1-on-1 Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Pioneer VSX-522-K (USA version)

SCORE:
58

Highlights

  • 5.1 channels
  • 7.1 channel processing
  • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • 1080p Passthrough
  • USB input

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Content

Overview

Pioneer VSX-522-K was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 1080/60p video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 58 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

AMPLIFIER
70
VIDEO FEATURES
46
AUDIO FEATURES
64
CONNECTIVITY
57
MULTIZONE
55
MISCELLANEOUS
39
RADIO
59
OVERALL
58

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-522-K.

PROS
  DSD via HDMI
  Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
  New HDCP Version
  USB Input
  Composite Video Inputs
  RCA Pre-Outs
  Zones
  Analog Tuner
CONS
  No Dolby Atmos
  No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
  No DTS:X
  No IMAX Enhanced
  No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
  No eARC
  No HDR10
  No HDR10+
  No Dolby Vision
  No 4K or 8K Video Passthrough
  No 4K or 8K Video Upscaling
  No Chromecast Built-In
  Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
  No Ethernet
  No Wi-Fi
  No Bluetooth
  Few HDMI Inputs
  Few HDMI Outputs
  Few 8K Inputs
  Few RCA Line Inputs
  Few Optical Inputs
  No Pandora
  No Spotify
  No Tidal

Audio Section

5 channel Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer VSX-522-K features 5 channel power amplifier with Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

    Speaker Configurations

    Pioneer VSX-522-K's 5 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

    • Configurations: Available configurations are:
    • 5.1 with internal amplifier.

    Sound Processing

    • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer VSX-522-K is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

    Room Calibration

    Pioneer VSX-522-K comes with MCACC Auto room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

    • MCACC: Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) delivers an easy-to-use, automatic sound adjustment system to precision-tune your Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers with minimal effort. Every MCACC system comes with a microphone to measure and analyze reverb characteristics. The equalizer optimally adjusts sound parameters to fit the size and shape of your home environment while maintaining the integrity of high-resolution playback without any degradation to the quality of your music.

    Video Section

    HDMI

    Pioneer VSX-522-K features 4 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

    • 1080/60p Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
    • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
    • 3D Ready: Pioneer VSX-522-K is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

    Inputs and Outputs

    Audio

    • Analog Pre-Outs: Pioneer VSX-522-K has 2.1 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest. Also, Pioneer VSX-522-K has 7 channel processing but has only 5 channel amplifier, so it needs the external amplifier connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach the maximum speaker configuration.
    • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
    • Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 1 optical output and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
    • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

    Video

    • HDMI:
    • Inputs: 4   Outputs: 1
      8K Inputs: 0
    • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
    • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1
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    Specifications

    Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer VSX-522-K.

