Onkyo or Pioneer Elite?

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

I would say Pioneer since Onkyo sold their soul to HDDVD and pioneer is a member of the BDA.

Besides that, listen to it yourself and decide, but format war aside id still go with Pioneer.

onkyo is with HD DVD? Wow i never heard that one. i am still pastial to the onkyo receivers, they are built very well. now that i have the pioneer elite coming, i am not so sure i will keep it as i am having thoughts of getting hte onkyo 805 model. so again i am up in the air. some decisions are so hard whn your a tech junkie.

[bdrex28]

I need to get a second system for an upstairs recreation room.

I've been eyeing the sp908 by Onkyo.

does Pioneer make a similar system that's HTIB?

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

I have the Onkyo 805 and it is superb. Personally, I have never thought much of Pioneer audio products, ELITE or otherwise. In fact, ELITE products don't even exist outside of the U.S.. In the E.U., they are just part of the normal Pioneer product line. In the U.S., they dress them up in fancy suits, change the names and model numbers, and charge a premium for them - no thanks. No offence to anyone who owns them, I'm sure you all love them.

HI, so you really like this model onkyo? i was checking it out today and i had already bought a pioneer elite 91 model, but have not receved it yet. so i am debating on not opening it right away and wondering if i should stick with my roots with onkyo. i have 2 of their receivers now.

wanted to ask how the speaker calibration works on the 805 model, that is one feature that really interests me. is it accurate? thanks afor you opinions and comments by the way, it's appreciated.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

I did the auto calibration but reset everything manually using my SPL metre and just use the Audyssey room calibration EQ settings. I didn't like the results from the auto-calibration at all, other than the EQ settings. Some people have varying results. Personally, I'm not a fan of auto-calibration, so I would never base a purchase decision on that anyhow. Everything else having to do with this AVR is spot on, IMO. I just need to find a BD player that can stream the advanced CODECS now, as my Panny decodes everything and passes it as PCM, which the Onkyo handles flawlessly, but I cannot comment on how it decodes TrueHD or DTS-HD HR/MA yet. It does the legacy CODECS superbly.

Which panny bd player do you have? i just bought the new one 10A with the 5 free movies in the box. i have not received it yet. i thought the 805 decodes DDHD/DTSHD and such? or is the BD player that decodes it? either way you are saying this receiver is top notch. so with that said i am seriously thinking about getting the onkyo and selling the elite.

how is the 1080p through the receivers hdmi ports?

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

I have the Onkyo 805 and it is superb. Personally, I have never thought much of Pioneer audio products, ELITE or otherwise. In fact, ELITE products don't even exist outside of the U.S.. In the E.U., they are just part of the normal Pioneer product line. In the U.S., they dress them up in fancy suits, change the names and model numbers, and charge a premium for them - no thanks. No offence to anyone who owns them, I'm sure you all love them.

Ironically, I own an Elite and do not like the Onkyo models. I have always felt the Onkyo was dressed up with lots of bells and whistles for the price. Sort of a 'too good to be true' thing. I have friends that have owned Onkyo over the years and will never buy another due to reliability issues. That did not factor in my decision as I was a Sony fan for about 10 years and have owned Elite for the past 5 or so. The Elite has a much warmer sound to it. The Onkyo always seem harsh to me, kind of like a bass reflex speaker as opposed to an acoustic suspension speaker. In Japan, the Pioneer name is the high-end. They do dress up the name here, kind of like Integra is to Onkyo. The bottom line though is trial. Make sure you listen to the receivers in a good listening room and make sure you bring your own discs...

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

I'm not a fan of auto-calibration,

Me neither. I'll be following the receiver threads with great interest over the next few months as I'll be replacing my old Pioneer that doesn't have HDMI in the new year. I'm still undecided on which brand to get....

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Ironically, I own an Elite and do not like the Onkyo models. I have always felt the Onkyo was dressed up with lots of bells and whistles for the price. Sort of a 'too good to be true' thing. I have friends that have owned Onkyo over the years and will never buy another due to reliability issues. That did not factor in my decision as I was a Sony fan for about 10 years and have owned Elite for the past 5 or so. The Elite has a much warmer sound to it. The Onkyo always seem harsh to me, kind of like a bass reflex speaker as opposed to an acoustic suspension speaker. In Japan, the Pioneer name is the high-end. They do dress up the name here, kind of like Integra is to Onkyo. The bottom line though is trial. Make sure you listen to the receivers in a good listening room and make sure you bring your own discs...

always like to here all opinions, because they vary so much. glad to hear an elite opinion though, thanks

[Jim L]

Thanks for the discussions here.

I think now it boils down to my taking the time to do some listening tests with my own CDs, SACDs, and BDs.

I just have to find a local dealer who carries both the Onkyo and Pioneer Elite (I think Tweeter does). I know that speakers affect your perception as well and I've heard that some makes of speakers sound better with certain amps.

Right now I have the Denon AVR-3805 with Polk RTi8s, CSi3s, and RT4s. The combination is very good for music and movies (and I did a lot of listening tests to settle on this combination). I would go with Denon again, but way too expensive and I can't touch the equivalent model except for
~$500 more than the Elite. The Onkyo is a great price for what you get but it makes me question the quality of its components.

Anyway, I'll try some comparison tests and report back here.

Thanks.

