Hep w/ decion on Pioneer 1015 / 9100 / 9300 / 54

[ViperBoy]

Help w/ decision on Pioneer 1015 / 9100 / 9300 / 54

I'm looking to buy either a 1015 or a 9100 on-line this weekend and wonder if anyone can answer a few questions that I have not been able to get definitive answers for by browsing forums and electronics sites. I don't need maximum power due to my efficient speakers (mid quality powered Infinity Overture 3 and 1s) nor do I need multi-room capabilities. I am planning to hook up a DVD player, Media PC, DirecTV and CD Changer

I might also be willing to make a step up in the Pioneer line if the quality is significant (just over $200 / 50% more for on-line prices)

1) Which has better audio quality (music and HT) and MCACC features for a 5.1 system (there seems to be confusion about MCACC on different sites - 7 vs 5 band and time alignment)

2) Will the 1015's THX Select II make much difference for 5.1?

3) Which has best s-video to component up-conversion? I like the 3 component inputs on the 1015 but there were some complaints about dark pictures with the 1014. I will be using this with a Wega monitor for now, but upgrading to a 42" DLP later

4) Does either have the same Directv audio issues that the 1014 had? Some posts stated they were not having problems w/ the 1015 but the 9100 seems to be a hybrid between the 1014 and 1015 feature set

TIA

 

[rumble]

1) Which has better audio quality (music and HT) and MCACC features for a 5.1 system (there seems to be confusion about MCACC on different sites - 7 vs 5 band and time alignment)

2) Will the 1015's THX Select II make much difference for 5.1?

3) Which has best s-video to component up-conversion? I like the 3 component inputs on the 1015 but there were some complaints about dark pictures with the 1014. I will be using this with a Wega monitor for now, but upgrading to a 42" DLP later

4) Does either have the same Directv audio issues that the 1014 had? Some posts stated they were not having problems w/ the 1015 but the 9100 seems to be a hybrid between the 1014 and 1015 feature set

TIA

1.) Not really sure what the specs are on the 9100 and 9300, Pioneer does not list them on their website. I checked the specs on these units at vanns.com and some of them just did not make sense. At first glance they appear to be based on the vsx-54tx all three weigh 39.7 lbs, they all have 2 year warranties, they have the dual 48bit dsp engines. But then the front of the 9100 and 9300 looks like the 1015 and they both have the "AIRStudios sound tuning" certification. I don't think any of the currently shipping elite recievers carry the AIRStudios tuning thing any more, that was something that was done on the older models. I'm not sure the specs listed on vanns.com are correct. Without believable specs then you are pretty much guessing.

2.) No.

3.) I have the 1014 and upconvert both s-video and composite to component and get a great picture. I have not experienced any kind of darkness in the picture.

4.) Not sure, see #1.

 

[T2T]

I don't think any of the currently shipping elite recievers carry the AIRStudios tuning thing any more, that was something that was done on the older models.

Actually, my 54TX has the Air Studios logo on the front of the receiver. I thought the 52TX did not feature it, though.

 

[dponeill]

The 9300 appears to be identical to the 56TXi only without iLink. I have one comming next week and will be better able to provide answers then.

Dennis

 

[rumble]

Actually, my 54TX has the Air Studios logo on the front of the receiver. I thought the 52TX did not feature it, though.

Yes the 54TX does have the AIR Studios logo, the 52TX does not. I believe the older elite model that the 52TX replaced did have the logo. Not sure why they chose not to get the logo for the 52TX.

The 1014/1015 does not have the logo.

 

[rumble]

The 9300 appears to be identical to the 56TXi only without iLink. I have one comming next week and will be better able to provide answers then.

Dennis

Great then the mystery will be solved.

The specs I'm looking at have the 9300 weighing 39.7 lbs. and the 56TX 44.8 lbs. Also Pioneer website lists the component video bandwidth of the 56TX is 100Mhz and Vanns lists the 9300 at 40Mhz.

One difference between the 54TX and 56TX is the capacitors. The 56TX has 27,000uf. If you could rip open your 9300 and check that it would be great....

 

[dponeill]

If you look at the specs on Best Buy they show 44.8 lbs. There does seem to be a lot of confusion on these models as some sites show it as having iLink too.

Dennis

 

[rumble]

If you look at the specs on Best Buy they show 44.8 lbs. There does seem to be a lot of confusion on these models as some sites show it as having iLink too.

Dennis

Interesting. I could not find the 9100/9300 on their website. According to Vann's the 9100 and the 9300 have 2 year warranties, does Best Buy advertise this as well? I have not seen 2 year warranties on any Pioneer receivers outside of the Elite line.

 

[T2T]

Additionally, there's another thing I've determined regarding the 9100/9300 and Best Buy. If it's a Best Buy store with a Magnolia Audio embedded in it, the 9100/9300 appears to have been pulled from the sales floor.

Maybe, this is just the case for my local store, but I can see where they'd prefer that a customer doesn't demo the 56TXi in the Magnolia section, then leave the section, walk 100 feet to the Best Buy receiver section and purchase a 9100/9300 receiver.

 

[dponeill]

Interesting. I could not find the 9100/9300 on their website. According to Vann's the 9100 and the 9300 have 2 year warranties, does Best Buy advertise this as well? I have not seen 2 year warranties on any Pioneer receivers outside of the Elite line.

Warranty is never a consideration when I make a purchse. They are really meaningless as an indicator of quality and are just a marketing tool.

Here is the Best Buy link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6756147&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031&id=1099393182428

Dennis

 

[rumble]

Warranty is never a consideration when I make a purchse. They are really meaningless as an indicator of quality and are just a marketing tool.

Here is the Best Buy link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6756147&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031&id=1099393182428

Dennis

Sure but Pioneer always used the 2 year warranty as a differentiator for the Elite line. If the 9100/9300 have 2 year warranties then it's one more reason not to go with the Elite receiver.

 

[Thunder18]

Sure but Pioneer always used the 2 year warranty as a differentiator for the Elite line. If the 9100/9300 have 2 year warranties then it's one more reason not to go with the Elite receiver.

Don't worry, the 9100 and 9300 only have a one year manufacturers warranty.

 

[Takeereasy]

According to electronic-expo and Vanns the 9100 has a 2 yr warranty. If you are going to buy the 9100 check out electronic-expo.com as they arean authorized dealer and are selling for $391 right now which is cheaper than they are selling lower end Pioneer receivers.