Review: Receiver Pioneer VSX-D912

Reviewed by Carsten Rampacher, June 16th. 2003

Equipment

A very interesting offer from Pioneer is the AV-receiver VSX-D912 for EUR 799,--. This machine is already equipped with a fully-automatic loudspeaker calibration M.C.A.C.C. (Multichannel Acoustic Calibration System) and the remaining equipment is extensively, too. Power amplifiers with a performance of 6 x 100 watts (DIN, 1 kHz, 8 Ohms), decoder for Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES Discrete/Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic 2 (unfortunately without any adjusting possibility in the music mode) and even DTS 96/24 is included in the package. Besides this there are a lot of different digital sound fields for DSP-fans, which are partly sounding reasonable.

The sixth power amplifier for the back surround channel can be split up, which means that the home cinema fan is in a position to connect one or two back surround speakers. Additionally there is the Pioneer with different DSP-programmes and a pre-programmed as well a an adaptive remote control. 

The high-graded aluminium front panel is positively attracting attention, which supplies the appliance with a high-quality looking. The actually seen very good impression of the finish is suffering a little bit, as there is a flap at the front side of the appliance, behind which there are further operating elements. This flap is made of plastics and doesn’t look very solid. 

The equipment with digital inputs turns out very well: VSX-D912 offers five digital inputs, one of them is situated on the front side of the appliance. Besides this there is a 7.1-input on the back side. Of course VSX-D912 disposes of a video section with S-video-inputs. Unfortunately the Pioneer doesn’t support with YUV-connectors opposite to most competitors. 

Rating

Operating 

The operating of VSX-D912 turns out very plain, which can above all be lead back to the outstandingly working M.C.A.C.C., which makes the loudspeaker configuration extremely comfortable. By means of a delivered standard microphone, which is positioned on the hearing place, VSX-D912 is adjusting all relevant parameters exactly to the hearing position. However this is not the only advantage, the system is also adjusting the AV-receiver and the used loudspeakers at an optimum, which succeeded in practice considerably well. 
As alternative possibility the loudspeaker adjustments can also be carried out manually. 

The remote control is ergonomically formed well, however possesses of too many buttons. Helpful would be an illumination for a more simply operating in the darkened home cinema room. The operating elements on the AV-receiver itself can be operated well, the display of the appliance is easily readable. Unfortunately a on-screen display is missing.

Rating

Acoustical Performance

Pioneer VSX-D912 achieves excellent results at the reproduction of the film sound. The bass pressure is not so extremely strong as it was the case at its predecessor VSX-D811 which however will be compensated very well by means of the considerably more precise resolution and more brilliant high frequency range and the more clear middle tone reproduction. The remaining pressure of the bass and the remaining acoustical volume are besides this still so good that the competitors can’t completely achieve these performances – with the exception of the very powerful Kenwood KRF-V9070D, which practically gained the same results with regard to the dynamics. The considerably improved detail reproduction positively attracted our attention. 

The only thing, which we are still requesting, is a better division of the variable subwoofer cross-over frequency. The steps (100, 150 or 200 Hz) are not always suitable in practice. 60, 80, 100, 120 Hz would make far more sense. Pioneer should improve at the next generation. 

Hardly no improvements have to be made at the voice-reproduction. Above all the precision, which Pioneer offers in this price sector, fills with enthusiasm. This can be shown due to the screaming or shouting and the exact incorporation of the voices which leaves a great deal to be desired at the normally very good appliances. 

At the multi-channel music reproduction VSX-D912 shows that it also offers musical talents. Responsible for the excellent results is above all the outstanding dynamics of Pioneer. At all testing examples its very clear, lively and detailed performance was brilliant. With an amazing sovereignty the AV-receiver managed also classical DVDs (like e.g Mahler's 2. symphony) to be presented difficultly. The choral voices in the background are presented clearly and accurately. Pioneer also knows how to attract attention during DTS 96/24-operation, at our "Brasilian Bossa"-DVD it proved top quality with its clear and powerful sound. At all testing procedures in our big testing room (more than 40 square metres) the power amplifier could convince, only after several hours of use with 80 to 90 % of the maximum volume level, the protective circuit was activated and the appliance was switched off due to the exaggerated power. In testing rooms between 20 and scarcely more than 35 square metres also very high levels are hardly not confusing VSX-D912. The calefaction of the appliance is considerably noticeable however doesn’t reach dangerous extensions.

