Pioneer vs Onkyo

mantis

polkfarmboy wrote: »

My onkyo 607 sounded better than my pioneer elite vsx01thx

I've done a Onkyo/Integra vs Pioneer Elite test myself a few times now and I feel completely different then you do.

My test was the Integra DTR70.3 vs Pioneer SC57 , Pioneer Elite SC-37 vs Integra Seperates , Pioneer Elite vsx33 vs Integra DTR 50.3 and the last one was Pioneer Elite vsx52 vs Integra DTR40.3. All test where done with different speakers in different rooms with different cables and sources. All test had the same exact results and agreed by 2 other people(Installers) that the Pioneer had a warmer sweeter more musical presentation over the Integra models. For theater both had awesome dynamic range and explosive emotional presence but the Pioneer models sounded more natural doing so.

In my testing 3 different people agreed on all points which is usually not the case when we do these sort of things.

I will say this , Integra or Onkyo which is considered the lower end of Integra or Integra is considered the "Elite" of Onkyo , is an excellent choice is one isn't going Pioneer. I feel they are the 2nd best all around receivers on the market today with plenty of features for custom and fun alike. No other company offers more then Integra. The only place they fall short is the ability to perform like separates . I did find it funny that their separates sounded exactly like their receivers with no dead silent qualities like all our other separates we carry. Even Cambridge audio's receiver sounds more like separates then Integra's do. Again not taking anything away as at their price point , they are still worthy of running many theaters with stellar results. I might change out their amp for a NAD or Anthem but honestly the Integra's amp is pretty cool with all it's extra channels no other amp I've seen has for theater use.

Remember this sound quality is personal and you can't judge these models off of our opinion , even if everyone agrees that the Pioneer model sound better , you might like the Onkyo's approach. It doesn't suck.

polkfarmboy

I totally agree with you Dan on it being a personal choice and one of those decisions that will ultimately decide that preference is the speakers that the avr is hooked up to. For me the onkyo provided a very nice neutral sound to the electrostats

mantis

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I totally agree with you Dan on it being a personal choice and one of those decisions that will ultimately decide that preference is the speakers that the avr is hooked up to. For me the onkyo provided a very nice neutral sound to the electrostats

I really love all the features of the Integra models , for custom Install they are probably the best hands down.

pablo_rodz

My brothers Onkyo receiver of less than 4 years crapped out. I've used my Elite daily for the past 6 years and it's still like new

Dennis Gardner

Hey Dan, how do your feel about the Elite lineup having a $2k flagship model instead of the previous $7k of the past? Is this a smart move on Pioneer's part or simply a streamline move like dropping Kuro from their line?

I don't usually take part in the VS threads, but I'm looking at replacing my HK 7200 that is dying channel by channel, and the SC 55/57 are on my short list.

PrazVT

I've been extremely happy w/ my SC 57 so far. I use it as a pre w/ a NAD M25 amp and it performs beautifully for movies and music. Couldn't be happier. Haven't had any issues with it so far.

mantis

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

Hey Dan, how do your feel about the Elite lineup having a $2k flagship model instead of the previous $7k of the past? Is this a smart move on Pioneer's part or simply a streamline move like dropping Kuro from their line?

I don't usually take part in the VS threads, but I'm looking at replacing my HK 7200 that is dying channel by channel, and the SC 55/57 are on my short list.

I'm sad that they didn't release the SC-59 to replace the SC-09. I was looking to upgrade to that model when it came out. I'm also very sad they don't make Kuro Tv's anymore. I own a 60" Kuro and have no desire to upgrade but when the time comes I have no TV I even like anywhere near as much as my Kuro.

With all that being said , what speakers do you currently own now and what do you think you will move to in the future if any?
The SC models are wonderful sounding and IMO they are the best sounding out of Sony , Onkyo , Yamaha , Marantz , Denon , HK , etc. Only NAD and Cambridge Audio IMO sound as good or arguably better but you give up many features. Anthem's receiver is very nice and sounds damn good but I', not sure if it's better then the SC models as I have not been able to hear them side by side. I have heard the Anthem with Def Tech speakers and I was pretty Impressed. Again the Anthem is featureless compared to the SC.

Arcam has a nice receiver out and sounds really good. It's limited as well but it's a consideration.

NewHTguy

I've owned my sr875 for over three years now, and it has performed very well although lately it has functioned mostly as a prepro. BUT I would caution against buy one of the more powerful Onkyo models if you aren't going to give it proper ventilation. Heat is my main gripe with the sr875. It is hot right now and it is just doing the processing. When it is actually driving speakers it is pretty much too hot to touch unless you're trying to prove that you have a high pain tolerance.

IMHO, when people have these discussion they too frequently ignore the video processing side of things. I understand this to some extent because I am mostly a two-channel guy. But this can be an important part of an AVR's feature set. When I first bought my sr875 I was pleasantly surprised to see just how well it upcoverted a SD digital television signal. It was awesome. My impression is that the video processing of the new Onks is also very much cutting edge.

Having said that, I'm really itching for an upgrade. The new Onks seem capable of playing FLAC files right off a hdd or flash drive. Don't know if the Pioneer units can.

One last thing, if you buy a new Pioneer keep in mind that there are NO authorized online sellers for the elite series.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Where-To-Buy/Pioneer+Home+Audio+Video+Authorized+Internet+Dealers

Stilly74

I have an onkyo HT-RC 370. Has pretty much all the same functions as the 809 but with less the price. It works very well and is thx certified as well. Best reciever I've had to date

rebuy

mantis wrote: »

I really love all the features of the Integra models , for custom Install they are probably the best hands down.

I really don't see the difference betwwen the Integra and the better built Onkyo's except for a name badge.

My next AVR will not be an Onkyo because I don't think it sounds good for music only.

Geoff4rfc

rebuy wrote: »

I really don't see the difference betwwen the Integra and the better built Onkyo's except for a name badge.

My next AVR will not be an Onkyo because I don't think it sounds good for music only.

Integra's have upgraded internal parts over the Onkyo's and come with a 5yr warranty, the Onkyo comes with a 2yr.

SRTer

I love my Pioneer Elite SC-35. I had a H/K and the didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. Then I picked up a Pio Elite VSX-23. It was the best AVR I had so I decieded more was better and got the SC-35 for more power and 3D passable HDMI 1.4. I will never part with it. Therefore, I will have to put it in my will.

If anyone wants a AVR to use everyday like I do for 6-12 hours for music and home theater while running towers all around full range (no x-over), the SC-35/37 will get the job done. I also feel the the SC-55/57 would fall into the same fold.

VanR

I love my older TX-SR504. It has a sweet sound. I find myself listening to more and more music (Classical) these days and not so much movies anymore. But I do miss my old H/K AVR240 that lightning took out. I think next receiver I'll be heading back to Harmon/Kardon.