I was excited about vsx-1020, now I'm concerned

[sholling]

I can get a brand new VSX-1017TXV-K $349 shipped. Only 2 HDMI inputs. I don't know how much I'll suffer from the lack of current audio and video processing that the latest avr's have.

You can add an IOGear 4 port HDMI 1.3b switch with remote for $35. I just ordered one for my living room taking advantage of a $10 rebate. I have no idea if it's any good but figured for $25 it was worth a try.

If you're in the US you can get a factory refurbished TX-SR707 from a factory authorized dealer for $479. My bedroom system is a refurb and I have no problems buying factory refurbs to save money.

 

[Eyecantcode]

Does the 707 get dangerously hot? I may be able to get a VSX-01TXH for about $425. I know I'm not keeping the 1020 when it arrives.

 

[sholling]

Does the 707 get dangerously hot? I may be able to get a VSX-01TXH for about $425. I know I'm not keeping the 1020 when it arrives.

The Onkyo models rumored to get dangerously hot were the HT-RC180 and the TX-SR806. I don't own a 707, I own a 606 and a 906. Both run warm and I'm going to assume that the runs 707 warm. Big power supplies generate heat. You need to have room for air to flow. At least 2" of open space over them, and if you have doors on the front of your entertainment center you want a fan.

Pioneer Elites are nice receivers and if you can get a VSX-01TXH for that that's a good deal.

 

[Seth=L]

Dude, eye, you are all over the place. I think you need to stick with the 1020 for now and see how it works for you before you start assuming it isn't enough. It's not going to hurt to give it a chance. Get the 1020, get the sub, and relax man.

 

[Eyecantcode]

Hey Seth, hope I haven't ticked you off; you've given a lot of good info. I just want to get this right; we're talking about over $2000 here. I would avoid restock fee if I return the 1020 unopend. I'm only considering the same two brand names that I've mentioned all along: Onkyo and Pioneer. Sorry about the frustation.

 

[dalessandro12]

So I am considering the smaller VSK820K and my speakers are rated 88db 1W/1M. My room is significantly smaller than 5000 cubic feet (haven't done the math but its about 15ft wide by 25ft long and standard 10ft ceilings).

I think the 820 will suite me fine. Anyone think otherwise? It will be used mostly for movies.

 

[dalessandro12]

Eye,

My vote is to hook up the 1020 when you get it and see what it does. Personally, I'm a audio virgin and think the 820 will sound great compared to my piece of crap receiver I have now. If you like it, you save money over the more expensive equipment. If you don't, return it and you can justify spending a little bit more for what you wanted.

Just my two cents.

 

[Seth=L]

Hey Seth, hope I haven't ticked you off; you've given a lot of good info. I just want to get this right; we're talking about over $2000 here. I would avoid restock fee if I return the 1020 unopend. I'm only considering the same two brand names that I've mentioned all along: Onkyo and Pioneer. Sorry about the frustation.

No, I'm not ticked. It's just painful to watch you to seemingly kill yourself trying to get it perfect without even hearing it.

 

[Eyecantcode]

Received the 1020 today, but I'm taking it back tomorrow. I just bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH $450 shipped. It has Pre-outs and is almost $400 cheaper than the 1120. This makes room for a UPA-5. The 21TXH doesn't have 3D, but even if I had the 1120, I still would not have 3D. I really couldn't justify to my wife or myself spending over $350 for the 1120 when I wouldn't gain anything of any significance.

Sorry Seth.


PS$450 still gives me upgrade-ability

 

[anamorphic96]

Received the 1020 today, but I'm taking it back tomorrow. I just bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH $450 shipped. It has Pre-outs and is almost $400 cheaper than the 1120. This makes room for a UPA-5. The 21TXH doesn't have 3D, but even if I had the 1120, I still would not have 3D. I really couldn't justify to my wife or myself spending over $350 for the 1120 when I wouldn't gain anything of any significance.

Sorry Seth.


PS$450 still gives me upgrade-ability

FYI - Pioneer Elite does not allow or have any authorized dealers or allow online sales. So if you have an issue. Pioneer will not honor the warranty and you will be SOL. This is why Best Buy can't sell Pioneer Elite Online.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Might want to think about sending it back.

 

[Eyecantcode]

Thanks for the FYI. I don't plan on putting any strain on the receiver; that's why I'll be getting the UPA-5.

 

[sholling]

Thanks for the FYI. I don't plan on putting any strain on the receiver; that's why I'll be getting the UPA-5.

That's probably overkill. Or at least misdirected attention. I would probably go with a 3 channel amp for the front 3 and let the receiver deal with the surrounds.

 

[anamorphic96]

Thanks for the FYI. I don't plan on putting any strain on the receiver; that's why I'll be getting the UPA-5.

But what are you gonna do if something else fails on the receiver. Such as the HDMI board, DSP processors, or the many other things. You will also not have access to firmware updates as well.

