Originally posted by Iain Shields
Nice one mate, if you wouldn't mind coming back and telling us what you think of it when you get it up and running, that would be great as I'm also interested in it...
Thanks,
Iain.
Well I finally got my Pioneer:VSX-D811 A/V Receiver and Warfdale speakers delivered. A month after ordering I will think twice before using Hifibitz again.
Anyway Iam well chuffed with the results having used a Technics Hifi previously as my AV receiver this has been a big step forward for me into AV gear. Iam not sure what sort of things you want to know so If u have any questions post them or PM me and I will try to answer if not to technical

Anyway as Iam in a typing mood I will give u a full break down of what Ive found.
Iam using the Reciever with a pair of Wharfdale Diamond 8.4 Speakers (fantastic speakers) and a Wharfdale Diamond Centre. For the time being Iam using my old Technics fronts as my rears together with a Technics Subwoofer. The subwoofer is all but redundant now as the 8.4s produce all but the very lowest of frequencies brilliantly.
The Receiver is connected to a Panasonic DVD player with an optical cable and to my VCR, CD, Laptop and PS2 with regular phono leads.
Setting it up was relatively quick and the instructions book was well structured let down only by the fact that it assumes that u have the remote in setup mode for configuring the receiver. This caused me a bit of agro but if you read the section on the remote control first then start from the beginning you wont have any problems.
The Receiver has three main sound modes Stereo, Standard and Advanced Surround.
The Stereo mode selects just the Front left and Right speakers and the Subwoofer if required. I have found this to be the best sound production for listening to Bassy CDs as for some reason the Bass is significantly better than when Dolby Pro Logic II is activated.
Having said that for most tracks I listen to, I use the Dolby Pro Logic II facility and just manually increase the bass level as I prefer to be immersed in the music.
My Neighbours must be getting pretty sick of hearing the new Coldplay album.
The Standard Sound Mode (inappropriately named as it actually contains the more dynamic sound functions) contains the previously mentioned Dolby Pro Logic II(5.1) setting with both Movie and Music options. This also contains the Neo 6(6.1) Cinema and Music settings. I only have a 5.1 setup at the moment so I cant comment on the effectiveness of the Neo 6 Sound settings yet. The Empire Strikes Back (VHS) sounded quite good using the Dolby Pro Logic II Movie setting. A definite noticeable bass presence from those stomping ATATs.
The Advanced Surround mode is used when a DVD player is connected this setting automatically detects the audio signal being transferred and displays the appropriate logo in the receivers display. The settings under this mode are Movie, Music, Virtual Surround Back, Expanded and 6 channel Stereo. The movie and music options are self explanatory the Virtual Surround Back is a useful feature when like me u only have a 5.1 setup as it simulates the presence of a surround back speaker when playing Dolby Digital Surround EX or DTS-ES this sounded particularly good when listening to Blade 2.
Expanded mode gives a simulated surround sound to stereo sources.
The 6 or 5 Channel as in my case sends the same sound to all speakers subject to low pass filter settings. Not sure what use this setting is tho.
Generally when Listening to Movies I favour Dolby Digital to DTS, Terminator 2 sounds fantastic in Dolby. I was particularly impressed with the balance of the sound on my old system I used to on occasion have to turn up and down the volume depending on what was going on in the movie.
Going back to Terminator 2 its the little differences that I have noticed that bring a smile to my face for instance the Shotguns now actually sound like shot guns! The motorbikes sound like the ones I hear on my drag strip (street) every day.

But by far the best sound I have yet heard was Blade 2 with DTS ES (Virtual Surround Back) setting used.
The built in tuner is good and can be used with all the above sound settings. The receptions in my area is a bit hit and miss so its hard to judge the sound quality.
Con: No Clock, No Alarm

and No Discrete Infared codes for my Pronto on remotecentral.com

Overall I am really glad I went for this receiver it has more settings that I have not had time to explore fully yet.
I cant ever see me reaching the limits of the receiver in terms of volume as It is very loud.
Hope this was of help to you.
