Pioneer ELITE 81TXV vs. Onkyo TX-SR605

[Pirate]

I’m having some trouble deciding between these two receivers. They both have pros and cons, but they’re not all spec related. I need some extra eyes on this.

Here are the spec sheets for each receiver:

Onkyo TX-SR605: http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=...class=Receiver

Pioneer ELITE 81TXV: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...979804,00.html


And here are my concerns:


Onkyo Concerns:
• May not be as good as my current Pioneer ELITE receiver.
• 90w compared to the Pioneer's 110w.
• May not have the extensive features of the Pioneer.
• Not a very attractive component.
• New technology, so may have issues that will arise that the older Pioneer won’t have.
• It’s an "entry level" model and might damage my reputation.


Pioneer Concerns:
• Although it is "futureproof," it doesn’t have the coveted HDMI 1.3, so no new audio format decoding.
• $265 more than the Onkyo


And the pros:


Onkyo Pros:
• Only $400.
• Supports all the new audio formats.
• HDMI 1.3.


Pioneer pros:
• Level 6 "futureproof" receiver that will pass all of the new audio formats.
• More aesthetically pleasing than the Onkyo.
• More powerful than the Onkyo.
• Since it’s an older model, the technology should be more stable.


So, take a look and help a brother out by giving me some feedback.

[tomdkat]

With my bias toward the Pioneer receiver, the only "issue" I see would be the decoding of the new audio formats. If you're happy with the player doing the decoding, this shouldn't be an issue at all.

Does the 82TXS have decoders for the new audio formats?

EDIT: Looks like none of the Pioneer Elite receivers decode the new audio formats. If you're set on a Pioneer unit, I would wait a year... but that's just me.

By the way, what is the power rating on your current Pioneer Elite receiver?

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

Power ratings are not entirely accurate....at least not when I bought a 90wpc Elite years ago and discovered it's real world wpc in 5.1 was closer to 75 wpc.

If this has changed I'd love to hear more about it.


I think the bottom line is Axiom speakers. An extra 'claimed' 20 wpc ain't gonna make a shit of difference. And yes, this is my little dig at PH.

I'm with Tom on waiting. If $400 is so easy now, just think think what you can get in a year.

A good sub. HA!










(PH probably hates me now... )

[Pirate]

I have no LFE with HD-DVD right now, so I need to get an HDMI reciever. Even a new sub will do me no good right now, Iggy.

Tom, here's my Pioneer's spec page: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...tailsComponent

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I have no LFE with HD-DVD right now, so I need to get an HDMI reciever. Even a new sub will do me no good right now, Iggy.

Tom, here's my Pioneer's spec page: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...tailsComponent

I don't understand. You can't calibrate the sub up 10db like Ruined talked about? Am I that imbibed right now?

I'll leave ya be...sorry dude. And I still think hanging on at least a few more months might prove benificial.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I don't understand. You can't calibrate the sub up 10db like Ruined talked about? Am I that imbibed right now?

I've tried, but it doesn't add enough bass to make it worthwhile.

[Wilson]

I may be alone on this but I think the "Advanced Multi-Channel AcoustiC Calibration System (MCACC)" on the Pioneer works fantastic. Just put down the mic hit a couple buttons and 10 minutes later the thing is calibrated. If your a knob tweaker this might not be the thing for you but I think it's great.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Wilson

I may be alone on this but I think the "Advanced Multi-Channel AcoustiC Calibration System (MCACC)" on the Pioneer works fantastic. Just put down the mic hit a couple buttons and 10 minutes later the thing is calibrated. If your a knob tweaker this might not be the thing for you but I think it's great.

The MCACC on my current Pioneer works pretty good, but we always disagree a bit.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I've tried, but it doesn't add enough bass to make it worthwhile.

Did you try 11?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Did you try 11?

I did the math and 11 did not compute.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I did the math and 11 did not compute.

That's it. And here we go. Iggy does poll and PH needs a beat down.

