1. Operating Instructions for the SX-218-K Audio Multi-Channel Receiver
Remote control Front panel 1 RECEIVER (STANDBY/ON ) 10 MIDNIGHT/LOUDNESS 16 TUNER controls 27 AUTO SURR.
Controls and displays
9 Display ENTER MULTI JOG dial Switches the receiver between standby and on. These features give you good sound at low volume The TUNING +/– buttons can be used to find radio Lights when the Auto Surround feature is switched
2 2 Listening mode buttons levels when listening to movie (Midnight) or music frequencies and the STATION +/– buttons can be used on.
SX-218
STANDARD
AUDIO MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER
(Loudness) sources. Press to switch between to select preset radio stations. 28 ATT
RECEIVER SLEEP DIMMER ANALOG ATT Press for Standard decoding and to switch between MIDNIGHT, LOUDNESS, and OFF. DISPLAY Lights when ANALOG ATT is used to attenuate
1 8 ENTER Pro Logic II options.
MULTI JOG
11 MENU Switches the display between station preset name and (reduce) the level of the analog input signal.
INPUT SELECTOR ADV.SURR. Displays the disc menu of DVD-Video discs. frequency. 29 SLEEP
DVD TV DVR RECEIVER Switches between the various surround modes. DIALOG E (DIALOGUE ENHANCEMENT) CLASS Lights when the receiver is in sleep mode.
F.AUDIO
9 ADVANCED ST/DIRECT/ STEREO VSB DIALOGUE This feature localizes dialog in the center channel to Switches between the three banks (classes) of station 30 Tuner indicators
STANDARD SURR AUTO SURR DVD/LD TV/SAT DVR CD CD-R / TAPE / MD FRONT AUDIO FM AM TUNING STATION MPX MODE ENHANCEMENT
CD CD-R FM AM LISTENING MODE Switches between direct and stereo playback. Direct make it stand out from other background sounds in a presets. / MONO
MIDNIGHT/
STANDARD ADV.SURR STEREO LOUDNESS playback bypasses the tone controls for the most
MASTER TV or movie soundtrack. 17 MPX Lights when the mono mode is set using the MPX
2
ANALOG MIDNIGHT/
DIMMER ATT LOUDNESS SLEEP VOLUME
10 STANDBY/ON
accurate reproduction of a source. Also selects the 12 /ENTER Use to switch between auto stereo and mono reception button.
TOP MENU MENU PHONES TUNER QUICK
Auto Surround mode. 13 RETURN of FM broadcasts. If the signal is weak then switching to / STEREO
11
MUTE TONE SETUP RETURN
3
EDIT SETUP FRONT
AUDIO INPUT
3 TOP MENU Confirm and exit the current menu screen. mono will improve the sound quality. Lights when a stereo FM broadcast is being received
ONE TOUCH COPY* 18 VSB MODE
MULTI JOG
SETUP DIALOG E
12 DOWN Displays the disc ‘top’ menu of a DVD disc.
UP in auto stereo mode.
ENTER ONE SETUP Copies the currently playing title from DVD to HDD or Selects the Virtual Surround Back (VSB) mode. / TUNED
TOUCH
COPY
TUNER EDIT
Press to access the System Setup menu. vice-versa. 19 TONE Lights when a broadcast is being received.
4 13 4 TUNER EDIT* 14 MUTE Press this button to access the bass and treble controls, 31 Speaker indicator
S.RETRIEVER RETURN FRONT AUDIO INPUT
5 VOLUME Press to memorize and name a station for recall. Also Mutes/unmutes the sound. which you can then adjust with the MULTI JOG dial. Shows if the speaker system is on or not. SP A
EFFECT/CH SEL LEVEL 1 5 functions as the SETUP button for DVD/DVR units. 15 DVD/DVR control buttons 20 QUICK SETUP means the speakers are switched on. SP means
6 MUTE
14 S.RETRIEVER You can use these buttons to control a Pioneer DVD 21 SIGNAL indicators the headphones are connected.
PHONES jack 8 8 10 8 17 18 11
DVD/DVR HDD DVD SUBTITLE Press to restore CD quality sound to compressed player or recorder connected to your system. Lights to indicate the type of input signal assigned for 32 ADV.SURR. (Advanced Surround)
CH CH
ANALOG MIDNIGHT/
SLEEP
audio sources. the current component: Lights when one of the Advanced Surround modes
GUIDE DIMMER ATT LOUDNESS VSB DIALOGUE
REC AUDIO
MPX MODE ENHANCEMENT 5 (MASTER) VOLUME +/– DIGITAL has been selected.
