Onkyo 709/809 or Pioneer CS-55??

gtaudio

I have the opportunity to get an amazing deal through a local dealer on a Pioneer sc-55. I am struggling because I also think an Onkyo 709 or 809 would be nice too. If I get the sc-55 I probably wouldn't need to do a separate amp.

As a reminder I have all an all Rti setup with A7s and A6 center on the front stage.

I have had three Onkyo's but none with pre outs or I wouldn't be looking.

I don't need AirPlay as I have two airport expresses and an apple tv but it could be nice if integrated well.

The main reason for looking at the Pioneer is the class d amp and 720 watts driving all channels will be nice.

Thanks

Serendipity

I would go with the Onkyo 809 and an amp.

chumlie

I would go with the cs-55. You can always amp it later if you feel the need. Doubt you ever will though.

Lietuvis91

What?! Sc55 all day long for the better amp section!

Plus onkyo can't handle 4ohm loads, in case you get some 4 ohm speakers later.

Glowrdr

I'll second the SC. I kind of had the same thought process a while ago. My decision was to go with something that I can make do for quite a while, and get all the bells and whistles, as well as the most current formats. Why buy a receiver if you know you'll need an amp?

Guess it all depends on your setup. If you know for sure that you will be needing an amp in the near future (planning on any large speaker purchases?) then save your money and get the Onk. Otherwise if you're on the fence and just looking for a quality peice of equipment, I'd go with the Pio.

gtaudio

Thanks guys obviously I got the SC backwards, I am a little worried the Pioneer might be too tall for my current rack, which I like a lot.

Does the Pioneer run hot?

domflane

It's class D gtaudio, runs cool as ICE. Mine drives my RTiA home theater to some high volumes without breaking a sweat. Hate to say it, but it easily bests my HK AVR354/Carver AV-505 combo I had before. The Onks are good receivers, but the Elite SC's are amazing receivers. Be prepared to be really confused with the operation of it if you buy it though, its a pretty complicated machine, lol.

blueboxer

I love my SC-35, and I hear the 55 is even better with a better overall sound and musicality with the new digital amps. Mine runs inside a BDI vented cabinet and it never gets more than lukewarm. If you don't mind PM me the deal on the SC-55, been looking to pick one up.

jbooker82

I have been told thePioneer has one blanket XO setting for all channels. The onkyo you can set the towers to 40hz, center to 60, and surrounds to 80.

Drenis

jbooker82 wrote: »

I have been told thePioneer has one blanket XO setting for all channels. The onkyo you can set the towers to 40hz, center to 60, and surrounds to 80.

This is true for the Pio.

Glowrdr

Jut thinking out loud, but for a seamless transition, logically I wouldn't think bad of having all channels crossed at the same frequency. I understand each speaker (model) performs at it's own peaks, but from a sound perspective I'd think it wouldn't matter? Kind of like the same way you want the same line of speakers.

Again, I can see both sides of the fence - just thinking out loud to get other opinions or a good debate at least.

gtaudio

I don't know that it's a deal killer but I do like independently setting the speaker crossovers on my Onkyo.

Lietuvis91

I use to think the ability to set different crossover points was a good thing, but after trying out different speakers and different settings I realized a few things. The reason you try to buy speakers from the same series for a matching 5 channel system is so that everything sounds uniform. If you set different crossover points for different channels... things no longer sound uniform. I have experienced this with my monitors and lsis. So really, the only reason to set different channels with different crossovers is if you are trying to blend something in that isn't designed to blend in from the get go, like speakers from different manufacturers or different series. My point is, if you are starting from scratch, you are going to buy matching speakers all around, making different crossovers unnecessary.

jbooker82

Then your limited by by the smallest speaker in your system. So if you have book shelf rears then you might as well have a 5 channel book shelf system.

Pioneer's biggest selling point is the ICE amp. So take in consideration weather or not you actually plan on using it.

gtaudio

I do plan on using the amp, although its the d3 amp this year they dropped the ICE amps. Still a d class amp with lots of power driving all channels.

I agree that you are limited by the smallest speaker I have A7s in front and four A1s as surround.

The main point of the receiver is the amp and not needing an external amp, keeps things clean in front. Also the apple integration is nice.

B Run

My Pioneer SC-35 sounds better than my Onkyo 3008 did hands down.

mantis

jbooker82 wrote: »

Then your limited by by the smallest speaker in your system. So if you have book shelf rears then you might as well have a 5 channel book shelf system.

Pioneer's biggest selling point is the ICE amp. So take in consideration weather or not you actually plan on using it.

This is not even a problem in any way shape or form. There is absolutely no need to set the crossovers all all different points for ones speaker package. IF you buy all your speakers from the same series , they all work together. Crossover ALL channels at 80hz and your done. Let MCACC make these decisions for you and your worries are gone. Forget all that crap.

You subwoofer should be of highest quality for your speaker package and do all the heavy lifting , this makes for the best sounding most dynamic theater system possible with your given speaker package.

The SC Elite receiver are superior to most receivers sold and the best in all their price classes. The Onkyo / Integra models are fantastic in many ways but don't sound no where near as good as the Elites do.

Lietuvis91

I think Mantis is dead on the money. Well said sir.

In my particular case 120hz accross the board sounds the best for HT. This brings out unbelieveable clarity and detail and the 12in sub does a great job handling the rest. For music I switch to stereo mode, turn off the sub, and set the lsi9s to full range. Settings for HT vs music will differ, just the nature of the beast.