Feature Highlights of the New A/V Receivers
Pioneer presents an advanced lineup of A/V receivers for creating the next generation home theatre. High-definition Blu-ray has brought a new dimension to audio as well as visual potentials. With Pioneer's new A/V receivers, you can enjoy the benefits of the new generation audio formats, such as DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, or play music from iPod and other portable digital devices with improved connectivity via USB.
Innovations for Superior Sound
Phase Control — An Innovation for Multi-Channel Sound Compensation (VSX-1018AH, VSX-918V, VSX-818V, VSX-518)
When amplifying multi-channel audio signals, receivers use Low Pass Filter (LPF) for processing low-frequency signals for subwoofer output. This extra process causes “phase lag”, or approximately 5 msec delay of low-frequency signals with
respect to those of main channels. The delayed bass affects the quality of main-channel sound and makes the sound lack synchronisation.
Pioneer's latest A/V receivers incorporate original Phase Control technologies, which apply a new bass management system to effectively compensate for the phase lag between subwoofer channel and the main channels. This significantly improves the multi-channel sound without any extra operation.
The "Phase Control" Compensates for the Delay of Low-Frequency Sound
Source | A/V Receiver | Speakers |
| |
USB Connection for iPod and USB Devices (VSX-1018AH, VSX-918V, VSX-818V)
You can easily enjoy music from iPod and other USB devices by plugging the cable into the front USB terminal. The lossless digital transfer provides high- quality sound for your music. Your iPod or USB device can be operated with the remote control and OSD display.
* iPod is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Pioneer-Exclusive Innovations
sPhase Control (Bass management system ensures precision low frequency output)
sAdvanced MCACC setup with 9-band EQ
sAdvanced Sound Retriever (for enhanced PC and portable audio) sStanding Wave Control
sFront Stage Surround Advance sAuto Level Control
•Advanced Direct Energy Power Amplifier
Features for Superior Sound Quality
sMaximum power (6 ohms): 180 W x 7ch
•Digital Core Engine with Freescale 400MIPS Processing DSP
•192 kHz/24-bit DAC
•DTS-ES/DTS 96/24/Dolby Digital EX/Dolby Digital Plus decoders
•WMA9 Pro decoder
•Audio delay for adjusting Lip Sync (0-200 ms)
•Dialogue Enhancement
•Stream Direct (for pure and unprocessed digital sound)
Enhanced Convenience
sHDMI repeater (2 in/1 out), x.v.Colour, Deep Colour compatible siPod player digital direct via USB
sUSB memory audio ready (USB Host function) sDigital video converter (up to HDMI) sKURO LINK
•SR+ terminal (Control your A/V receiver via Pioneer plasma TV remote sensor)
* x.v.Colour is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
PHASE CONTROL
Create an Ideal Acoustic Environment with Ease — with MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) (VSX-1018AH, VSX-918V, VSX-818V)
MCACC allows you to duplicate the acoustic environment of the mixing studio, where recordings and soundtracks are mixed and mastered. With the Pioneer A/V receivers, the system — complete with a microphone — compensates for
differences in speaker size, speaker level, and speaker distance, and equalises response with 9-Band (VSX-1018AH) or 5-Band (VSX-918V, VSX-818V) EQ, all automatically.
Auto Level Control Volume Management System (VSX-1018AH, VSX-918V, VSX-818V, VSX-518)
The new feature equalises volume level differences between tracks when playing from iPod or other portable audio players. The playback volume is maintained at a consistent level, so there is no need to make adjustments for each song.
Transfer
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
Different Volumes
Standardised Playback Volume
Auto Level
Control
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
Sound Level Equalisation
HDMI with Deep Colour (VSX-1018AH)
The VSX-1018AH supports Deep Colour with ultra-high colour depth of up to 36 bit, allowing smooth colour transitions, finest colour gradation steps, and a dramatically improved contrast ratio.
Digital Video Converter with HDMI Output
(VSX-1018AH)
HDMI
Component 
S-Video
Composite
Video
Rear Panel
HDD/DVD RECORDERS
HI-FI COMPONENTS
Acoustic Calibration by MCACC
Before Calibration | After Calibration |
Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and | Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and |
frequency response are all uneven. | frequency response are all equalised. |
The sound field is automatically measured using the supplied mic.
SET-UP
SET-UP
C a l i b r a ti onMIC
MIC
Speaker sizes and number of speakers are automatically detected.
Moreover, the VSX-1018AH has a double expanded range for acoustic measurements from 0 to 160 msec including the direct sound area. You can make automatic or manual selection of the equalisation point for more precise acoustic adjustments suited to your room environment.
Advanced Sound Retriever (Restores the quality of compressed audio) (VSX-1018AH, VSX-918V, VSX-818V, VSX-518)
The units come with the Advanced Sound Retriever, which significantly improves the sound quality of compressed audio — such as WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, and MP3 — to the
level of CD sound. This Pioneer-exclusive technology applies a special algorithm to restore the signals in barely audible ranges, which are eliminated during the compression process.
Advanced Sound Retriever Restoration Image
Restoration of lost music cadence
| | | | | | | | | Sound Retriever ON |
pressureSound | CD sound | | pressureSound | Compressed | | pressureSound | Restored | |
| | | sound | | | | sound | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Time | | Time | | Time |
| Restoration of lost music cadence |
| | | | Sound Retriever ON |
CD sound | densitySound | Compressed | densitySound | Restored |
densitySound | sound | sound |
| | |
Low Middle High Frequency | Low Middle High Frequency | Low Middle High Frequency |
New Generation Audio Formats
DTS-HD Master Audio (VSX-1018AH)
The VSX-1018AH features DTS-HD Master Audio decoder for playing the highest quality audio
format. With DTS-HD Master Audio, you can enjoy
sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master. DTS-HD Master Audio delivers audio at extremely high variable bit rates of 24.5 Mbps, which far exceeds standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio offers movies and music in the pure, original state as intended by the artists.
* DTS is a registered trademark & the DTS logo and Symbol are trademarks of DTS, Inc.
Dolby TrueHD (VSX-1018AH)
The VSX-1018AH comes with Dolby TrueHD decoders. This new audio format delivers sound that is on par with the original soundtrack, letting you experience the world of true high-definition entertainment from Blu-ray Discs.
With lossless encoding in up to 18 Mbps bit rate, Dolby TrueHD creates a synergy with high-definition video to offer you a home theatre experience like never before.
*Dolby, Dolby TrueHD, Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital EX, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Home Theatre Sound
THX Select2 Plus Certified (VSX-1018AH)
THX is a Lucasfilm Ltd. programme created to achieve maximum accuracy in the reproduction of movie sound. The VSX-1018AH has adhered to rigorous guidelines for
sound purity, power output and processing capabilities required for the certification. The latest THX Select2 Plus certification offers a wide array of listening modes for enhanced entertainment, delivering sounds just as they were mixed in the studio, regardless of volume level.
*The THX logo is a trademark of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions.