15 Use to set the listening volume. Button What it does Lights when a digital audio signal is detected. 33 WMA9 Pro
TIMER REC INFO REC STOP JUKEBOX
6 EFFECT/CH SEL DVD/DVR Turns DVD player or recorder power on/off. 2 DIGITAL Lights to indicate decoding of a WMA9 Pro signal.
14 4 19 20 3 13 Press repeatedly to select a channel, then use LEVEL Lights when a Dolby Digital encoded signal is detected. 34 MIDNIGHT
DISPLAY CLASS DVD/DVR AUDIO Changes the audio language or channel.
TUNER QUICK
+/– to adjust the level. Also selects the Advanced DTS Lights during Midnight listening.
Surround effect level (use LEVEL +/– to adjust). SUBTITLE Displays/changes the subtitles on Lights when a DTS encoded audio signal is detected. 35 D.E.
SHIFT MPX TUNING STATION 16 MUTE EDIT TONE SETUP SETUP RETURN
multilingual DVD-Video discs.
7 LEVEL +/– ANALOG Lights when Dialog Enhancement (DIALOG E) is
TUNER Use to adjust the effect and channel levels. CH +/– Switches channels. Lights when an analog signal is detected. switched on.
17 MULTI JOG
7 SHIFT 22 36 LOUDNESS
Starts/resumes normal playback.
RECEIVER Press to access commands in a rectangle (above the When the STANDARD mode of the receiver is on, this Lights during Loudness listening.
Pauses/unpauses a disc.
buttons) on the remote. These buttons are marked lights to indicate decoding of a DTS multichannel
with an asterisk (* ) in this section. Stops playback. signal.
8 SLEEP Press to start fast reverse scanning. 23 2 DIGITAL
Note Display Press to change the amount of time before the Press to start fast forward scanning. When the STANDARD mode of the receiver is on, this
receiver switches into standby (30 min - 60 min - 90 lights to indicate decoding of a Dolby Digital
Keep in mind the following when using the Skips to the start of the current track or
remote control:
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 min - Off).
chapter, then previous tracks/chapters.
multichannel signal.
DIMMER 24 2 PRO LOGIC II
• Make sure that there are no obstacles between Dims or brightens the display. Skips to the next track or chapter. When the (STANDARD) Pro Logic II mode of the
the remote and the remote sensor on the unit. ANALOG ATT HDD/DVD* Switch between the hard disk and DVD receiver is on, 2 PRO LOGIC II lights to indicate Pro
• The remote has a range of about 7 m (23 ft.). SP A Attenuates (lowers) the level of an analog input signal controls for HDD/DVD recorders. Logic II decoding.
• Remote operation may become unreliable if to prevent distortion. 25 VIR.SB
GUIDE* Displays the guides on a DVD recorder. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
strong sunlight or fluorescent light is shining on 9 INPUT SELECTOR buttons Lights during Virtual surround back processing.
the unit's remote sensor. ìREC* Starts recording. “Dolby”, “Pro Logic”, and the double-D symbol are
Press to select an input source (press DVD/DVR to 26 DIRECT trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
• Remote controllers for different devices can use the DVD player/recorder controls on the remote). TIMER REC* Accesses the timer recording menu. Lights when source direct playback is in use. Direct
interfere with each other. Avoid using remotes RECEIVER INFO* Displays additional EPG information. playback bypasses the tone controls for the most “DTS” is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc. and “DTS
for other equipment located close to this unit. Use to switch to the receiver controls on the remote REC STOP* Stops recording. accurate reproduction of a source. 96/24” is a trademark of DTS, Inc.
