Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH Review Thread

[CAB]

I'm not angry or even anxious. My guess is many people are eager to see BD-Live and PiP at $300 per player so this format war can hurry up and end.

I own the Pioneer VSX-84TXSi and an pretty happy with how it's performed. All I send it is PCM and DSD. I'll probably replace it with another Pioneer. Hell, I might even travel up to see dBock to buy it at his Bestbuy.

[hyperdine]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I just picked up the Elite 92 at my local Magnolia. Got a great deal too, 999.99I had an Elite 82, but couldn't pass up the upgrade for such a great price. The Magnolia closest has been selling high-end for years now, but I also have ABT Electronics by me too. They carry all the higher end. Anyways, the Elite has been my best choice for a little while now. It has such a warm sound that cascades around my room so well. I had Sony before for about 10 years or so, but once I bought the Elite, it was no contest. I am excited to mate it with the new Elite BD player, when it comes out in fall. That player is going to produce an amazing picture and will pass the sudio very well.

Honestly, the whole PIP and web based material is something I don't care about and probably never will. I buy the player to watch movies at their best possible clarity, not for online content. I am curious why so many people are angry that all the new fall/winter players are not 2.0 compatible. Are people really looking forward to these online features? Or are we happy that we have caught up to HD DVD's already web ready discs? The HD fans seem to gloat on this and I could care less. Does anyone else see this?

Yeah, the 92 is pretty sweet as well.

I personally don't care for all the interactive content, etc. for the most part. It's just that if I'm going to drop a grand on a new Blu-Ray player, I really want it to be the latest and greatest...just for in case I ever do get tempted to try out all the bells and whistles. It's kind of like the Home Media Gallery on the Elite 94. I don't really plan on using it at the moment, but I like knowing it's there if I decide to tap into it down the road.

[atdm71]

As you can see, I have the 1016TXV -- really missing the audio pass through via HDMI. I can't even hear PCM tracks. It's all via optical connections from the PS3. That said, this thing still has way more than enough power, and I have never been able to have it fully cranked. Move audio is a little better than CD with this receiver.

I'm thinking the 92 is the receiver to beat for all vendors, at least for another couple years. I can't imagine ever getting full use of the 94s capabilities and will probably elect to save a few shillings.

Receivers like this really demand good speakers though to hear what they're truly capable of.

[mix1031]

One of my friends from college helped me set up my home theater system. He worked at Magnolia Hi-Fi up in the Seattle area and he even drove down to Olympia to help me drill holes, mount speakers, and set it all up. As I'm looking to upgrade, I'm just amazed at the quality he got me in. I purchased the Elite 45 and it has been awesome driving my M&K 5.1 surround system for the past several years. I bought a Mitsubishi 65" Diamond series and can't say enough about the package... Just awesome!

Now, I'm moving into a new house and as such I've got Wife Rules to follow. Therefore, my rear projection is going upstairs in the loft with the Elite 45 and my M&K 5.1 system.

In the family room, which is a good sized room off the kitchen I'm installing a JBL 7.1 in -ceiling surround system. Heard a demo and loved it. Now, I've got a question for those of you who know about home theaters: what receiver should I buy? I have loved the Elite but I know I need to upgrade to get the HDMI inputs/outputs to take advantage of the up-conversion of DVDs and the new Blu-Ray/HD formats. (I really don't know what that all means)

I'm a little behind the times and I could use a little help on a new screen, too. I'm thinking of getting a new screen and having someone build a piece of furniture around it in my living room. Anybody like what they have in the larger sized arena (prob 50" or larger for my room)

Can anyone suggest a screen that they like as well as a receiver? My budget is probably about 5-6K for the combo. I don't know/care about internet content, mostly tv and dvds.

[ANDYLOW]

Hi all! I came here to get input on this particular receiver and was pleased to find a thread dedicated to it

I finally obtained my degree not too long ago and recently started working at my first post-college job. Like any young guy with few expenses, a new influx of substantial income and a naive desire to spend it, I've been looking into putting together a new serious home theater system!

I was originally looking into the Denon AVR-3808CI, but read somewhere that the Denons have no built-in decoding for next-gen HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats. This was a huge turn off for me and caused me to look around some more until I found the Pioneer VSX-94TXH.

I'm hoping some of you might shed some light on the situation. While many newer receivers are still lacking the capability, it seems intuitive to me that one purchasing a new high-caliber receiver would insist on being able to support next-gen HD formats. It seems counter productive to buy something that should last you a long time that will become "obsolete" within a few years.

Am I right in thinking the Denon AVR-3808CI does not support next-gen formats? How capable is the Pioneer VSX-94TXH with these formats? I've been lead to believe that support for next-gen formats is built-in and the capability is not terribly limited.

Thanks for your input.





On a side note, as far as the limited GUI goes, I'm a software developer; most of us are more attracted to simpler user interfaces. I've also heard the Denon user interfaces have an annoying tendency to crash.

[quetzalcoatl]

No that Denon supports the advanced codecs of audio.

But on to the 94. I have had mine for close to 3 months and love it. It have a very simple interface to use. As will all receivers there is a small learning curve but this one does very well there.

I am not sure with the Denon but the Pioneer only goes to 6 ohms for speakers and that has been a problem for some.

[ANDYLOW]

Hmm, I found a CNet review for the Denon AVR-4306 which specifically states that it does not support next-gen formats. I wonder why it would be included with the 3808CI, but not the higher-end model. Any input on that?

CNet also states that the Pioneer VSX-94TXH goes to 8 Ohms. Is CNet not considered a reliable resource for receiver reviews?

[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

[doctorD]

Magnolia Audio Video is a high end store and has been around for many years (at least close to 20 years) in the greater Seattle Washingon area. I found out about them back when I started college at that time. The first Best Buy opened here only within the last 5 to 7 years. Best Buy now owns Magnolia and from what I heard, they may be incorporating the Magnolia stores into Best buy (some BB's are being renovated here).

So, this means that Best Buy is definitely upgrading their stores!

This thread has been great because I am in the market for a new receiver in the near future and have narrowed my choices to either a Pioneer Elite or a Denon. I currently own a Denon receiver and love it but want the new audio options. Thanks for the user reviews!

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by ryan mcdede

this receiver is amazing. sounds great

I couldn't agree more. I was a long time Denon/Yamaha user and I haven't been disappointed with the 94TXH.

[gotBlu]

Just ordered a vsx-94txh refurb. should be here early next week! Saved over $800 v. new at Worst Buy - {total price considering tax/shipping etc}. I'll prob add a 3 year warranty for about $70.

I was looking at the Denon 3808 and the Onkyo 875, the 94 finally won out, esp for this price.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by gotBlu

Just ordered a vsx-94txh refurb. should be here early next week! Saved over $800 v. new at Worst Buy - {total price considering tax/shipping etc}. I'll prob add a 3 year warranty for about $70.

I was looking at the Denon 3808 and the Onkyo 875, the 94 finally won out, esp for this price.

Wow $800 less than the brand new price, that's a good deal. But why buy an extra 3 year warranty? Is it because refurbs have no warranty? I'm not sure how warranty on refurbs work.

[true2_blu]

Stop fellas! Your making it real hard for me to stay away from the 94! I love my 84 and Ive only had it just over a year!