Pioneer VSX-822-K (USA version)

Pioneer VSX-822-K was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 63 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 score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-822-K.

Amplifier

Pioneer VSX-822-K has 5 channel amplifier and delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Video Features

The Receiver has 1080p passthrough.

Advanced Sound Retriever

Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer VSX-822-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 Correction

Pioneer VSX-822-K comes with[y] MCACC Auto room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Pioneer VSX-822-K can be connected to internet using ethernet cable. It can also connect to bluetooth devices[y] via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately). The Receiver supports[y] AirPlay. It has 6 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 2.1 (Surr Back/Front Height) channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has USB and Composite Video inputs.

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer VSX-822-K.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Model	VSX-822-K
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2012

AMPLIFIER
Channels	5.1
Amplifier Design	Direct Energy
THX™ Certification	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✖
Bi-amp Capability	✖

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Texas Instruments Aureus
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✖
Dolby Pro Logic	✔ PLIIz
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 USB	WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	WAV/FLAC
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖
Gapless Playback	✖
DSD via HDMI	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖
USB DAC	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖
Auto Level Control	2 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 Surround	9+1 Mode DSP
Wide Surround	✖
Front Stage Surround Advance	✔
Headphone Surround	✔
Virtual Speakers	✖
Virtual Depth	✖
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ MCACC Auto
Manual MCACC	✖
MCACC Memory	1
Phase Control	✔
Full Band Phase Control	✖
Standing Wave Control	✖
EQ Bands	5-Band
Symmetric EQ	✔
X-Curve	✖
Distance Adjustment	0.1 Feet
Precision Distance	✖
Polarity Check	✖
Auto Subwoofer Crossover	✖
PC Display	✖

VIDEO
HDR10	✖
HDR10+	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖
BT.2020 color space	✖
Dolby Vision	✖
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖
3-D Ready	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up 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	✔ AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad via front USB
Remote App	✖
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖
Ethernet	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖
Wi-Fi	✖
Bluetooth	✔ via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
HDBaseT Compatible	✖
Enhanced ARC	✖
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Input	6
HDMI Output	1
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	✖
Analog Audio Line Input	3
Analog Audio Line Output	✖
Phono Input	✖
Optical In	1
Optical Out	✖
Coaxial In/Out	1 / ✖
Composite Video Input	3 (1 front)
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input	✖
S-Video Output	✖
Component Video Input	✖
Component Video Output	✖
PC In	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	2.1 (Surr Back/Front Height)
XLR Inputs	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Composite Video
Speaker A/B	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	1
RS-232	✖
+12V Trigger Output	✖
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISC
On-Screen Display	Network GUI / Set-Up Text - HDMI Only
AVNavigator	✖
IP Control for CI	✖
PreAmp Mode	✖
Versatile Speaker Configuration	✖
FL Dimmer	✔
Function Rename	✖
Remote Controller	Preset Remote Control
Detachable Power Cord	✖
adapterport	✔

RADIO
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM
Presets	30
Digital Radio	✖
Internet Radio	✔ vTuner
Pandora	✔
Spotify	✖
Tidal	✖
Deezer	✖
Napster	✖
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✖

CONSTRUCTION
Front Panel	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front	✖
Speaker Terminals	5
Large Speaker Terminals	5
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✖
Ceramic Speaker Terminals	✖
3D Space Frame Construction	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer	✖
Transformer Stabilizer	✖
Power Consumption	450 W
Standby Power	0.4 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"
Weight	8.9 kg (19 lb 10 oz)
Warranty	1 Year

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 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 HDMI	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
HDMI Terminal	Type A (19-pin)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 100 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 2.1 A
adapterport Terminal	5 V, 100 mA
Extension Terminal	✖
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

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

In 2013 Pioneer VSX-822-K was replaced by VSX-823-K. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer VSX-823-K	Pioneer VSX-822-K
Gapless Playback	✔	✖
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/30p	up to 1080p
MHL Input	✔ 1 Front (Version 2.0)	✖
Spotify	✔	✖

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer VSX-823-K	Pioneer VSX-822-K
Less Channel Processing	5.1	7.1
Less Analog Pre-Outs	0.1	2.1 (Surr Back/Front Height)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-823-K vs Pioneer VSX-822-K.