Official Pioneer VSX-521k owners thread - Page 17

Can anyone confirm that?

http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchf.../130VSX521.PDF

pg 6

Thanks for the audio lesson earlier guys. Just to re-state I have the speakers for a Theater in a Box setup i had...i bought this pioneer to replace the receiver. I ran into an issue with the subwoofer being stripped spaker wires....and the pioneer vsk only having a line out/preout for the sub signal. I was told that the solution would be to amplify the line out via an amp.

Over the weekend i went out and bought a mini amp that has a "line in" (red and white rca input) and i bought a mono-to-stereo Y adapter.

The adapter is to take the preout sub from the pioneer and plug it to the "line in" on the mini amp. I did all that but i get nothing out of the sub...it's like it's not even connected. Should this work? or is there some type of audio rule i'm missing, setting? Any help would be appreciated.

I have a ROKU streaming player that I use to watch NetFlix and listen to Pandora. When I am using the ROKU, the Pioneer 521 doesn't show the icon for Dolby digital or any other audio format. That area is blank, yet the sound seems to be multichannel. I have the ROKU connected to the receiver with an HDMI cable. I get the appropriate audio decoding icon when I use my cable box which is connected via optical cable, or the BluRay connected via HDMI, but nothing with the ROKU. Anyone else using a ROKU device with this issue?

Run MCACC (page 19 of the manual) so that it can detect the sub. It probably has the sub set to 'off'. Then set all your speakers to 'small' (p. 20 item 8).


http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchf.../130VSX521.PDF

That means the device is sending unencoded digital sound waves (PCM). If you're hearing multichannel sound, then everything is working as it should. I often see this when I play video games from my PC (connected via HDMI).

I think it does it when I switch from watching built in tuner on my TV with the receiver off, to watching Moxi DVR with 521 on.

I have a Pioneer VSX-521-K, Panasonic DMP-BD110 3D Blu-ray player, and just purchased a Samsung UN40D6442 3D TV. I also purchased a 4' and an 8' HDMI 1.4a cable. Everything works just like it did when I had a 2D until I play a 3D Blu-ray Video and then it appears there is a handshake or sync. problem as the TV starts blinking when it is trying to play the 3D video. If I set the amp back to TV/SAT and then back to BD it will lose the connection and reconnect and work. Sometimes I have to do this several times before it works.

If I plug the 3D player directly into the TV, instead of the pioneer, there is no problem.

I bought everything last May through June 2011.

Another question:

What reference point in dbs should I use? See below.

When I set the AVR up last year the Auto MCACC was way off. So I set it manually. Here are the settings:

2a. Speaker setting

Front - SMALL
Center - SMALL
Surr. - SMALL
Surr. Back - NO
Subwoofer: YES - (Crossover Freq. 100Hz)

2b. Speaker Distance and Channel Level

Front L - 0 dB - 10.6 ft
Center - +6 dB - 9.7 ft
Front R - 0 dB - 11 ft
Surround R - +5 dB - 9.0 ft
Surr. Back R ----- -----
Surr. Back L ----- -----
Surround L - +5 dB - 8.3 ft
Subwoofer - +10 dB - 13 ft

Okay, I just bought a Pioneer Subwoofer - SW-8 and a Pioneer Center Speaker - SP-C21. My old ones were Onkyo left overs but have all been replaced. So I thought I would try Auto MCACC again. Not real accurate.

Here is what it came up with:

2a. Speaker setting

Front - LARGE - I changed it back to SMALL
Center - LARGE - I changed it back to SMALL
Surr. - SMALL
Surr. Back - NO
Subwoofer: YES - (Crossover Freq. 100Hz)

2b. Speaker Distance and Channel Level

Front L - -9 dB - 9.4 ft
Center - -5 dB - 8.5 ft
Front R - -7 dB - 10.9 ft
Surround R - -1 dB - 10.0 ft
Surr. Back R ----- -----
Surr. Back L ----- -----
Surround L - 0 dB - 7.6 ft
Subwoofer - -15 dB - 17.9 ft

So you can see they are completely different, I can hardly hear my Subwoofer.

