Digital Trends

Pioneer has had a long history of producing exceptionally high-quality audio and video products, especially in their cutting-edge Elite line. Their plasma display HDTVs for example, have consistently displayed sparkling images in recent years, handling all types of content. Currently, the company offers what is considered by many to be the best plasma TVs on the market today (especially in the 50-inch category). Pioneer was also the creator of laserdisc technology – the first optical disc playback system years ago, which was the forerunner of the Digital Versatile Disc, or DVD as we know it today. On the audio side, Pioneer products have been top-rated in several consumer and A/V magazines over the years, including such prestigious publications as Consumer Reports, ELECTRONIC HOUSE, Home Theater magazines, and, of course, Digital Trends online. The bottom line: Pioneer has always been on “the edge of the envelope” of aural and visual technological innovations. For this write-up, I am reviewing their Elite VSX-84TXSi A/V Receiver and using their PD-5070 plasma HDTV as the display device of choice.

 

The Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi is the company’s current, top-of-the-line A/V receiver, priced at $1,500 USD. It includes HDMI and i.LINK (IEEE1394) switching capability. This receiver offers several visual and aural enhancements and refinements, including Faroudja DCDI video processing along with integrated THX Select 2, Dolby Digital, and several modes of DTS-ES processing. Therefore, it is one of the best examples of an A/V receiver available.