• Replace the batteries when you notice a fall off control. Also used when setting up the surround
JUKEBOX* Switches to the Jukebox feature.
in the operating range of the remote. Character display 32 33 34 35 36 Master volume level sound for the receiver.
Using the Quick Setup Using the Virtual Surround Back mode • DIRECT — Bypass all effects and surround
Before you start
Setting the effect options
Listening to your system
Important will automatically be selected and shows in the
You can use the Quick Setup to get your • Certain features explained in this section will display. When using surround effects, there are a number of Selecting this mode allows you to hear a virtual settings so that the audio remains as close to the
system up and running with just a few button not be possible depending on the source (for With two channel sources, press STANDARD settings you can adjust. surround back channel through your surround source audio signal as possible.
presses. The receiver automatically makes example, PCM 88.2 kHz/96 kHz, DTS 96 kHz repeatedly to select from: 1 Press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly to select the speakers. For example, you can choose to listen to • AUTO SURR. — See Auto playback above.
the necessary settings after you have (24 bit) or WMA9 Pro sources). • 2 Pro Logic II MOVIE — Up to 5.1 channel setting you want to adjust. sources with no surround back channel information Note
selected your room size and listening sound, especially suited to movie sources (for example, 5.1 encoded material) with emulated 6.1 • DIRECT switches to STEREO when using Midnight,
Depending on the current status / mode of the
position. Auto playback • 2 Pro Logic II MUSIC — Up to 5.1 channel receiver, certain options may not appear. Check the encoding (VSB ON). Sometimes the material may Loudness, Dialog Enhancement, or the tone controls.
If you want to make more specific settings, The simplest, most direct listening option is the sound, especially suited to music sources table below for notes on this. sound better in the 5.1 format for which it was
refer to The System Setup menu. Auto Surround feature. With this, the receiver • 2 Pro Logic II GAME — Up to 5.1 channel 2 Use the LEVEL+/– buttons to set it as necessary. originally encoded. In this case you can simply switch Using the Sound Retriever
sound, especially suited to video games it off (VSB OFF). When audio data is removed during the
Use the front panel controls for the steps automatically detects what kind of source you're See the table below for the options available for each
• 2 PRO LOGIC — 5.1 channel surround sound • Press VSB MODE (front panel) to select a virtual compression process, sound quality often suffers
below. playing and selects multichannel or stereo setting. The defaults, if not stated, are listed in bold.
surround back channel option. from an uneven sound image. The Sound Retriever
1 Press STANDBY/ON to switch on. playback as necessary. 3 Press EFFECT/CH SEL again to adjust other
2 Press QUICK SETUP. • While listening to a source, press STEREO Using the Advanced surround effects settings. Each press cycles through the options as follows: feature employs new DSP technology that helps
Try different settings with various soundtracks to see • VSB ON — Virtual Surround Back is always used bring CD quality sound back to compressed
3 Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your for auto playback of a source.
which you like. Setting What it does Options (for example, on 5.1 encoded material) 2-channel audio by restoring sound pressure and
room size. Press repeatedly until AUTO SURR. shows briefly
• Press ADV.SURR.(ADVANCED SURROUND) Center Width* Spreads the center channel 0 to 7 • VSB OFF — Virtual Surround Back mode is smoothing jagged artifacts left over after
Depending on the distance of your speakers in the display (it will then show the decoding or
repeatedly to select a listening mode. between the front right and Default: 3 switched off compression.
from the listening position, choose between playback format). Check the digital format
• ADV. MOVIE — Suitable for movie sources. left speakers, making it sound Note • While listening to a source, press S.RETRIEVER.
small, medium, or large (S, M or L), M being indicators in the display to see how the source is wider (higher settings) or
• ADV. MUSIC — Suitable for music sources. • You can't use the Virtual Surround Back mode with Press repeatedly to switch between:
an average-sized room. being processed. narrower (lower settings).
• TV SURR. — Provides surround sound for both headphones or with the STEREO / DIRECT mode. • RTRV1 ON — This option is engineered
4 Press ENTER. Note Dimension* Adjusts the surround sound –3 to +3
mono and stereo TV sources. especially for portable digital audio players.
