Pioneer Elite values/comparisons?

cubiclecrush

cubiclecrush

Well-Known Member
Well, I have a Sony that died (1999 STR-DE935 110watts - can be replaced for $180 approx), and I'm thinking about replacing it with one of the Pioneer VSX Elite receivers.

The only source input that I truly need is a digital optical (toslink) connection. Everything else is bonus. I currently run all HDMI connections straight to the TV, and then use toslink out. This receiver will be wildly under-utilized in a 2.0 system that is only attempting to improve the sound of the built-it TV speakers (not a tough job). Eventual expansion into 5.1 "might" happen "someday".

I can get a Denon AVR-1513 refurbished from Accessories4Less for under $150. I'm sure it would be good. I'm really only shying away from Denon because I already have some Marantz gear and wanted to try something "different" - for fun. Denon seem so very similar to the Marantz that I'm trying to be creative. :yes:

Would any of these Pioneer Elite receivers be worth a shot over the refurbed Denon?

Up for current consideration:
$150 - VSX-33TX - Retailed for $750. Not sure of the year. 100 watts
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/VSX-33TX

$155 - VSX-521 - I think this is the newest one in the bunch, not sure of retail - has HDMI inputs as a bonus. 110 watts.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer+Receivers/VSX-521-K

$162 - VSX-36TX - Retailed for $1450, back in the-day (year?). 100 watts.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/VSX-36TX

Are these generally good prices?
Are these generally good products?

Got thoughts?
 
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I run a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS (from ~2006, 7x130wpc) and I'm extremely satisfied. Although it does not have HDMI, I don't really need it. It's currently driving a pair of Magnepan SMGa's and its 190w into 4 ohms is more than adequate for them in Stereo mode. For HT duty, I use it with my Polk Monitor 7Bs, CS350-LS center, RM2000 surrounds and an Energy ES12-XL sub.

Dave
 
The resale values of used A/V receivers are all over the place, so I have no real idea. I'd check eBay completed sales for comparable units.

Dave
 
I got a killer deal on a new Denon 1913 a while back. I used it for a while but now it just sits in the closet. Could never really get the sound how I wanted it and absolutely hate the OSD. After hours of fiddling with crap, I gave up... All that said, I'm not a fan of the Denon stuff. Really wanted to like it for multizone (patio, etc) but it just never made me happy enough.
 
I'd really think carefully before I bought a non HDMI receiver at this point. If you think there's any chance of going 5.1 then you really need HDMI.
 
mhedges said:
I'd really think carefully before I bought a non HDMI receiver at this point. If you think there's any chance of going 5.1 then you really need HDMI.
Click to expand...

And that VSX-521 has Bluetooth too - seldom used, but "fun" when it's there.

I am having a hard time with the "future use" concept. It's such a slippery slope. Buying for "now" vs buying for "tomorrow".....:scratch2:

But I agree, without HDMI, the models I point out seem to be limited for use much past "now". These are the dilemma's that slow me down!
 
Then again, without HDMI, I'd just have to keep it all same-era if I wanted 5.1 - component connections and such.

Considering this will drive 2-channels for probably 2 more years (at least), I am very tempted to just get the best quality device that suits my "now" (2-year) purpose.

And that VSX-33TX just seems to have that additional build quality.

I don't even know if the VSX-521 is actually part of the "elite" line - in that example, I'm thinking the Denon might beat it out - if I wanted to drive my decision based on HDMI capability. I'm seeing only luke-warm reviews on the 521.
 
cubiclecrush said:
Then again, without HDMI, I'd just have to keep it all same-era if I wanted 5.1 - component connections and such.
Click to expand...

The trouble is that they aren't making Blu-Ray players with component outs anymore. Not that there isn't used stuff out there but still. Let alone game systems, cable/satelite boxes, etc. HDMI is really the only game in town now. And it really does have advantages over component video + optical audio.

I'm kind of in your boat, too. I have a nice pre-HDMI surround receiver (Sony STR-DA4ES) that's starting to act up. I am only using it for stereo. I'd like to have surround sound but don't see how it can be done in my slab-built house, without having visible wires which are a nonstarter. I got it fixed once but the problems are still there - I don't think I'll pay to get it fixed again, no matter how much I love it and how well built it is. Eventually I will be in the market for a closeout/last years model HDMI unit.
 
I dont know how the pioneer elite receivers compare to pioneer unelite, but...

