's, I agree. Also, this unit comes with a great warranty and should be trouble free.
I sat in the store for about 45 minutes debating the whether to pay the extra $40 for the VSX-D509S model but in the end, you really don?t get too many more features. Is a fancier remote worth $40?
The VSX-D409 has great surround sound. It gives you numerous options on speakers and speaker placement. You can customize each channel with settings for speaker size, location, and distance from the listener. If you have small rear speakers, you can dial the settings in to perfect the sound coming in over them. If your right front speaker is an extra 2 feet away, the tuner will adjust by delaying the sound on that channel so it all reaches you and your couch at the same instant. It has more than enough DSP settings to choose from for whatever you?re listening to. Add some echo to a ballgame with the ?Hall? setting. Or use ?Theater? for movies. They all sound pretty good but some do add a considerable echo reminiscent of a stadium sound system. I LOVE THE OPTICAL INPUT. Don?t allow your CDs and DVDs sound quality to diminish in conventional cable. This tuner incorporates this new technology that sends light through fiber optics between components.
The unit has tons of options for hooking up components. Whatever you have, it will plug in somewhere on this thing. Even video can be sent through the receiver and routed to your TV. No S-Video inputs though, so you?re better off bypassing the receiver. Also, if you have a MiniDisc player or a CD burner, there is no optical out. The subwoofer pre-out also allows the receiver to control exactly how much bass is sent to the woofer. I spent about 3 days fine tuning my sub before I realized this feature. It makes the sub unobtrusive when you don?t want it, like during a news cast, and perfect when it is needed.
In terms of ease to use, it is pretty strait forward. It is pretty much plug and play, but for optimal sound quality, the more advanced settings will have to be played with. The basic features can be set up in a few minutes by anyone, the more advanced ones will require reading the instructions and spending 15-20 mins fine tuning. One fault is the programmable remote. It is a little cluttered and confusing to use. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn?t get the remote to work with my CD player. The 509 model has a self learning remote that makes programming a snap, but I feel it really doesn?t make sense to pay the extra $40 dollars for a fancier remote and some extra features like front mounted inputs. I would save the $40 and buy a few DVDs to really take advantage of the surround.
In terms of quality, the Pioneer is solid. They are known for being a little better that Sony, and from experience with Sony's, I agree. Also, this unit comes with a great warranty and should be trouble free.
I sat in the store for about 45 minutes debating the whether to pay the extra $40 for the VSX-D509S model but in the end, you really don?t get too many more features. Is a fancier remote worth $40?
