Thoughts, Suggestions, Comments Please on buying Pioneer VSX-1019-AH-K OR VSX-1020-K

[sgfookat]

I've heard good things about both, and apparently the 1019 is still available at a good price. I've had 3 Pio AVR's/Receivers since the mid-70's and am pleased with them. I would appreciate any feedback or reviews from those that've owned them, or from anyone for that matter.

Thanks so much!

[Adam.C]

hmm

1019

1020

Right now just a $60 price difference. Is it worth that? I dunno. Just by quickly glancing at them it looks like you get 2 more hdmi inputs. The 1020 also weighs more, hdmi 1.4...

[lojack1976]

I'd go with the 1020 over the 1019. Aside from having more features Pioneer has managed to improve sound quality with this year's models. The 1019 is certainly no slouch in that area either, but the 1020 is a little better. The 1020 also has a more efficient power supply than the 1019 and its the coolest running receiver I've ever owned.

I don't know what your max budget is, but for a bigger upgrade over what you have you may want to step up to the 1120 which has a beefier supply giving it much more power. Its still very efficient by the way. It also features Marvell video processing, THX Select2 Plus certification, Advance MCACC, HDMI 1.4, and pre-outs. Its only $485 shipped on centraldigital.com.

[sgfookat]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I'd go with the 1020 over the 1019. Aside from having more features Pioneer has managed to improve sound quality with this year's models. The 1019 is certainly no slouch in that area either, but the 1020 is a little better. The 1020 also has a more efficient power supply than the 1019 and its the coolest running receiver I've ever owned.

I don't know what your max budget is, but for a bigger upgrade over what you have you may want to step up to the 1120 which has a beefier supply giving it much more power. Its still very efficient by the way. It also features Marvell video processing, THX Select2 Plus certification, Advance MCACC, HDMI 1.4, and pre-outs. Its only $485 shipped on centraldigital.com.

The only problem is that Pio DID NOT include multi-channel analog inputs in the 1020 Whereas the 1019 DOES have them. I'd have to go up to the 1120 for the inputs...
I specifically run the analog outs from my OPPO BDP-80 and definitely need them in a new AVR...

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by sgfookat

The only problem is that Pio DID NOT include multi-channel analog inputs in the 1020 Whereas the 1019 DOES have them. I'd have to go up to the 1120 for the inputs...
I specifically run the analog outs from my OPPO BDP-80 and definitely need them in a new AVR...

That's true, but on the other hand you would be better served moving up to the 1120 anyway IMHO. You will also get pre-outs with the 1120 should you feel the need to add an amp in the future. This is something else that the 1020 doesn't have which is part of the reason I plan on replacing my 1020 down the road. In fact one complaint with the 1019 was that Pioneer excluded the pre-outs since the 1018 had them.

The 1120 is definitely worth the extra cash since its much more flexible and future proof. I was actually going to get one initially, but the release date kept getting pushed back and I needed an AVR badly since I already had my old one sold.

One question though...why aren't you using HDMI with the Oppo? By using the analog outputs the player is doing all of the decoding which is fine, but your Oppo supports bitstreaming over HDMI which will allow your receiver to handle the decoding of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Just curious to know if there's a specific reason why you prefer the multichannel analog over HDMI.

[sgfookat]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

That's true, but on the other hand you would be better served moving up to the 1120 anyway IMHO. You will also get pre-outs with the 1120 should you feel the need to add an amp in the future. This is something else that the 1020 doesn't have which is part of the reason I plan on replacing my 1020 down the road. In fact one complaint with the 1019 was that Pioneer excluded the pre-outs since the 1018 had them.

The 1120 is definitely worth the extra cash since its much more flexible and future proof. I was actually going to get one initially, but the release date kept getting pushed back and I needed an AVR badly since I already had my old one sold.

