Highlights
- 5.2 Channels
- 5.1 Channel Processing
- 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- HDR10, Dolby Vision
- 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
- Phono Input
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Table of Contents
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- 2017 Lineup
- Predecessor
- Successor
- Multi-zone Playback
- Inputs and Outputs
- Audio Section
- Video Section
- Evaluation
- Specifications
Overview
Pioneer VSX-831 was introduced in 2017. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K video signal.
We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 77 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.
Amplifier
77
Audio Features
71
Video Features
92
Zones
55
Radio
85
OVERALL
77
For more details about the ranking please go to Evaluation page.
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-831.
PROs
- DSD via HDMI
- Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
- HDR10
- Dolby Vision
- New HDCP Version
- Analog To HDMI Upconversion
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Chromecast Built-In
- USB Input
- Phono Input
- Composite Video Inputs
- Ethernet
- Analog Tuner
- Pandora
- Spotify
CONs
- Few Channels - 5.2
- Low Power Output - 80 W
- 5.1 Channel Processing
- No Dolby Atmos
- No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
- No DTS:X
- No IMAX Enhanced
- No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
- No HDR10+
- No eARC
- No 8K Passthrough
- Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
- 1 HDMI Outputs
- 0 8K Input
- Few RCA Line Inputs
- No RCA Pre-Outs
- No Zones
- No Digital Radio
- No Tidal
And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:
AVERAGE
- 6 HDMI Inputs
- Bluetooth 4․1 + LE
Pioneer 2017 Lineup
In 2017 Pioneer released 14 new receivers. Here is the lineup:
Pioneer 2017 Lineup
You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Pioneer SC-LX502 vs VSX-LX302 vs VSX-LX102 vs VSX-932 vs VSX-832 vs VSX-532.
Predecessor
Here we are comparing Pioneer VSX-831 to its predecessor VSX-830-K and displaying the major changes.
| UPGRADES | Pioneer VSX-831 | vs | Pioneer VSX-830-K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher DAC Specs | 384 kHz/32 Bit | vs | 192 kHz/24 Bit |
| More Tone Control Channels | All Channels | vs | Front L/R Channels |
| HDR10 | vs | ||
| BT.2020 color space | vs | ||
| Dolby Vision | vs | ||
| Chromecast Built-In | vs | ||
| More RCA Line Inputs | 3 (1 front) | vs | 2 |
| Phono Input | vs | ||
| Front A/V Inputs | USB, Mini-Jack | vs | USB |
| Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 106 dB | vs | 100 dB |
| Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz | vs | 2.8 MHz |
| Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n | vs | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
| Newer Bluetooth Version | 4․1 + LE | vs | 2․1 + EDR |
| Wider AM Frequency Range | 530 kHz - 1710 kHz | vs | 530 kHz - 1700 kHz |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer VSX-831 | vs | Pioneer VSX-830-K |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTS-ES | vs | Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1 | |
| DSD to PCM Converter | vs | ||
| Dialog Enhancement | vs | ||
| Sound Retriever | Advanced (2-Channel) | vs | Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC) |
| Sound Retriever AIR | vs | ||
| Digital Noise Reduction | vs | ||
| Headphone Surround | vs | ||
| Virtual Speakers | vs | (Surround Back/Height/Wide) | |
| Higher MCACC Memory | 1 | vs | 6 |
| Auto Phase Control Plus | vs | ||
| Standing Wave Control | vs | ||
| Distance Adjustment | 0.1 feet | vs | 1/2 Inch |
| Polarity Check | vs | ||
| Video Parameter Adjustments | vs | ||
| MHL Input | vs | 1 Rear (Version 2.0) | |
| DLNA 1.5 | vs | ||
| Less Composite Video Outputs | vs | 1 | |
| Speaker A/B | vs | ||
| AVNavigator | vs | Built-in | |
| Versatile Speaker Configuration | vs | 5.2 ch Front Bi-amp | |
| Less Presets | 40 | vs | 63 |
| Smaller Power Supply | 380 W | vs | 450 W |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-831 vs VSX-830-K.
Successor
In 2017 Pioneer VSX-831 was replaced by Pioneer VSX-832. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pioneer VSX-831 and its successor.
| UPGRADES | Pioneer VSX-832 | vs | Pioneer VSX-831 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified 4 Ω Performance | vs | ||
| Dolby Atmos | vs | ||
| Dolby Surround Upmixer | vs | ||
| DTS:X | vs | ||
| DTS Neural:X | vs | ||
| Music Playback via USB | MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD | vs | MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
| High Resolution Audio Formats via USB | Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD | vs | Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
| HLG | vs | ||
| DTS Play-Fi | vs | ||
| USB Input | 2 (1 Front) | vs | 1 Front |
| Versatile Speaker Configuration | FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND | vs | |
| Tidal | vs | ||
| Deezer | vs | ||
| Bigger Power Supply | 400 W | vs | 380 W |
| Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) | 165 W (10% THD) | vs | 160 W (10% THD) |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer VSX-832 | vs | Pioneer VSX-831 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less Channels | 5.1 | vs | 5.2 |
| Bi-amp capability | vs | ||
| Dolby Pro Logic | vs | PLII | |
| DTS Neo | vs | Neo:6 | |
| More Tone Control Channels | 2 Channel | vs | All Channels |
| Less HDMI Inputs | 4 | vs | 6 |
| Phono Input | vs | ||
| Lower Rated Headphone Power Output | 80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) | vs | 85 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-831 vs VSX-832.
Check out the receivers which are frequently compared to Pioneer VSX-831.
Yamaha RX-A4A
7.2 Channels
Pioneer SC-LX502
7.2 Channels
Yamaha RX-V683
7.2 Channels
Onkyo TX-NR515
7.2 Channels
Pioneer VSX-832
5.1 Channels
Yamaha RX-A550
5.1 Channels
Pioneer VSX-932
7.2 Channels
Pioneer SC-LX801
9.2 Channels
Pioneer SC-LX701
9.2 Channels
Pioneer VSX-830-K
5.2 Channels
Denon AVR-X2100W
7.2 Channels
Pioneer VSX-1131
7.2 Channels
Inputs and Outputs
Audio
- Phono Input: There is an MM phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the a/v receiver.
- Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
- Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
- Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.
Video
- HDMI:
- Inputs: 6Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0 - Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
- Inputs: 2Outputs: 0
Front A/V Inputs
- USB, Mini-Jack
| TERMINALS | |
|---|---|
| HDMI Inputs | 6 |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 |
| 8K Inputs | |
| USB Input | 1 Front |
| USB DC Out Port | |
| Optical Inputs | 1 |
| Optical Outputs | |
| Coaxial Inputs | 1 |
| RCA Line Inputs | 3 (1 front) |
| RCA Line Outputs | |
| XLR Line Inputs | |
| Phono Input | |
| Multi-Channel Input | |
| RCA Pre-Outs | 0.2 |
| XLR Pre-outs | |
| Composite Video Inputs | 2 |
| Composite Video Outputs | |
| S-Video Inputs | |
| S-Video Outputs | |
| Component Video Inputs | |
| Component Video Outputs | |
