Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH Review Thread

[hyperdine]

O.K., so I finally decided to break down and upgrade my receiver. I've gotten to the point where I really need HDMI switching and I want to be able to take advantage of the new High-Def audio formats. With a few of these kinds of receivers on the market now (Denon AVR 4308 CI, Onkyo TX-NR 905, & Pioneer VSX-94TXH, etc.) I was ready to take the plunge and settled on the new Elite 94.



I've only had it for two days, but I'm VERY pleased with my decision. This thing is awesome. I'm by no means a hardcore audiophile purist, but I certainly know quality when I see/hear it and this thing rocks!

Set up was relatively easy. The MCACC automatic calibration was a cinch and did a really thorough job (it took close to 5 minutes to run through all the tests, etc.). The only thing that was slightly off, which I needed to correct manually, was the speaker size. MCACC set my speakers to "Large" (perhaps it was just the default setting) so I had to switch it to "Small". I've got my Paradigm Mini Monitors hooked up to it in a 5.1 configuration. Although this puppy is set up to handle 7.1, I just don't have the space for the extra 2 speakers.

The rest of the set up was very straightforward. I just had to do some tweaking on the input assignments and program the remote for my other components and that was pretty much it. I must say that the remote is the only thing that's disappointing about this receiver. However, I suspect that most people who drop an Elite receiver into their system, probably aren't going to use it as their primary input device.

Like I said, I've only had the receiver for a couple days, so probably not fair to give a comprehensive assessment of the sound quality just yet, but I definitely like what I've heard so far. I played back Depeche Mode's "Violator" SACD via HDMI from my PS3 and it sounded superb. Then I did a quick demo of some uncompressed audio tracks from PoTC: Dead Man's Chest, and 300. Very impressive!

The only downside at the moment, is that the PS3 doesn't pass Dolby TruHD or DTS Master Audio via bitstream, so everything is converted to PCM. Not a huge deal, but I'm anxious for some of the new players that do the onboard processing because I can't wait to see the display light up with "DTS Master Audio"

Anyways, just wanted to give my initial impressions so far. I'm anxious to hear from anyone else who may have picked this receiver up, or it's cousin the VSX-92TXH.

[Enkyu]

i bought the VSX-91TXH and it's great for the price i paid

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Enkyu

i bought the VSX-91TXH and it's great for the price i paid

Yeah, after looking at the prices for all three new Elite receiver, I came to the conclusion that this one is the closest to my price range. ($999.99)

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by hyperdine

O.K., so I finally decided to break down and upgrade my receiver. I've gotten to the point where I really need HDMI switching and I want to be able to take advantage of the new High-Def audio formats. With a few of these kinds of receivers on the market now (Denon AVR 4308 CI, Onkyo TX-NR 905, & Pioneer VSX-94TXH, etc.) I was ready to take the plunge and settled on the new Elite 94.



I've only had it for two days, but I'm VERY pleased with my decision. This thing is awesome. I'm by no means a hardcore audiophile purist, but I certainly know quality when I see/hear it and this thing rocks!

Set up was relatively easy. The MCACC automatic calibration was a cinch and did a really thorough job (it took close to 5 minutes to run through all the tests, etc.). The only thing that was slightly off, which I needed to correct manually, was the speaker size. MCACC set my speakers to "Large" (perhaps it was just the default setting) so I had to switch it to "Small". I've got my Paradigm Mini Monitors hooked up to it in a 5.1 configuration. Although this puppy is set up to handle 7.1, I just don't have the space for the extra 2 speakers.

The rest of the set up was very straightforward. I just had to do some tweaking on the input assignments and program the remote for my other components and that was pretty much it. I must say that the remote is the only thing that's disappointing about this receiver. However, I suspect that most people who drop an Elite receiver into their system, probably aren't going to use it as their primary input device.

Like I said, I've only had the receiver for a couple days, so probably not fair to give a comprehensive assessment of the sound quality just yet, but I definitely like what I've heard so far. I played back Depeche Mode's "Violator" SACD via HDMI from my PS3 and it sounded superb. Then I did a quick demo of some uncompressed audio tracks from PoTC: Dead Man's Chest, and 300. Very impressive!

The only downside at the moment, is that the PS3 doesn't pass Dolby TruHD or DTS Master Audio via bitstream, so everything is converted to PCM. Not a huge deal, but I'm anxious for some of the new players that do the onboard processing because I can't wait to see the display light up with "DTS Master Audio"

Anyways, just wanted to give my initial impressions so far. I'm anxious to hear from anyone else who may have picked this receiver up, or it's cousin the VSX-92TXH.

Wow, this is too funny. As I went to Best Buy today and noticed the new Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray player displayed, the very next thing I did was to check out their Magnolia section where they had this receiver connected to the new Pioneer Blu-ray player (BDP-94HD) and let me tell you the sights and sounds with these two were amazing. I am definitely getting this receiver as well.
Right now I'm using the Pioneer VSX-1016TX receiver which is not an Elite model, but I would say that I am almost ready to upgrade to this one.

[WickyWoo]

Hey hyperdine, can I come over and play after the meetup? I promise I'll do all my chores

[CAB]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Wow, this is too funny. As I went to Best Buy today and noticed the new Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray player displayed, the very next thing I did was to check out their Magnolia section where they had this receiver connected to the new Pioneer Blu-ray player (BDP-94HD) and let me tell you the sights and sounds with these two were amazing. I am definitely getting this receiver as well.
Right now I'm using the Pioneer VSX-1016TX receiver which is not an Elite model, but I would say that I am almost ready to upgrade to this one.

