Onkyo VS Elite Opinions

dbKiller

I have a like MINT Onkyo TX NR809, and I really do like, but have found a good deal on a Pioneer Elite SC-35. Are there any pros and cons to either and should I make the move to Pioneer? Im torn between the two.

EndersShadow

Pio has more power and IMHO is better.

dbKiller

I have always heard the Pioneers have better amps where the Onkyo is better for video processing. I think I will follow your advice and swing for the Elite. I really appreciate the input.

cnh

Good choice. I love my Onkyo but the newer models just don't stack up against the old 805 unless you're up near the VERY top two models Onkyo makes these days (TX-NR 3010 or TX-NR 5010). Over $2000 MSRP, there!

The days when the 805 was a "value" powerhouse are probably gone forever. If you want to go Onkyo now you really have to STEP UP to compete with those Elites. Of course the Elites are not that cheap either except for the lower models.

cnh

PolkieMan

interesting article

http://www.audioholics.com/how-to-shop/best-midrange-receiver-2013

mantis

The Onkyo Receivers are nice as well as the higher end Integra models. But they fail in comparison to the Pioneer Elite models in overall sound quality, dynamic range and clarity. I firmly believe the Pioneer Elite model receivers are the best overall in the business at all of their price classes. IMO nothing even comes close.

mantis

DSkip wrote: »

This thread makes me happy I'm out of the receiver game.

Why? receivers are so fun and getting a new one is awesome.

cnh

mantis wrote: »

The Onkyo Receivers are nice as well as the higher end Integra models. But they fail in comparison to the Pioneer Elite models in overall sound quality, dynamic range and clarity. I firmly believe the Pioneer Elite model receivers are the best overall in the business at all of their price classes. IMO nothing even comes close.

I don't necessarily disagree with this except to say that I do think TOTL Integras come very "close"! But I still give the nod to the TOTL Elites, not necessarily the lower models, though?

cnh

Hermitism

In a world full of distractions, i.e., cell phones, babies brought to theaters, and people who feel the need to talk through every plot twist during a movie, I stopped going to the theater. It's as if I developed attention deficit disorder while at the theater. I'll be sitting there, and suddenly I'll realize I haven't been paying attention to the movie for the past ten minutes due to the hard of hearing "blue hair" sitting behind me that feels the need to share with her OLDER friend that the same person has been cutting her grass for the last 15 years. So I've tried to do the best I can to bring the theater experience home with me. Just need one of those popcorn makers. Can't imagine life without an AVR.

Velocitydreamer

If I could afford a nice 9.1 Pre & some nice amps, I'd be out of the receiver game too lol :P

zane77

Amen

Velocitydreamer

I only have one gripe, as an owner of Elites: You can't set the crossovers of each channel. I understand many people like to have a universal crossover, but I don't! -.- lol

cnh

AVR pre-amps by two channel audio companies are almost always overpriced, sometimes overrated and most definitely behind the Tech curve of companies like Pioneer which has the resources and budget to constantly innovate AVR tech.

IMHO, it is very TOUGH to beat a TOTL Pioneer SC for PURE HT enjoyment. And it's definitely NOT worth trying to for most of us.

Now, you want to talk TWO channel, sure, the SKY is your limit there!

cnh

txcoastal1

If you are using it as a preamp with a standalone amplifier, either. If you are using as a standalone system Pioneer with the iceamps will give the better horse power.

maximillian

What irks me is that newer Elite models are doing away with pre-outs. You have to go higher and higher models to get the connections back.

For the HT I have the SC-72 with Adcom GFA-6000 amp for the LSi speakers. For the upstairs daily TV use I have an SC-05 with ICE amp driving a couple LSi 7's and it works well. I like the sound of both systems, but looking to make a DIY preamp with HT bypass for using the HT setup in stereo only for music listening.

B Run

I know I bring this up a lot in these threads but here's my .02 from personal experience and i've owned several of both brands. I use the SC-35 and it sounds better than the Onkyo 3008 it replaced, and there's no way the 809 sounds better than the 3008 no offense. It's more reliable, sounds better, more dynamic and has more power so I don't think you'd regret it for a second.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm out of the receiver game too, now that I have the SC-25...

I've had it for several years and haven't even thought about upgrading the AVR. I have tried a few 2 channel preamps but in my room with how picky the Maggies are for placement the Pio has come out on top with all the calibration settings.

In an ideal room I'd probably get better results from a 2 channel preamp but at this point I'm convinced there's nothing else that would better in my setup. If I needed better power I'd be looking higher up the line, but since I've got that covered with my Parasound my Pio is perfect.

mantis

Velocitydreamer wrote: »

I only have one gripe, as an owner of Elites: You can't set the crossovers of each channel. I understand many people like to have a universal crossover, but I don't! -.- lol

Why is that?

