Receiver recommendation & few other ?'s

[myke]

I am looking for a new receiver to replace my HK AVR 40. (yes i know its old)

I just bought the EMP e5ti towers and plan to get a sub from either outlaw, HSU or EMP real soon. Then keep adding from there.

I was looking at the Pioneer 1019 and saw it had some good reviews. CNET gave it top rating over its similar priced Denon and Onkyo counterparts.

I was reading around here and saw another post about the pioneer being weak on the AMP side especially with speakers with a sensitivity like the EMP.

I would like a receiver I can keep for a few years. Here is what I am looking for:

-500 bucks or below
-7.1 would be preferred but 5.1 is ok (prevent the upgrade bugs)
-most up to date codecs/decoders etc
-decent power maybe even the option for a amp later?
-doesnt get super hot or need to be seperated from other devices
-A usb port would be nice but optional that way I can plug in my Zune mp3.

Last question. Do i really need all the upscaling/1080 video functions? If I have a upscaling dvd or blue ray player? or PS3? Im not understanding the whole purpose of the video decoders in the receiver.

None of my past receivers had video codecs. I have owned pioneer, onkyo, HTIB and was given the AVR 40 recently when I decided the HTIB was junk.

 

[Adam]

I would suggest that you look at the lower-level Pioneer Elites.

My friend ordered a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH from a third party dealer (Your Deal) via Amazon marketplace for about $500. It's currently $499 from that dealer with free shipping. It was a new unit, arrived promptly, and the merchant has good feedback. I'm leary to buy from dealers that I don't know, but I wanted to give you some info about my friend's experience.

I own the Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH. Amazon has that for $570 (almost makes me sick because I paid over $900 a couple of months ago). It's through a third party, but the order is fulfilled by Amazon (meaning that Amazon has it in their warehouse and ships it to you, so you know it will arrive). If you are an Amazon Prime member, it's eligible for that, too. I almost feel like ordering it, it's such a good price.

Amazon has a level of protection for purchases that are made through them, too.

 

[myke]

Thanks adam I will check those out right now and see if they meet my goal.

So I take it the elite series is better than their other line. Is it just me or do the pics of the elite make it look like its huge compared to the reg line.

 

[myke]

Hey adam,

One of those looks like it meets my criteria. maybe you can answer this real quick so I dont have to download the manual to read.

It says on the specs of both you mentioned: 110W x 7 (20Hz - 20kHz, .09% THD @ 8 ohms, All Channels Driven

Is this an actual 110 watts each channel? or is that 110wats divided by 7 channels which would equal about 15 watts


Also, what is PQLS for Audio. One model says multi-channel the other says 2 channel?

Thanks

 

[Adam]

So I take it the elite series is better than their other line. Is it just me or do the pics of the elite make it look like its huge compared to the reg line.

The Elite series does (to my knowledge) have better power capability than the non-Elites. I had a Pioneer VSX-1015, an older version of the 1019, and upgraded to the VSX-23 this summer because I wanted some of the new features. The VSX-10XX series used to have the same power components as the entry-level Elites (one of the reasons that I bought the 1015), but I've read that the 1019 breaks from that tradition and has inferior power components.

The dimensions on the units give the specifics, but the VSX-23 is about 0.5" taller and 3" deeper than the 1019, and weighs about twice as much. The SC models are a decent amount taller, but they are also quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Adam]

Is this an actual 110 watts each channel? or is that 110wats divided by 7 channels which would equal about 15 watts

Hey, myke. They mean that it's 110 W per channel. There's debate over how accurate manufacturer's specs are, but that's what they mean.

Also, what is PQLS for Audio. One model says multi-channel the other says 2 channel?

PQLS is a system for syncing the audio signals between the receiver and a blu-ray player. Multi-channel PQLS will sync all channels, while two-channel will sync only the front two channels. However, you need to have a Pioneer blu-ray player that is capable of doing the syncing in order to take advantage of it. I use the VSX-23 with a Panasonic blu-ray player, so I don't use PQLS...and I'm entirely happy with the audio. I couldn't say if there's any noticeable difference with PQLS.

 

[myke]

I think im gonna pull the trigger on that tonight and smoke the credit card. That will teach the fam to leave me home alone!

I just found the 21 model for a good price like you said!

Ive owned pioneer in the past and so does a fam member for years. Ive been happy with there stuff.

Thanks..

 

[rnatalli]

The VSX-10XX series used to have the same power components as the entry-level Elites (one of the reasons that I bought the 1015), but I've read that the 1019 breaks from that tradition and has inferior power components.

This is true. The 1019 was benched at 28wpc into 5 channels. I would only look at the Elites for Pioneer.

For under $500, I would give the Denon 1910/790 a look. It has a great amp section, Audyssey MultEQ, and the ABT video chip.

 

[ljaggers]

Hey man no reason to bail on H/K! Check out the new line of AVR1600/2600/3600 receivers. They are beautiful and harness some punch regardless of their modest power rating. I have the 1600 @ 35W per channel and I still get yelled at by my wife to turn it down!