Pioneer VS Yamaha HT receivers?

[streckfu]

I am a fan of the Pioneer 2-channel separates and own them exclusively but noticed that the HT receiver I own (VSX-D812) comes across as rather boomy such that it seems a little muddy.
I've already played with all the settings and am getting equal output from all channels and the speakers I'm using sound great with the 2 channel gear (Advent Heritage on the fronts with an Advent HT center and Minimus 7s at the rear).

My question is, how do the Pioneer HT receivers compare to the Yamaha units (at the same price point) related to sound quality?

Whom among have either owned or sampled both and why did you choose the unit you have? I'm thinking of trading for a Yammie unit but wanted to ask for feedback first.

Thanks,
Daniel

[willyrover]

I have a VSX-D512 that I am mostly happy with for HT. The one thing that has always bothered me was that the center channel sounds a little "tubby". I've tried several center speakers.

It is also pretty mediocre when it comes to 2-channel music playback. Harsh and sterile. I was always playing around with the Loudness setting and so on trying to get it to sound right.

I have heard good things about the Yamahas though. I think they are generally a step up from the Pioneers.

[gyusher]

I like them both. . . Both have good models and both have not so good models. Pioneer's consumer line right at where the Elite starts (VSX1016 iirc) are just about as good as you can do for the money. 400 bucks give or take gets a lot of receiver even HDMI

Yamaha has several 'killer' models in both their mass market line (HTR) and in their 'selected stores' line (can't recall the prefix).

I think both have models that could please anyone provided you did a little research up front before buying.

I've had both over the past year and not one hiccup from either one. . . The Pioneer did great but in my mind the Yamaha models sounded better. I could live with either one.

Matter of fact I have a Pioneer VSX9300 that is in reality a VSX56TXi Elite only without the Elite name tag. I owned the 56 2 years ago loved it and sold it under duress. Man was I glad to find the 9300.

[streckfu]

Just to clarify, with movies, it sounds fine but seems to suffer when playing in the 2-channel setting.

[Earlsays]

:DI have a pioneer VSX-815...I'm mostly happy with it...I don't like the weirdo menu setup, and the remote is a bit too complicated...instruction manual reads like stereo instructions :thmbsp: Other than that it's nice...my dad has a yamaha HTR...I like the yamaha better, but the pioneer is OK...but lately I don't have a TV, so no laserdisc watching, no DVD watching, no TV watching :( so now it's all about music listening, and I like my 80s Kenwood power amp/preamp/sony TT/Sony DVD player pulling CD duty...pushing my sansuis...Love it :thmbsp: Oh wait, I"m rambling again :D

[gyusher]

The differences in price between the 815/915/1015 are not enough to be of great concern. I choose the 1014/1015/1016 etc. simply because it is right where Pioneer's 'good stuff' starts and you get most of the same features.

I owned and used the 1014 for almost one year. My first impression was the fact that I couldn't tell the difference between the Elite model I had before (VSX45TX) on how they sounded.

Later that year I bought one of the 8xx models still new in the box from an employee of Circuit City. He won it in some kind of contest. Anyway I hooked it up and used it for a time. I was really disapointed at how it performed compared to my 1014. I need On Screen Display for one thing. . .

Last year while 'between' receivers I bought a new Yamaha HTR-5940 only one small step up from the entry level model. . . Even though no OSD I liked it very much. It had great power and was so simple to setup. I used that Yamaha until I bought my current VSX9300 that I'll most likely never sell.

[mhconley]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi that I purchased at half price about two years ago from a going out of business Good Guys store. I could not be happier. It replaced a VSX-26TX which itself replaced a VSX-09TX. I love the Pioneer sound. I find it very warm and inviting. I have always found the Yamaha (and Denon for that matter) sound to be just a tad on the analytical side - not overly bright - just lacking the depth and warmth that I have found in the Pioneer receivers. Just my 2¢…

Martin

[gyusher]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi that I purchased at half price about two years ago from a going out of business Good Guys store. I could not be happier.

Martin

I bought a 56 from a bonafide dealer when it first came out at bust out retail (1700 bucks) I liked it then and still the Elite VSX56TXi in my mind is the last of the really good Elite receivers. The newer models weigh about half as much and are more about connectivity rather than sound quality. No more seperate power cord, no more 50 pound receivers. . . not to mention the 56 is huge.

I really didn't believe the 9300 was identical to the 56 until I bought one. It is virtually identical except no Elite name and no machined aluminum door. . . my door is plastic. The rest of the receiver is the same Urshi finish or whatever Pioneer calls it all but that door in front. . .

