Receiver Advice for Paradigm Set-Up

[JER12]

First off I want say I am so glad I found this site via a friends recommendation. The forums have answered so many of my questions I haven't felt the need to post for advice until now. So I thank everyone that has posted.

I am purchasing the following speakers for a room that is 20'x20' with 8' ceilings:

-Paradigm Monitor 9's
-Paradigm Monitor CC-290
-Paradigm Monitor ADP-180
-HSU VTF-1


I would like to get some feedback on the Pioneer Elite Series. I have narrowed it down to the VSX-91TXH or VSX-92TXH. Do you guys think that the "92" will make that much of difference for the price jump. And if the VSX-92TXH is a must buy then do I consider the Denon 2808CI since I am in the ballpark on $$$. I know this is situation that will ultimately come down to personal preference but I wanted to get some other peoples opinion to see if the VSX-91TXH will do the job.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[JER12]

Any help guys? Someone has to have an opinion/thought.

 

[bandphan]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39402

 

[JER12]

Thanks for the link, great review. I saw that link a while back it is what turned me on to the Pioneer Elite Series.

Do you think the Pioneer VSX-91TXH will be enough for the room or do you recommend the jump to the VSX-92TXH?

 

[Frugal]

video upconversion

The main advantage with the 92 is video up conversion. It has a built in scaler so you can plug any video components into it such as VCR composite, DVD component or HDMI and they will be output to a single HDMI output. That way you don't have to switch inputs on the TV, it's all done through the receiver. If you don't mind switching TV inputs go with the 91.

 

[Warpdrv]

The main advantage with the 92 is video up conversion. It has a built in scaler so you can plug any video components into it such as VCR composite, DVD component or HDMI and they will be output to a single HDMI output. That way you don't have to switch inputs on the TV, it's all done through the receiver. If you don't mind switching TV inputs go with the 91.

Frugal, that is incorrect...

You can do all the switching with the 91... its a great receiver, I have one.

It does all the video switching and upconverting for you.... I just doesn't have a video processor for upscaling, and I personally don't think the upscaling chips in the 92 is the best of the best... the chips for that are just OK.

If your looking for upscaling, the Onkyo pro or the Integra have better upscaling IMO...

 

[Seth=L]

Scaling in receivers is nearly pointless in my opinion.

Either of those Pioneer's would be a great choice.

Yamaha RX-V1800 and Onkyo TX-SR805 are also excellent choices. The Onkyo TX-SR805 has better benchtest performance than anything at it's price and far beyond it. If it's power you are after, the Onkyo has it in spades. It's got a good feature set as well, minus scaling. With the money saved from getting the Onkyo you could get a Blu-ray player. You have a large room, I feel the extra power from the Onkyo could be very beneficial for home theater. Your speakers aren't super power hungry, but I think they could stand to benefit from the extra headroom the Onkyo TX-SR805 offers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

First off, it matters what you need the AVR to do. If you could care less about the video section than a basic AVR such as the RX 659 or RX 661 would be more than enough to power your speakers. What are your goals of the AVR?

 

[JER12]

I am not too big on the upscaling aspect. I use a PS3 for movie watching/gaming and primarily only watch HDTV with Comcast. Since the PS3 doesn't provide the full advantage from Blu-ray I may consider buying another player in the future. I am going to wait a while on that, plus I want to see how the PS3 works with the set-up. At the beginning I am going to be blown away with the fact of just having surround sound.

The goals of the AVR is to provide substantial power for the set-up and be able decode both Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD audio.

Side note: "Seth=L" noted that I have a large room. I thought the HSUResearch VTF-1 would be plenty for that? Correct me if I am wrong. I also noticed on hsuresearch.com that VTF-1 isn't in stock, have they stopped manufacturing or is that sub really popular? I guess I could always jump up to the VTF-2 MK3.

 

[Warpdrv]

Scaling in receivers is nearly pointless in my opinion.

