AVR Receivers - 1.1K budget. Help.

Eric, that's a nice big living room! :cool:

* I also like very much Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (Denon 4311 and Onkyo 818). :)

** Last, for your large room; two subs definitely.
 
I have an older Pioneer Elite unit, the VSX-82TXS. 130 WPC. 5 different MCACC (their version of Audyssey) settings.

As others have said, their big AVRs are built like tanks, and this one is too. Weighs in at about 45 lbs. Even though it only has three HDMI 1.2 inputs and one HDMI 1.2 output, this thing is a great piece of gear.

I dunno if they still do, but mine has a phono pre-amp section, and 192 KHz / 24-bit Burr-Brown DACs. It plays really nicely with my B&W DM 603s.

I just wish it, like the new models, was network enabled because there's a really cool iPad app (and one for Android) you can use as a remote.
 
Cool.
So, is the room correction software on the Pioneer Elite units comparable to Audyssey?
I just realized that the SR6008 does not have XT32, but rather XT.
Multiple subs for sure. I might go active bi-amp on the Front L/R channels and put a couple of subs there, and a couple more on the LFE channels behind the couch.
I like bass, mmkay.
 
cwall99 said:
I have an older Pioneer Elite unit, the VSX-82TXS. 130 WPC. 5 different MCACC (their version of Audyssey) settings.
Click to expand...

The SC65 has 9 channels of amplification (130 Watts).
It weights 33.29 pounds (Class D3).
And it has all the advanced (manual & auto) variations of MCACC. ...Plus that Phase Control for all channels.

As others have said, their big AVRs are built like tanks, and this one is too. Weighs in at about 45 lbs. Even though it only has three HDMI 1.2 inputs and one HDMI 1.2 output, this thing is a great piece of gear.
Click to expand...

The weight of the SC65 is just above (ICE amplification, version 3, so it weights less).
Way more HDMI Inputs and Ouputs. ...Of course, it's more recent.

I dunno if they still do, but mine has a phono pre-amp section, and 192 KHz / 24-bit Burr-Brown DACs. It plays really nicely with my B&W DM 603s.

I just wish it, like the new models, was network enabled because there's a really cool iPad app (and one for Android) you can use as a remote.
Click to expand...

192/24 DACs as well in the SC65 (I'm not sure though: Burr-Brown or Wolfson).

You wish, ...time to upgrade? ;)
 
I like the room correction on my unit (MCACC). I've noticed that it's pretty dang accurate in determining speaker distances. I've confirmed all the distances it determines with a tape measure and all distances are within the 0.5 foot resolution of the system.

I don't know what the specs are for the new AVRs are. Mine is a 7.1 AVR, but I only drive five speakers so I bi-amp my front left and rights with the extra unused channels. Yes, technically, it's not true bi-amping, but it does seem as though my left and right speakers can play a lot louder before things start to sound strained.
 
EWizard said:
Cool.
So, is the room correction software on the Pioneer Elite units comparable to Audyssey?
I just realized that the SR6008 does not have XT32, but rather XT.
Multiple subs for sure. I might go active bi-amp on the Front L/R channels and put a couple of subs there, and a couple more on the LFE channels behind the couch.
I like bass, mmkay.
Click to expand...

Pioneer Elite = Parametric EQ filters (adjustable with the "Q"), and not enough where it counts most; in the bass. ...Plus a phase control (time delay).
* Parametric EQ works on the Frequency Range.

Audyssey (Denon/Marantz, Onkyo/Integra) = FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters. ...And way more than ten (hundreds of them, and ten thousands of them with XT32). ...But all automatic and not manually adjustable. ...But also way more sophisticated. ...And if properly used (microphone positioning), chances are much better (IMHO), of a better overall room-response sound.
...And certainly where it counts the most; in the bass.
* Audyssey EQ works on the Frequency Range (the entire audio range, not just seven, ten, or thirteen bands) with hundreds, or thousands, or ten thousands filters, and also (very important) in the Time Domain.

Eric, you should take your time and read more about Audyssey, and its various flavors (XT32 being the top best, and XT second best).
Audyssey MultEQ (6 mic positions) is the minimum people want; nothing below that.
And Audyssey MultEQ XT is nothing to be ashamed of. It works very good too.

One more thing; the Pioneer Elite SC65 receiver is more powerful than the Marantz SR6008, overall (power watts wise).
And it's a tough call about Pioneer Elite, Yamaha Aventage, and Denon/Marantz, Onkyo/Intergra, NAD's different Room Correction and EQ systems.
Everyone has his own preference. Me I simply prefer Audyssey over any Graphic and Parametric EQ. ...From personal experience.
But I fully respect other people's choices. ...Happiness cannot be measured or questioned. :)
 
One thing; Bi-Amping with a receiver (most recent AVRs all have that feature) = Forget It!
...Not a good idea at all (bad actually; in the majority of cases), and I can prove it to anyone interested (with links and all that jazz).