I CAN tell you a little story about pioneer laser disc players...

my brother has a pioneer unelite LD player which as late the 90's he was still using regularly, well at some point along the way I bought a pioneer elite ld player from a pawn shop and took it home, as i was disconnecting his and connecting mine for the closest thing to a side by side comparison (remembering what the first one looked like 5 minutes ago while you compare it to this one), anyway, while i was hooking it up he said, "i probably wont even be able to tell a difference"

as soon as the movie loaded

"ok i can tell a difference"
the elite was significantly better, in this case.
edit1:same cables, same connection method, same tv, same movies
edit2: wow, if you say same enough, it quits sounding like a real word

btw, on a personal standpoint i like that 33tx better than the 36, i like how the 33 has the older display where you can see things that arent on atm, the display is busy. i like that. also, that chunk that says elite on it, is centered on the 33, and its proper size with other elites ive had, the way it is on the 36 bothers me. im highly nitpicky about how things look when i have options:), damn thing shoots off to the left on that 36, anyone else see that? i mean, the word itself is centered but that 'bar' its on shoots off to the left, wtf is that.
 
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The non-HDMI issue is really giving me second thoughts. I just might have to keep looking around as opposed to going with one of these Elite models that don't have HDMI.

Will I need another 5.1 set-up in the next 2 years? Most likely not.

But still, is there any reason to buy a non-HDMI home theater receiver at this stage? No, most likely not.

Frozen, once again, by indecision!
(ugh!)
 
while the decision is yours of course, some things to consider first are below

why is hdmi on your receiver a necessity? what is the receiver going to do that say, an hdmi switcher could not? (hdmi switchers cost ~ 20)

the receivers ability to upscale doesnt work with hdmi only lesser inputs, so you get nothing there, plus a tv can upscale too, usually better than the receiver can. the audio can be transmitted through another means while you hdmi into your tv or into the selector box i mentioned

allegedly, optical has bandwidth limitations in compression that is noticed when you approach supreme hd audio (whatever the newest, fancy dolby one is called, ultra something or other) as far as i know, coaxial digital does not have this limitation at this time, both of these options are available. on a side note, every 5.1/6.1 signal ive sent over an optical cable has worked just fine


*standard disclaimer: as my sig will suggest, i stick to the stereo side. so my knowledge about where optical draws the line is limited. my creative xfi and my 2 BD players both output without issue over optical tho when ive had them hooked up, my line of thinking is if it wasnt gonna work, they wouldnt have stuck it on there, so if its got it, use it, cuz its gonna work(assuming it works, you know?)
 
Thanks for the continued input. I continue to struggle with this purchase largely because I haven't made up my mind what my long-term vision for my bedroom system is.

Sometimes I want to surrender and just get a sound bar that accepts a digital input - satisfying the immediate need to simply improve over the TV speakers. Prices are all over the place with soundbars, but it's at least a $150 investment.

I've been listening to a lot of music in my bedroom at night. I just hooked up a media server that I can access through the blu-ray player (HDMI straight to TV, optical out for audio). Sometimes I think a soundbar is a stupid idea and I should stick with an AVR 2-channel system. AVR replacements (like the Pioneer Elites that started this conversation) can sometimes be had for under $100. I could spend any additional money on a speaker upgrade (currently running some barely-passable RCA speakers). AVR's give the the future option of expanding to 5.1, however improbable it may be.

Then, recently, the 2.0 Cadillac option has been bothering me. This would most likely start with a significant speaker upgrade ($300->$500) for bookshelf speakers that can be placed very close (within 2 inches) of the back wall - and pretty close (within 1-2 feet) of a corner wall - perhaps even wall mounted, or placed on an existing shelf. This would connect to an integrated amp with a DAC: Yamaha has $300 options and you can sometimes get a PeachTree for around $600. The idea that I should stop buying a bunch of $200 components (just so I can hurry-up and build a bunch of systems) - and start buying better components (building systems slower), keeps me awake at night.

But, for example, right now I'm looking at another Pioneer Elite VSX-41 in the $120 range that is tempting me back to that middle-road, AVR solution.

But, then again, there is an even cheaper Onkyo TX SR602 - and I wonder, if I'm going to buy a "cheap" AVR, why am I getting hung up on brands?

I mean, really, can the Onkyo TX SR602 be that much worse than the Pioneer VSX-41? Are the fond memories of past pioneer gear worth additional money?

Right now I moved my basement system up into the bedroom, which is crazy over-kill: Parasound PSP & PDD 1500, Parasound EQ, Crown XLS amp. It sounds good, but points out the weakness of my speakers and leaves my party-basement bare as we approach the "holiday season"....

...a cheap AVR with a sooner-than-later speaker upgrade is sounding like the better option all the time. It satisfies the "now" need, and gives me more options than a soundbar.....for the same price.

In some ways, it's harder when there are so many options for AVR's under $200. The convenience factors become deciding factors (remote, size, connection options, looks).
 
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