I had HK500 - powerful but dark. Had low-mid end Denon, too bright and not enough power. Have a B&K 202 (used) coming and Pioneer 56TXi coming. I've only listened to the Pioneer a little and slightly concerned at -18 it was awefully quiet hooked up to deftech's. I will see when it gets home - any public places to post a pictures (like the insides I'll peek at) and impressions (not qualified to review, but can give opinion)?... Too much bad comments about NAD, but that neglects to say how many happy NAD people there are. I really need to go see/hear it in action - then probably would have bought one.
I tend to think too much processing, bells & whistles overshadows the core power capacity of the units and the 100-120 wpc means jack s*!&. Like i remember my HK was heavy and corresponding strong (maybe not greatest clarity)... The denon light, correspondingly weak but crisp hiding lack of midrange-lower bite.
Wanted a receiver that uses toroidal xfrmr (like that NAD or B&K)... Pioneer 56TXi is said to be 45 lbs (5 pounds heavier than 54Tx), but no toroidal xfmr.... Yet the ole B&K is 55 lbs and both have same claimed capacitance. It'll be an interesting comparison for myself - you will find one of them on eBay in about 2-3 weeks (mine).
In some ways I hope the B&K wins but in others I hope the Pioneer silences the critics, or least makes me a believer. Was about to cancel the Pioneer order and audition the Rotel 1056 at a shop near home, but too late. While I've seen a review say it's actually puts out close to 100 x5 rather than the 75x5, the pictures of the insides look skimpy. Worse, I'll only be able to listen to it on Klipsch, b&w or martin logans and do side by side with Denon and Yamaha receivers.
Will follow up next week...
