In Mars we reported on three new budsjettreceivere from Pioneer , where two of them support Dolby Atmos. But then the smaller model VSX-530 went under the radar. Insofar understandable - given it was not yet born. And yet we wonder if there is an even smaller VSX-330 in the horizon. The great thing about AV products is that we do not have to wait nine months before we can hope for a new arrival.
It is tempting to compare the VSX-530 with big brother. VSX-830 is a Wi-Fi receiver that is very well equipped in networking sector. It has a distributors suggested price in Norway at NOK 4498, - and thus compete with models like the Onkyo TX-NR444, Yamaha RX-V579 and Denon AVR-X1200W. The little brother is expected to be somewhere just over three grand (NOK), or even just below if no price competition gets tough. In this segment, it is common that one must accept that all network functions are picked off, and that only Bluetooth is remaining. So also with the VSX-530, which in return can boast that Bluetooth solution is aptX compatible.
Also room correction is shrunk to a very simple variant, the transfer of SACD and DSD are limited to stereo and distance settings are a little more coarse than in the larger models. Did we mention that the USB port in the front is not iOS compatible?
In return, the VSX-530 4k compliant - for pass-through, not scaling. And given effect is the same as that of big brother VSX-830, despite this we won`t speculate whether the sound is on the same level.
One can always choose to resent a limited level of equipment. Or one can be happy that those who have no need for network features, do not listen to SACD in multi channel, and is so reckless that they move the head more than one inch when they sit in the sweet spot, you get a model with the same power as to around 70% of the price of its big brother.
Also read:
Three new AV-receivers from Pioneer
Pioneer Atmos Enabled speaker set.
Pioneer promise Atmos upgrade in September.
Pioneer back with universal players in the really heavy class
