Pioneer VSX-1121K 7.1-channel 3D ready home theater receiver with AirPlay

How do you spell amazing? THX.

There are three little letters that make audio and cinephile hearts melt when it comes time to throw in their favorite movie: THX. The Pioneer VSX-1121K receiver is rated for Select2 Plus THX processing, letting you unlock the full sound potential of your richest Blu-ray and DVD experiences. Of course, THX isn't the whole story. Pioneer has loaded the VSX1121 with features that make sure you're getting the best in audio and video. Simple connections are achieved thanks to video upconversion, not only allowing it to convert analog audio and video into digital signals to be output via HDMI, but also letting it upconvert video so that it can display in your HDTVs native 1080p resolution. 3D-ready HDMI inputs let you take advantage of fun, high-quality video from your favorite 3D devices, like Blu-ray players and gaming systems, while the HDMI v.1.4 audio return channel lets you reduce the number of cables you have to run. Toss in Auto MCACC speaker adjustment that makes customizing your sound to your room easy, along with an easy to use onscreen menu and online interactive manual, and you've got an incredible A/V receiver that looks good, sounds good, and plays nicely with you.

More than meets the "i"

The Pioneer VSX1021K takes your audio hub a step further, and can act as not only an equipment hub, but a media hub. With AirPlay, you can easily stream music from iTunes through any computer connected to your network, letting you take advantage of not only your entire music library, but also Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever that restores frequencies often lost during compression so that your favorite music will sound better than ever (and not just because you don't have to use your computer speakers). Two free apps open up even more control for your receiver. Turn your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad into fully featured and intuitive graphically driven remotes with the iControlAV2 app. The Air Jam app lets you, in conjunction with the optional Bluetooth adapter, connect up to four App devices and create user driven playlists, giving you a fun new way to rock out at your next party. Of course, the traditional connector cable is also included, allowing you to charge and play from your iPod. iPhone, or iPad; and not just music, but movies either stored on your iPad, or streaming from apps like Netflix or YouTube.

In the box

Included with your purchase are: VSX-1121K, remote control and batteries, iPod docking cable, setup microphone, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna

Comparison Specifications

Processing decoding: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus / dts-HD Master Audio, dts-ES, dts Neo-6
Output power: 110W per channel (20Hz - 20kHz, 0.08%THD @8ohm) / 120W per channel (1kHz@8ohm) / 125W per channel (1kHz@6ohm)
Best video connections: 7 HDMI inputs, 1 output
Best audio connections: 3 digital optical audio inputs / 2 digital coaxial audio input
Other connections: 2 component-video in, 1 out / 4 composite-video in, 3 out / 5 L/R analog-audio input pairs, 2 output pairs / 2 subwoofer preout / 1 FM antenna in / 1 AM antenna in / 1 headphone out / USB
Digital signal processing: Texas Instruments Aureus DSP
THX certification
Bluetooth compatible (requires optional AS-BT200 or AS-BT100)
Remote control: Included

Additional Specifications

3D-ready via HDMI v1.4 connectivity
Auto MCACC speaker setup
Audio return channel
Multi-media connectivity: 1 front mini jack for portable audio players
Speaker terminals: Binding posts pairs for 7-channel front L/R, back L/R, side L/R, and center channel output / 2 spring clips for front height/B L/R speakers
iPod connectivity with front USB + Video / Compatible with 5th gen Nano and above, iPhone, 3G, 3GS, 4, iPad
iTunes Move / TV / Video / YouTube playback
Android audio playback via USB
Compressed-audio enhancer: Advanced Sound Retriever
Auto level control

Manufacturer Specifications

Speaker A/B, A+B
3D noise reduction / Y/C color separation
Apple AirPlay compatible
Air Jam with downloadable app
DLNA compatible
Convenience features: FL Dimmer (4 steps) / Sleep timer / Auto audio signal select / LFE attenuator
Audio features: 2-ch SACD playback via HDMI / Multi PCM playback (192kHz) via HDMI
Audio features: Symmetric EQ / 0.1-step audio delay (Lip Sync, max 9 frame) / auto surround stream direct / phase control, bass / midnight listening mode