Velocitydreamer

Say I have a nice pair of full range towers, and smaller sats in the back... I want my fronts to go lower than my rears... because honestly, I'm not going to want my sub going up to 80hz or higher, it'll be noticeable as to where it's coming from, and obviously I don't want lower frequencies going to the sats; otherwise, what's the point of a full range speaker? Keep in mind, I'm still learning, and not saying that's the best way, but it's the way I've liked so far... so it's subjective, or relative n whatnot...

mantis wrote: »

Why is that?

jon s

I used to own a couple of Onkyo TX-NR905s and a TX-NR906. I can honestly say I will never buy another Onkyo. While they performed admirably for the first couple of years, all three had the dreaded HDMI board failure. The boards cost $1000 to replace or $400 to repair, plus shipping. I live in Hawaii, the nearest service center is in California. Shipping a 55 lb. receiver is not cheap, about $300 one way from Hawaii.

I have some friends who also bought Onkyos, and they ALL have experienced failures... TX-NR5007, HDMI and amplifier failure, TX-SR818, amp failure, Tx-SR606, HDMI failures. TX-NR5008, HDMI failure. If you go to that "other" AV forum, there are tons of posts of Onkyo failures, far more than other brands. I think Onkyo was the only brand to have dedicated threads on failures for each model, including their high end Integra lines.

Even after I repaired all three Onkyos, they started to fail again a few months after the repairs. I ended up buying a Pioneer SC-67 & a used SC-37 and can say I love them. The only thing I hate with the Pioneer is the really, really bad remote control. The buttons are teeny weeny and the labels are microscopic and in a color that does not show well. Luckily, my Harmony remote fixed that problem.

cnh

There is no doubt that there are any number of HDMI failures that have been documented for Onkyos. The problem?
I own a 604, 605 and an 805 (the last two, supposedly being almost ASSURED FAILURES!), ALL of which are still in service and were bought new or new refurb in the time period they were selling. So that's what? 6 years without even ONE hiccup? (7 years for the 604)

I will say that the HDMI boards do get HOT, very HOT. HOTTER than they should, but they're still going.

Now I don't know about you but Six years on an AVR is three times the Onkyo warranty on their units?

I don't doubt that Onkyos fail. I just don't have that experience yet. Fingers crossed, just in case.

And I'd recommend the Pioneer anyway. But there HAVE been SC units that have had SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE glitches TOO and have required people to mail those SC units in for repairs or substitutes? There is also some documentation on SC HDMI failures available.

cnh

dbKiller

Wow, I really appreciate all of the feedback. I have placed the Onkyo for sale and will hopefully get the SC35 before it sells. As I said earlier, I do like the Onkyo, it really does seem as its missing something or holding back, if that makes any sense. Again, thank you to everyone for the help. Until next time!

Loud & Clear

Having just purchased the Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030, I am officially out of the amp game. This AVR is on a completely different level than any AVR I've ever owned. The sound is magnificent. And somehow they've actually managed to make a multi-channel stereo algorithm that actually sounds natural and wonderful. The detail and dynamics with movie soundtracks is breathtaking. It's as though this AVR was made in heaven by technologically advanced angels.

cnh

That Aventage series from Yamaha has really signaled a "return" for them. The higher models in that series can hang with the SC IMO! And worth serious consideration!

cnh

PolkieMan

Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030 looks very nice.

Yea my setup in the living room requires that my receiver is on all the time for everything.
Whether just watching TV, a BR movie, listening to two channel, phono or whatever.
My TV is nothing but a monitor so you could imagine the trouble it would be having all separate components every time I want to watch the evening news.
I do have a pure audio setting for more serious listening and it would be cool if when I selected that mode that say my Carver 2 channel amp would turn on and the receiver would just pass thru but only then as for regular TV and such would I really need a separate amp on all the time?

Loud & Clear wrote: »

Having just purchased the Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030, I am officially out of the amp game. This AVR is on a completely different level than any AVR I've ever owned. The sound is magnificent. And somehow they've actually managed to make a multi-channel stereo algorithm that actually sounds natural and wonderful. The detail and dynamics with movie soundtracks is breathtaking. It's as though this AVR was made in heaven by technologically advanced angels.

dbKiller

I haven't even really thought about Yamaha, may have to give them a look it the SC-35 don't work out. Their receivers look good and people that have written reviews seem to be satisfied with them. I have to admit, I hope the deal with the Elite works out.

dbKiller

While we are at it, any thoughts on Denon AVR? I have never had any dealings with Denon. Some of their newer units looks sweet.

B Run

I'm not personally a Denon fan unless you're looking towards the upper end like the 4520 or something like that, I feel like they keep getting less powerful and cheaper quality over the years and I prefer the sound of the Pioneer. I think the SC or a Yamaha RX-A are your best bets, they're the only two i'd use without stepping up to a higher end brand like Nad, Anthem, etc.

dbKiller

I had suspected that with the Denon receivers. I was only curious with Denon, but the SC-35 has my eye. If this deal fall through I will do some searching for Yamaha as well.