Pioneer VSX-2021

Pioneer VSX-2021 review

Pioneer's VSX-2021 is a receiver for the Apple generation. It's all but intrinsically linked to the company's wares with iPhone/iPad control Apps, dedicated music sharing for multiple iPods, remote control of the latest OS devices and full AirPlay integration. Even the user manual and set-up navigator are fully interactive iPad Apps. Okay, this £800 receiver can be operated with its own remote control and you can ignore the Apple-centric features, but that would be like buying a BMW and never using the iDrive. Even those VSX-2021 buyers with a penchant for Android devices (there is an app for that platform, too) might find themselves considering an iPad for its Pioneer-centric features alone. Where that Pioneer/Apple allegiance really excels is in the control interface. Pioneer's iControl AV App of a year or so back was so far ahead of the curve that no AVR maker has yet caught up. The latest iControl AV2 App adds a raft of new gizmos alongside the truly inspired, tilt-sensitive level adjustments and gorgeous animated App UI from the first edition.