One question though...why aren't you using HDMI with the Oppo? By using the analog outputs the player is doing all of the decoding which is fine, but your Oppo supports bitstreaming over HDMI which will allow your receiver to handle the decoding of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Just curious to know if there's a specific reason why you prefer the multichannel analog over HDMI.

...appreciate the advice, really. It's not that I prefer analog over HDMI, it's that my current receiver is old as the hills and doesn't have HDMI, so I have no choice but to use analog. Right now I have the Pio listed in my signature, but it's from ~2004. High-end for a Pio at the time, sporting not 5.1 but 7.1 multi-channel analog inputs. And I've gotten used to using analog from the OPPO, but it's also why I've been looking @ a new AVR...and looking @ the 1019/920/1020/1120s from Pioneer. The problem is that my budget really can't support a 1020 currently, much less an 1120. If the budget was able, I'd grab the 1120 or even an Elite in a heartbeat.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by sgfookat

...appreciate the advice, really. It's not that I prefer analog over HDMI, it's that my current receiver is old as the hills and doesn't have HDMI, so I have no choice but to use analog. Right now I have the Pio listed in my signature, but it's from ~2004. High-end for a Pio at the time, sporting not 5.1 but 7.1 multi-channel analog inputs. And I've gotten used to using analog from the OPPO, but it's also why I've been looking @ a new AVR...and looking @ the 1019/920/1020/1120s from Pioneer. The problem is that my budget really can't support a 1020 currently, much less an 1120. If the budget was able, I'd grab the 1120 or even an Elite in a heartbeat.

I totally understand. If its not in your budget then you have to go with what you can afford. There's no problem with the 1019, but if you can stretch the extra $53 I think the 1020 is well worth the added cost. If not then get the 1019 and don't look back. Its still a very good receiver. Either way I still think you should switch to HDMI from the analog outputs. Aside from gaining the ability to bitstream and allow the receiver to do the processing you will also have fewer wires to deal with. JMO.

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I totally understand. If its not in your budget then you have to go with what you can afford. There's no problem with the 1019, but if you can stretch the extra $53 I think the 1020 is well worth the added cost. If not then get the 1019 and don't look back. Its still a very good receiver. Either way I still think you should switch to HDMI from the analog outputs. Aside from gaining the ability to bitstream and allow the receiver to do the processing you will also have fewer wires to deal with. JMO.

Yea there is absolutely no reason why you should continue to run analog when you get your new receiver which ever one you chose.

[Slayerizer]

Originally Posted by sgfookat

I've heard good things about both, and apparently the 1019 is still available at a good price. I've had 3 Pio AVR's/Receivers since the mid-70's and am pleased with them. I would appreciate any feedback or reviews from those that've owned them, or from anyone for that matter.

Thanks so much!

I would choose the 1020, but would still suggest the 1120. The 1019 is hdmi 1.3 compliant while the 1020 is hdmi 1.4a. It's kind sad to buy something new that is already outdated. So even if hdmi 1.4a won't hold for the next 20 years, even if you dont use it now, it will still have a better reselling value in case you want to let it go in a few years.

[sgfookat]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I totally understand. If its not in your budget then you have to go with what you can afford. There's no problem with the 1019, but if you can stretch the extra $53 I think the 1020 is well worth the added cost. If not then get the 1019 and don't look back. Its still a very good receiver. Either way I still think you should switch to HDMI from the analog outputs. Aside from gaining the ability to bitstream and allow the receiver to do the processing you will also have fewer wires to deal with. JMO.

Originally Posted by Adam.C

Yea there is absolutely no reason why you should continue to run analog when you get your new receiver which ever one you chose.

Originally Posted by Slayerizer

I would choose the 1020, but would still suggest the 1120. The 1019 is hdmi 1.3 compliant while the 1020 is hdmi 1.4a. It's kind sad to buy something new that is already outdated. So even if hdmi 1.4a won't hold for the next 20 years, even if you dont use it now, it will still have a better reselling value in case you want to let it go in a few years.

Really appreciate all the input, gonna be a hard decision-Thanks much!