Shipping charge related issue with NewEgg finally resolved with a partial refund - after several days of basically 'well, sorry about that.' Online retailers that really understand customer relations, like Crutchfield and Amazon, really spoil you. You forget what it's like dealing with companies that are not really at that level.
At any rate, time to get somewhat back on topic. My initial impression of the Pioneer VSX-1122-K is good, but not as good as the Denon AVR-1913. Pioneer still needs to bring their OSD and configuration process up to the level of the new Denon and Marantz receivers. I really don't see any improvement over the prior year models in that regard. One biggy that they did fix is the HDMI Standby function - it works finally! Sound wise the new Pioneer is excellent with my Definitive Technology SM55 bookshelves and CS-8040HD center channel (don't care for subs, so I don't have one). Although the Denon sounds better at lower levels, a benefit of the Audyssey Dynamic EQ option I suspect. I'll try out both AVR's with a pair of Polk Audio TSi400 towers and a CS10 center later in the week.
I'm certainly no expert and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in months, so I simply go with what my ears tell me. Right now they're indicating that it may be time to switch to Denon after using Pioneer gear pretty exclusively since the early 70's (well, except for that horrendous early 80's 'ugly-tan' fiasco).