If you must; simply add external amplification (preouts). And active bi-amping is the way to go (not passive). ...And separate external crossovers.
* This should be a separate thread I believe (strictly amplification and bi-amping and active bi-amping).
 
I am sure that whatever I end up with will beat the pants off the Harmon Kardon AVR130 I am using at present...
 
LordOfTRings said:
One thing; Bi-Amping with a receiver (most recent AVRs all have that feature) = Forget It!
...Not a good idea at all (bad actually), and I can prove it to anyone interested (with links and all that jazz).

If you must; simply add external amplification (preouts). And active bi-amping is the way to go (not passive). ...And separate external crossovers.
* This should be a separate thread I believe (strictly amplification and bi-amping and active bi-amping).
Click to expand...

I plan on active bi-amping with my front L/R at some point in the future.
But I bet this gets more complicated with room correction, as it seems like most of the time the speakers are set to 'small' and are crossed over ~80hz anyways (can be overridden to 'large' though I'm sure).
 
Yeah, good point there Eric. ...I'm sure it can still be done though, but with some complex complications.

Best are separates (SSP, mono amps, active x-overs, etc.); certainly not from an AVR.

* Your thread is about an AVR in the range of $1,100 (street) more or less; sounds fair and simple enough to me. :)
 
Eric, the Pioneer Elite's MCACC Parametric EQ is only good down to 50Hz, and no EQ below.

Audyssey is good down to 20Hz (and perhaps even down to 10Hz). ...That is a tremendous difference!

* The most important audio range where EQuing is the most effective is between 20Hz and 200Hz. Pioneer Elite receivers are missing more than an octave; from 20Hz to 50Hz.

Now you know.

___________

- Onkyo TX-NR818 review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8l6wxiaDCA

- Denon AVR-X4000 review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s687JZs70ow
 
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So, Marantz SR6008 or Pioneer Elite SC-65, that is the question..
Audyssey EQ's down to 10hz huh?
The Marantz sure did sound better than the Pioneer, especially in the midrange.
 
Since I am probably going to use an outboard amplifier on the Main L/R anyways, I guess a sub EQ could be used if I decide to go with the Pioneer Elite.
 
EWizard said:
So, Marantz SR6008 or Pioneer Elite SC-65, that is the question..
Audyssey EQ's down to 10hz huh?
The Marantz sure did sound better than the Pioneer, especially in the midrange.
Click to expand...

Because Audyssey wasn't engaged. :)

Yes sir Eric, I told you; read (google) some more about Audyssey Room Correction and EQ system. :yes:
 
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EWizard said:
Since I am probably going to use an outboard amplifier on the Main L/R anyways, I guess a sub EQ could be used if I decide to go with the Pioneer Elite.
Click to expand...

Congratulations on your new Pioneer Elite AV receiver's choice! :banana:
She's a real beauty (SC-65)! :thmbsp: ...She shines like a brand new penny, aboard the new Titanic cruiseship. :yes:
 
Not particularly no. ...I just shared what I know and learned from experience.

And I can read easily that you're going to get that Pioneer Elite SC-65 AV receiver; it is obvious.
So instead of preaching all the goods regarding Audyssey, I'd rather encourage you in your own personal decision because it's more positive like that and besides it's a nice receiver too.

One last thing; how can you be sure for certain that one piece of kit is better for you than another?
- None other than try it in its own environment where it will be eventually setup.
If you don't explore the other components in your home with time and dedication (because nowadays those AV receivers demand extensive learning curve and careful setup with all the right settings and good microphone positioning to be performing in prime form) you'll never be sure that what you have is superior or inferior to something else.

Yes, simply be happy with what you decide to get, and call it a day.
I'm the same. Except that I did try and bought Audyssey MultEQ XT32.
And I know that there are still better components out there; it's just that I did not try them, and their prices do make me pause personally.

You started a thread on a subject that I know a thing or two; and I'm sharing that thing or two with you.
And no matter what your decision is at the end (I know it already), I'm happy for you. :)
 
Interesting that you took from my comments that I was probably going to go with the Pioneer Elite, as I felt personally that I was tilted more towards the Marantz.:lmao:
I'm sure either one would be great!
Can always get a good mic and REW it later.:D
Thanks for all the comments..!
 
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