26980 posts
2008 G37s Coupe - 2007 G35s Sedan
Jeff/Louisville
10-27-2002
Looking for a new mid-high-end A/V receiver...
12:43 AM 2/1/2009
What newer products (7.1, HDMI, THX Plus or Ultra 2, etc) are you using that you like and what are you comparing them to?
I currently have a older Pioneer VSX-D509S that has been a great 5.1 receiver but it's time to upgrade. Prior to the Pioneer I was a big Kenwood fan but really loved the Pioneer (my wife has one of the last high-end Kenwood units (KRF-X9090) and I have not been impressed with it). At this point I'm looking at either the Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH or the Pioneer Elite SC-05 (ICE amplification).
Ive never used or experience the SC-05 But ive currently got the 94. I used to use pioneers SX series and a separate HDMI mixer, so upgrading to this was very helpful.
I think the best feature is the HDMI upscale, since my TVs native res is 1080p everything i input into the system is automatically upscaled to 1080, even stuff through the component cables. i.e WiiHD.
I run it to Klipsch speakers and i have a Standalone powered sub. THe sound quality is what you would expect for Pioneer. The level of calibration has been upped ten fold from when i used to use the SX series. I love this system, and i always use it to impress friends who come over to watch a movie or play videogames.
Something i have to point out, again is having an HDMI switcher built in, has cleared my behind-TV wiring greatly. Its just one HDMI cable to the TV. The VSX handles the rest. 4 HDMI inputs is more than enough for me. Just make sure you have some good speakers to pair it with. Because this system is rated at like 140watts per channel, unlike the older Pioneers which were rated at 60 - 80watts. Its more than double what my old system was.
Else enjoy, full 1080p for everything you plug into it.
It is a pain to have to swap the tv for each HDMI connection and I'd love to have my cable upconverted as well. The 94 and SC-05 are similar but the SC-05 uses ICE amplification and adds THX ULTRA2 and some additional processing I do believe. My current VSX-D509S is rated at 110x5 so I doubt I will have issues with my current Advent / AR front channel speakers as I have actually had the unit at 99% power with no problems.
From a speaker perspective I plan on upgrading anyway. Leaning towards B&W Nautilus 804's but will probably settle for something around the DM604 S3 line. Then again I may go towards the Axiom lineup and get something like the Epic 60 line. Not sure at this point. Subwoofer is standalone as well as I have a AudioSource Amp300 pushing over 400 watts to a 12. Tons of bass
Key points. -THX Ultra2 plus (which means it put's out a few more watts than does a Select receiver. But I say use the preamp outs and get yourself a nice amp for your front speakers, then use the Onkyo internal amp to power your surrounds) -1080p upscale -Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio
Then again I may go towards the Axiom lineup and get something like the Epic 60 line.
For the love of God, please do not buy a speaker with two dome tweeters pointing in the same direction! One is fine, 50 and up can also work (look up line-array's), but two is awful, especially when they're seperated like this!
Read up on comb filtering and lobing and you will understand why twin tweeters spaced apart like that is the worst idea ever.
If you want some good speakers (that look like hell mind you) JTR is producing some speakers that are changing the way people think. http://www.thesoundbroker.com/JTR.htm
I can find some threads, but I've read about people switching from various high dollar (over $40k) speakers, to some Triple12LF's. One of the guys that helped develop them, Mark Seaton, also helped me with my front speakers I'm working on. From what we've talked about and the testamonials I've read on those speakers, I have faith in them.
Pricing for the Onkyo TX-SR876 is about the same as what I can get a SC-05 for. I just hear great things about Pioneers ICE amplification. I've looked at the 1018 but the SC-05 has a stronger digital engine, room calibration, PQLS, etc etc etc. At this point I am still not sure what I will get as I look at the SC-05 and wonder if I really need to pay 2x what I can get the 1018 for when I'm happy with the sound from my current Pioneer but simply want 7.1 and HDMI in/out. While I have never owned a Onkyo before I have dealt with my mother-in-laws while setting up her 5.1 system and did not care for their controls much. I feel the same way about the last two Kenwood systems my wife has had. When managing multiple sources it's a pain in the butt while with my Pioneer today I "set it and forget it".....Assuming the new Pioneer systems are just as easy.
I understand your point on the Axiom center channel but my seating position is a good distance from the TV so it probably would not matter. The Axiom sets have received some great reviews as well. I would have to hear them first before I purchased and as they only sell via their website there is a fat chance of that happening so they are probably not in contention anymore. Speakers would come much later anyway as what I have "will do" for now.
My VSX-1014 has served me well. Basically, it's on the same level as the 1018, but is 4 years older (it came out in '04).
ICE amplification is very nice, but for my purposes, I'm not too concerned with a receiver's amp. External class G or H amps work perfectly for my needs. So something you need to think about is if you're going to be using external amps later. If so, don't concern yourself with the receiver's amp and save a couple bucks in that dept. If you're not going to be using external amps, get one with a quality internal amp, but don't get too caught up with the wattages. 10w won't make a difference (120w vs 130w); 100w will though. Because as you know, doubling the output power increases the volume by 3db assuming no power compression.
That said, getting a receiver that allows you to bi-amp your L/R's, assuming they're wired for it, could be advantageous, especially if you listen to loud music.
Speakers are a whole other animal and I might be biased, but I recommend people buying beefy speakers; ideally with at least 2, 8's. That way they're not missing out on the important mid-bass. Unfortunately, the tweeters are ultimately the weak link in any speaker. Why? Because multiple mids, woofers, and subs can be used, but for point source sound, only one tweeter can be used. In a line array, where a person may use 16-20 vertically arranged ribbon tweeters, in no longer becomes a point source, but a line source. Two different types of sound and goals.
My VSX-1014 has served me well. Basically, it's on the same level as the 1018, but is 4 years older (it came out in '04).
My 509s has been in heavy use since '00-ish. Hell, I go months at a time without even turning it off.
Quote, originally posted by Looneybomber »
ICE amplification is very nice, but for my purposes, I'm not too concerned with a receiver's amp. External class G or H amps work perfectly for my needs. So something you need to think about is if you're going to be using external amps later. If so, don't concern yourself with the receiver's amp and save a couple bucks in that dept. If you're not going to be using external amps, get one with a quality internal amp,
I'm leaving my options open. Right now I just have external amplification on the sub.
Quote, originally posted by Looneybomber »
but don't get too caught up with the wattages. 10w won't make a difference (120w vs 130w); 100w will though. Because as you know, doubling the output power increases the volume by 3db assuming no power compression.
or doubling cone size will give 3db and corner loading can give up to +6 due to boundary effects, etc etc......Remember, I was heavy into car audio, subs and front sound stages "back in the day"
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