Pioneer’s latest gift to discerning customers is the PDX-Z9 SACD Receiver, which is made to assist you in receiving all the system has to offer via more advanced media connectivity. The unit is the perfect embodiment of a sophisticated design replete with the latest technology and top-quality construction that virtually brings the essence of music to life. The device has been fine tuned at London’s renowned AIR Studios and has be manufactured using component parts of the highest quality thereby ensuring that you get to listen to the purest digital sound. A feature that immediately grabs your attractions the Super Audio CD Playback and advanced digital media connectivity which opens the door for unlimited possibilities.

The device is also designed clearly bearing in mind contemporary requirements and convenience issues. The device delivers a powerful performance supported by the two-channel digital amplifiers and also features first-class Super Audio CD playback. You will have little difficulty regarding the compatibility of different disc formats with the device as it handles MP3, WMA and MPEG-4 AAC compressed audio formats, along with playback of high-quality FLAC files with equal ease.

That’s not all as you can benefit from its capability to receive terrestrial FM/AM radio stations as well as those from the internet. There are separate ports where you can directly connect your iPods and USB devices and control them with the Pioneer PDX-Z9’s remote. Further, the device is DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified signifying that it seamlessly integrates into a home network system and provides simple, easy-to-control access to digital music.

Pioneer has recently revealed not one, but four New LX AV Receivers that it believes will go a long way in revolutionising amplifier technology by bringing studio-sound quality to your home cinema. The models in question are the SC LX81, SC-LX71, VSX-LX51 and VSX-1018AH, and are all fine tuned to deliver a soul-stirring audiovisual experience that is unlike what you normally come across.

Each of the receivers have been provided with the ability to work seamlessly in sync with Pioneer’s 2008 KURO TVs and Blu-ray Disc players so that your dream of enjoying the finest quality picture and sound becomes a reality. All the models, including the Pioneer VSX-1018, continue to incorporate the tried and tested ICEpower direct energy HD amplification technology, along with the company’s renowned sound-tuning, which is the result of its collaboration with AIR Studios in London, to produce the an impeccable sound quality.

Entertainment enthusiasts can take heart from the fact that the device comes equipped with internal decoding features such as DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus that will facilitate to realize their desire of watching movies in a high-definition setting. The sound quality is further improved by the inclusion of the Advanced MCACC tuning feature. The surround-effect in the meantime is delivered via the 7.1 channel surround sound technology assisted by the Neural-THX, which is another unique supplement to this versatile product.

Connectivity of the device is uncomplicated and provides you with most of the features that you will normally need. The picture quality is influenced by the HDMI 1.3a feature with support of 12-Bit Deep Colour and provides the same with a wide variety of shades and natural hues.

Londoners can finally lay their hands on the critically acclaimed Pioneer LX010BD Blu-ray Home Cinema system, as the company has decided to exploit the potential of the UK market. The decision is quite a significant one as it has been proved, over and over again, that even if the market is over flooded with similar products, a quality product can still carve a niche out for itself. Moreover, users are always ready to accept a genuine and quality product with open hands. The product in question, the Pioneer LX010BD is aware of these realities, and is aimed at becoming the ideal counterpart to the Award winning Kuro range of televisions.

The system starts in the right earnest and is of profile 1.1, and boasts of a native resolution of 1080p. You can enjoy a wide range of color tones and fluid transitions facilitated by the HDMI Deep Colour technology. You will also feel at ease by the fact that there are two HDMI connections, both in and out, which provides you the leverage to connect other devices such as a Sony PlayStation 3 or Sky HD. Sound quality of the system is quite vibrant supported by an integrated 5.1 channel amplifier. The amplifier makes use of the latest dodecahedron technology derived satellite speakers which unswervingly proliferates sound fields in all directions. You are also provided with a subwoofer-receiver with dual-drive subs that will assist you to handle lower frequencies with more precision.

That’s not all as the system is also capable of processing the latest audio formats DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD. Further, it supports KURO LINK as well which can be controlled either via an LCD touchscreen remote or the system itself.

There is a saying that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Borrowing a cue from the phrase, Pioneer has come up with the Kuro KRL-32V. The development is quite significant considering that in recent times LCDs have frequently come under the microscope, with the cynics of the format rightly pointing out that LCDs still have a lot of ground to cover if they hope to match the stunning black levels achieved by plasma TVs. Pioneer, however, in cooperation with the company Sharp, who supplying financial support, is trying to turn around this advantage that plasma televisions possess.

The unique arrangement means that you will find the same panels found in Sharp’s LCD range which is effectively combined with the company’s (Pioneer) own futuristic picture-processing expertise to finally arrive at the ultimate product the Kuro KRL-32V.

