SONY str-da6400 vs PIONEER sc-lx82

[philitalia]

Been thinking about bying a new receiver. I know the Pioneer SC-LX82 has excellent reviews. About the Sony STR-DA6400 I can hardly find anything (Although the "smaller" 5400 gets excellent reviews as well). RRP of the Sony is about €1000 more expensive, but there's a promotion here locally and it is about the same price as the Pioneer. Which should I go for ? On paper they have almost the same capacities. I would also like to use it as a good amplifier for music. I was leaning towards the Pioneer until I saw the sale price of the 6400.

[callas01]

I think either would be an excellent choice, my dad has a 5XXX series Sony ES and it is quite powerful and play music excellent through his B&Ws. However, Pioneers are very good too and have an excellent reputation. I would think that if you can listen to them and see what sound you prefer better. I don't know if the LX82 is a networking receiver or not, cause I don't know which receiver that pairs up to in the US, but that Sony is, so if that is something you may want in the future.

Hard choice, but I would consider features you are going to use and sound as the deciding factor.

[philitalia]

Thx. it is indeed a very difficult choice. I cannot really compare sound since they are in 2 different shops. I used to have a Sony ES stereo amplifier and I still regret selling it when I bought my first receiver. There's not much difference in specs between the receivers ... I just want a decent receiver that is also capable of playing good music (SACD). Around €2000 is not a bad budget. I have the B&W 603 series speakers. I wrote to B&w and they recommend Marantz or Rotel, but the Sony and the Pioneer have really excellent reviews online. Normal retail price is around 3000 euro for the Sony, there's a 1000 euro discount, more or less the same price as the Pioneer.

[callas01]

Yeah, my dad has 603 S2's that he is powering and the 3-way 600 LCR(I don't remember the exact #) and the sony pushes it just fine. They might say Marantz or Rotel because they are more musical warmer sounding equipment that mates really well with their speakers.

[lojack1976]

I wouldn't worry about power so much as I would features and the sound. Both of these are ample powered receivers, but they do produce distinctly different sounds. Sony receivers are pretty neutral, but Pioneers are a tad bright.

I'm more a fan of Pioneer receivers in general, but some speakers don't pair up as well as others. I think this holds true with a lot of receivers though. I think the best thing you can do is audition them both with your speakers to determine which you think sounds best to you.

Of course consider the features too. I don't think you will be disappointed in the sound of either since B&W speakers have a nice warm sound to them from everything I've read...never heard any for myself though so I'm just going off reviews that I've read. If these shops carry your speakers or other B&W speakers then you should definitely audition each receiver with them so you can get an idea of how your speakers will pair up.

[DiverSpear]

I have the 5400ES and it is an awesome receiver. There are only minor differences between the two receivers. If you can get the Sony for the Pio price I would jump on it.