Just traded my 4 and a half month old Yamaha 1400 for a Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX at Tweeter ($750). The Pioneer blows away the Yamaha, and the Denon AVR3802 I had before the Yammy. Everything sounds great on it, cd's, high-rez discs (I have a Pio DV45-A), dvd's and high def cable. It is lush, full, warm, and gutsy. Compared to it, the Yamaha had a cheesy-sounding midrange, and ear-biting highs. With all due respect, my speakers (DCM TF600's) are a little bright and forward sounding, but with the Pioneer, they sound like really high end speakers. Never before have I just been able to play a cd and sit back and listen without critiquing the sound. Now I can relax and listen to music for hours. Pioneer's new models are just coming out (the one comparable to mine is the 54. Please listen to a Pioneer before buying anything else. By the way, I think it sounds a lot like H/K, but without the reliability problems.
Just want to re-inforce the comments. I have bright detailed speakers as well (Canton Karat M60's) and the warmth of the pionneer VSX 53 can't be matched by anything in that price range and even above. I tried. And I had to be convinced pretty hard to consider pioneer. I tried the Denon 3805, the Yammy and and and. And even against my own will, WOW, I couldn;t resist the pioneer and it came in at a much lower price than the others I was considering. Pioneer should definitely be considered for you guys out there shopping for a receiver... Especially if you have chosed to match it up with bright speakers.
It is very hard to find a dealer that has NAD and Pioneer, or Marantz and Pioneer, or any combination of any 2. Just go to Tweeter, and listen to the Pioneer. Bring a couple of multichannel high-rez discs, a couple of cd's and a couple of dvd's with you. Be prepared to be blown away with any disc you throw at the Pioneer. You will think you are listening to a $4000 receiver. It's that good.
I too own the Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX. I must say that I am very satisfied with this receiver. Before buying this receiver I was always left wanting more or thinking about which receiver I will buy next. I have owned mine for about 8 months and not once have I considered replacing it. (I suffer from upgrade-itis)
The user interface is very easy to navigate and use. I have also found that the MCACC is easy to use and is pretty accurate. After doing research on other brands I felt that this receiver just had more to offer for the price.
Pioneer has released the VSX-54TX to replace the 53TX. It adds component video upconversion and DPLIIx. If these features aren't important to you this is probably a good time to buy one on clearence.
Just traded my 4 and a half month old Yamaha 1400 for a Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX at Tweeter ($750). The Pioneer blows away the Yamaha, and the Denon AVR3802 I had before the Yammy. Everything sounds great on it, cd's, high-rez discs (I have a Pio DV45-A), dvd's and high def cable. It is lush, full, warm, and gutsy. Compared to it, the Yamaha had a cheesy-sounding midrange, and ear-biting highs. With all due respect, my speakers (DCM TF600's) are a little bright and forward sounding, but with the Pioneer, they sound like really high end speakers. Never before have I just been able to play a cd and sit back and listen without critiquing the sound. Now I can relax and listen to music for hours. Pioneer's new models are just coming out (the one comparable to mine is the 54. Please listen to a Pioneer before buying anything else. By the way, I think it sounds a lot like H/K, but without the reliability problems.
What do you think is the reason for "cheesy-sounding midrange and ear biting highs"?
And what do you think is responsible for the pioneer blowing it away?
Perhaps the quality of the amps; I read somewhere that mosfet amps behave like vacuum tubes. I always thought that you couldn't have detailed home theater without having bright 2-channel. The Pioneer has convinced me otherwise. Go listen to it.
The quality of the amp? Any decent solid state power amp will not add a sound of its own.So unless there was something wrong with your Yamaha,the amp was not to blame for the bad sounds you experienced.
You mention that Pioneer has the new model, VSX54 I am assuming. Do you know when it will be available? Do you know where I can get info on it? Cant seem to find it on the pioneer site.
I just ordered the 54tx last week from www.expressaudiovideo.com for $729 best price I found...just having a hard time waiting for it to get here
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good mid priced speaker set up for this reciever? Currently using Infinity Minuette's and a Infinity BU-2 sub.
Pioneer Elite sounds awesome
Linear Mode