With regard to the Dolby Pro Logic II-reproduction VSX-D912 reveals its ignorance as the adjusting possibilities are missing in the music mode (which means that no changes are possible at the sound contribution of the centre/front loudspeaker and at the sound contribution of the front loudspeaker / surround loudspeaker) and we have to accept the firmly adjusted values, which however in most cases can be handled very well. Only at some discs the dominance of the centre loudspeaker was too high. Totally seen VSX-D912 offers good, however no outstanding results in the PLII-operation. 

The stereo qualities of VSX-D912 are presenting itself very well. Compared with VSX-D811 audible progresses can be achieved, which are expressing itself in a different kind, e.g. VSX-D912 sounds noticeably more free, clear and better accentuated in the high frequency range. 

Rating home cinema multichannel
Rating music multichannel
Rating Dolby PLII 
Rating Stereo

Summary

Pioneer VSX-D912 is in the price sector of EUR 800,-- without any doubt a very good selection. Its equipment is excellent, its sound is clear, filled with details and powerful. No serious failures are arising, only some details are causing criticism. In total the AV-receiver achieves a noticeably good testing result.

Excellent
Upper middle class
June 16th, 2003

Value

Pro:

• Outstanding suitability for home cinema and multi-channel operation
• Very powerful bass reproduction
• Clear, detailed presentation of the high frequency range
• Very dynamically surround-sound scenery
• Excellent voice reproduction 
• Considerable stereo sound
• M.C.A.C.C. on board 
• Very good finish apart from the plastic flap
• Praiseworthy value / performance proportion 

Contra:

• Dolby Pro Logic II music without any adjustment possibility
• Subwoofer-cross over frequency to be improved
• No YUV-connectors

Technical Data

6 x 100 watts output performance (DIN, 1 kHz, 8 ohms) 
Integrated power amplifier for surround-back-channel
The sixth power amplifier for the connection of 2 surround-back-LS can be split up
Integrated decoder for: Dolby Digital EX, Dolby ProLogic II 
DTS-ES discrete 6.1, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24

Tuner part 
RDS with PS / PTY / RT 
RDS-EON (news, traffic) / EON-link / alarm 
30 presets 

DSP-features
Different advanced theatre-modes (e.g virtual surround back / 6-ch Stereo) 
96 kHz / 24-Bit D/A-transformer

Special features 
M.C.A.C.C. (automatically with microphone)
Sound regulator and balance (electronically) 
Midnight mode 
Source direct 
"Bass plus"-switching for SW
Aluminium-front panel 

Connecting possibilities 
Front AV-input inclusive S-video & optimum digital input 
7.1-channel input for DVD-audio & SACD 
Digital-inputs: 2x coaxial, 2x optical, 1x front-AV 
Audio-/video-inputs: 4AV / 4A 
Audio-/video-inputs: 1A / 1AV / 1V 
Digital-output: 1x optical 
All video-inputs and outputs in Y/C and FBAS 
Pre-amplifier output for all channels 
Loudspeaker output for surround-back in stereo/mono 
Loudspeaker connectors suitable for banana-plugs 
Loudspeaker A/B or A+B 

Basic Information
Remote control (pre-programmed and adaptive) 
Dimensions (B x H x T) in mm: 420 x 158 x 401 
Weight: 10,0 kg 
Colour: Silver 
Suggested retail price: EUR 799,-- (on the German market)

Reviewed by: Carsten Rampacher
Assistent: Matthias Walther-Richters

2003/06/16

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