Either of those Pioneer's would be a great choice.

I just don't think that the receivers are ready with these scaling features yet.... I think we are in a area where they are just getting a good grasp on how to implement scalers, so the best is yet to come...

They are getting there, but its just too soon... My Dish DVR has a great scaler, as well as my Panasonic plasma. So I have had no need for something like that so far...

 

[Warpdrv]

Just another side note... those speakers are extremely efficient, and were designed that way, so anyone one would have absolutely no trouble driving them with a simple receiver...

Any of the brands mentioned will work just fine, so get the one with the features you like the most, and enjoy...

 

[Seth=L]

Just another side note... those speakers are extremely efficient, and were designed that way, so anyone one would have absolutely no trouble driving them with a simple receiver...

Well we don't know their impedance curve, getting the Onkyo TX-SR805 would oleviate need for concern.

To the OP, yes, your subwoofer is small. You should get a bigger one. Other good places to look for subwoofers are AV123, SVS, and Elemental Designs. AV123 just released a 15" monster of a subwoofer (weighs 100 pounds) that so far has been well received. It also looks fantastic and has a very low price for such a subwoofer.

Take a look...
MFW-15

The scaling from the PS3 should be excellent, assuming you have kept it up to date. What limitations of the PS3 concern you? Is it the bitstream of HD audio formats? I wouldn't be concerned about that, as it should do a fine job decoding the formats internally, short of DTS-HD. They should be releasing a firmware update for DTS-HD decoding any time now. The PS3 is the fastest loading Blu-ray player, that's what I love about it.

 

[JER12]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I just got back from listening to both Pioneers. As of right now I am leaning towards the VSX-91TXH. I don't need the upscaling and from responses in the forum I will be happy with it.

Seth=L, thanks for the help with the PS3. To answer your question the PS3 is fully up to date. I have been told by a certain salesman that the PS3 will not utilize any of the Blu-Ray Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD audio to its fullest potential. I am a little confused about this, or uneducated. From reading other threads looks like I am not the only one.

As for the sub, I am really impressed with the HSUResearch. My friend has the VTF-3 MK2 and I love it. Just thought I could get by with the VTF-1. But I guess if they don't have any in stock I need to purchase the next model up.

 

[Seth=L]

That certain salesman is incorrect. Nuff said.

Any reason you aren't considering the Onkyo TX-SR805? Is it the heat issue?

 

[JER12]

No particular reason, just prefer the Pioneer Elite. I am not familiar with Onkyo series, but have read/heard great things.

 

[Seth=L]

No particular reason, just prefer the Pioneer Elite. I am not familiar with Onkyo series, but have read/heard great things.

It's well worth looking into. The power ratings on the Onkyo TX-SR805 come close to matching the TX-NR1000 flagship Onkyo offered (which was a 72 pound monster receiver, $5000). The Denon AVR-5805 (a 97 pound mamoth receiver, $6000 MSRP) was beaten in a few areas in terms of power by the Onkyo TX-SR805. These tests were done by Sound and Vision magazine. The Pioneer Elites, which tested well, did not come close to the Onkyo TX-SR805 in terms of power. Pretty impressive when you can get the TX-SR805 for under $800.

They all over loads of features, and any choice would be excellent. Forgive my insistence, I just can't justify looking hard at any other receiver when the Onkyo packs such a punch. FYI, the Onkyo TX-SR805 is the only Onkyo receiver available at the moment that I would consider purchasing, their other models hold little to no interest for me. The TX-NR905 is pretty nice though.

I would give it some serious thought. The thought of spending more to get ultimately less, urks me.

 

[JER12]

Well after much thought and several trips to various audio shops I have decided to go with the Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH. The deal I am getting is too good pass up. I will be getting it for almost %40 of suggested retail price. I can get the same deal on the VSX-92TXH but think the VSX-91TXH will be enough. If not I can return it and get the next model up.

Thanks for the help guys and I will report in once I get everything installed.