[NeedForSpeed]

I've owned the Pioneer Elite VSX-79TXi since new and it won out over the Yamaha RX-Z9, And entries from HK, Denon. One reason is price, The others were features. Stuff like Auto set-up (Pioneer was first I later found out), Anti-Vibration chassis, Copper chassis, Very good amplifier, And Pre-Amp/Prosessor right up there with separates. Hooked up to HPM 100's was an eye opener, For flicks, Or tunes.

[junkaudio]

when it comes to ht receivers with dd dts yamaha is the one

[gyusher]

when it comes to ht receivers with dd dts yamaha is the one

Yamaha does sound nice. . . Not sure it is the 'one' but its up there close if not. . .

From my experience listening to those I have owned I would rate them this way;
1- HK 635 / Yamaha HTR-5890 / Pioneer Elite VSX56TXi
2- Pioneer VSX-1014 / HK 240 / Yamaha HTR-5940 / Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX
3- Denon AVR-2807 / Denon AVR-3806 / Pioneer VSX-815
4- All the others that I have owned

Now seperates are another story but I stopped buying seperates in 02. I did have a very nice Marantz / Rotel / NHT Super Ones DD 5.1 system from 2000 to 2002 that I still kick myself for selling. . . That would still be a killer system today but I had to go 7.1. . .

[mhconley]

I bought a 56 from a bonafide dealer when it first came out at bust out retail (1700 bucks) I liked it then and still the Elite VSX56TXi in my mind is the last of the really good Elite receivers. The newer models weigh about half as much and are more about connectivity rather than sound quality. No more seperate power cord, no more 50 pound receivers. . . not to mention the 56 is huge.

Good Guys was an authorized Pioneer Elite dealer - they were remodeling a number of stores after CompUSA acquired them and clearing inventory at 1/2 price and even less for open box / demo units. I got my DV-59AVi at the same store for less than 1/2 price. :thmbsp:

The VSX-56TXi is huge. Sad to hear about the newer receivers. I've been thinking about replacing my VSX-56TXi/DV-59AVi/PDP-5050HD home theater with the new 1080p VSX-94TXH/BDP-94HD/PDP-5010FD combo. I do see the 94TXH (41.4 lbs.) is 3.4 lbs. lighter than the 56TXi (44.8) and it's their top of the line. The equivalent 50-series top of the line VSX-59TXi was 68.6 lbs! Hmmm...:scratch2:

Martin

[gyusher]

The equivalent 50-series top of the line VSX-59TXi was 68.6 lbs! Hmmm...:scratch2:

Martin

I think the 59 is still TOTL. . . I could never figure out Pioneer's logic if any to their model numbering system. . . I also haven't seen the newer 94 but I would think it would be 99 for the TOTL.

The 94 at over 40 pounds is heavier than the 74/84 models. If I remember right the 74 was only a tad over 30 pounds. . .

[gyusher]

Since I put my VSX9300 into service I find myself watching much more music especially stuff like Austin City Limits or well recorded concerts that I had moved away from with any other HT receivers. I always thought my old 56 to be a more pleasant sounding receiver especially for music. I didn't realise this until last night when I was looking to see what to record and what I had already recorded (DVR). Lot of music there. They sound better with this receiver.

My friend in Gainsville Florida owns a pretty big audio video store (Sound Ideas). His main thing is music. His personal audio gear in his home is a VSX56TXi Elite receiver that he uses for stereo in music and 7.1 for HT. This guy can have just about anything but chooses the 56. He says he likes how it sounds. . .

[mhconley]

I do love my VSX-56TXi. I use HDMI and iLink connectivity exclusively. Very little cable clutter.:thmbsp:

I also find myself watching a lot of Music On Demand and shows like Austin City Limits, especially late at night. Comcast also carries Music HD which has a fair amount of good music. I especially like some of the Music In High Places series.

If you are into 3 Doors Down check out Monster Music's 3 Doors Down Live - this is hands down the best sounding music DVD I have ever heard.

