Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX OR VSX-54TX or 56TX

[Stereoguy]

Hi I am down to these few I understand that there are new models on the way 72TX,74TX,75TX. Should I wait for these or get myself a deal on the older ones which older one is a good choice for Mirage Bipolar speakers 890i,MC-3 Center,190i for the rear in a 12X15X8 ft ceiling. Final question what would be a good price up here in Canada on any of these units. Thanks for your help

 

[Spiffyfast]

thats a really big price range, what kind of features are you looking for? And from what I've read on other forums the new models aren't that different, so you may be able to save some money and pick up last years model.

 

[Stereoguy]

Vsx-52tx Or Vsx-54tx Etc

Not sure about features 70% Music, rest movies thinking the 54TX should be better for music and looking to keep it for awhile the 56TX I've been told is a excellent choice for my speakers but is proably out of my price range as it goes for $1,899 msrp so I think the 54TX would be quite abit better then the 52TX based on what I've found so far.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Theres also the Best Buy versions of the the Pioneer Elite models. the 9100tx and the 9300tx, they are rebadged versions minus a "few" features that they sell in some best buy stores and online on their website

 

[Spiffyfast]

sorry scratch that on bestbuy.com, but try checking the pioneer website and looking at their authorized online retailers, I think Etronics was carrying the 9100tx that was somehwere in between the 52tx and the 54tx at a price of around $400. It is about on par with the Pioneer 1015tx just not THX Select 2.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Not sure about features 70% Music, rest movies thinking the 54TX should be better for music and looking to keep it for awhile the 56TX I've been told is a excellent choice for my speakers but is proably out of my price range as it goes for $1,899 msrp so I think the 54TX would be quite abit better then the 52TX based on what I've found so far.

Never go by msrp with Pioneer. They are usually twice the street price here in the US. Here's a yahoo search for the 56TXi:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AlCEfuUeKmmkAf.QpspeAbYbFt0A;_ylu=X3oDMTBhNjRqazhxBHNlYwNzZWFyY2g-?p=pioneer+56txi&did=&qss_spelltoken=n-3067376740_q-Al7shRaysXlv17MeVkDiRwABAA@@&qss_clicked=1

A $900 unit in the US should sell for around $1100 in Canada.

Here's a 56TXi on ebay's canada website
http://cgi.ebay.ca/PIONEER-ELITE-VSX-56TXi-Plus-Extras_W0QQitemZ5799137990QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Thunder18]

Spiffyfast's right. Best Buy no longer carries the VSX-9300TX as I found out when I went to get a replacement for mine that was hit by lightning.

They do however carry the VSX-56TXi which I did end up getting.

Since I've had both, I can now say with 99% assurance that the 9300tx and the 56TXi are the same except for the i.link connectivity and the heavier full aluminum door hiding the buttons on the front(9300 has aluminum skin attached to a plastic frame).
The 9300TX is an extremely robust, very capable a/v receiver. I had no qualms with it whatsoever in fact, I was very disappoint that they were no longer carrying. However, it is still available. www.vanns.com has it for $799.99 with free shipping and no tax(They are an authorized Pioneer retailer).

If you don't have a dvd-a/sacd player with firewire output then I think it's just about a no brainer. Being built like the 56txi the 9300TX has a lot of power via a massive power supply and dual 27,000 uF capacitors. The 52Tx and the 54TX both have smaller rated capacitors(I believe on the order of 17k and 22k respectively) and neither of them have the USB input which allows you to use the receiver as the audio output device for your computer. I finally got to try it and it works great!

Also, unless I'm mistaken, only the 56TXi/9300TX has the advanced MCACC with professional calibration EQ. I would have never upgraded to the 56TXi if my 9300TX hadn't been electrocuted. I really liked that receiver. If that hearfelt statement doesn't work...did I mention it weighs 44.8 lbs!
It just feels like quality. Of course I felt bad for the UPS guy carrying it up the stairs to my apartment.

 

[Thunder18]

Never go by msrp with Pioneer. They are usually twice the street price here in the US. Here's a yahoo search for the 56TXi:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AlCEfuUeKmmkAf.QpspeAbYbFt0A;_ylu=X3oDMTBhNjRqazhxBHNlYwNzZWFyY2g-?p=pioneer+56txi&did=&qss_spelltoken=n-3067376740_q-Al7shRaysXlv17MeVkDiRwABAA@@&qss_clicked=1

A $900 unit in the US should sell for around $1100 in Canada.

Here's a 56TXi on ebay's canada website
http://cgi.ebay.ca/PIONEER-ELITE-VSX-56TXi-Plus-Extras_W0QQitemZ5799137990QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not quite twice as much. Pioneer lists the MSRP of the 56TXi as $1700, but Best Buys Magnolia is selling it for $1500

 

[Stereoguy]

Bi-Amping 52TX or 54TX

Has anyone tried this on either of these units any feed back on this. Also how much better does the 54Tx sound over the 52TX. Again thanks for your guys feedback.