    BASICS
    BrandPioneer
    ModelVSX-522-K
    TypeA/V Receiver
    CountryUSA
    Release Year2012
    AMPLIFIER
    Channels5.1
    AmplifierDirect Energy
    THX™ Certification
    Continuous 6 Ω Rated
    Certified 4 Ω Performance
    Bi-amp Capability
    AUDIO
    Digital Signal Processing (DSP) EngineTexas Instruments Aureus
    DAC Specs192 kHz/24 Bit
    Maximum Channel Processing7.1
    Air Studios Monitor Certification
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    Dolby Atmos Music
    Dolby TrueHD
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Dolby Surround Upmixer
    Dolby Pro Logic PLII
    Dolby Digital EX
    Surround EX
    DTS:X
    DTS Neural:X
    DTS Virtual:X
    DTS Neo Neo:6
    DTS-HD Master Audio
    DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
    DTS 96/24
    DTS Express
    DTS-ES
    IMAX Enhanced
    Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    PCM 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
    Music Playback via USBMP3, WMA, AAC
    High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USB
    Gapless Playback
    DSD via HDMI 2-ch Input
    DSD to PCM Converter
    USB DAC
    Jitter Reduction
    Auto Level Control2 Channel
    Dialog Enhancement
    Dialogue Lift
    Sound Retriever Advanced (2-Channel)
    Sound Retriever AIR
    Digital Noise Reduction
    Tone Control Front L/R Channels
    Compressed Music Enhancer Advanced Sound Retriever
    High-resolution Music Enhancer
    Digital Filter Slow Mode
    Audyssey Dynamic EQ
    Audyssey Dynamic Volume
    Audyssey LFC
    Audyssey Sub EQ HT
    Audyssey DSX
    Direct Mode
    Pure Direct Mode
    Auto Surround
    Optimum Surround
    Advanced Surround9+1 Mode DSP
    Wide Surround
    Front Stage Surround Advance
    Headphone Surround
    Virtual Speakers
    Virtual Depth
    Independent Subwoofer Outputs
    CALIBRATION
    Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. MCACC Auto
    Manual MCACC
    MCACC Memory1
    Phase Control
    Full Band Phase Control
    Standing Wave Control
    EQ Bands5-Band
    Symmetric EQ
    X-Curve
    Distance Adjustment0.1 Feet
    Precision Distance
    Polarity Check
    Auto Subwoofer Crossover
    PC Display
    VIDEO
    Enhanced ARC
    HDCP Version2.2
    HDR10
    HDR10+
    Dynamic HDR
    Dolby Vision
    HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
    BT.2020 color space
    QMS (Quick Media Switching)
    ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
    VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
    QFT (Quick Frame transport)
    3-D Ready
    Video Signal Passthroughup to 1080p
    Video Signal Upscaling
    Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    Component Video Upscaling
    Analog to Analog Video conversion
    Stream Smoother
    Pure Cinema
    Video Parameter Adjustments
    Triple HD Noise Reduction
    Super Resolution
    isf Certified Calibration Control
    CONNECTIVITY
    MHL Input
    DLNA 1.5
    FireConnect
    FlareConnect
    Chromecast Built-In
    DTS Play-Fi
    Works with Amazon Alexa
    Works with SONOS
    AirPlay
    Apple Product Connection iPod, iPhone via front USB
    Remote App
    InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
    Ethernet
    Ethernet Switch
    Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth
    HDBaseT Compatible
    HDMI Inputs4
    HDMI Outputs1
    8K Inputs
    USB Input1 Front
    USB DC Out Port
    RCA Line Input3
    RCA Line Output
    XLR Line Inputs
    Phono Input
    Optical Inputs1
    Optical Outputs
    Coaxial Inputs1
    Composite Video Input2
    Composite Video Output1
    S-Video Input
    S-Video Output
    Component Video Input
    Component Video Output
    PC In
    Multi-Channel Input
    RCA Pre-Outs2.1 (Surr Back/Front Height)
    XLR Pre-outs
    Front A/V InputsUSB
    Speaker A/B
    Headphone Out6.3 mm (1/4")
    ZONES
    Zones1
    RS-232C Interface
    +12V Trigger Output
    Remote (IR) Input/Output0 / 0
    MISC
    On-Screen DisplayComposite Video Only
    AVNavigator
    IP Control for CI
    PreAmp Mode
    Versatile Speaker Configuration
    FL Dimmer
    Function Rename
    Remote ControllerSystem Remote Control
    Detachable Power Cord
    adapterport
    RADIO
    Analog Tuner FM/AM
    Presets30
    Digital Radio
    Internet Radio
    Pandora
    Spotify
    Tidal
    Deezer
    Napster
    SiriusXM Internet Radio
    CONSTRUCTION
    Front PanelBrushed
    Solid Aluminum Front
    Speaker Terminals5
    Large Speaker Terminals2
    Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
    Ceramic Speaker Terminals
    3D Space Frame Construction
    Gold plated RCA terminals
    POWER
    Power SupplyAC 120 V, 60 Hz
    Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
    Transformer Stabilizer
    Power Consumption415 W
    Standby Power0.4 W
    GENERAL
    Auto Power Standby
    Dimensions (W x H x D)435 mm x 168 mm x 342.5 mm
    17-3/16" x 6-5/8" x 13-1/2"
    Weight8.7 kg (19 lb 3 oz)
    Warranty1 Year
    SPECS
    Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 280 W (0.08% THD)
    Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)140 W (1% THD)
    Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)200 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
    S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)98 dB
    S/N Ratio (Line, EIA, at 1 W (1 kHz))79 dB
    DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI2.8 MHz
    Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
    Ethernet Standard
    HDMI TerminalType A (19-pin)
    HDMI Output Type5 V, 100 mA
    USB TerminalUSB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 1 A
    Extension Terminal
    FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
    AM Frequency530 kHz - 1700 kHz

    * - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
    ** - 480i/576i only
    *** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
    **** - 1080p signal is not converted

    Successor

    In 2013 Pioneer VSX-522-K was replaced by VSX-523-K. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.


    UPGRADES Pioneer VSX-523-K vs Pioneer VSX-522-K
    Video Signal Passthrough up to 4K/30p vs up to 1080p
    DLNA 1.5 vs
    AirPlay AirPlay vs

    DOWNGRADES Pioneer VSX-523-K vs Pioneer VSX-522-K
    Less Channel Processing 5.1 vs 7.1
    Less RCA Pre-Outs 0.1 vs 2.1 (Surr Back/Front Height)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-522-K vs Pioneer VSX-523-K.

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