Sony or Pioneer? - Blu-ray Forum

jblfx · 12-12-2008, 11:24 PM

OK, I have narrowed my choices to the Sony STR-DG920 or the Pioneer VSX-1018AH. I simply want to know which one is better. I will be hooking up a PS3, HD cable box, and an Oppo upconverting DVD player. Thanks.

TENSE · 12-12-2008, 11:26 PM

lol i remember when i was new and wanted to purchase one of those receivers!
i went along with the onkyo 805! but if i was you i would go with pioneer for any receiver!

JJ · 12-13-2008, 12:12 AM

What speakers are you hooking up to them, friend?

I'm personally in the midst of going from my Marantz 7002 (a tricksy unit) to a Pioneer Elite VSX-03, and I couldn't be more happy! I've demoed the Elite at Best Buy, but, obviously, they don't have it hooked up to some B&Ws - only DefTechs. It'll have to do until I get it home.

There are debates between the two units, a few negative comments that have been made about the 920, but those who have them (JasonR I know of) loves them. Did you ever consider the Yamaha 663?

jblfx · 12-13-2008, 01:15 AM

Well, I'm a little embarrassed to tell you what speakers I have. See for many years all we could afford was one of those dvd/surround sound systems. The last one we had put out 1000 watts of power, so when the unit broke I looked into getting our first receiver. We have a Sony STR-DG800 that puts out 770 watts. I figured they should work. And they have. Our system sounds great. So I can only imagine what real home theatre speakers sound like hooked up to a good receiver!!

JJ · 12-13-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblfx

Well, I'm a little embarrassed to tell you what speakers I have. See for many years all we could afford was one of those dvd/surround sound systems. The last one we had put out 1000 watts of power, so when the unit broke I looked into getting our first receiver. We have a Sony STR-DG800 that puts out 770 watts. I figured they should work. And they have. Our system sounds great. So I can only imagine what real home theatre speakers sound like hooked up to a good receiver!!

Bah, don't be, my good sir! I ran a $150 HTiB for a year and a half, and then a $400 HTiB for 9 months after that one. The unit you are thinking that put out 1000 watts, actually most likely puts out a lot less - manufacturers list peak settings on their boxed sets, but it never gets to that kind of power! Make sure that the speakers you plan on using are compatible (check ohm ratings) with these entry-level receivers (should be 6 ohms at least, 8 is preferable). Any questions, feel free to message me or ask here, I'll be glad to answer.

JasonR · 12-13-2008, 05:32 AM

I can only speak from experience and tell you I love my 920 (pics in the gallery). In this price range, there is really very little difference in the receivers. Your best bet is to see if you can audition both. I think you would be completely happy with either though....

BluStar88 · 12-13-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

I can only speak from experience and tell you I love my 920 (pics in the gallery). In this price range, there is really very little difference in the receivers. Your best bet is to see if you can audition both. I think you would be completely happy with either though....

+1 I love my 920, pioneer is good to but I am not familiar with the specific unit you are looking at.

Definately recomend a test drive so you know what you like. remember speakers affect the sound as well.

jblfx · 12-13-2008, 05:40 AM

Thanks guys. I was leaning towards the Sony because my current one (DG800) looks identical to the DG920. I feel I would be a little familiar with the way it works.

JasonR · 12-13-2008, 05:46 AM

It is a really great receiver, if you went that route you would have no regrets.

callas01 · 12-13-2008, 02:23 PM

I looked at both of these receivers and the Onkyo 606 and yammy 663. when i narrowed it down to me I prefered the Pioneer and the Sony. In the store (best buy and sony style) I preferred the pioneer, but the Sony was right there with it and really what Jason said, there isn't a huge difference between any of them. Onkyo didn't have all the extras I wanted, yammys supposedly top out and aren't meant for mid to large rooms(so reviews have said), so I kind of went away from them. Pioneer has one issue, the 130 watts it lists is actually 110 watts in full surround mode.... not a big deal... I was willing to live with that. Sonys sound was somewhere between the pioneer (warmish) and the Onkyo (edgy) and then it came down to basically SIZE, I couldn't fit the Pioneer in the space I had available, then the Sony dropped $70 in price and the fact I was already familiar with the Sony, I bought the Sony.

I will be honest, the Sony actaully sounds slightly better then I remember while at the Sony Style store in Costa Mesa (Newport Beach). Yes I drove an hour to hear this receiver.

I have had only great things to say about this receiver, it can be loud, but still very clean sounding, it plays very well at low volumes, I have had the Incubus blu-ray in and had it up to -0dBs and there is no distortion, and sounds like I was in the stands at the concert. I have it hooked up to Sony speakers, and I think its great.

Lastly, there is no going wrong with either the Sony or Pioneer, I knew I was going to be happy with either one. And trust me I am happy.

Driver_King · 12-13-2008, 08:45 PM

Make sure your speakers aren't below 6ohms. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your receiver...

jblfx · 12-14-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Make sure your speakers aren't below 6ohms. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your receiver...

How do I find out?

callas01 · 12-14-2008, 11:19 PM

Perhaps the owners manual, check the specs online, maybe the back of the speakers themselves, call their customer service line if need be.

jblfx · 12-15-2008, 03:53 AM

Ordered my 920 today. Woohoo can't wait to get it

callas01 · 12-16-2008, 05:02 PM

Congrats. If you need any help with it, let JasonR or myself know, I sure we would both be willing to help.