5 Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your • Stereo surround (matrix) formats are decoded balance from front to back, Default: 0
listening position. accordingly using 2 Pro Logic II MOVIE. • SPORTS — Suitable for sports programs. making the sound more Listening in stereo • RTRV2 ON — This option is engineered
• ADV. GAME — Suitable for video games. distant (minus settings), or When you select STEREO or DIRECT, you will hear the especially for portable digital radio devices (only
You can cycle between the following choices: • The Auto Surround feature is canceled if you
• EXPANDED — Simulates multichannel surround more forward (positive source through just the front left and right speakers applicable when using the FRONT AUDIO INPUT).
• FWD — If you are nearer to the front connect headphones or select the multichannel analog
sound for two-channel sources. settings). (and subwoofer). Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel • OFF — Switches the Sound Retriever off.
speakers than the surround speakers inputs.
• EX. POWER (Extra Power) — Gives multichannel Panorama* Extends the front stereo image OFF sources are downmixed to stereo.
• MID — If you are equal distance from the to include surround speakers
front and surround speakers Listening in surround sound sound to a stereo source, using all of your speakers. for a ‘wraparound’ effect. ON
• While listening to a source, press STEREO for
• BACK — If you are nearer to the surround Using this receiver, you can listen to any source • VIR. SURR — A virtual surround effect using just stereo playback.
Effect Sets the effect level for the 10 to 90
speakers than the front speakers in surround sound. However, the options the subwoofer and front speakers. currently selected Advanced
Press repeatedly to switch between:
6 Press ENTER to confirm your setup. available will depend on the type of source you're • PHONESUR. (Phones Surround) — Creates the Surround mode (each mode • STEREO — The audio is heard with your surround
The display shows the room size and listening listening to. effect of overall surround with headphones. can be set separately). settings and you can still use the Midnight,
position that you have selected. • While listening to a source, press STANDARD. Note Loudness, and tone functions.
* Only available with 2 ch sources in Dolby Pro Logic II
If the source is Dolby Digital, DTS, or Dolby • Use with Dolby Pro Logic for a stereo surround
Music mode.
Surround encoded, the proper decoding format effect (stereo field is wider than Standard modes
with Dolby Digital sources).
Listening to the radio Naming station presets Specifications
Specifications
Making receiver settings from Note
The System Setup menu
Using the tuner
• If you are using a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter, The following steps show you how to tune in to FM and AM radio You can your station presets for easy recall. Amplifier section
the System Setup menu take the readings from your main listening position broadcasts and memorize the frequency for recall later. 1 Choose the preset you want to name. • Continuous power output
The following section shows you how to make and adjust the level of each speaker to 75 dB SPL See Listening to station presets below.
1 Press AM or FM to select the tuner band. Front
detailed settings to specify how you’re using the (C-weighting/slow reading). 2 Tune to a station. 2 Press TUNER EDIT to select ‘ST. NAME’. 100 W per channel*(200 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.7 %**, 8 Ω)
receiver and also explains how to fine-tune • The subwoofer test tone is output at low volumes.
There are three ways to do this: A cursor appears at the first character position. Center 100 W*(200 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.7 %**, 8 Ω)
individual speaker system settings to your liking. You may need to adjust the level after testing with an
3 Input the name you want then press ENTER.
actual soundtrack. • Automatic tuning — Press and hold TUNING +/– for about a Surround
1 Press RECEIVER on the remote control, then
second. Searching automatically stops at the next station. Use the MULTI JOG dial (front panel) or the STATION +/- buttons 100 W per channel*(200 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.7 %**, 8 Ω)
press the SETUP button.
Speaker Distance • Manual tuning — To change the frequency one step at a time, (remote) to select characters, and ENTER to confirm. If no Subwoofer 100 W*(45 Hz to 200 kHz, 0.7 %**, 8 Ω)
2 Use / to select the setting you want to character is input, a space is input.
1 Select ‘SP DISTN.’ from the SP SETUP press TUNING +/–.
adjust then press ENTER. Tip
menu. • High speed tuning — Press and hold TUNING +/– continuously. • RMS Power Output
• SP SETUP allows you to specify the distance
2 Use / to choose the speaker that you If the signal is weak, press the MPX button to switch the receiver • Once you have named a station preset, you can press DISPLAY when Front 144 W per channel (1 kHz, THD, 10 %, 8 Ω)
and balance of the speakers you’ve connected: listening to a station to switch the display between the name and the
want then set the distance. into mono reception mode. Center 144 W (1 kHz, THD, 10 %, 8 Ω)
CH LEVEL — Adjust overall balance of your frequency.
