Need Receiver Advice! HK 354 or Pioneer VSX 1019? - Blu-ray Forum

jaydotbird · 05-26-2009, 08:00 PM

Hi Guys,
I am upgrading my HK 235 which I have had zero problems with...just need HDMI! I am torn between the HK AVR 354 or the Pioneer VSX 1019...which would you recommend. I am running the display to a Benq projector (720p) and Polk speakers all around. I have a 7.1 setup. The HD DVD is a Toshiba A2 and the BR is a PS3...will either of these display the audio source from the PS3 (Dolby THD or DTS MA?) Thanks for your help!

callas01 · 05-26-2009, 10:51 PM

Welcome to the Forum Jay

I think you should listen to the receivers personally, I don't like the sound of HK receivers, I think they are too bright sounding for me, then again, I am not sure what speakers it was hooked up to at the time either, could have been klipsch or polks. If you like HK then I am sure you would be happy with it again, I know the 354 is a pretty good one. The Sonys and Pioneers are more neutral sounding to me and I prefer that personally.

If they have the same features as each other and are priced in the same market, then I think it is just which one gives you a sound you prefer more.

Badboyztn · 05-27-2009, 12:40 AM

I have a HK354 and I absolutely LOVE it!!!!!!! I previously had the AVR330 and I upgraded for lossless around Christmas time and it sounds great and is plenty Powerful...

lojack1976 · 05-29-2009, 02:36 AM

The sound difference between the brands are very different, so you should audition the Pioneer first to be sure that you like that sound over your current HK. I have an HK myself and I love the sound. I like Pioneer a lot too, but the sounds are really that different. I just don't have a particular preference in warm versus bright. Either can sound good to me, but you have to decide what sound you want to live with. Both companies do make excellent receivers. As far as what's displayed on the receiver goes, well the PS3 does all of the decoding internally so you will always get PCM on your receiver no matter which one you use. Its really not that important as some people make it out to be. Some people prefer that the receiver does the decoding, but whether its the player or the receiver its still going to sound the same. Some people just want to see the logo on the receiver pop up...that's all.

Tru2theBlu · 05-29-2009, 02:48 AM

Pioneer would be my choice.

SeanMF · 05-29-2009, 02:55 AM

Had the 354...would go with the Pioneer. After firmware updates...it still had some audio sync issues even after adjusting. As much as I liked the HK (my 2nd one...) the 354 just seemed 'buggy'.

Fors* · 05-29-2009, 12:29 PM

I really like the Pioneer Elite's, heard nothing but really good things on them. One of these models will eventually be my next choice in an AVR.

jaydotbird · 05-29-2009, 05:43 PM

Leaning towards the Pioneer as the HK threads are full of issues...thanks for all your help

05-26-2009, 08:00 PM	#1
jaydotbird New Member Member since:May 2009	Need Receiver Advice! HK 354 or Pioneer VSX 1019? Hi Guys, I am upgrading my HK 235 which I have had zero problems with...just need HDMI! I am torn between the HK AVR 354 or the Pioneer VSX 1019...which would you recommend. I am running the display to a Benq projector (720p) and Polk speakers all around. I have a 7.1 setup. The HD DVD is a Toshiba A2 and the BR is a PS3...will either of these display the audio source from the PS3 (Dolby THD or DTS MA?) Thanks for your help!

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05-26-2009, 10:51 PM	#2
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Welcome to the Forum Jay I think you should listen to the receivers personally, I don't like the sound of HK receivers, I think they are too bright sounding for me, then again, I am not sure what speakers it was hooked up to at the time either, could have been klipsch or polks. If you like HK then I am sure you would be happy with it again, I know the 354 is a pretty good one. The Sonys and Pioneers are more neutral sounding to me and I prefer that personally. If they have the same features as each other and are priced in the same market, then I think it is just which one gives you a sound you prefer more.

05-27-2009, 12:40 AM	#3
Badboyztn Active Member Member since:May 2009 Location:Memphis, TN. Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:111	I have a HK354 and I absolutely LOVE it!!!!!!! I previously had the AVR330 and I upgraded for lossless around Christmas time and it sounds great and is plenty Powerful...

05-29-2009, 02:36 AM	#4
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	The sound difference between the brands are very different, so you should audition the Pioneer first to be sure that you like that sound over your current HK. I have an HK myself and I love the sound. I like Pioneer a lot too, but the sounds are really that different. I just don't have a particular preference in warm versus bright. Either can sound good to me, but you have to decide what sound you want to live with. Both companies do make excellent receivers. As far as what's displayed on the receiver goes, well the PS3 does all of the decoding internally so you will always get PCM on your receiver no matter which one you use. Its really not that important as some people make it out to be. Some people prefer that the receiver does the decoding, but whether its the player or the receiver its still going to sound the same. Some people just want to see the logo on the receiver pop up...that's all.

05-29-2009, 02:48 AM	#5
Tru2theBlu Senior Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Portland, OR Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:10	Pioneer would be my choice.

05-29-2009, 02:55 AM	#6
SeanMF Blu-ray Baron Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Iowa Home Theater Gallery:70 Blu-ray collection:1428 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:83	Had the 354...would go with the Pioneer. After firmware updates...it still had some audio sync issues even after adjusting. As much as I liked the HK (my 2nd one...) the 354 just seemed 'buggy'.

05-29-2009, 12:29 PM	#7
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	I really like the Pioneer Elite's, heard nothing but really good things on them. One of these models will eventually be my next choice in an AVR.

05-29-2009, 05:43 PM	#8
jaydotbird New Member Member since:May 2009	Leaning towards the Pioneer as the HK threads are full of issues...thanks for all your help

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