Pioneer VSX-94TXH or Onkyo TX-SR875???

[mdabb]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. Time for a new reciever and can't decide between these two models. I am concerned the Onkyo might burn down my house because of the heat/spark issue. I like this receiver even more after reading a recent review in Home Theater Mag. Passed all video test they put it through. The Pioneer is calling my name too and might be hard to pass up.

One thing that has kept me from upgrading has been the fact when I connect my Samsung BD-P1200, PS3, and Motorola STB into the receiver via HDMI I'm going to end up with one output. Meaning I have to live with the way that source looks on my TV rather than having each input callibrated to look it's best. How is this working out for everyone else? Do you change the "User Settings" every time you switch between equipment?

I feel that I am missing out on the newer Dolby & DTS surround. Right now it seems like I can get a good deal on both these receivers and figured a receiver is my next upgrade then a new standalone BD player. I currently have a Yamaha HTR-5890 and it's lacking in the latest and greatest no HDMI , or new Dolby & DTS. Although it's a great sounding receiver.

[SkullPhyre]

I have the 875 and mine is on most of the day as I have my cable box hooked into it. I have a small fan on top sucking the heat out, and it is out in the open so it stays fairly cool. Heat is not a issue. I have all my stuff calibrated from the source and the tv calibrated to match. To calibrate each individually you could use a hdmi switchbox with 4 outputs and do it that way. I have had mine for 3 months and love it. If you buy it you will be happy with it any of the receivers on the market now have the dsp update and should have firmware 1.08 on it. Good luck.

[mdabb]

Not a bad solution concerning HDMI . Do you really need the fan? My receiver will be placed in the open. Wonder why a Receiver would put off that much heat? I guess it is a legitimate concern. Every product has its nay-sayers but sometimes I think those people didn't provide adequate ventilation.

[crackinhedz]

I think you would be pleased with both. Perhaps go and see if you can listen and mess around with them, see which one you think suits you.

I am trying to get myself an Elite 92 but I still read and hear great things about the 875. (most Onkyo's for that matter)

[mdabb]

On the Pioneer it has "dlna" capabilities and I have a Sony laptop that has "dlna" built into it. Wonder if anyone out there has ever used "dlna" compatable equipment together and how does it work for you?

At this point I need to slow down and pick a receiver that is well built, future proof ( at least for a little while anyways), performs well and kicks butt. I am still worried about the Onkyo and this heat-spark-then smoke issue. My local Best Buy doesn't have this model hooked up or at least in working condition. So I can't feel the heat it puts off. I really want to see the upconversion on digital and analog. Like I said I read good things recently. I am at a stand still.

Wish Anthem equipment didn't cost so much. I would consider others but don't have more than 2K to play with.

[Ranger-R]

I have the 94thx and there are no heat issues this baby is a dream come true. Plus i love the network connection, either to my server or online music. If the Onkyo is putting that much heat out.. its a shame, I'd go Elite.

[SkullPhyre]

I just have the fan on top just in case its always good to pull heat away. And in the Onkyo's case, the REON is what makes it so hot all that video processing.

[sterryo]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Not a bad solution concerning HDMI . Do you really need the fan? My receiver will be placed in the open. Wonder why a Receiver would put off that much heat? I guess it is a legitimate concern. Every product has its nay-sayers but sometimes I think those people didn't provide adequate ventilation.

Amplifiers produce heat as a by-product of output. more power more heat, Onkyo has greater power capability. See reviews that give bench test results, the Onkyo produces 20-25% more power than the Pioneer, so it produces more heat. The necessary heat sinks to bring it down to the Pioneers heat level would add considerable weight and bulk to the receiver.
I have owned 2 pioneer elites and 6 pioneer regular AVR's and they are nice receivers. The Onkyo uses better parts (especially DAC's) and has reon HQV and audyssey multi eq, both upgrades over mcacc and faroudja dcdi

[mdabb]

Overall the Onkyo is the best looking receiver "SPEC WISE" . As for heat , I have used small DC fans in the past. I'll have to rig it up again. I am liking the silver version of the 875 as well. I am curious if anyone here has a pic posted of a silver model Onkyo on Blu-ray.com . No silver models on display in my area. How do we like the silver finish? For those who own one. Do you also think the silver models sit around a lot longer than the black version. Would I be likely to get an older version?

If I was to compare the Onkyo TX-SR875 to the Pioneer VSX-94TXH and Denon AVR-3808CI sound wise who would come out on top?

[twoboyz]

The 3808ci is very nice. I have the 4308ci and would not take anything for it unless is was getting the new Denon seperates ($14000). I have no heat issues. I mean the thing does get warm but not overheated and I have no trouble playing 7.1 surround as loud as you can stand it over an extended period of time. I believe the 3808 has basically the same power. Just not some of the connectivity that the 4308 has. The Denon will have a more neutral/natural sound. I decided on the 4308 over the TX-NR905 because of heat issue and I just thought the Denon sounded better.

