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AVR with Digital-Audio & Component-Video Outputs

Scott Wilkinson  |  May 7, 2012

My Pioneer VSX-35TX A/V receiver just died. I'm looking for a new receiver in the $500 range, but I'm having a hard time finding any that have, among other things, a digital-audio output. Why is that important? I have a Pioneer TRE-D800 wireless headphone transmitter that does 5.1 audio, and it can accept either optical or coaxial inputs. Another consideration is that my Pioneer Elite PRO-510HD RPTV has no HDMI inputs, so I need a component-video output. I want a receiver that can grow from here, so 3D pass-through is a must, and 7.1 audio would be a bonus.

I'm interested in the Pioneer VSX-1122, but it doesn't seem to have all the outputs I need. The Pioneer Elite VSX-52 has exactly what I'm looking for, but it's $400 out of my range. What other brands of receivers should I be looking at, or am I just plain screwed at my current budget?

Chris Friebus

The VSX-1122 has a digital-audio output, but no component-video output. Both types of outputs are becoming more scarce on AVRs as HDMI-equipped products become more common. I looked at AVRs in your price range from Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sony, and Yamaha, and other than the VSX-1122, I could find none with digital-audio outputs. I'm afraid you'll have to spend quite a bit more than your stated budget for these connections.

As you point out, the VSX-52 (reviewed here) has everything you need now—the digital-audio and component-video outputs are highlighted in the photo above—and want for the future, but it lists for $900. However, it is no longer a current model, so you can get it for substantially less than that. After a quick search online, I found it on Amazon for $750—still more than your budget allows, but if you can stretch that much, it's a worthy AVR that does what you need now and will grow with your system as you upgrade your other components.

If you have an A/V question, please send it to askhometheater@gmail.com.

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