The unit also distinctive a distinctive style and has, for the good, has dispensed off with the piano black instead opting for a more stylish gunmetal grey style.

The connectivity of the unit is also rather solid with most of the contemporary connectivity options including an S-Video and composite inputs. A USB socket is there as well, but the depressing point is it is solely for service updates, and consequently of limited utility. The presence of three HDMI inputs on the Pioneer KRL-32V, all 1.3a capable, come as a breath of fresh air. This ensures that you are provided with a series of high quality sound and digital picture. Your fetish for high definition video quality is further assisted by the component and VGA, Xbox 360s features and the like along with a pair of Scart inputs for older hardware.

The deck has also been provided with the capability to comprehensively handle modern picture processing and handling with effortless finesse. It for e.g. is apt at handling 1080p at 24hz, with the TV automatically converting such signals and processing the picture for an elevated experience.

There is a proverb that goes the more the merrier. It seems that Pioneer has taken a leaf out of this proverb and accordingly come up with the Elite VSX-94TXH A/V Receiver, which hosts an amazing array of features and options. The good thing about all these is that they represent an assembly of unusual, interesting, and downright useful functions that should allow you to derive the maximum benefit out of the device.

Another notable aspect of the unit is that though it is inundated with a number of out of the box features, the fundamental features are not made a scrape goat. Inclusion of features like four fully-functional HDMI 1.3a inputs with Faroudja DCDi upscaling, video cross-conversion, HDMI output, drives that point. Moreover, just like its cousin the Pioneer VSX-LX 51, the Elite VSX-94TXH is THX Select 2 certified, and has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding technologies.

The analogue-to-HDMI conversion and upscaling feature is by far the receiver’s top rate features. Then theirs is the “Full-Band Phase Control” feature as well which effectively minimizes the group delay between the middle- and low-frequency ranges. There are also very few issues when it comes to the unit’s frequency and frequency domains. Meanwhile, the auto-EQ routines are quite sophisticated, but you will however curse the fact that the user interface is a tad bit obscure.

That is not all, as you can even connect the receiver’s serial port to your PC and use a Windows programme downloadable from Pioneer that will allow you to achieve better control and thereby generate graphs of the data collected by MCACC.

If you have cancelled your plan of buying a LCD because of its inability to produce deep blacks, Pioneer has an option for you. The Pioneer Kuru KRL-32 V is a high-end LCD that has incorporated an innovative technology.

To try and compeate with Sharp’s LCD range, Pioneer has made a great product that has also made use of its very own picture-processing expertise. Unlike the Pioneer’s plasma TVs, the KRL-32V features a gunmetal grey style casing.

Although the specifications are not all that special, the LCD is good enough for providing a high picture quality. Infact, if you don’t have enough funds to buy plasma, you can buy this model as a subsitute. Along with offering you the benefits of advanced picture processing, Pioneers Kuru KRL-32V will also save you from any extra mounting expenses. With a caliber of 1080p and 24 Hz, it can easily convert its signals. Moreover, the TV will adjust with the ambience light to blend with the viewing conditions. In this process of light adjustment, the TV will reduce its backlights as per the requirements. Thus, when the ambient lights are dimmed, the LCD will automatically bring down its light levels to satisfy you with better looking blacks while also saving some electricity.

Expensive but worth it, the Pioneer Kuru KRL-32 V 32-inch has immense potential to deliver a picture in a desirable view. So you can expect adequate sharpness and brightness along with black in its true form.

The Pioneer VSA-AX10 is not meant for the commoners, and is in fact a ‘statement’ product, specially designed for use in high resolution systems where money is not the major constraint. As one can imagine, the unit is host to a fearsome array of high-end features, with a few of them relevant to two channels while the others are not.

Most importantly, the unit bears the THX Ultra2 certification and thereby has a universal assurance to deliver you a high quantum of quality performance. Movie buffs should especially rejoice on this regard, as now they have a reliable companion which will provide non-stop entertainment. The VSA-AX10 has also been equipped with Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS-ES Extended Surround formats, DTS 96/24, which is a first, six ‘Advanced Cinema’ digital signal processing modes, and video transcoding. This abundance of features go a long way in raising the equation as far as video is concerned.

The ‘Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System’ feature is another one of the unit’s marvels, and, co-developed with AIR Studios, it should be of special interest to audiophiles, even more so than its heavy duty predecessor, the Pioneer VSX-AX4A Si. The VSA-AX10 unit, in addition, uses a microphone and a series of sophisticated techniques to assess the acoustic deficiencies of the listening room, and compensate for the them via the unique DSP feature.

The unit’s power supply is another one of its impressive aspects, and boasts a massive audio-quality 650vA frame transformer with vast electrolytic smoothing capacitors, that acts as the power source for this versatile gadget.

