Pioneer VSX-D514-K

The VSX-D514-K is the entry-level A/V receiver in Pioneer's 2004 line. It carries a list price of $275 and is also available in silver. The D514 is similar to the VSX-D914-K, with some important differences. The D514 has 100 watts x 5 channels (as opposed to the 110 watts x 6 found on the D914) and lacks the high-end version's acoustic calibration system. It has fewer connectivity options, most notably one fewer set of dedicated audio and A/V inputs, two fewer optical digital inputs and no digital output, one fewer S-Video input (three instead of four), and no front optical input. The D514 doesn't have the D914's high-quality, banana-style speaker connectors, nor does it provide A/B speaker switching. Also, the D514's surround processing is limited to standard Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, and DTS, lacking the DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS 96/24, and DTS-Neo6 modes found on the D914. For more information, please refer to the VSX-D914-K review.