You will have no protection and be out 450 dollars as you will have no warranty coverage.

 

[Eyecantcode]

That's probably overkill. Or at least misdirected attention. I would probably go with a 3 channel amp for the front 3 and let the receiver deal with the surrounds.

But I'd have to get another amp or run 4 channels on the receiver if I wanted 7.1. The UPA-5 is $50 less than the XPA-3. Unless you were referring to another brand of amp.

But what are you gonna do if something else fails on the receiver. Such as the HDMI board, DSP processors, or the many other things.

Buy another one. Hopefully that won't happen any time soon.

You will have no protection and be out 450 dollars as you will have no warranty coverage.

I don't have any warranty coverage on the receiver I currently have.

You will also not have access to firmware updates as well.

I've had my current receiver for 6yrs and I never checked for firmware updates for it.

 

[Seth=L]

But I'd have to get another amp or run 4 channels on the receiver if I wanted 7.1. The UPA-5 is $50 less than the XPA-3. Unless you were referring to another brand of amp.

What Sholling is trying to tell you is that you don't need to use all or none of the receiver's amplifier channels. You can elect to have a 3 channel amplifier power your fronts and the receiver to handle the surround channels, which it would have plenty of power to do after relieving the fronts off of receiver duty. Surround rarely requires significant amounts of power, and when it does it's short lived. Even at the most tremendous peaks of surround power required the Pioneer wouldn't run out of steam.
LOGICALLY you should just get the receiver, listen to it with your speakers. If you hear stress from lack of power then consider getting additional amplification. Don't confuse mechanical stress with amplifier stress. If there is mechanical stress that means your speakers are limiting performance and all the amplification in the world won't change that. There is no reason to spend money on something if you don't even know that you'll need it. As mentioned before your Polk speakers are fairly easy to drive and that Pioneer receiver is more than enough to drive them. They make receivers for this reason. They don't make receivers so you have to buy additional amplification. Since Polk has been in the mass market they've pretty much made sure that their speakers are designed to work well with receivers.

If you get the amplifier now you may be wasting $800, rack space, and electricity and pushing your significant other's patience if you have one. That extra $800 or so will be better directed at a subwoofer, or a pair of subwoofers if you so desire. I honestly don't believe you'll need additional amplification with that receiver.

I've had my current receiver for 6yrs and I never checked for firmware updates for it.

Well that's not what we would consider a modern receiver, there's probably no user interface that allows for firmware updates like today's receivers.

 

[Eyecantcode]

What Sholling is trying to tell you is that you don't need to use all or none of the receiver's amplifier channels. You can elect to have a 3 channel amplifier power your fronts and the receiver to handle the surround channels, which it would have plenty of power to do after relieving the fronts off of receiver duty. Surround rarely requires significant amounts of power, and when it does it's short lived. Even at the most tremendous peaks of surround power required the Pioneer wouldn't run out of steam.
LOGICALLY you should just get the receiver, listen to it with your speakers. If you hear stress from lack of power then consider getting additional amplification.

I have every intention to listen to the receiver first. I also would love for the receiver alone to satisfy my loud preference. I understand the point sholling made, I just figured why not get a 5ch amp if it costs $50 less than a 3ch amp.

Well that's not what we would consider a modern receiver, there's probably no user interface that allows for firmware updates like today's receivers.

Not modern is an understatement My point was I was never interested in checking for firmware updates. I ran with what I had for 6yrs. That's why I get to upgrade

Now the pair of sub theory, how would that work?

 

[Eyecantcode]

Wow! Sholling, you have 2 SVS PB12-Plus. And I was gonna ask for a 2 sub alternative for the same price as 1 PB12

 

[sholling]

Wow! Sholling, you have 2 SVS PB12-Plus. And I was gonna ask for a 2 sub alternative for the same price as 1 PB12

No I have a single SVS PB12 Plus/2. They don't make them anymore.

FWIW what I was trying to get across is exactly what Seth was saying. The surrounds draw almost nothing. Start with just the receiver and then if you feel like your running out of power an XPA-3 packs a ton of power into the 3 speakers that have a use for it. He's also right that should you be pleased with your receiver's output - and the odds are that you will be, then instead of an amp (wife willing) put that money into a big gnarly subwoofer and let it deal with everything below 80hz. That's the range that just sucks up power.

 

[Eyecantcode]

I agree with both of you. I wasn't saying you didn't make any sense or anything like that. My thought is, why not get the 5ch with it being $50 less than the 3ch. Don't see how that will hurt anything.

 

[sholling]

I agree with both of you. I wasn't saying you didn't make any sense or anything like that. My thought is, why not get the 5ch with it being $50 less than the 3ch. Don't see how that will hurt anything.

125w x 5 vs 200w x 3 that's all. The receiver has plenty of power to take care of the surrounds.