New receiver

[PENG]

I live in Canada and "B" Stock means AVR's that were floor models, customer returns, and refurbished units that come with a 3 yr. warranty. Currency wise, $2000 is approximately $1500 in U.S dollars, this is why I consider my budget to be tight.
I have considered both the Yamaha RX-A1080 and the Denon AVR-X4500H, but to be honest, I am a die hard, in regards to Pioneer Elite AVR's as my 2007 Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi has been my HT workhorse for 12 yrs.

This has been a very difficult decision making process with so many good AVR's with the latest technology on the market today. I listen to my AVR at modest to medium levels and rarely listen at reference levels as I live in an apartment building with shared walls.

The Denon X-4500H is available only as a "special order" in my area where I reside and I do not wish to order an AVR on the Internet because I'm a "hands on" consumer.

As for the Yamaha AVR RX-A1080, I have read that the Calibration program in the Yamaha is sub standard at best, whether this is true or not for 2018/19 model year, I am really unsure.

Bottom line, it brings me back to the Pioneer VSX or SC-LX series?

Thank you for any insights and opinions you may have, especially when it comes to the comparison between the Pioneer SC-LX701/801 and the Yamaha RX-A1080 AVR's.

If you are in Canada, you should know that the Marantz SR7013 was on sale for $1249 not long ago from Bestbuy and Amazon.ca, brand new in the box. It is a twin to the avr-x4500h except it has the HDAM and 7.1 analog input. Either one should be far superior than your Pioneer in terms of audio specs, but may not make an audible difference.

If you are die hard Pioneer than go for it, and we can't change your mind anyway right?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think it usually comes down to either Denon/Marantz or Yamaha.

I used to own the $7500 Denon AVP-A1HDCI. Now I own the Yamaha CX-A5100. The Yamaha sounds every bit as good in every way.

I currently have the Denon AVR-5308CI in my living room (I listed on Craigslist for about 6 months now ).

For a long time, I raved about Audyssey Dynamic EQ because what it did for my bass.

But on my Yamaha, I get the same awesome bass by boosting the Subwoofer Parametric EQ in the 20-80Hz range.

Last night I did some critical listening in my living room system (RBH SVT towers, RBH SA-500DSP, Denon AVR-5308CI).

But unlike the other times when I used Audyssey Dynamic EQ, I used DIRECT MODE. This bypasses bass management and EQ in the Denon AVR. So I boosted the EQ in the RBH SA-500DSP subwoofer amp from 20Hz-80Hz by 2dB.

Guess what? I got the same awesome bass!

Now I realize that I never needed Audyssey Dynamic EQ. All I need is to boost the EQ in the 20Hz-80Hz subwoofer bass region.

In NON-EQ modes (Direct/Through modes),the midrange and treble is just crystal clear. I've never had to use any kind of EQ (auto or manual) to get absolute crystal clear midrange and treble.

But it has always been the subwoofer bass that needed boosting per my personal taste.

So whether I'm listening to a Denon or a Yamaha, I get absolutely awesome sound quality for bass, midrange, and treble without using any auto room EQ.

All I need is subwoofer bass EQ boost (+2dB) for the 20-80Hz region.

 

[Paul C]

If you are in Canada, you should know that the Marantz SR7013 was on sale for $1249 not long ago from Bestbuy and Amazon.ca, brand new in the box. It is a twin to the avr-x4500h except it has the HDAM and 7.1 analog input. Either one should be far superior than your Pioneer in terms of audio specs, but may not make an audible difference.

If you are die hard Pioneer than go for it, and we can't change your mind anyway right?

I need two separate Subwoofer outputs, I did consider Marantz and have owned a few older ones, I like the Marantz, but prefer other consumer products like the Pioneer Elite SC-LX701/801 the Yamaha RX-A1080 and the Denon AVR-X4500H more so. I truly am a diehard Pioneer Elite fan, I guess!

 

[Pogre]

Well, there ya go. Buy a Pioneer Elite. Case closed.

*Edit: Denon and Marantz are the same company and their AVRs are virtually identical inside.

 

[lovinthehd]

I need two separate Subwoofer outputs, I did consider Marantz and have owned a few older ones, I like the Marantz, but prefer other consumer products like the Pioneer Elite SC-LX701/801 the Yamaha RX-A1080 and the Denon AVR-X4500H more so. I truly am a diehard Pioneer Elite fan, I guess!

You would be fine with a single sub out, you can always use a splitter (many units indicating they are ".2" merely have an internal splitter, some do have separately adjustable sub pre-outs for level/delay). The Marantz 7013 does have two sub pre-outs and is capable of setting level/delay for each of them (as does the Denon 4500). Glancing at the 1080's manual don't see the option for separate adjustment of the subs on its two pre-outs.

