Pioneer Elite bargains

[obsolete?]

fell down the slippery slope by buying a new LCD; now my receiver is long in the tooth;

the Pioneer Elites have piqued my interest, and there seems to be some outstanding deals on ebay; but I'm having a problem figuring out the primary differences from the last couple years of releases. Seems the most recent have changed amp tech which I'm not hung up on from what I've read. Anyone have any insight over the important differences from the VSX-82TXS; the 84txs; and the 91, 92, etc.

generally they seem to be a far better deal, despite a prevalence of talk about the yam and onk talk on this site - any partic reason?

thx

 

[bandphan]

codecs, networking, and new amp tech on some of the newer models (sc series 05 and up), the "8" series needed firmware updates for hdmi issues and some bass mangement. I assume you are buying used...

start here and do the comparisions... http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/ch.AV-Receivers.Archived?vgnextfmt=Archived

 

[obsolete?]

thx for the link, thats about the point I decided I needed some coles notes or consumer experience (nb - not being cheeky)!

its the 82 in particular that seems like a great deal - have you been happy with yours? - whats involved with the firmware upgrades - is it a simple chip swap, and whats involved with getting the upgrade; or can it be expected that later manufacture dates have the upgrade installed (and how does one distinguish)?

is the HDMI upgrade related to 1.3 (and really what does the move to 1.3 mean practically speaking?) - what was the bass management issue? - (ie, is the receiver w/o the upgrade a dog?

I don't think I'm hung up on the most recent of the most recent codecs - I just don't need to be that far up on the curve; same with the networking (I've been down similar paths before and am now old enough, and not an industry pro, and not flush enough, that it matters to me that much to be on the cutting edge, I just want to be that half step behind that edge, but still up on the curve, to get the best value of progress!)

thx

 

[Warpdrv]

codecs, networking, and new amp tech on some of the newer models (sc series 05 and up), the "8" series needed firmware updates for hdmi issues and some bass mangement. I assume you are buying used...

start here and do the comparisions... http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/ch.AV-Receivers.Archived?vgnextfmt=Archived

Can you expand on the 8 series hdmi issues...?

Are you talking about the Elite 81, I have both that and the 91 (neither have scalers, but they upconvert).... The difference that I have seen between those units is the 91 upconverts everything and outputs through HDMI, while the 81 is lacking a bit there, I cant upconvert composite to HDMI, but the 91 will.... other then that they are pretty much the same. I'll be replacing the 81 shortly with something way out of Pioneers league...

BTW, there is a used 82 over at AVS.... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=9597

 

[bandphan]

thx for the link, thats about the point I decided I needed some coles notes or consumer experience (nb - not being cheeky)!

its the 82 in particular that seems like a great deal - have you been happy with yours? - whats involved with the firmware upgrades - is it a simple chip swap, and whats involved with getting the upgrade; or can it be expected that later manufacture dates have the upgrade installed (and how does one distinguish)?

is the HDMI upgrade related to 1.3 (and really what does the move to 1.3 mean practically speaking?) - what was the bass management issue? - (ie, is the receiver w/o the upgrade a dog?

I don't think I'm hung up on the most recent of the most recent codecs - I just don't need to be that far up on the curve; same with the networking (I've been down similar paths before and am now old enough, and not an industry pro, and not flush enough, that it matters to me that much to be on the cutting edge, I just want to be that half step behind that edge, but still up on the curve, to get the best value of progress!)

thx

the updates with all new and prev models would have to be done thru a service center. My 82 works flawless for me (drives center aqnd surrounds only) and I use an external crossover and eq so Im not sure about what the lfe issue is/was.... the thread below should provide some insight

Can you expand on the 8 series hdmi issues...?

Are you talking about the Elite 81, I have both that and the 91 (neither have scalers, but they upconvert).... The difference that I have seen between those units is the 91 upconverts everything and outputs through HDMI, while the 81 is lacking a bit there, I cant upconvert composite to HDMI, but the 91 will.... other then that they are pretty much the same. I'll be replacing the 81 shortly with something way out of Pioneers league...

BTW, there is a used 82 over at AVS.... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=9597

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=787551

not all units experienced the hdmi flicker issue

 

[mperfct]

Call ABT, they can get you a ridiculous price on a SC-05. I mean crazy cheap, and they are an authorized dealer. Their service is impeccable, and they are very helpful.

Call them, you won't be sorry. They will give you an alternate price than what is listed on the website.