Pioneer has unleashed a killer of a product in the form of the DV-575A! What makes it a real threat to its rivals is the stunning fact that, in spite of being available at a price that can be considered a steal, it has a profusion of quality features all in one go. You will be amazed to find that the unit dishes out DVD-Audio and SACD alongside vanilla DVD-Video and CD like a true master. Skeptics, especially those who are not used to surround sound, may try to downplay this achievement, but surround sound fanatics can satisfy their cravings for quality performance like never before.

Despite coming at about one-third the price of the DV-575A, the next best specified player, you will hardly find any remarkable compromise in its specifications. The Pioneer DV-575A still displays progressive scan outputs, a high-quality video 12-bit/108MHz digital/analogue converter, apart from having a very good 24-bit/192 kHz audio digital to analogue converter in every channel. Signals are processed using the contemporary Dolby, DTS components, and the unit is also apt at processing the native formats for DVD-Audio and SACD. The only memorable miss that can be used as a pretext to separate it from modern high-end players are the digital video and audio connections like HDMI and i.Link.

Nevertheless, the manufacturers have got a grasp of people’s preferences and have included a few tricks usually the exclusive domain of high-end players. A prime example thereof is the the DivX feature, increasingly regarded as the MP3 of cinema replay.

You will be satisfied by the audio performance delivered by the unit, though it is in no way outstanding. The pictures are also colourful enough with a good deal of contrast, whereas the sound is pleasingly crisp, detailed and clear.

The Pioneer BDP-LX71 is one of those rare products that will invariably trap you under its spell. Designed in an enticing glossy black fascia, which is punctuated by a neon blue display and covered in a haze of sophisticated touch-sensitive buttons, the unit is truly a customer’s delight. The impressive design is well complemented by a host of feel good features that make the unit a real frontrunner in its designated category.

The unit’s video connection is supported by HDMI and component video outputs, whereas the audio component is assisted by coaxial and optical digital outputs, together with a set of seven-channel analogue and standard RCA phono outputs.

The unit should also please those who have the habit of playing with settings, as they can now customise the output resolution to their own liking via the accompanying remote. Moreover, the Pioneer BDP-LX71 also gives you the leverage of displaying the audio and video bitrates of discs being played, to add a more personalised feel.

When it comes to spinning CDs there is nothing better than the BDP-LX71, which delivers a power packed performance. It is equally good with two-channel content as it is with multi-channel. The unit’s audio output also appears to be dynamic and dramatic, and replete with natural tone throughout.

A peculiar problem with the unit is that it can’t decode DTS-HD Master Audio onboard, which the company claims will be made available via a future firmware upgrade. This is quite a dampener though, considering the unit costs quite a hefty amount. Then, there is also no Ethernet port on the player, which is understandable since it is a Profile 1.1 player. This limitation effectively means that though you can enjoy Blu-ray’s Bonus View functionality, you can’t expect to take advantage of the interactive BD-Live content found on some discs.

The invention of Kuro technology should unequivocally count amongst one of the major milestones in the history of the evolution of consumer TV. Pioneer is the brain behind this cracker of a product that completely redefined our perception of high definition images. Apparently, on the strength of this technology alone, Pioneer managed to capture a large chunk of the market as the rival companies had no answer to this versatile technology. Pioneer’s uninterrupted reign at the summit for a solid couple of years has come under fire, albeit a little bit, with the rival camp catching up with counter products like the LE55A956 by Samsung, apart from a few stunning plasmas from Panasonic. Pioneer, however, also seems unwilling to pass the baton so easily and has come up with the Kuro PDP-LX6090.

The LX6090 has a very solid build quality, and a pretty impressive design that lays the foundation for other good things to come. There is no surprise in the sense that it uses all the usual technical expertise associated with the KURO technology including the unique and crucial Crystal Emissive Layer that enhances the luminance efficiency and stability of the plasma discharge cycle, and the Deep Waffle Rib structure around the plasma cell that adjusts inter pixel light and colour bleed.

As always the image quality is top notch with a host of state-of-the-art technology working in tandem to ensure the same. There is the dedicated 72Hz mode that can be used for superior handling of 24p sources, apart for having a superb colour manipulation feature that virtually brings characters to live. The Pioneer PDP-LX6090 KURO’s skin colours, in particular, are very believable. Another very outstanding specification is that it allows a range of noise reduction options that makes sure a distraction free image. Moreover, this profusion of features means that it can be professionally calibrated by an Imaging Science Foundation engineer.

Connectivity of the unit however happens to be its weak link as it includes only three v1.3 HDMIs as compared to four offered by the likes of LG, Samsung and Philips. You will also feel a little let down by the restricted usability options that you get as can be gauged from the onscreen menu option which are attractive, but the obligation to manually activate the HDMI sockets makes it frustrating.