Onkyo TX-SR805 or Pioneer VSX-91TXH?

[AuDioFreaK39]

I'm in the market for a new receiver now, and for the past few hours of research, the receiver I'm looking for really falls between the Onkyo TX-SR805 and the Pioneer VSX-91TXH. Based on what I've read, both of these receivers have the features that I would be using for my Blu-ray player (PS3) and 50" Pioneer plasma screen, with Dolby TruHD, DTSHD, and I'm really looking forward to lip-sync with HDMI 1.3. But other than that, can anyone tell me if one receiver has better decoding chips than the other, or anything? I really want to get the best value for my money, and right now I'm looking around the $1000 range. Thanks in advance.

 

[Seth=L]

The Pioneer does not support Dolby TrueHD, Plus, or DTS-HD master audio. The Onkyo is likely the most powerful receiver for under $1000 on the market today. It is also the heaviest in its price range, it is a pretty strong factor IMO (som don't agree with the weight factor being important to knowing what is under the hood, but I have looked at this one up close and personal and I can honestly say they have not done anything to add dead weight). It has a common amplifier topology that is proven to work well with most loads of speakers. It is stable with 4 ohm loads and possibly lower. The Onkyo also receives favorable consumer reviews.


The Onkyo is by far the best value for the money.
Good luck.

 

[Thunder18]

Actually, the Pioneer does in fact support Dolby TrueHD, Plus, and DTS-HD master audio. You can check out their website at http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/kuro/product/details/0,,2076_310069789_463566618_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_V3_ProductDetailsComponent
It also supports HDMI v 1.3a just like the Onkyo. However, the Onkyo does have 3 HDMI inputs to the Pioneer's 2 and I have to agree with Seth=L on the weight issue. I have a Pioneer Elite 56TXi that weighs 48 lbs, this newer, better 91TXh weighs 34lbs and the Onkyo 805 weighs almost 51lbs! Heck, the Onkyo even has that one indicator aof a truly powerful piece of equipment, a detachable power cord. Something Pioneer has left off it's models since the 50 series of Elites.

Also, the fact that the 805 passed THX Ultra2 certification vs the THX Select2 the 91TXh has is further proof that it's a more robust machine. I know many don't put much stock in THX certification vs. units that aren't THX certified, but if one passes THX's higher level of testing, then it is definately a more powerful machine! Check out THX's website for the difference in the 2 certs. Ultra2 is suppossed to be able to fill a much larger room with sound than Select2, thus they have more robust amplifier sections.

Oh, one nice thing I noticed abou the 805 when I was at a local electronics store this evening was the blue glow around the volume knob. When you hit the dimmer the first time, it turns off that blue ring around the volume knob without dimming anything else. Subsequent presses of the dimmer button proceed to dime the display until it's completely blank. So no worries about having to live with that bright blue ring around the volume knob when you're in you're dark living room trying to watch a movie.

 

[dponeill]

I think that the 805 is the receiver to beat at anywhere up to $1500. At that point, if the video processing meets expectations, the 875 will probably pick up from there. I just replaced a Pioneer VSX-82 with an 805 and consider it to be a substantial upgrade.

 

[macman84]

Thunder18, just because Pioneer didnt pay the very expensive royalties to THX to get the Ultra 2 certification doesnt mean it is either any better or worse in terms of quality. it just means Pioneer saved you almost $200 on construction cost by not applying that decal. They probably just decided to have the Select2 ceritification on there for the avg consumer that since they would see THX and think wow but doesnt know the difference between Select2 and Ultra2. Especially since Select2 is incredible cheap to get. (Also Most people dont even know they exist let alone know the difference).

 

[MDS]

Thunder18, just because Pioneer didnt pay the very expensive royalties to THX to get the Ultra 2 certification doesnt mean it is either any better or worse in terms of quality. it just means Pioneer saved you almost $200 on construction cost by not applying that decal. They probably just decided to have the Select2 ceritification on there for the avg consumer that since they would see THX and think wow but doesnt know the difference between Select2 and Ultra2. Especially since Select2 is incredible cheap to get. (Also Most people dont even know they exist let alone know the difference).

I just have to disagree with this characterization of THX. I see it time and time again and no I do not think THX cert is the be-all end-all but let's give credit where credit is due. THX defines a HUGE number of performance characteristics. Yes, some non THX-certified gear can meet those requirements but people seem to think that it is some kind of badge of honor to not pay the licensing fee to be able to use the THX cert label. Baloney!

Let's look at the 'boutique' type of gear that costs an order of magnitude more than mainstream equipment but in actuality performs no better. Do you really think that paying an extra $50-$100 per unit is just not 'worth it'? I've got news for you - they don't want to be subjected to rigorous testing and criticism and they don't want to give up that .05% extra profit margin by not paying for the certification.

Do you think that these brands don't include (for example) a 50 cent item like a power button because it degrades the sound or is unnecessary? Of course not! They cut corners so their profit margin can remain 1,000% instead of 999.9999%. Wake up and smell the roses people.

 

[Thunder18]

Thunder18, just because Pioneer didnt pay the very expensive royalties to THX to get the Ultra 2 certification doesnt mean it is either any better or worse in terms of quality. it just means Pioneer saved you almost $200 on construction cost by not applying that decal. They probably just decided to have the Select2 ceritification on there for the avg consumer that since they would see THX and think wow but doesnt know the difference between Select2 and Ultra2. Especially since Select2 is incredible cheap to get. (Also Most people dont even know they exist let alone know the difference).

I can't belive for a second that Pioneer would have not paid for THX Ultra2 testing. More likely, the receiver could not pass the specifications set forth by Ultra2 guidelines, but received a passing grade on the less demanding Select2 requirements! Not to say that it's a bad receiver, but if you're familiar with the late great Pioneer Elite VSX-59TXi, then you know how much more powerful that receiver is than the Elite models below it. How about an extra 50 watts per channel output(160 vs 110) over the model below it, the VSX-56TXi? How about 3 component video inputs vs. 2? Dual Sharc Melody Ultra processors + a Motorola processor vs. Dual Motorola processors? How about 192 KHz 24 bit DAC's vs. 96 KHz 24 bit DAC's? How about weighing almost 69 lbs vs. weighing almost 49 lbs?

I'd be surprised if THX charged anymore to be tested for Ultra2 certification then they did for Select2 certification. Heck, I even checked the THX website to see if I could find an e-mail address or "contact us" so that I could ask. Unfortunately, my time at this particular moment is limited and as I didn't find a link easily available I was not able to field that question to them.
Anyway, the basic difference between the 2 is Ultra2 requires the ability to drive low impedence speakers(below 6 ohms) and reach reference volume in a room with a volume of 3000 sq. ft. Select2 requires the ability to drive speakers no lower than 6 ohms to reference volume in 2000 sq. ft. or less. One of these receivers has more guts than the other!