Pioneer vs Yamaha

[dalessandro12]

I know I might get bashed for the following question, but which line of receivers would you pick if you had to choose between the two brands:

Pioneer's 2010 VSX line or Yamaha's 2010 RXV line?

I've been eyeing the VSX-820-K but have an old Yamaha and am satisfied with its performance but need something with updated features sub $300 if possible.

I understand neither of these is the most powerful in the world, I just want something that can push a decent amout of clean sound to my speakers for my family to watch movies; When my kids get older, I can invest in something a little more powerful.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[rnatalli]

Between those two, I'd go with the Pioneer myself as it uses MCACC for room correction. However, I would take the Denon 391 over both as it uses Audyssey MultEQ.

 

[sholling]

I'd probably wait a bit if you want the very latest and greatest but for sure I'd pass on the non-Elite Pioneers. You'll get a better feature set and more realistic power claims from a $300 refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 (2009 model).

 

[dalessandro12]

Between those two, I'd go with the Pioneer myself as it uses MCACC for room correction. However, I would take the Denon 391 over both as it uses Audyssey MultEQ.

Is this for sale yet? I looked at the specs and it does sound appealling. I like that it has analog to HDMI upconversion, one thing the Pioneer has (alhtough the only analog signal I have is a Wii, it would be nice to have a single HDMI to the TV).

Also, are Denon's know for rating their power more realistically? I read it is rated at 75X5.

@Sholling - I don't really have a need for 7.1 or 7.2 sound and call me crazy, but I am weary about used electronics (have had bad experiences in the past).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

i'd probably wait a bit if you want the very latest and greatest but for sure i'd pass on the non-elite pioneers. You'll get a better feature set and more realistic power claims from a $300 refurbished onkyo tx-sr607 (2009 model).

+1



...........

 

[sholling]

Is this for sale yet? I looked at the specs and it does sound appealling. I like that it has analog to HDMI upconversion, one thing the Pioneer has (alhtough the only analog signal I have is a Wii, it would be nice to have a single HDMI to the TV).

Also, are Denon's know for rating their power more realistically? I read it is rated at 75X5.

@Sholling - I don't really have a need for 7.1 or 7.2 sound and call me crazy, but I am weary about used electronics (have had bad experiences in the past).

Not used. Factory reconditioned with a 1 year factory warranty. But hey it's your money and if you want to pay more for less have at it.

 

[chris357]

i only buy used and have had very good luck!! I get alotr more for my money and it seems that most audio people take pretty good care of their stuff.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'd pass on any new lower end Yamaha stuff, Pioneer, Onkyo, and Denon all offer more for the money. Ecost.com has great prices on refurbished denon receivers.

 

[dalessandro12]

Damn, I like the Denon but it isn't released until July. I'll take a look at ecost and some of the other suggestions.

Thanks Everyone!

 

[dalessandro12]

One more question, when companies like Yamaha and Pioneer rate their outputs at 100-110w, what would that result in the real world? I know it isn't all about watts, but also know that they are very optimistic with their output ratings.

The Denon 391 mentioned above is rated at 75X5, which sounds to me more like a real world scenario.

 

[rnatalli]

One more question, when companies like Yamaha and Pioneer rate their outputs at 100-110w, what would that result in the real world? I know it isn't all about watts, but also know that they are very optimistic with their output ratings.

The Denon 391 mentioned above is rated at 75X5, which sounds to me more like a real world scenario.

The Pioneer 1019 benched in at around 29wpc into 5 channels. Who knows into 7 Yamaha didn't do a whole lot better. Denon generally does better on the bench so I would expect to get around 40-50wpc into 5 channels. Same with Onkyo. HK is the only one who gives conservative ratings and often underrates their receivers.

 

[GlocksRock]

usually actual real world power is probably closer to less than half what is stated in the specs. Also keep in mind that the amps rated at full bandwidth will be a bit more powerfull than the ones rated at 1khz, and some low end models also rate their output at 6Ω instead 8Ω

 

[dalessandro12]

usually actual real world power is probably closer to less than half what is stated in the specs. Also keep in mind that the amps rated at full bandwidth will be a bit more powerfull than the ones rated at 1khz, and some low end models also rate their output at 6Ω instead 8Ω

Wow, half the rated power - that puts things into perspective. My speakers are rated 75w @ 8 ohms and the Pioneer for example, is rated 110w @8 ohms. As mentioned in my first post, I don't need anything "loud" but want it to push enough power to enjoy the movie watching experience. So in this scenario, you say I would realistically only get about 55 watts X 5?

 

[MidnightSensi]

Anyone have a link to these bench tests? I'm curious.

If they are using sine waves or pink noise or something, the power supplies in a receiver is probably the limiting factor.

 

[dalessandro12]

I'd like to see the bench tests as well.

So the AVR-391 doesn't come out until July but the 591 is out this month and looks great. Rated at 125w@6ohms (which according to someone who posted on the link is ~75w@8ohms), it has HDMI 1.4a (4in/1out), analog upconversion, MultiEQ and appears to decode just about everything. It is a bit over budget @ $349 MSRP, but sounds like a good deal and I'm sure I can find it a bit cheaper. What do you think?

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-591-fl

 

[rnatalli]

Home Theater Magazine, Sound and Vision, Ultimate AV, and Secrets have tons of bench tests.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers.html
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/
http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/category/site-channel/tests-reviews/receivers

Some specific receivers bench tests:

Yamaha 663
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/608yam663/index7.html

Pioneer 1019
http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/pioneer_vsx-1019ah_av_receiver/index4.html

Onkyo 607
http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/onkyo_tx-sr607_av_receiver/index3.html

Onkyo 706
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/content/onkyo-tx-sr706-av-receiver-0
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers/591-onkyo-tx-sr706-receiver.html?start=4

Yamaha 863
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/content/yamaha-rx-v863-av-receiver

Denon 3310
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers/725-denon-avr-3310ci-71-av-receiver.html?start=3

Denon 2309
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers/498-a-secrets-receiver-review.html?start=7

Denon 1909
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers/537-a-secrets-receiver-review.html?start=5

 

[dalessandro12]

This audio stuff really turns into an obsession....

I downloaded the product specs from Denon for the AVR-591 and it rates it at 75w@8ohms. I think I am going to order it. Found it on Amazon for $300.

 

[tom67]

Denon

May be the last one standing with honest power ratings on units below $500 and thats coming from an old Yamaha man....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This audio stuff really turns into an obsession....

Welcome to the AH club We have our [strike]AA[/strike] AH meetings on Thursdays.

 

[dalessandro12]

Welcome to the AH club We have our [strike]AA[/strike] AH meetings on Thursdays.

No kidding....

Any opinions on the AVR-591? I'm ready with credit card in hand (don't tell anyone at AH). It appears as though Amazon is has it on preorder. I found a seller on there that claims to have it in stock but even Denon customer service said that they weren't aware it was released yet (he is going to call me back to confirm). Warranty wise, I think I need to buy it from Amazon as a seller so I'll just preorder it.