Wow, Bestbuy carries Pioneer elites. I might have to rethink my vendor list.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by CAB

Wow, Bestbuy carries Pioneer elites. I might have to rethink my vendor list.

As soon as I saw this I was in a bit of a disbelief myself.
1. I normally never see Elites at BBY, not even in the Magnolia section
2. I though it was gonna be a lot more money
3. Last I checked on Pioneerelectronics.com, they didn't even have a release day for these new receivers with the ability to decode all next generation audio.

So yeah, it caught me by surprise as well.

[CAB]

@gvortex7

Sir,

I didn't believe you when I read your post. I had to go check their website and sure enough it says coming soon. Either Bestbuy is stepping up to the plate or I need to start worrying about Pioneer. I love my Pioneer standalone BD player.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by CAB

@gvortex7

Sir,

I didn't believe you when I read your post. I had to go check their website and sure enough it says coming soon. Either Bestbuy is stepping up to the plate or I need to start worrying about Pioneer. I love my Pioneer standalone BD player.

The second part was funny. Although, I wouldn't worry too much about Pioneer's quality. I think it's more like, Best Buy is starting to realize how to cater to the high end customer's a little better.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

As soon as I saw this I was in a bit of a disbelief myself.
1. I normally never see Elites at BBY, not even in the Magnolia section
2. I though it was gonna be a lot more money
3. Last I checked on Pioneerelectronics.com, they didn't even have a release day for these new receivers with the ability to decode all next generation audio.

So yeah, it caught me by surprise as well.

Must just be the area/market because the 2 Magnolia BB stores I've been in have had the Elite line for as long as I can remember. But the thing that surprised me the most is that the Magnolia store by me carries 3 entry-level speaker models from Martin Logan.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by CAB

Wow, Bestbuy carries Pioneer elites. I might have to rethink my vendor list.

Only in the Magnolia Home Theatre section, if your store has one. A regular Best Buy will not carry the Elite series.

[hyperdine]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

Only in the Magnolia Home Theatre section, if your store has one. A regular Best Buy will not carry the Elite series.

Yep. That's right. This receiver literally just came in to the store. They don't even have it on the website to order. This one actually runs $1600, but I had a 12% off Best Buy coupon, so I got a good deal. The next step down in this receiver line is the VSX-92TXH. It's about $300 less and the only real difference is 130 watts per channel vs. 140, no ethernet port for internet radio, and 3 HDMI inputs vs. 4. Other than that, it's pretty much identical.

[DarkDTSHD]

I'm considering one myself. Haven't had the chance to audition it. But have heard previous generation Elite A/V receivers. Have been happy with what I heard.

What are the crossover points on this model? Does it start at 40Hz?

Thanks.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by DarkDTSHD

I'm considering one myself. Haven't had the chance to audition it. But have heard previous generation Elite A/V receivers. Have been happy with what I heard.

What are the crossover points on this model? Does it start at 40Hz?

Thanks.

The crossover is from 50-200. If I remember right it goes 50 80 100 150 200.

[DarkDTSHD]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

The crossover is from 50-200. If I remember right it goes 50 80 100 150 200.

Thanks. But I would have assumed it would have started at 40. As is the case for most other brands/models. But if it's 50 it will still work for me. And the speakers I'm considering.

[gilmall]

Just got a Sony BDP-S301 and I connected it via HDMI to my Pioneer VSX-72TXV. The Pioneer is connected by HDMI to a Samsung HDTV.

It takes the Sony a very long time to power up and load a movie but that's another issue.

My issue is the Sony starts OK and finishes a movie but If I changed DVD to watch another movie then the signal is lost (My TV displays "weak signal" on the screen). The only way to re-acquire the signal is to turn off/on the blue ray player. Sometimes it takes more than one off/on for it to work. The signal is also lost if I change input either on the Pioneer or the TV while playing a movie on the Sony.

Any ideas? Is this a Sony or a Pioneer problem?

[cram1986]

I Had The Same Problem With My Satelite Where I Would Loose The Hdmi Signal And Had To Play With It For A While. To What I Understand It The Hdmi Input On The Receiver Because Since Switching To The 84 And Now The 92 Dont Have Any Problems.

[Pellaeon]

After my experience with the Pioneer VSX-94TXH Receiver and their incredibly awesome customer service it is all Pioneer for me! I absolutely love this receiver, I previously had a 7.1 Yamaha but since I added this receiver it is like actually hearing movies clearly for the first time The internet radio, and neural THX stations are also pretty darn cool The switching has been flawless, the universal remote perfect. This is one buy I can honestly say I am 100% happy with. Heck even my wife likes it, which is saying a WHOLE lot.

Unforutantely I have the PS3, so I havent been able to light up my TrueHD or DTS-MA lights just yet.

[lrankine]

I've got the whole enchillada as my sig denotes. Have had it since Thanksgiving (it was an early Christmas present). Even a month later I still sit in front of this rig and can't help but giggle like a school girl. The phrase "Simply AWESOME!" seems SO inadequate.

[ryan mcdede]

this receiver is amazing. sounds great