Upgrade Help

[Dr-epg]

Hello Everyone
I am in the process of upgrating my Pioneer reciever with some thing newer. The product I have now is 15 years old and 5.0 chanel (I know WOW but it has worked) I am a movie buff have a budget of $400-$500 for a new one. I have stopped at the big box stores and asked a ton of questions I feel they are just looking at my budget and trying to see me spend another $100.
I have a Sony WEGA TV (36") and a Sony DVD player. I would like to upgrade to a 6.1 or 7.1 chanel unit. I have looked at Sony,Pioneer and Kenwood. If any one can help a better selection I would be thank full. Also I am going to be adding a powered sub-woofer. I have $200 for this the only one I have looked at is a Sony.
Thanks For All OF the Help
A Confused Dr.

 

[brian32672]

Honestly Pioneer hit a homerun with the VSX-1015tx, so that may be the one to look at. I got mine for 393.00 shipped, jaxvon got his for 323 (super price) The unit has a MSRP of 650.00 and is worth every penny. As far as a sub, you would have to go a little higher than 200 and not bother with a Sony sub. But with the savings from what you would spend on a receiver, I would say 300 will buy you a killer sub, a few that come to mind are the JBL E250p, Cadence X-Sub, H100 Acoustech, JBL S120PII....

EDIT:: I only recommend the H100 for people who listen to at least 80% movies. Its not a very musical sub, it goes low/deep and is quick, but does not sound well with music. Its perfect for a HT mainly for movies or if used as a second sub just for the lows in movies...

 

[Pyrrho]

It sounds like you have $700 for a receiver and subwoofer (as $500 + $200 = $700). Beyond a certain low point, what you get with more expensive receivers are features and more power, not much better sound. However, subwoofers get much better as you go up in price beyond your budget. So I would probably recommend spending a little less on the receiver and more on the subwoofer.

Here is a review of a decent Pioneer receiver that retails for $365; you should be able to get it for less:

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/PioneerVSX-815ReceiverReview1.php

There are other models worth considering, but this should be a fine choice.

Now, at the risk of sounding like one of those salespeople who want you to spend more, for a really good subwoofer, you should consider:

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb10_isd.htm

Here is a review:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/svs-pb10-subwoofer-10-2004.html

This subwoofer sells for $429, but you need to add shipping, unless you live near the factory and unless they will let you pick it up (if my memory is right, they are in Ohio).

Unfortunately, this would put you just over your target budget, though a lesser subwoofer will make a noticeable difference. If you must stay under budget, then you will probably either have to go with a noticeably lesser receiver or subwoofer, or buy something used.


Edited to add:

Here you can get the receiver for $228 plus shipping ($26.21, according to Deal Time):

http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_product_details.jsp?cid=15715&c=0510DealTime&b=Pioneer_VSX-815S

I found this via:

http://www.dealtime.com

The total would be $254.21 for the receiver (I am trusting www.dealtime.com for the shipping cost, so you will obviously need to double check this). With the subwoofer at $429 plus shipping, we have $683.21 plus subwoofer shipping, which, as I said previously, is going to put you just over your budget of $700. If you can afford this, I think it would be difficult (or impossible) to do any better at this price point.

 

[DaveOCP]

You definitely do not want to skimp on a subwoofer. The difference, as Pyrrho said, between receivers that are within $100 or $150 of each other is not that much. However, the difference between a cheap sub and a good one is enormous. Don't bother with mass-market Japanese electronics companies when looking at subwoofers. None of them make speakers that are any good.

If your room isnt too big, vanns.com has a great deal on a Mirage Omni S-8 subwoofer, just $200. Other than that, its pretty hard to go wrong with a Velodyne sub. Klipsch also makes some great, inexpensive subwoofers.

 

[jaxvon]

I can second the Pioneer 1015TX. I got mine for 333 and change (taxes in) because I have a friend that works at Best Buy. Nothing near the price can touch it. I'm really impressed with the unit so far.