So here is my question again; What reference point in dbs should I use? What I mean is my old dB's look like they are derived from 0. The new settings use negative dB's and since they need to be manually tweeked, I am not sure if I should start with -9dB or 0 dB or what I should use as a starting point.

Any information would be greatly appreciated on this and the HDMI handshaking issue.

Pioneer told me that lots of 3D players do that and they are not going to fix it. Also the 521 does not have a USB port in front to do a firmware upgrade. I called Samsung and they said it is Pioneer's problem and they should fix it. I talked to Panasonic also and didn't get a satisfactory answer.


Please Help! Thanks
Bob

With the front speakers set to large, you'll never hear the sub, unless there's information specifically for the LFE channel (such as 5.1 movies and such). Strangely, MCACC seems to favour setting front speakers to large. Small speakers + 80Hz crossover is pretty much gospel on this site.

As for HDMI, I am not surprised. I had a 521 and it introduced noise (black dots) in the picture when I was passing through a 1080p source. Wouldn't see the dots when devices were connected direct to TV, and I tried all permutations of cables. In my opinion, the switching components on the 521 are weak and introduce too much noise.

In the end I decided to sell the 521 and go to the VSX-53 since I got one for a steal, and haven't looked back. Look at the 921, 1021 or 1121 models -- they are more expensive, but more on-par with the rest of your setup.

^^ Check the 1021 and 1121 threads on this site... the guys are constantly posting threads with great deals on these models.

Do you have any idea on where my reference should be as far as Decibel's go. I am confused why 0 dB's sounded okay when I first set it up manually and the Auto MCACC set it to -9 DB's (Front L). Manually my subwoofer sounded pretty good at +10 dB's and Auto MCACC set the sub at -15 dB's. I just need to know where a good starting point is. I am pretty sure I used 0 dB's as a reference point the first time I set it up manually. I am just not sure if I did it correctly.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bob

Hi all,

I am relatively uninformed on the compatibility of speakers and receivers, so pardon my ignorance but I was wondering if anyone could let me know if the VSX-521k would work with my set-up as outlined below:

Front:
JBL E30 (Northridge E Series) x 2
Max. Recomended Amp Power: 125W
Power Handling: 70W (Continuous)/280W (Peak)
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88dB

Rear:
JBL E20 x 2
Max. Recomended Amp Power: 125W
Power Handling: 70W (Continuous)/280W (Peak)
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 86dB

Thanks in advance!

Derek, those will work just fine. When discussing "compatibility", what you want to look at is the Nominal Impedance, 8 ohms and compare that value to the receiver's specs:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...specifications

Power Output Per Channel(20Hz-20kHz,.08%THD@8ohm) 80W

This receiver is spec'd for 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers, and cannot deliver the max. power your speakers can handle. You're good to go.

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Samsung pn59d6500, Samsung db d6500, and a pioneer vsx521k.

All connected with hdmi cables, my pnd6500 won't show video or audio through the receiver, but connected directly to the tv it works fine. I tried with another bluray player I have (toshiba) and it won't fine. I have the signal set on hdmi so I'm not sure? All the other connections along with everything else I have tested worked fine.?
Thanks for your help

Just set up this receiver as a replacement for a prehistoric JVC. Everything is working great, but I wanted to point out a solution to a problem I had as well as ask a couple of questions.

First, the problem and it's solution... I had initially set this receiver up with a Polk sub and speakers using the front L and R inputs/outputs on the SUB, instead of using the line out directly to the SUB. This is what was recommended by Polk and how I had it set up for years w/my JVC receiver. After using the MCACC, it correctly set my front speakers to Large, and SUB to none. While all the levels were correct, this created a delay on ALL the LFE stuff that was driving me insane until I figured out what was going on.

If you run into this, just use the line out directly to the sub and the front L/R speakers. All better.

Now here's my first question... My Polk sub has it's own volume knob and a LowPass Filter knob. I currently have these both set in the middle, and the MCACC settings have the crossover at 100Hz. Am I "doing it right"? Is there a better setting for those knobs on the sub itself?

