Sub Recommendations/Receiver Thoughts (my first set-up)

s.erwin

First off, hey everyone! Hope I can get a little help here.

I have to admit I have been bumming around these forums for the past few months. Well, at the beginning of the summer, I decided that I wanted to get a new home theater system and have been looking/reading/reviewing tons of speakers, receivers, and subs on the internet this whole summer. I had an older cheap Sony htib, and I'm not insanely educated on audio equipment. Seeing the TSI400s at Best Buy is what made me start itching for a newer and fancier system. Originally I set my budget on no more than $1,000, but now I'm hoping I don't have to spend more than $2,000. For now it'll just be a 3.1 setup. At first I was set on the TSI400s, CSi20,and Denon AVR 1912. Ahhh, but something in my head kept telling me to go bigger. So a few days ago, my cherry RTi A5s arrived at my door.:biggrin: I bought them refurbished from Polk's eBay store while they were on sale for $242 each on Sunday night with free shipping and they were at my door before lunch on Thursday looking brand-spankin' new! I'm most definitely planning on buying the CSi A6 center also. (Once I can find one in cherry finish with a good deal)

There's two things I'm a little unsure of though: Which sub and receiver to buy?

For subs, I have been really looking at the HSU VTF-2 MK3 and the Epik Legend. For receivers, I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Pioneer Elite VSX-52.

This system will be along the lines of 45% movies/TV, 40% music, and 15% gaming. So, I'm looking for a sub in the $500 range which will be great, both musically and for HT. I'm also looking for an all around great receiver which will run those RTi A5s well without an external amp for now, is network capable, has AirPlay, and has pre-outs. Basically a great, future-proof receiver.

Soooo, I'd love to hear some of yall's thoughts on the VTF-2 MK3 vs. the Epik Legend and whether or not the Pioneer Elite VSX-52 is going to suffice my needs for a receiver. And of course I'm open to other suggestions for subs and receivers. I don't have a set budget, but I'd like to not stray too far from the $2k mark for everything.:redface:

carter71

I had also decided on the VSX-52, but am now going with the VSX-1121. The general consensus seem so be that there's only minor differences between the two. The Elite has two 12v triggers, a longer warranty, and cosmetic differences. It's not worth the cost, IMO, because I can get the 1121 online at a discount but I'll have to drive an hour to a B&M store and pay full price + tax for the Elite. If you don't need the triggers or don't live near a dealer you might want to consider the 1121 to save you some cash.

s.erwin

carter71 wrote: »

I had also decided on the VSX-52, but am now going with the VSX-1121. The general consensus seem so be that there's only minor differences between the two. The Elite has two 12v triggers, a longer warranty, and cosmetic differences. It's not worth the cost, IMO, because I can get the 1121 online at a discount but I'll have to drive an hour to a B&M store and pay full price + tax for the Elite. If you don't need the triggers or don't live near a dealer you might want to consider the 1121 to save you some cash.

I kind of thought about getting the 1121 instead before, but I wouldn't mind paying $100 for 1 more year of warranty and the cosmetic difference. The only thing is it's hard to find stores carrying Elites here in South Texas. Couldn't find a single audio store that carries them in Corpus.:frown: I may just end up ordering the 1121 soon if I can't find any vsx-52s in San Antonio this weekend.

Anyone know if you can order an Elite at a Best Buy (or even over the phone) and pick it up in-store?

carter71

The 1121 is $713 from amazon right now. You have to click on "new" to get to amazon itself, because the one they show on the main page is sold by another vendor, and I don't know if Pioneer will honor the warranty. They definitely will if you order directly from amazon, as they are an authorized dealer.

There are plenty of Best Buys near me, but not any that carry the Elite line. The gas to drive to one, plus the fact that it will be $899 + tax, means that the Elite is not worth it to me. I'm ok with the standard one year warranty. My 12-year old VSX-D709S is still running like a champ. The only reason I'm replacing it is because I want lossless audio for movies.

As for whether it is powerful enough, I also asked that question in my thread and didn't get any responses on that. I did see a Youtube vid that a guy posted showing off his HT. He has last year's 1120 powering a large Klipsch RF-7 system with no extra amps, so I'm gonna say it's good enough.

Whichever way you decide, I hope you enjoy your new Pioneer receiver and new speakers!

s.erwin

Well I actually found a coupon that offers 10% off any single item in the store at Best Buy. Some brands are excluded in home audio, but it doesn't list Pioneer. It's also only valid in-store. There's a few stores in San Antonio that actually have the VSX-52 in stock, but none have the 1121 (only available by ordering in-store or online). My mom happens to be going through San Antonio tomorrow and offered to pick up a receiver for me, so if that coupon works, I'll be able to get the VSX-52 for $810 tomorrow. I think I'm going to jump onto this since I'll also get the rewards points.

specd_out

Its a good setup. I have cherry rtia5's and a vsx-32 which i believe is very similar to the new vsx 52. Its a great setup. I love mine. Pioneer is a warmer amp which contrasts nicely with the some what bright rti's

s.erwin

I bought the Elite VSX-52 today for $810 at Best Buy and the 10% off coupon worked. I've hooked it up to my RTi A5s and boy am I impressed!:biggrin: I'm only using some really cheap speaker wire though atm.:frown: I need to order some speaker wire and I'm thinking about Audioquest. Just need to get the center channel and sub now, which leaves me with these two questions...

Any recommendations on speaker wire?

Should I go with the HSU VTF-2 MK3 sub?

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the VTF-2 MK3. Anyone here that owns this sub? How do you like it? I really like how it has the variable tuning, since it will just about be for 50% music and 50% theater. Any other subs I should look at for around the same price? Thanks.

specd_out

From all the searching I have done it seems that speaker wire is all the same for the most part. as long as it well constructed and has good insulation it should be fine. The gauge seems to be more important. I have been running 12awg wire terminated with soldered on banana plugs. seems to work fine and only cost me a few bucks.

s.erwin

Thanks, after looking around for a little bit, I ordered some 12awg wire and banana plugs from monoprice.