Use / to adjust the distance of each Surround 144 W per channel (1 kHz, THD, 10 %, 8 Ω)
speaker system.
SP DISTN. — Specify the distance of your speaker (in 10 cm (0.5 ft.) increments). Saving station presets Listening to station presets Subwoofer 144 W (1 kHz, THD, 10 %, 8 Ω)
3 When you’re finished, press RETURN. This receiver can memorize up to 30 stations, stored in three banks
speakers from the listening position. You will need to have some presets stored to do this. See Saving
Tip of 10 stations each. * Measured pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission's Trade
• OTHER allows you to make customized settings station presets if you haven’t done this already. Regulation rule on Power Output Claims for Amplifiers.
• For best surround sound, make sure the 1 Tune to a station you want to memorize.
to reflect how you are using the receiver. 1 Press AM or FM to select the tuner. ** Measured by Audio Spectrum Analyzer.
surround back speakers are the same distance 2 Press TUNER EDIT to select ‘ST. MEMORY’.
DRC — This setting specifies the amount of 2 Press CLASS to select the class in which the station is
from the listening position. 3 Press CLASS to select one of the three classes then press
dynamic range adjustment to Dolby Digital stored. FM Tuner Section
STATION (+/–) to select the station preset you want.
and DTS movie soundtracks (use this when Press repeatedly to cycle through classes A, B and C. Frequency Range 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz
Dynamic Range Control Setup You can also use the MULTI JOG dial after pressing STATION (front
listening to surround sound at low volumes).
panel) to select station presets. 3 Press STATION +/– to select the station preset you want. Antenna Input (DIN) 75 Ω unbalanced
DUAL MONO — You can specify how dual • Default setting: OFF
1 Select DRC from the OTHER setup menu. 4 Press ENTER to store the station.
mono encoded Dolby Digital soundtracks AM Tuner Section
2 Use / to choose the setting that you Note
should be played (dual mono is sometimes • When saving an FM frequency, the MPX setting is also stored. Frequency Range 530 kHz to 1700 kHz
used when two languages need to be sent to want. Antenna Loop antenna
separate channels). • OFF — No dynamic range adjustment (use
LFE ATT — Some Dolby Digital and DTS when listening at higher volume). Miscellaneous
audio sources include ultra-low bass tones. • MID — Mid setting. Power requirements AC 120 V / 60 Hz
Set the LFE attenuator as necessary to • MAX — Dynamic range is reduced (loud Power consumption 320 W / 420 VA
sounds are reduced in volume while quieter Troubleshooting
Additional information
prevent the ultra-low bass tones from In standby 0.5 W
distorting the sound from the speakers. sounds are increased). Incorrect operations are often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component, check Dimensions
3 When you’re finished, press RETURN. the points below. Take a look at the other components and electrical appliances being used, because sometimes the problem may lie there. If 420 mm (W) x 158 mm (H) x 348 mm (D)
Channel level the trouble isn’t sorted out even after going through the checks below, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized independent service company to 16 9/16 in. (W) x 6 1/4 in. (H) x 13 11/16 in. (D)
1 Select CH LEVEL from the SP SETUP menu. Dual Mono Setup carry out repair work. Weight (without package) 8.6 kg (19.0 lb)
2 Use / to select a setup option. • Default setting: CH1 Note
• T. TONE M. — Move the test tone manually 1 Select DUAL MONO from the OTHER setup If the unit does not operate normally due to external effects such as static electricity, disconnect the power plug from the outlet and insert Furnished Parts
from speaker to speaker and adjust individual menu. again to return to normal operating conditions. Remote control 1
channel levels. 2 Use / to choose the setting that you Problem Remedy AA/R6 dry cell batteries
• T. TONE A. — Adjust channel levels as the test want. (to confirm system operation) 2