Hehehe...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I have no LFE with HD-DVD right now, so I need to get an HDMI reciever.

Or do you mean a receiver with decoders for the new audio formats? Doesn't your current receiver offer any bass management?

EDIT: PH, did you do the Toshiba setup described in this thread?

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

EDIT: PH, did you do the Toshiba setup described in this thread?

Yes (something like it), and it made almost no difference.

[tomdkat]

Now, are you being literal when you say you get NO LFE when playing HD DVD movies or the LFE is not what you would like it to be? When you put your hand on the sub while a movie is playing, do you feel it working at all?

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Now, are you being literal when you say you get NO LFE when playing HD DVD movies or the LFE is not what you would like it to be? When you put your hand on the sub while a movie is playing, do you feel it working at all?

Peace...

I get a little, but my fronts put out more bass than my sub when watching HD-DVD.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I get a little, but my fronts put out more bass than my sub when watching HD-DVD.

Ok, so you're just exaggerating as usual....

Seriously, hmmmm. When I watched Batman Begins at Seamonkey's place, he had his HD-XA2 connected using analog connections to his Yamaha DSP-A1 A/V receiver which drove his B&W sub which was thundering to the point of Seamonkey having to turn the sub down. I don't know what audio adjustments Seamonkey made to his HD-XA2 or to his receiver. Which HD DVD player do you have? The HD-A1, right? What kind of sub are you using right now?

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Which HD DVD player do you have? The HD-A1, right? What kind of sub are you using right now?

Yes, the A1 and I have the same old KLH sub I've had forever. I think it has to do with the Pioneer receiver. I've read that people have trouble getting LFE from SACDs or anything else using analog with that generation of recs. That's why I think a new receiver would be the first thing to buy.

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I have the same old KLH sub...

I think I may have found the problem.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Taxi

I think I may have found the problem.

Actually, the KLH does fine with DVD. I mean, it doesn't blow minds, but it gets the job done. When watching HD, it barely makes a peep.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Yes, the A1 and I have the same old KLH sub I've had forever. I think it has to do with the Pioneer receiver. I've read that people have trouble getting LFE from SACDs or anything else using analog with that generation of recs. That's why I think a new receiver would be the first thing to buy.

Yeah, I hear you but given the receiver is using its analog inputs, it should pass whatever signal it gets right through to the speakers. I don't think Seamonkey's Yamaha was touching the audio when we watched Batman Begins.

Can you post the audio settings from your HD-A1? What the volume or other settings are would be great. The thread I linked to above implies the HD-A1 should have a way to control the settings of the analog outputs.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Can you post the audio settings from your HD-A1? What the volume or other settings are would be great. The thread I linked to above implies the HD-A1 should have a way to control the settings of the analog outputs.

Peace...

All the A1 has is a basic 5.1 setup and test tones. You can turn each channel (including the sub) from 0 to -12. I've tried just about every configuration. I've turned all the channels down to -10 and still I get almost no LFE.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

All the A1 has is a basic 5.1 setup and test tones. You can turn each channel (including the sub) from 0 to -12.

Ok, then post the current settings in the player. We can then compare them with other HD-A1 or HD DVD player owners to see how your settings different from theirs and possibly their results.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Well as of last night's re-configuration they are as follows:

Speaker Size: All set to LARGE
Speaker Levels: All set to 0.
Sub set to: USE
Crossover set to: 80 (has also been set to 120)

That's about it.

[chlngr1970]

IIRC, with the speakers set to large, your LFE is being sent to your mains, so try setting all your speakers to small, see if that helps.

Then try the turning down the 5 to -10 ( I had to do that with my VSX-1014TX ) to achieve a proper output from my 5.1.

j

[Pirate]

I've tried the SMALL setting as well as the LARGE. I've also tried putting the L,R, LR, RR to -10 and it made no difference.

[Iguana Man]

I would set the mains to large. The center and surrounds to small. The sub to PLUS. Have you tried this?