Quote:
Originally Posted by Emotiva
I used to own a Pioneer Elite VSX-43TX back in the day and I honestly can say that the new Pioneer Elite receivers are not like they used to be 
I would keep your Pioneer Elite VSX 32 because it is still somewhat an Elite 
I went to Best Buy today to check out the look and feel of the new receivers and I was amazed in disappointment!!
All the Pioneer Elite receivers they had plastic front panels, and I am sorry but Pioneer was well known for their Urushi black lacquer finish!!
So it seems that only the very highly priced receivers are like they used to be.
Also these new receivers are light and don't sound right.
Even Denon is following Pioneer because even their AVR 3312CI is plastic, and that is why I won't buy another Denon. My AVR 2808CI is still a true Denon, aluminum front panel and Made in Japan
The only brand that impressed me was Yamaha's Aventage lineup!!!
Especially the RX-A 1010 and RX-A 2010
I am getting one soon
They are built like tanks and are huge receivers, they make others look tiny.
Yamaha is the way to go and it's just sad that companies like Denon and Pioneer are cutting corners in construction.
The only Pioneer Elite I like is the SC lineup
Good luck in finding something different but give Yamaha Aventage a try
Emo |
Actually the VSX-32 and VSX-33 are just as heavy as Elites of recent years coming in over 30lbs each. The highly praised VSX-1120 is a clone of the VSX-32 as well. The VSX-30 and VSX-31 on the other hand are just clones of the VSX-1020. This was the first time Pioneer offered more than two VSX Elite models in recent years, and I'm sure it was just fill a niche market.
This is no different than what Yamaha has done with the lower models in the Aventage series. The RX-A700 and RX-A800 are clones of the RX-667 and RX-867 respectively. The RX-A1000 is also only a slight step-up from the RX-A800 as well. I might add that the VSX-33 has an aluminum bezel being it was the top of the VSX model last year.
Fast forward to this year's Eltes and Pioneer has beefed up the power supplies across the whole line of receivers, and again the top of the line VSX model, the VSX-53, has an aluminum bezel.
HERE's a review for the VSX-52. This review is also applicable to the VSX-1121 and VSX-33 which are clones of this receiver. Not only did they give it a glowing review, but the test bench results far exceed anything Yamaha has put out in recent years.
With all channels driven it output 81watts/channel at 8ohms with just .06% distortion while the Yamaha RX-A2000 is shown
HERE to output just 62watts/channel at 8ohms with .1% distortion. Look at the 5-channel and 2-channel results and the power gap widens further.
Yamaha may have put a little more into build quality and aesthetics with the Aventage series, but they still haven't done much about their lack of power in comparison to the competition nor have they given us a better solution to MCACC and Audyssey. IMO YPAO can't hold a candle to either of those solutions, and that also seems to be the consensus among users and reviewers alike.
Sound preference among the brands is certainly a matter of one's tastes and both brands get much praise in this matter, but the top of the line SC Pioneers seem to get the edge with most reviewers. This year's SC and top of the line VSX model were awarded best in class designation by WhatHiFi even though the competing Aventage models also got the maximum 5 stars like the Pioneers. The top Elite models truly are worthy of the 'Elite' designation. I like Yamaha, but IMO Pioneer still offers the better receivers.