CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[stefuel]

Time to search for a replacement to my trusted Yamaha RX-V992. A couple of months ago channel A on the front speakers bit the big one. Now channel 2 has followed along with some of the DSP functions. I'm not complaining. I got many trouble free years from it. Soon I'll be re-working my whole AV system and moving it from a custom made rack cabinet in my home office to a new custom built rack closet in the garage. This closet will be the home for ALL the homes AV source equipment. Only the display's and speakers will be in their respective rooms. So this new AV reciever must have independent remotely controlled zone 2 ability. I started my quest by checking out the Pioneer Elite VSX-94THX.
That seems to have the functions I require. Also, I'd like to keep this under $2,000.00
Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Pioneer Elite series? Thanks,

[WanMan]

I do not have anything bad to say about Pioneer Elite. I own a four year old VSX-45TX and I am still using it. Mind you the first unit I had caused the unit to be replaced under warranty though the dealer as it was a new line (model year) with overly sensitive protection circuit, and one bad amplified channel.

The replacement unit, which was brand spanking new (I had bought an open box demo unit that may have been abused) and has performed flawlessly (that I know of) for the past four years. With the exception of a future need for decoding the lossless HD audio codecs, I am no longer seeking an all-in-one solution and instead decided on the processor+amplifier route using pro audio amps.

[Clarence]

[ADRIANKELLY]

Nothing bad to say about the pioneer I just personally like the sound of Denon and after listening to both I found the denon to be a bit more to my liking . The 3808CI had all the functions and HDMI switching and upscaling to 1080P so I chose Denon . So far so good just hope you can translate the manual I hear both suck . Thank god for the A site I just read 41 pages and finally worked out all the glitches .

[draganm]

I like the Denon receivers too but all in all receivers suck. I think they're fine for the unwashed masses at Best Buy but a dedictaed home theatre just deserves better. If I was in the position to replace mine it would be a the matching pre-amp/amp pair of Emotiva Reference Series for $2098. Just look at what it offers compared to a receiver. The amplifer has 7 discreet toroidal transformers putting out 150watts per channel stable down to 2 ohms. A typcial receiver uses one toroid to power all 7 speakers and will sh*t-itself and clip the protection circuitry with even a 4 ohm speaker. Not to mention 120db's of channel seperation and the build quality of Aluminim plates vesusu stamped sheet-metal, the list goes on. Just the 81 pounds in the amp alone should tell you how much you're getting
http://www.emotiva.com/ips1.html
I won't go into all the features of the dedicated pre-amp but just glance at the lsit , it's a no-brainer.
http://www.emotiva.com/mmc1.html
Receivers are for people who have a few hundred bucks to spend and can't afford better. To spend $2K on a receiver with everything packed into one sheetmetal box is insane.

[WanMan]

Adrian, I like listening to stuff, too, but the noises the receiver would make would only scare me. Instead, I prefer the sounds coming from the speakers. Now, I know what someone would say, "yeah, but sound can be altered with differing electronics, etc." and I would agree. As such, I would think the preferred sound one enjoys is a composition of several components and not one.

For instance, what if a different receiver brand and different speakers happen to produce the same sound to which you could not tell a difference?

[ADRIANKELLY]

(OUCH) I know I know But for just under $900 I couldn't pass it up . My best friend works at a BB and he is quitting next week so he bought it on his employee discount for me . I am new to this hobby and to go with my Ascend acoustic speakers and 3 HSU subs it does exactly what I need for now . I do plan on seperates a bit down the line so keep the advice coming I to would like to know more about what to look for when it is time .

[KennyG]

[stefuel]

Well, my hearing sucks . After working in the trades for 30 years, I suffer from constant ear ringing and partial loss of hearing in my left ear. I need something that will sound good for the family but provides the funcionality to handle sound for two independent zones, have enough digital inputs for everything I need to connect, ability to be controlled via RS-232 and damn, you must admit the Elite looks way cool 8).
I just downloaded the RS-232C protocol for this so that I can build a Crestron module for it. YIKES, it's a 9 page doc. Most of that 9 pages is code. This is the largest programming requirement I've seen an a consumer device. I did not count them but there's easily 150 individual funtions available.

[KennyG]

[draganm]

[Stonefool]

All the recievers I've read about at the $1500-$2000 range can do multiroom configurations. In this regard it's more a choice of other functions ... or design or video processor or what ever.

For instance Pioneer 94TXH has standing-wave control and networking. But Marantz 8002 has two HDMI out. NAD T775/785 has four zones and modular construction for future upgrades. Onkyo has Reon chipset.

Then of course most seem to have their own individual problems. Like Onkyo's 875/905 getting way too hot (apparently at least two guys have had their recievers go poof.) Marantz not fareing to well in the bass department (This seem to be the biggest issue.) NAD not having HD sound decoders, yet (And they can't seem to say if or when any upgrades will be forthcoming.)

I still haven't been able to find any posts on any "major" problems with Pioneer's newest models, which of course is nice. Yamaha and Denon seem to be doing ok as well.

[PJMoore]

I go back to when "hi-fi" meant monaural. We always used components. Later as an "audio nazi", I started custom designing preamps that only had volume knobs - no balance - no tone - no selector - phono only. Then one day I noticed that an off the shelf receiver sounded pretty darned good and I decided it just was not worth all the effort I had been going to. Unfortunately, I recently let the magic smoke out of a vintage Sony ES AV receiver, and began looking for a replacement. I now find all the AV designers have begun to load down the receivers with upconversion, transcoding, echo effects and other nonsense all in the name of marketing, and that the sound has suffered quite noticably. I'm going back to components. I like the concept behind the Emotiva, and it is built right here in Tennessee. I hope it sounds as good as I have been told. I use a separate scaler, so all that video switching is wasted on me anyway. What really bothered me about the three AV receivers I tried - two Sony ES units and an Onkyo, was that they all sounded the same: very lifeless and dull. I wonder if the entire industry has rushed to third party land for their internals.

[erikjohn]

I picked up my Yamaha RX-Z9 NEW off ebay a few months back for about $1200 delivered, but I got a great deal. They are going for the median of around $1400-$1500 on Ebay new. That is a killer deal. I absolutely love this receiver. I especially love the 9 channel stereo, it sound amazing. Power that never runs out, the only drawback is that it runs hot but I guess it was designed that way. No HDMI switching but for me that wasn't a deal breaker since that technology is evolving every other month and you can use an external. As far as the whole True HD and DTS thing goes you can utilize the 8 channel input for that. IMO there is not a HT receiver that can match its build quality, you would have to go high end separates.

[stefuel]

Yamaha is one of my options. I really liked my Yammie but the newer more high end models cost more than seperates. One thing that I noticed is that some of the +$1,500.00 models include a second remote for zone 2. That would be a plus for me especially if that second remote can't muck with zone one. I'll have to look into that.

[Bighitter]

Another vote for the Denon series for receivers as they are easy to control, there are already crestron modules made for them and just for you chip they can be controlled via IP so no need to solder 232 connections .

If I had the money I would go with anthem separates but alas I don't have the money my clients do!

[ecrabb]

I liked the Denon stuff a lot, but while I was shopping, I ended up buying a refurbed Marantz.

Marantz and Denon merged about 5 years ago, and while the product lines are all completely separate, I think there is some technology sharing, as some of the models have very similar features and specs.

SC