Carlsberg19 · 12-16-2008, 05:16 PM

Sony

JasonR · 12-17-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblfx

Ordered my 920 today. Woohoo can't wait to get it

You're gonna love it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by callas01

Congrats. If you need any help with it, let JasonR or myself know, I sure we would both be willing to help.

Definitely!

Colglizity · 12-17-2008, 12:05 AM

Pioneer

petenad · 12-17-2008, 01:27 PM

Pioneer had both brands and Pioneer hands down my choice may not be yours though.

aramis109 · 12-17-2008, 01:44 PM

OP already got the Sony folks.

It's already been stated, but PLEASE check those speaker ratings! Don't kill your new receiver!

12-12-2008, 11:24 PM	#1
jblfx Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:6	Sony or Pioneer? OK, I have narrowed my choices to the Sony STR-DG920 or the Pioneer VSX-1018AH. I simply want to know which one is better. I will be hooking up a PS3, HD cable box, and an Oppo upconverting DVD player. Thanks.

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12-12-2008, 11:26 PM	#2
TENSE Senior Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Los Ageles, Ca Home Theater Gallery:10	lol i remember when i was new and wanted to purchase one of those receivers! i went along with the onkyo 805! but if i was you i would go with pioneer for any receiver!

12-13-2008, 12:12 AM	#3
JJ Blu-ray Count Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Miami, FL Home Theater Gallery:99 4K collection:619 Blu-ray collection:1293 DVD collection:31 Digital collection:5 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:203	What speakers are you hooking up to them, friend? I'm personally in the midst of going from my Marantz 7002 (a tricksy unit) to a Pioneer Elite VSX-03, and I couldn't be more happy! I've demoed the Elite at Best Buy, but, obviously, they don't have it hooked up to some B&Ws - only DefTechs. It'll have to do until I get it home. There are debates between the two units, a few negative comments that have been made about the 920, but those who have them (JasonR I know of) loves them. Did you ever consider the Yamaha 663?

12-13-2008, 01:15 AM	#4
jblfx Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:6	Well, I'm a little embarrassed to tell you what speakers I have. See for many years all we could afford was one of those dvd/surround sound systems. The last one we had put out 1000 watts of power, so when the unit broke I looked into getting our first receiver. We have a Sony STR-DG800 that puts out 770 watts. I figured they should work. And they have. Our system sounds great. So I can only imagine what real home theatre speakers sound like hooked up to a good receiver!!

12-13-2008, 05:32 AM	#6
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	I can only speak from experience and tell you I love my 920 (pics in the gallery). In this price range, there is really very little difference in the receivers. Your best bet is to see if you can audition both. I think you would be completely happy with either though....

12-13-2008, 05:40 AM	#8
jblfx Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:6	Thanks guys. I was leaning towards the Sony because my current one (DG800) looks identical to the DG920. I feel I would be a little familiar with the way it works.

12-13-2008, 05:46 AM	#9
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	It is a really great receiver, if you went that route you would have no regrets.

12-13-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	I looked at both of these receivers and the Onkyo 606 and yammy 663. when i narrowed it down to me I prefered the Pioneer and the Sony. In the store (best buy and sony style) I preferred the pioneer, but the Sony was right there with it and really what Jason said, there isn't a huge difference between any of them. Onkyo didn't have all the extras I wanted, yammys supposedly top out and aren't meant for mid to large rooms(so reviews have said), so I kind of went away from them. Pioneer has one issue, the 130 watts it lists is actually 110 watts in full surround mode.... not a big deal... I was willing to live with that. Sonys sound was somewhere between the pioneer (warmish) and the Onkyo (edgy) and then it came down to basically SIZE, I couldn't fit the Pioneer in the space I had available, then the Sony dropped $70 in price and the fact I was already familiar with the Sony, I bought the Sony. I will be honest, the Sony actaully sounds slightly better then I remember while at the Sony Style store in Costa Mesa (Newport Beach). Yes I drove an hour to hear this receiver. I have had only great things to say about this receiver, it can be loud, but still very clean sounding, it plays very well at low volumes, I have had the Incubus blu-ray in and had it up to -0dBs and there is no distortion, and sounds like I was in the stands at the concert. I have it hooked up to Sony speakers, and I think its great. Lastly, there is no going wrong with either the Sony or Pioneer, I knew I was going to be happy with either one. And trust me I am happy.

12-13-2008, 08:45 PM	#11
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Make sure your speakers aren't below 6ohms. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your receiver...

12-14-2008, 11:19 PM	#13
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Perhaps the owners manual, check the specs online, maybe the back of the speakers themselves, call their customer service line if need be.

12-15-2008, 03:53 AM	#14
jblfx Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:6	Ordered my 920 today. Woohoo can't wait to get it

12-16-2008, 05:02 PM	#15
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Congrats. If you need any help with it, let JasonR or myself know, I sure we would both be willing to help.

12-16-2008, 05:16 PM	#16
Carlsberg19 Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Donegal, Ireland Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:58 Blu-ray reviews:7	Sony

12-17-2008, 12:05 AM	#18
Colglizity Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Washington (360) Home Theater Gallery:40 Blu-ray collection:31 Blu-ray reviews:3	Pioneer

12-17-2008, 01:27 PM	#19
petenad Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:N.S. Blu-ray collection:106 DVD collection:1	Pioneer had both brands and Pioneer hands down my choice may not be yours though.

12-17-2008, 01:44 PM	#20
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	OP already got the Sony folks. It's already been stated, but PLEASE check those speaker ratings! Don't kill your new receiver!

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