[MATTYBLU2]

"The 805 does decode all the advanced CODECs, but in order to do so, it requires a player that actually streams them via HDMI 1.3. The Panny does not stream the advanced CODECS, but, rather, decodes all of the CODECs (other than DTS-HD MA, it only decodes DTS-HD HR) inside the player and passes them as PCM via HDMI or out the analogue multichannel outs."



so are there any blu ray players out there that do hdmi 1.3 right now?

what does pcm stand for again? i forgot

if my tv and receiver have hdmi 1.3 then will the sound be transfered through hdmi correctly? will i be in full benefit of the sound at that point.

in others words how can i get the best possible sound from my system right now and take full advantage of the different decoding.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

"The 805 does decode all the advanced CODECs, but in order to do so, it requires a player that actually streams them via HDMI 1.3. The Panny does not stream the advanced CODECS, but, rather, decodes all of the CODECs (other than DTS-HD MA, it only decodes DTS-HD HR) inside the player and passes them as PCM via HDMI or out the analogue multichannel outs."



so are there any blu ray players out there that do hdmi 1.3 right now?

what does pcm stand for again? i forgot

if my tv and receiver have hdmi 1.3 then will the sound be transfered through hdmi correctly? will i be in full benefit of the sound at that point.

in others words how can i get the best possible sound from my system right now and take full advantage of the different decoding.

First everything I have read, HDMI 1.3 is a bandwidth things. A cheap dental floss HDMI wont do it, but anything that is thicker will.

PCM is Pulse-Code-Modulation. It is uncompressed audio.

Everything that I know of is HDMI 1.3 There are some purists who may disagree but you can research that topic on this forum.

Aslong as your blu-ray player or receiver has the Dolby HD decoder, you will get uncompressed audio. From what I am lead to believe.

[Sonny]

I like the Onkyo's they do just what I want & a little more but every body will tell you this & that about them, so get one try it out for 30 day if you dont like it take it back & get somthing elsa

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

First everything I have read, HDMI 1.3 is a bandwidth things. A cheap dental floss HDMI wont do it, but anything that is thicker will.

PCM is Pulse-Code-Modulation. It is uncompressed audio.

Everything that I know of is HDMI 1.3 There are some purists who may disagree but you can research that topic on this forum.

Aslong as your blu-ray player or receiver has the Dolby HD decoder, you will get uncompressed audio. From what I am lead to believe.

thanks for the info, it helped out and i appreciate it

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Sonny

I like the Onkyo's they do just what I want & a little more but every body will tell you this & that about them, so get one try it out for 30 day if you dont like it take it back & get somthing elsa

the problem with returning them is that i sometimes buy items on ebay and save some serious money and alot of times they don't accept returns. but i could always buy at a local store, try it out and then return it and try another one and if not happy than return that one as well.

i am just so reluctant to open the elite 91 if i really want the onkyo 805 model. so many views on them and opinions. i guess i will just have to make up my mind and be happy with that on.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

the problem with returning them is that i sometimes buy items on ebay and save some serious money and alot of times they don't accept returns. but i could always buy at a local store, try it out and then return it and try another one and if not happy than return that one as well.

i am just so reluctant to open the elite 91 if i really want the onkyo 805 model. so many views on them and opinions. i guess i will just have to make up my mind and be happy with that on.

Ya, the returns are only good & conv if they are from a store in town. You HAVE to let LOOSE some time dont always be so uptite on all this stuff its ment for enjoyment, not all the what ifs

[Luis_A51]

You dont need a receiver that decomes TrueHD or DTSHDMA. End of story. All new players will decode internally, and the PS3 will be upgraded to do DTS MA eventually.

I dont think ive ever seen a player that can bitstream either of those and NOT be able to decode internally.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Ya, the returns are only good & conv if they are from a store in town. You HAVE to let LOOSE some time dont always be so uptite on all this stuff its ment for enjoyment, not all the what ifs

oh i know its for enjoyment and i do most certainly. but i am making some big upgrades here on a receiver, BD player and a new 1080p tv. i just want to make sure i am making the right choices for the best possible set up. i really dont want to have to upgrade again down the road because i overlooked something.

if anyone is more excited to upgrade its me. i have been waiting for the right time to make this move and i am a huge movie fan. most men have other toys in life like motorcycles, ATV's, boats, skimobiles, campers, sports such as golf ETC. that they spend tons of money on. well my toys are home theater and i have been upgrading for years and am very pleased with my setup now. but i now feel its time to upgrade and enjoy some HD movies with fantasic audio. i am sure you know how i feel

[Nicadian]

Hiya folks. I just bought the Pioneer VSX 91 TXH. I was wondering if it was a good buy or should i wait to buy the VSX 92 TXH with 1080p (Faroudja DCDi). Does that make a difference when viewing blu ray or that is just for upscaling? I will basically use the receiver to watch blu ray movies.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Nicadian

Hiya folks. I just bought the Pioneer VSX 91 TXH. I was wondering if it was a good buy or should i wait to buy the VSX 92 TXH with 1080p (Faroudja DCDi). Does that make a difference when viewing blu ray or that is just for upscaling? I will basically use the receiver to watch blu ray movies.

You made a good choice. The Faroudja chip is for upscaling standard def sources, so don't fret and enjoy your Elite beauty.

[Nicadian]

Thanks gvortex7. I got a good deal on it, i paid 800 bucks for it too and here in canada that everything is more expensive up here.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Nicadian

Thanks gvortex7. I got a good deal on it, i paid 800 bucks for it too and here in canada that everything is more expensive up here.

Yeah, $800C is a pretty good deal for north of the border.