The Pioneer VSX-1020-K emerged as a strong contender in the competitive mid-range AV receiver market. Building on the success of its predecessor, the VSX-1019AH-K, which earned accolades as the best AV receiver of 2009, the VSX-1020-K aimed to deliver enhanced connectivity and maintained excellent sound quality. This review delves into the features, performance, and overall value of the Pioneer VSX-1020-K, examining its strengths and weaknesses to help you determine if it’s the right receiver for your home theater setup.
Design and Aesthetics
Pioneer opted for an evolutionary design approach with the VSX-1020-K, retaining the glossy black finish that characterized previous models. The front panel presents a symmetrical layout, featuring two equally sized knobs flanking a central, large LCD display at the top. This design provides a clean and functional aesthetic that should integrate well into most home theater setups. A removable cover on the lower right side reveals additional front-panel connections, including a convenient HDMI input and a USB port designed for seamless iPod and iPhone integration.
Front Panel and Remote Control
The inclusion of a front HDMI port is a practical addition, making it easy to connect temporary devices like gaming consoles or camcorders. The front USB port, specifically designed for iPod and iPhone, simplifies direct digital music playback.
However, like many AV receivers, the VSX-1020-K’s remote control is a point of contention. Its cluttered layout with numerous small, similarly sized buttons makes it challenging to operate by feel, especially in dimly lit home theater environments. The volume controls are also positioned somewhat awkwardly, requiring a reach to the upper right. The remote’s complexity stems from its attempt to control multiple devices, often defaulting to the selected input device, necessitating users to constantly switch back to receiver control. Investing in a universal remote is highly recommended to streamline the user experience.
Key Features and Specifications
The Pioneer VSX-1020-K is packed with features expected in a mid-range 7.1 channel AV receiver, aiming to be a central hub for your home entertainment system.
Connectivity Options
HDMI Inputs: A standout feature of the VSX-1020-K is its generous offering of six HDMI inputs (HDMI 1.4a), including one conveniently located on the front panel. This is a significant advantage over some competitors in the same price range, providing ample connectivity for multiple high-definition sources like Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. It supports 3D pass-through, essential for enjoying 3D content from compatible devices.
Analog and Digital Audio: Beyond HDMI, the VSX-1020-K provides a comprehensive suite of legacy connections, including component and composite video inputs, optical and coaxial digital audio inputs, and stereo analog audio inputs. While it omits multichannel analog inputs and a phono input, reflecting the shift towards HDMI-centric setups, it remains well-equipped for connecting a variety of audio sources. The absence of a front-panel minijack input is a minor drawback for quick connections of portable audio players, a feature some competitors offer.
iPod and iPhone Integration: The dedicated USB port on the front panel, coupled with an included cable, allows for direct digital connection of iPods and iPhones. This feature enables not only playback but also browsing music libraries and displaying album art on the receiver’s graphical user interface.
Ethernet Port and Network Capabilities: The inclusion of an Ethernet port is notable at this price point. While its primary function is to access internet radio stations, its utility is somewhat limited. The process of inputting URLs for internet radio stations using the standard GUI is cumbersome. However, Pioneer does offer the option to add stations via a connected PC, which simplifies the process for more tech-savvy users.
Audio Processing and Performance
Surround Sound Decoding: The VSX-1020-K supports essential high-definition audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, ensuring compatibility with the latest Blu-ray audio soundtracks. It also includes Dolby Pro Logic IIz, which adds height channels for a more immersive sound experience, though this format is less common than standard 7.1 or object-based audio.
MCACC Auto Calibration: Pioneer’s proprietary MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration) system is a key feature for optimizing audio performance in your specific listening environment. The “Full Auto MCACC” automatically configures speaker sizes, distances, levels, and crossover settings, and includes advanced equalization and room tuning. The system’s single-point measurement simplifies the setup process compared to multi-point systems like Audyssey, while still delivering impressive results. Reviews indicate that MCACC effectively improves sound quality, and manual adjustments often do not yield further improvements.
Sound Quality: The VSX-1020-K is praised for its excellent sound quality, characterized as lean and accurate, in contrast to some competitors that might offer a warmer tonal balance. It delivers clear and deep bass, and precise imaging for a compelling surround sound experience. While it may not reach the heights of more expensive, high-end receivers, it provides a top-tier audio performance within its price category, suitable for both music and movie enthusiasts.
Minor Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, the Pioneer VSX-1020-K does have a few shortcomings:
Warranty: The one-year warranty is less generous compared to the two-year or longer warranties offered by most competitors. This shorter warranty period might be a concern for buyers seeking long-term peace of mind.
HDMI Features: While equipped with HDMI 1.4a, the VSX-1020-K lacks some HDMI features that were becoming more common at the time, such as audio return channel (ARC) and standby pass-through. The absence of ARC means audio from a TV’s built-in tuner or streaming apps cannot be easily sent back to the receiver via HDMI, requiring a separate optical audio cable. The lack of standby pass-through means HDMI signals cannot pass through the receiver to the TV when the receiver is in standby mode, requiring the receiver to be fully powered on to watch TV.
User Interface: While functional, the graphical user interface (GUI) is described as utilitarian and visually basic, lacking the visual appeal of more modern interfaces. Inputting internet radio URLs and some other setup tasks can be tedious due to the lack of an onscreen keyboard.
Conclusion
The Pioneer VSX-1020-K stands out as a compelling mid-range AV receiver, particularly for users prioritizing excellent sound quality and HDMI connectivity. Its six HDMI inputs are a significant advantage, and the MCACC auto-calibration system effectively optimizes audio performance. Direct iPod/iPhone connectivity and a functional GUI add to its appeal.
However, potential buyers should consider the shorter one-year warranty and the absence of some HDMI convenience features like ARC and standby pass-through. While these omissions are minor for many users, they are worth noting.
Overall, the Pioneer VSX-1020-K delivers a strong combination of performance, features, and value, making it a worthy contender in the mid-range AV receiver market. For those seeking a receiver focused on core audio and video performance with ample HDMI inputs, the VSX-1020-K remains a solid choice, even considering its successor models and newer competitors.
