The Official Pioneer Elite 40/50/51/52/53 Receivers Thread

[PrivatePixel]

Official website

From Pioneer's website:

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled its new line of Elite® branded AV receivers designed to meet the needs of today’s connected consumers and their portable devices. The five new Elite models, consisting of the VSX-40 ($450), VSX-50 ($600), VSX-51($700), VSX-52($900) and VSX-53($1,100), incorporate state-of-the-art performance and specifications based on Pioneer’s uncompromising standards of engineering and manufacturing. All five new receivers utilize the renowned Elite audio and video technology and the VSX-50 and up have advanced network features like Pioneer’s proprietary iPhone and iPad apps including iControlAV21 and Air Jam2, as well as Apple’s AirPlay, DLNA Certified® (1.5) and Internet radio to become the hub of a consumer’s home network and entertainment system.

The full press release can be found here.

[Raikirik]

Would anyone from Canada be able to chime in on the Pioneer 926-k, 1026-k, 1126-k and 1326-k being the non Elite branded equivalents to the 50, 51, 52 and 53?

http://www.futureshop.ca/Search/Sear...Category=10551

[Almadacr]

Those models are made exclusivity for futureshop with some differences and as usual a bit overpriced , plus they wont have the same re-sell value as the Elite ones . I am trying to get a hold from Pioneer in Canada to see when the new Elite models will be available and what price .


My next buy is the VSX - 53 , but PJ and screen are coming first , they are not also available yet in Canada .

[Raikirik]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

Those models are made exclusivity for futureshop with some differences and as usual a bit overpriced , plus they wont have the same re-sell value as the Elite ones . I am trying to get a hold from Pioneer in Canada to see when the new Elite models will be available and what price .


My next buy is the VSX - 53 , but PJ and screen are coming first , they are not also available yet in Canada .

Thanks for the info! I'm debating on whether I should pick up a 1020 on sale now for $449 instead of getting the 1126 or Elite 52.

Check out Top Choice Electronics. They're in Ontario and they have the new Elites listed on their site.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Raikirik

Thanks for the info! I'm debating on whether I should pick up a 1020 on sale now for $449 instead of getting the 1126 or Elite 52.

Check out Top Choice Electronics. They're in Ontario and they have the new Elites listed on their site.

Thanks . They have some interesting prices but still can`t beat the prices in the US , i diden`t found out any info regarding the new Elites prices only a "contact us" other thing that i have to check is if they old the original warranty from Pioneer or if they are a authorized seller !

[Raikirik]

When you do a search on Pioneer.ca for authorized sellers they come up as one. Yeah the US prices are waaaay better than ours

[Almadacr]

I bookmarked the page i will keep a eye on it .

[Almadacr]

There is a review at hometheater.com on the 2011 VSX - 1021 , this model maybe will be similar to 1026 in Canada but for the American market ( BestBuy exclusive ) and the review is great value for the money .

Pioneer VSX-1021

[Raikirik]

I think the 1026 is the equivalent to the VSX 50. Futureshop still carries the xx21 models (for example they have the 921 and the 926) but the xx26 models have the 2 year warranty of the Elites.

They're clearing out the xx20 models here already but the prices still aren't as low as they are in the US.

[Almadacr]

OK i can say that the Pioneer VSX-53 in Canada the MRSP is 1399$ compared to the US that is 1100$ , i will take note of the other receivers since the Canadian Pioneer site its useless .

[havuk88]

have the 1020-k and found a good deal locally on an elite vsx-40 , any opinions on which one of these would perform better?

[Almadacr]

Well if you have the 1020K i would stick to it compared to the 40 if you really want to upgrade you should thing something around the VSX-51 . In the US you will also have the models non Elite like the VSX - 1126-K that is the same as the VSX-52 but cheaper .IMO this is your best upgrade unless you want to go higher .

[PrivatePixel]

I figured I would resurrect this thread, seeing as I just purchased the VSX-53 tonight. Originally, I had my eyes (and budget) set on a VSX-52 a few months back, but securing a unit from an authorized dealer after it went on clearance proved to be difficult. Found a VSX-53 that was tagged incorrectly, so I saved an additional $120 on top of their clearance price of $800.

All I need now are banana plugs and some speaker wire and I should be set.

[davidp71]

Great score! I had the vsx-32 but ended up getting an Integra DTR-40.3. I like the features and sound of the Integra just a bit more....Good luck with it. Its a beautiful unit and massive at that.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by davidp71

Great score! I had the vsx-32 but ended up getting an Integra DTR-40.3. I like the features and sound of the Integra just a bit more....Good luck with it. Its a beautiful unit and massive at that.

Thanks, davidp71. The VSX-53 should pair up very nicely with my Def. Techs (I know they did when I auditioned a VSX-52 display unit over a year ago, hence my year-long search for an Elite unit I could afford). I know the menus aren't as intuitive / easy to navigate as the Onkyo (and presumably Integra as well), but seeing as this is my first A/V receiver in years, I'm sure there's a learning curve attached to anything I bought, even if MCACC and Audyssey have simplified the setup process (mostly).

The Integra DTR-40.3 is a stunning piece of equipment; unfortunately, I don't know any custom installers in my area that carry Integra, so there was no way for me to audition one.

[pacman9270]

I've owned the VSX-40 for a year now. Have it pushing Def Tech ProCinema 600 5.1 system. Suits my needs but would like to play with the AIR Play function. Is it worth it, with my current configuration, to upgrade to the VSX-53?

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by pacman9270

I've owned the VSX-40 for a year now. Have it pushing Def Tech ProCinema 600 5.1 system. Suits my needs but would like to play with the AIR Play function. Is it worth it, with my current configuration, to upgrade to the VSX-53?

Were you thinking about upgrading the receiver solely for the AirPlay function? That seems like a substantial investment for just a single feature.

Can't help you with your AirPlay question, as I don't own/use any Apple products currently.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Were you thinking about upgrading the receiver solely for the AirPlay function? That seems like a substantial investment for just a single feature.

Can't help you with your AirPlay question, as I don't own/use any Apple products currently.

Do you still have the 53 ? i ask this since i'm trying to find out if the last year models can red FLAC files from a external HD .

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

Do you still have the 53? i ask this since i'm trying to find out if the last year models can red FLAC files from a external HD.

I do, but it's still not hooked up yet (still waiting for speaker cable and banana plugs to arrive ).

I did a search on "VSX-52 FLAC files" (the 52 was the more popular model and received more reviews) and, according to S&V Magazine, playback of streamed audio from a home network is supported; not sure about an external HD or thumb drive connected via USB.

I can give it a try at the Magnolia near me. I know they still have the VSX-52 demo unit on their rack; I can transfer a few FLAC files to a USB drive to see if the contents can be read and played back. I'm curious to know myself.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I do, but it's still not hooked up yet (still waiting for speaker cable and banana plugs to arrive ).

I did a search on "VSX-52 FLAC files" (the 52 was the more popular model and received more reviews) and, according to S&V Magazine, playback of streamed audio from a home network is supported; not sure about an external HD or thumb drive connected via USB.

I can give it a try at the Magnolia near me. I know they still have the VSX-52 demo unit on their rack; I can transfer a few FLAC files to a USB drive to see if the contents can be read and played back. I'm curious to know myself.

I know for sure that truth a USB drive they work but there's a specific amount of space for external HD's and as usual Pioneer Canada they don't know nothing . The New 68 i know for a fact that can take up to 4T but older models it's a hit or miss . My 919 did till a certain time a couple months a go it stopped to recognize one of my drives and i'm looking for a upgrade but i don't want to fork the bill for the 68 or 65 .