Second and final question: Can I just leave it on Digital Auto and forget it? In that mode will it switch to Dolby ProLogic if it's not getting a Dolby Digital or DTS signal?

Thanks for any input!

-R2

Leave your volume down the middle... MCACC should have adjusted the sub output. Tweak the volume knob if you need more or less bass.

If I understand correctly, your sub is now connected to the line-level LFE port on the Pioneer. If the Pioneer has its crossover set to 100 Hz, disable, or turn your sub's crossover all the way up to avoid bass holes. Actually, for many Polk subs, the crossover is disabled if you use the line-level port, so you have nothing to do.



I leave mine to Dolby Pro Logic IIx. If a 5.1 signal comes in, it is used and PLII is disabled... If a 2-challen stereo signal comes in, PLII is then used. I'm not sure if auto surround will forcibly choose PLIIx for stereo content.

Excellent, thanks for your help!

Hello All,

I'm a total newbie but have gotten some great info in reading posts in this forum. I have the Pioneer VSX-521-K and would like to know If I could integrate my HTiB system which is a Panasonic SC-PT1050 with it. If so, what would be the best setup since rear speakers and supwoofer are wireless ? I also have a Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV with a HTPC system connected for games/movies/web surfing etc.
Thanks in advance for any reply I get and if you need more details or clarification, please let me know.

thanks again,

Rob

Yes you are right. I studied the sub issue a lot when started my 'career' with VSX-521. I have a Jamo speaker system with SUB 210. It has a Level (volume), Phase and Cut off knobs. Level is self-explanatory, Phase I'm not quite sure (I have it 0 ,values 0 - -180). Cut off has values 40Hz - 200Hz and it 'must' be kind of disabled so it is set to max (200Hz). This is because Pioneer is handling the crossover (cut off). And in Pioneer Crossover is set to 150Hz because main speakers have frequency range from 150 Hz upwards.

There was also an issue with the sub's auto power on/off feature, after running MCACC it turned on and off too often (for me at least...) so I added sub level (now +7dB). Using Level knob adjusted to suitable, stays on all the time.

I just ordered the 521's brother, the 821k from WallyWorld. I'm using it primarily for the lossless sound formats for BR, and hoping that it cures the resetting problems I'm having when I connect my Xbox directly to my tv. Can anyone confirm that this receiver line plays nice with a 360? Tia.

Can anyone help?
I can get 5.1 from my DVR using HDMI, but I can't seem to get it from my PS3 using HDMI....any suggestions?

what are the sound settings on your ps3?

Remember, the ps3 will not pass HD audio, try a normal DVD, see what happens

^^^

"fat" ps3's will not... slim ones will...

Thanks toofart, that worked out great...the OSD helped out with that...that's why i couldn't see the status of the sub.

One other question i have for you is: How do i get the HDMI signal to my tv without having to turn on the receiver? I bought it under the the impression that the receiver had HDMI "Pass Through"...did i interpret that wrong?

All i want to do is to be able to watch normal tv without having to turn on the entire theater system. Thanks!

HDMI Passthrough on these models works as often as you win the lotto jackpot. For simplicity's sake, for watching TV I suggest you connect your cable box to the TV directly via HDMI, and use an optical or coax cable from your box to the receiver. This allows you to watch plain old TV, and it allows you to switch the receiver on for those shows/movies where you want better sound.

@toofart Thanks for your help! Everything is set as you suggested and working properly.

Another post asked if this receiver plays nice with the 360 and I can report that it does.

-R2

Which input on the avr did you use as i considering hooking hdmi to the tv and coaxial digital audio cable to the receiver to help with the handshake issue between my directv hd dvr and the receiver?


Do you then have to modify/set an input on the receiver to coaxial?

I don't remeber my original avr port but now hdmi is bypassing the avr and only coax sound going to avr. And of course avr input must then be coax (C1), O1 or O2 if optical. I think that avr reconizes that automatically, I use an universal remote which selects the right inputs so at least for me it not an issue. Moreover I have disabled all automatic hdmi handshakes from TV and avr.

Can the firmware be updated on these receivers?