Pioneer 919AH-K, 1019AH-K, H/K AVR 254

[alijaffer]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new receiver and speakers.

The speakers I am looking at are the H/K HKTS15, My brother in-law has them and they sound amazing to me.

However, he has the H/K AVR 354 which is out of my price range...

So I was looking first between the Pioneer 1019AH-K and H/K AVR 254. Then in looking at the specs of the 1019, I noticed that 919 is $200 cheaper and does almost the same thing...

I figure I don't need the extra input on the 1019, the only question to me is whether or not I need the upconverter in the 1019.

I have an Xbox right now and am buying a PS3 to be used as my BlueRay player and a digital cable box that exports to HDMI.

Also, I read in some other posts the 919 has some handshaking issues ... what does that mean?

Thanks.

[Bad8511]

The HK 254 does not decode the newest HD audio codecs. I know this because I had the 254 before the 1019. Get the 1019, you will love the sound. The difference between the 919 and the 1019 is the wattage output I believe.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by Bad8511

The HK 254 does not decode the newest HD audio codecs. I know this because I had the 254 before the 1019. Get the 1019, you will love the sound. The difference between the 919 and the 1019 is the wattage output I believe.

The HK 254 will decode all new audio codecs, I can confirm that. The only differences between the 254 and 354 are power output, and an extra input label on the 354 for the included iPod dock. The only heads up I would give to anyone looking at an HK 254 would be that early models had firmware issues, and to look up what firmware you have installed when you buy the receiver, and update as necessary.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by alijaffer

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new receiver and speakers.

The speakers I am looking at are the H/K HKTS15, My brother in-law has them and they sound amazing to me.

However, he has the H/K AVR 354 which is out of my price range...

So I was looking first between the Pioneer 1019AH-K and H/K AVR 254. Then in looking at the specs of the 1019, I noticed that 919 is $200 cheaper and does almost the same thing...

I figure I don't need the extra input on the 1019, the only question to me is whether or not I need the upconverter in the 1019.

I have an Xbox right now and am buying a PS3 to be used as my BlueRay player and a digital cable box that exports to HDMI.

Also, I read in some other posts the 919 has some handshaking issues ... what does that mean?

Thanks.

This means that the 919 might have some issues with other manufacturers equipment. With HDMI, it may not interface properly, resulting in no video, no audio or both. Sometimes firmware updates correct this, and sometimes there are "work-arounds" to get around this issue. I can't say I'm all that familiar of any handshaking issues with the 919, but since you wanted to know what "handshaking" meant, I thought I would throw this out there.

[DerrellB]

The HK 254 does decode the new codecs. I have one. I cant tell you about the amp section cause its only used as a pre/pro with my amp. I can say
that I enjoy it and its features. Also I dunno your price range but if you dont mind refurb, HK has an ebay store and these usually sell for about 200-250 consistently on there which I feel is a nice bargain, plus the fact that it has pre-outs for future upgrading. Also the ones they are selling now comes with the new firmware that corrects all of the issues they were having before. Search Harman Audio on ebay for there store.

[Opips2]

hmm hmm interesting...

My HK AV/R 254 is working decode HD. who say it'll not working decode HD on HK 254.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by Trix

The HK 254 will decode all new audio codecs, I can confirm that. The only differences between the 254 and 354 are power output, and an extra input label on the 354 for the included iPod dock. The only heads up I would give to anyone looking at an HK 254 would be that early models had firmware issues, and to look up what firmware you have installed when you buy the receiver, and update as necessary.

+1. You will definitely need to upgrade the firmware on the 254. It decodes the HD audio fine as I had one for over 1/2 a year. Idk if firmware has fixed all the audio issues I had but it had 2 blown fuses in short time I had it. I'd go for the 1019 imo.

[Chucky110]

Originally Posted by Bad8511

The HK 254 does not decode the newest HD audio codecs. I know this because I had the 254 before the 1019. Get the 1019, you will love the sound. The difference between the 919 and the 1019 is the wattage output I believe.

I am pretty sure they both have the same output, the only real difference is the extra HDMI and maybe a few more things. I have the 919 and the manual is exactly the same for both of them

[LordoftheRings]

Hmmm... September 09, 2009!