Martin

[Atlee1080]

OK, so this is most certainly a topic that lends it self to a bit of subjectivity. With that having been said, I think Yamaha wins out almost everytime. Now, I am a Yamaha owner and have been MANY MANY MANY times. But, I've had a lot of Pioneer's come through the doors of my house too, and I haven't liked any of their modern "Elite" receivers. Bass is boomy, there is no real silk or nuance in the mids and the highs come off a bit to chiseled and harsh. They do have crap loads of features, lots of ins and outs, and a ton of decoding modes. But the operating system has always seemed so awkward and difficult to navigate to me and the build quality (including those ugly gloss faces) seems kind of chintzy. The Yamaha's from mid line to high are simple, austere, and well built looking. Where they stand out the most is sound quality. Where Yamaha lacks in switching options and convenience features (which they've improved on vastly in the last few years) they more than make up for in high quality discrete components, fantastic power supplies, and great clean 2 channel operation. I think they are probably just 2 different sides of the same coin. But when it comes to serious "listening" I'd take Yamaha any day. It's just that when I get a newer Yamaha product I still find part of that incredible design/sound/build quality that I found in my first Yamaha M2/C2 combo. Whereas I think that Pioneer doesn't even remember that they used to make the SPEC series or the fabulous RT-909. Anyway, once again, tough question, just this geeks opinion. PS - The Yamaha's phono sections even still sound good, I mean, not as good as an outboard, but pretty damned good nevertheless.

[outshined]

When the Yamaha DSP A-1 came out (around '98-99) I bought one based on reviews and features (there's so many features, one can really get optimal sound in ones' room!)

I never looked back and bought 2 more Yamahas. I think the specs are better than any mass market HT receiver; full bandwith ratings, 4 Ohm operation, and loaded with useful features. Even the least expensive ones are very good.

[bangsezmax]

I haven't heard the Pioneer HT rigs, so I can't speak about them.

I bought a used Yamaha HTR-5730 off of CL so that my kids could watch movies in 5.1. That's an entry level unit. But it sounds remarkably good considering how little it cost me.

If it had HDMI, it'd be perfect. As such, someday I'll have to upgrade it. But it won't be because of how it sounds.

[avionic]

I haven't heard the Pioneer HT rigs, so I can't speak about them.

I bought a used Yamaha HTR-5730 off of CL so that my kids could watch movies in 5.1. That's an entry level unit. But it sounds remarkably good considering how little it cost me.

If it had HDMI, it'd be perfect. As such, someday I'll have to upgrade it. But it won't be because of how it sounds.

Similar,I picked up a broken HTR-5560 off of ebay for like $22 including shipping. I was in REAL bad shape..Required a mallet and steel blocks to bend the chassis back into shape!!! And of course broken PC boards..She sounds sweet now.I've never heard a pioneer HTR. But the Yamaha sounds pretty good! I've been lookin on the "bay" for another fixer-upper for my "Mancave System"

[Atlee1080]

I haven't heard the Pioneer HT rigs, so I can't speak about them.

I bought a used Yamaha HTR-5730 off of CL so that my kids could watch movies in 5.1. That's an entry level unit. But it sounds remarkably good considering how little it cost me.

If it had HDMI, it'd be perfect. As such, someday I'll have to upgrade it. But it won't be because of how it sounds.

Exactly, the Yamaha I use is a RX-V995 it is a DTS/DD 5.1 receiver and it is like 7/8 of the way to the top of the line. I was able to get it for $350 a few years ago NOS at the local HiFi Shop / Yamaha Dealer. It has been remarkably good and has enough features to make me happy and not so many that it is frustrating to use. It also has 6 channel in for my SACD sources and full pre outs for use as a PrePro. I think the real reason they win is because at nearly every price point Yamaha provides good styling, great sound, practical arrangement, and great build quality. None of their products ever feel insulting to me even the cheap ones.

Not to mention that they do an equally good job at these things across a HUGE spectrum. Whether it is making Pianos, Drums, Motorcycles, Boats, Guitars, Speakers, Pro Audio, Synthesizers, etc, etc, etc

[Gohan]

I have a Yamaha HTR-6060 with 7.1 and HDMI

[ShaneC]

I have a Yamaha HTR-5940, and (after rewiring it yesterday) have two complaints:

1. No video scaling. (I'm running component from the DVD to the Reciver, but S-vid for everything else - so I have to manually switch the TV to another input to handle the DVD).

2. The menu layout sucks. I hate trying to set this thing up.

3?. No HDMI - if that matters to you. I'm not that advanced yet.

It sounds fine and all - just those things bug me.

[reggaenaut]

The Yamaha mass line has better stereo sound than the rest.

[Yamaha1]

reggenaut is correct, not only better sound, even their low end receivers feature phono input so they haven't neglected the vinyl crowd. If you want scaling and HDMI, go for the middle range Yamaha series like RXV-1500 upward.

[pk5555]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX33Ti that I find very smooth for movies or for 2 channel listening. Due to space limits I'm unable to have sperate 2 channel and HT rigs in my living room and find this reciever to do a wonderful job of providing both functions. I would not be surprised if other manufactors put out recievers that perform just as good.