Pioneer VSX-1021 Receiver: Get Your Airplay On For $US550

Does the ability to stream media wirelessly from multiple sources through my home stereo offset the Pioneer VSX-1021′s lacklustre design and construction? You bet your arse it does.

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Have I mentioned that it’s Airplay compatible? And it’s not just Airplay; that Ethernet connection lets you stream the most popular video and movie formats from your PC. The iControlAV2 app is slick, allowing you to use an iOS device to configure and control the system. The Exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system is impressive, measuring the volume, distance, delay and reverb from each speaker in relation to a specific spot in the room to automatically equalise your system while accounting for furniture and acoustic dead spots. Basically, wherever you sit becomes the auditory sweet-spot of the room.

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F**K YOU, NETWORK CONNECTION ERROR. It’s been 45 minutes, I’ve input the network access code a half dozen times and I know the network is functioning, I’m on it. The actual process of entering a WAP code is frustratingly inefficient. Don’t bother to give me an onscreen keyboard. No, no, I enjoy scrolling though alphanumeric character rolls (the iControlAV2 app does help speed up the process considerably though that’s assuming you have an iPad/iPod).

Last Word

Sure, it’s not the top of the line, and yes, the initial set up was a bit of a pain in the arse but $US550 is a small price to pay for functionality that single-handedly drags your home theatre into the 21st century.