 

[Paul C]

If you are in Canada, you should know that the Marantz SR7013 was on sale for $1249 not long ago from Bestbuy and Amazon.ca, brand new in the box. It is a twin to the avr-x4500h except it has the HDAM and 7.1 analog input. Either one should be far superior than your Pioneer in terms of audio specs, but may not make an audible difference.

If you are die hard Pioneer than go for it, and we can't change your mind anyway right?

I did consider Marantz and have owned a few older ones, I like the Marantz, but prefer other consumer products like the Pioneer Elite SC-LX701/801, the Yamaha RX-A1080, and the Denon AVR-X4500H more so.

Hello PENG, thanks for the input, Sound United now owns Pioneer and Onkyo along with Marantz and Denon, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a trickle down effect with technology between brands.

I guess I truly am a diehard Pioneer Elite fan! Yes you're right, I thought more ppl would be into Pioneer AVR's as they are in Canada, just not a lot of customer reviews or truth about power and wattage ratings from many brands.

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW my last Pioneer several years ago started to go bad just after warranty expired and slowly devolved until it went up with a puff of smoke....so I tend not to follow Pioneer. Pioneer's technology for MCACC seems to have migrated some over to Onkyo's AccuEQ that I've seen. It will be interesting to see what Sound United does down the line, tho. Also, the Elite designation doesn't seem to have quite the connotation it once had. My .02 at least...

 

[PENG]

I need two separate Subwoofer outputs, I did consider Marantz and have owned a few older ones, I like the Marantz, but prefer other consumer products like the Pioneer Elite SC-LX701/801 the Yamaha RX-A1080 and the Denon AVR-X4500H more so. I truly am a diehard Pioneer Elite fan, I guess!

Those D&M models do have two subwoofer out and Audyssey Sub EQ HT does do a good job integrated both with the other speakers. Pioneer has its own MCACC Pro that may be good too. Looking at the specs, they are comparable to the Denon AVR-X4500H, X6500H, SR7013, SR8012, but are below the AVR-X8500H.

Again, since you are a self proclaimed die hard Pioneer Elite fan, you really should go for it. Just be aware that the current Elite models use class D power amps, in case you plan on using the internal amps.

 

[Paul C]

FWIW Sorry that Pioneer failed you, I've had My current AVR, Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi, for 12 yrs now and it just started to fail me last week, so I think there are bad apples in every bunch, maybe it just boils down to a bit of knowledge, research and one's own preferences in AVR's.

 

[Paul C]

Those D&M models do have two subwoofer out and Audyssey Sub EQ HT does do a good job integrated both with the other speakers. Pioneer has its own MCACC Pro that may be good too. Looking at the specs, they are comparable to the Denon AVR-X4500H, X6500H, SR7013, SR8012, but are below the AVR-X8500H.

Again, since you are a self proclaimed die hard Pioneer Elite fan, you really should go for it. Just be aware that the current Elite models use class D power amps, in case you plan on using the internal amps.

Thank you, I do plan on using the internal Amps, should I be concerned?

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW Sorry that Pioneer failed you, I've had My current AVR, Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi, for 12 yrs now and it just started to fail me last week, so I think there are bad apples in every bunch, maybe it just boils down to a bit of knowledge, research and one's own preferences in AVR's.

No doubt it was more bad luck than anything but my Onkyo from that time survives (via extended warranty for the known hdmi/network board issues) and my Denons have been trouble free. Plus I like Audyssey better than MCACC. We all have our prejudices. I can only remember positive comments about their class D amps, I wouldn't worry about those myself....

 

[Paul C]

Thanks.

 

[PENG]

Thank you, I do plan on using the internal Amps, should I be concerned?[/QUOTE

There is a detailed preview by AH:
https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/pioneer-elite-sc-lx701-lx801-lx901-network-receivers

In that preview Gene did remind us of their prior class D ICE amps used in the SC-07 fell short of promises.
https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/pioneer-sc-07

I am sure the SC-LX series are now much improved though. I mentioned the class D thing only because your beloved VSX-84TXSi has the more conventional class AB power amps.

 

[Paul C]

I agree PENG , I am sure Pioneer D3 Class SC-LX801/701 are much improved and more reliable over their predecessor.

I did see Gene's review on Pioneer Class D Amps but that was Pioneer's first Generation Series in 2007/2008,
I would like to think that perhaps Gene could/would do a live review on the SC-LX801/701, hopeful anyways, since Pioneer has abandon the ICE module as far as I understand it.

Paul C