WOW! The new Pioneer 918TX is ridiculously powerful!

[Bluesmoke]

My 6060's HDMI output died. Gave my friend a good deal on it (he's using only component). Ended up picking up the Pioneer 918 that just came out.

I can't believe the power on it. It's rated at 105w/ch. I think my 6060 at -20 is the equivalent to the Pioneer at -32. That's a huge difference in volume output.

I'm running a full Energy Reference speaker setup, which are not overly demanding but no slouch either.

The HDMI 1.3 connectors are fast at handshaking. Really pleased! The new remote is also great with glow in the dark buttons.

 

[Seth=L]

Is it HDMI repeating (audio processing)?

 

[Bluesmoke]

Is it HDMI repeating (audio processing)?

Yea, 2/1 repeating. Got it for $399 with best buy gift card. I was waiting till we got the 663 in Canada, but with the new PS3 update, the 663 is useless to me.

Here's a shot of it. My CD player is on top of the receiver with styrofoam on top to not block the vents.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Nice looking receiver! Hope you enjoy her.

 

[Bugbitten]

Hockey pucks (or similar) make nice little risers that would fit under the CD player and might be a little more aesthetic.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Hockey pucks (or similar) make nice little risers that would fit under the CD player and might be a little more aesthetic.

This is just temporary. I actually use hockey pucks. Right now they're leveling my projector on the couch until I can mount it on the wall.

 

[croseiv]

Appears to be a nice receiver indeed!

 

[Bugbitten]

This is just temporary. I actually use hockey pucks. Right now they're leveling my projector on the couch until I can mount it on the wall.

I understand that tuna cans work too!

 

[speakerman39]

I understand that tuna cans work too!

Hey Doug how are things? This is Phil-you remember me? I came to your home to audition your Axiom speakers a while back. Any changes in your set-up? Just loved the sound of those M80's. Hope all is well.

 

[Bugbitten]

Phil,

Doing great!

Of course I remember.

Changes. Would you believe that the M80s are sittiing in front of the fireplace to be boxed up tomorrow and put on sale!

You should come down for a listen.

Sorry about the OT.

Doug

 

[bandphan]

can we say hijack

 

[speakerman39]

Phil,

Doing great!

Of course I remember.

Changes. Would you believe that the M80s are sittiing in front of the fireplace to be boxed up tomorrow and put on sale!

You should come down for a listen.

Sorry about the OT.

Doug

Wow, Doug!!! What are you replacing the M80's with? Still have the mono-blocks? The M80's sure impressed me that day. They have a very detailed sound to them. It is good to hear you are doing okay. What did you think about the earthquake the other morning? It, woke me up from a good sleep.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yea, 2/1 repeating. Got it for $399 with best buy gift card. I was waiting till we got the 663 in Canada, but with the new PS3 update, the 663 is useless to me.

Here's a shot of it. My CD player is on top of the receiver with styrofoam on top to not block the vents.

While you have vents on the side, the top is metal, a good conductor and radiator of heat, especially being black.
Guess what that styro is doing to that heat? Traps it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...I can't believe the power on it. It's rated at 105w/ch. I think my 6060 at -20 is the equivalent to the Pioneer at -32. That's a huge difference in volume output.
.

That i snot an indication of anything as it is an apple/ orange comparison, sorry.
What was the power rating of the 6060? You have to compare continuous power rating, period, not where the volume control is set at; meaningless.

 

[AdrianMills]

That i snot an indication of anything as it is an apple/ orange comparison, sorry.
What was the power rating of the 6060? You have to compare continuous power rating, period, not where the volume control is set at; meaningless.

What mtrycrafts is implying here is that one receiver many not necessarily be calibrated for the same output as another even if they use the same designation for that output. The -/+N number reported by receivers/preamps/whatever is relative to 0; unless the manufacturers specify what "0" is you're in the dark until you do some measuring with an SPL meter (the relative output will also change on the same receiver when attaching speakers with different sensitivities). Some receivers allow you to calibrate "0" to a specific level, e.g. Dolby reference level.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Well, the 918 is actually cheaper than the Yamaha 6060 (RX V661). So I was surprised by the output volume. If you look at the volume setting on the receiver in the pic I posted, it's -38. That's where it seems appropriate for my small room. I think I had to run the Yamaha around -25 or so. Nothing else had changed. I was listening to Velvet Revolver's Libertad album before the receiver change. I'm just saying that there appears to be more headroom on the Pioneer. The Yamaha still had a smoother top end that was less harsh but the soundstage seems to come off better on the Pioneer for 2ch music listening.

One this I really like is the LCD panel. It is so clean and clear with big blue letters to indicate what I'm getting. It's a nice change from the tiny orange writing of the Yamaha.

 

[AdrianMills]

Um. Ok.

Let me put this another way. That number is absolutely meaningless when comparing two different receivers in the way you are doing.

Get yourself an SPL meter from Radio shack then run some test tones on both receivers to level match them at say 80dB; you'll then know what -N means on one compared to the other.

There's also no way of determining headroom by level setting unless you know the point at which the receiver clips with your speakers; that may not be, and probably isn't at 0 either. That is also just a rough guide as it will depend on the dynamics of the material you're playing etc.

BTW, I'd be very surprised if you have "harshness" on either of these receivers unless you are clipping the Pio or maybe the Yamaha has EQed out some high frequency reflection problems you have in your room.

Well, the 918 is actually cheaper than the Yamaha 6060 (RX V661). So I was surprised by the output volume. If you look at the volume setting on the receiver in the pic I posted, it's -38. That's where it seems appropriate for my small room. I think I had to run the Yamaha around -25 or so. Nothing else had changed. I was listening to Velvet Revolver's Libertad album before the receiver change. I'm just saying that there appears to be more headroom on the Pioneer. The Yamaha still had a smoother top end that was less harsh but the soundstage seems to come off better on the Pioneer for 2ch music listening.

One this I really like is the LCD panel. It is so clean and clear with big blue letters to indicate what I'm getting. It's a nice change from the tiny orange writing of the Yamaha.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Um. Ok.

Let me put this another way. That number is absolutely meaningless when comparing two different receivers in the way you are doing.

Get yourself an SPL meter from Radio shack then run some test tones on both receivers to level match them at say 80dB; you'll then know what -N means on one compared to the other.

There's also no way of determining headroom by level setting unless you know the point at which the receiver clips with your speakers; that may not be, and probably isn't at 0 either. That is also just a rough guide as it will depend on the dynamics of the material you're playing etc.

BTW, I'd be very surprised if you have "harshness" on either of these receivers unless you are clipping the Pio or maybe the Yamaha has EQed out some high frequency reflection problems you have in your room.

Maybe this will sink in

 

[AdrianMills]

Maybe this will sink in

Yeah maybe. It's understandable that it can be confusing for people though.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yeah maybe. It's understandable that it can be confusing for people though.

Certainly. But, how many explanations will it take to accept it?