[jon s]

i prefer onkyo over denon... the onkyo weighs 50+ lbs, the denon 38. the added weight in the onkyo is due to the beefier power supplies which means more power reserves for the amps. the onkyos do get hot but it is because of the reon video processor, not the amps. if you listen to music in pure mode which disables the video circuitry, it doesn't get hot at all. another thing is that onkyo has a two year warranty and denon only has one.

[mdabb]

I don't think the REON processing is what makes it run so hot. I have a Samsung BD-P1200 Bluray player with REON and it doesn't get hot at all. It has to be the transformers.

[Pellaeon]

I have the Pioneer VSX-94TXH and absolutely love it. More than enough power for my 7.1 room set up in the basement.

[nbxfan]

I've done a lot of research lately on receivers and finally settled on one this past week. The Pioneer vsx-94txh was one of them and, though it is not the one I ended up purchasing, found almost every review to be excellent. I currently have an older Pioneer and have never had issues with it. I'd definitely shop around though for price like at www.pricegrabber.com or ebay as you can get them for significantly less than a retail chain. Also, for expert reviews, try www.ultimateavmag.com. I had also very briefly looked at the Onkyo but, have read a few bad things, especially the over heating thing that turned me off. I'm sure it is a few stupid people piling equipment on top of eachother without giving it air to breathe. Similar situations occured with those with xbox 360's from what I remember and it is because people don't understand that these high end products need space, air, and dusting. So, I can't really say any more about the Onkyo. And, as you can decide if my oppinion matters, I ended up with a Sony str-da5300es. The main reason for this was because of the offering of 6HDMI inputs of which I can already use 4 and wanted my receiver to be able to handle things for the next 5-10 years. If I hadn't chosen this, the Pioneer would have been the one for sure.

[twoboyz]

The belief that the Onkyo gets hot because of processor is BS. Its because of the power supplies.

EQUIP:
dENON avr4308CI
ELITE BDP-95FD
SAMSUNG FP-T5084
DEF TECH BP7002, CLR2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 84/A (2)
RICHARD GRAY'S 600S POWER CONDITIONER
MONSTER 5100 MK2
DENON DVD3930CI

[sterryo]

Originally Posted by mdabb

If I was to compare the Onkyo TX-SR875 to the Pioneer VSX-94TXH and Denon AVR-3808CI sound wise who would come out on top?

I have owned a denon 3800, pio vsx-84 and a onkyo 805. To my ears the Onkyo beat them out hands down. I used a 200 watt Rotel amp with both the denon and the pio to get the sound that I liked, with the onkyo I sold the rotel because I couldn't hear any differance, where as the other 2 recievers were very noticeable....

[twoboyz]

Hey, everyone has there favorites mine happens to be Denon others Onkyo Pioneer, Sony or Marantz. All are good and all will do the job. The only thing I would say is listen to them all and your ears and wallet will lead the way.

[mdabb]

The main reason I'm leaning towards the Onkyo is:

REON being a better processor and I don't want to make the signal from my Motorola look any worse than it does already. The amount of compression on cable signals is horrible but what can ya do! I know the REON isn't perfect but everything I've read it does a lot better than Faroudja. I wonder if it would be better to feed the receiver the component out on the cable box and let it do the conversion or feed it the digital signal from HDMI and let the receiver process that.

Digital conversion as well. I am looking for the overall quality/performance which is a lot harder of a decision than I thought. I wish Pioneer went a little further than it did with this receiver as it is beautiful. Denon has a new line coming out I just can't find too much info about them though.

Marantz has a nice feature on a receiver I was looking at - TWO HDMI outputs.

As for the SONY I'll have to give it a look over. The STR-DA4300ES didn't do as well as the Onkyo in this months Home Theater Mag. A concern of mine is if there is going to be video processing involved it's going to have to be benificial.

[mdabb]

With the receivers I'm looking at. The video is a huge part of these babies as well as sound. The total package is where it comes down to. Like I said the Onkyo is in the lead but I just don't want to overlook anything either. I am getting a little bothered by buying a product and then desiring something more.

I hate playing a salesman and trying to sell old equipment too. Consumerism is a big ugly cycle. That's why I am looking for feedback from people who own some of these products. Do these products have you desiring more? Did it not live up to or surpass your expectations? and generally how has product preformed for you? All feedback I receive is more than appreciated. Good and bad It is what I'm looking for.

As many times as I've upgraded I find myself wasting a good chunk of money on products. I am trying to slow down that cycle with wise buys. I am sometimes brand loyal if that company has done a great job, but lets face it. sometimes one company outshines the other one year on certain products. I don't want to just say mine is better than yours. I just want to enjoy the best my budget allows.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by twoboyz

Hey, everyone has there favorites mine happens to be Denon others Onkyo Pioneer, Sony or Marantz. All are good and all will do the job. The only thing I would say is listen to them all and your ears and wallet will lead the way.

Best advice so far!