 

[Dr-epg]

The room where I have the this set up is 22 foot by 18 foot.
I am still confused on the chanels should I go with the 6.1 or 7.1 I know there is not much support for 7.1.
There are just so many recievers tp pick from. I thought Sony make a good product but hard to set up. I have had great luck with Pioneer but thay can be tought to set-up.
Maybe I am just getting old I like things to get easier not harder.
Thanks
The Dr

 

[jaxvon]

Sony makes good TVs, and good pro-audio headphones. After that, my opinion is that their stuff tends to be kinda crappy. The 1015tx that I have can be a little confusing, but the manual is fairly straightforward, and the onscreen display is handy (no staring at the cryptic abbreviations on the front panel).

 

[Pyrrho]

The room where I have the this set up is 22 foot by 18 foot.
I am still confused on the chanels should I go with the 6.1 or 7.1 I know there is not much support for 7.1.
There are just so many recievers tp pick from. I thought Sony make a good product but hard to set up. I have had great luck with Pioneer but thay can be tought to set-up.
Maybe I am just getting old I like things to get easier not harder.
Thanks
The Dr

The Pioneer I recommended above has an automatic setup feature that will help in balancing the channels for optimal sound. I would not buy a new receiver without such a feature, as most people will not be able to set up their receiver as well as can be done automatically. (I, like some other fanatics here, use a sound level meter to balance the sound, though it would be nice to be able to just plug in a microphone and push a button instead.) But, you are right that newer receivers are more complicated and more difficult to deal with than older ones. There is simply no getting around the fact that they do more, and therefore you have more to consider when dealing with them.

As for 6.1 vs. 7.1 sound, there are currently no 7.1 sources. 7.1 receivers generate the extra channel on their own. Given the current pricing, I would still go with a 7.1 receiver, as you do not have to use it if you decide you don't like the extra channel. Pretty much any decent home theater receiver these days has 7.1 capability; you have to buy very near the bottom of the line to get less.

And with your large room, a wimpy subwoofer will be a very bad thing. So I want to reiterate my earlier advice: Do not skimp on the subwoofer any more than you absolutely have to. And that Pioneer that I recommended will play quite loud (take a look at the review to which I linked above), so you should not need a better receiver.

 

[Dr-epg]

Thank you for the help I have a lot to think about now. I really have to go to Best Buy and hear the Pioneer VSX-1015TX. This unit sounds just like what I am looking for. I have had such good luck with my old Pioneer unit. I will look at sub-woofers while I am at the store, There my be more money in the well for a better sub.
I guess with all that has been said and everything I have read on this site I will stay away from the Sony units.
Thanks
The Dr

 

[Dr-epg]

Thanks for all of the help. I am off tonight to Best Buys and listen to the Pioneer unit. I am quite sure I will buy it. All of the suggestions, stated this was a good unit and there are many good write ups about this unit as well.
As far as a Sub I will look tonight. I know there was only so much money in the well but what is another 2 or 3 hundred for better quailty.
See YA
Thanks
The Dr

 

[Dr-epg]

Pioneer

Hello
Sorry to bump my old thread but I just wanted to let you know I went to Best Buys to listen to the Pioneer 1015thx unit. After checking the web site I drove 50 miles to the store and guess what they do not have them in stock and never had them in stock but if I wanted to put money down on the unit they would order it for me. Well I looked all ovet the place for this unit and know body has it. So now I need a second choice I have $5oo to $650 to spend on a HT what would be another choice.
Again I thank you for all of the help
THe Dr

 

[PENG]

How about the Yamaha RX-V657 and the Denon AVR-2105. Best buy may not have the RX-V series but they do carry the equivalent HTR models. If you like Sony, despite many people here often recommend against them, I see nothing wrong with their ES product line. I still regret having traded in my DA4ES. May be people think Sony are only good in Video equipment, or they might have had bad experience with one of their DE models that were sub par.

The ES models do tend to be not price competitive with Denon, Yamaha and Pioneer.

 

[droeses58]

You might want to consider Harman Kardon for your next receiver, I have one and am very impressed with it. I believe Circuit City carries them, so you could go and listen to them. If you like what you hear I would buy from Harman Direct on Ebay, their B-stock, but they come direct from Harman and carry the original two year warranty! Again though I'll reiterate that you should spend extra on the sub, if more than 300 for a sub is too much I would get the Cadence for 229-249.