Should I buy a new Receiver?

skrewloose

I am looking at maybe buying a new receiver. Currently, I have a pioneer s509s, if I remember the model number correctly. I have had it for 5 years, give or take. It has .8% THD, and 100W per channel, according to the manual. I have a panasonic dvd player, plugged in through an optical dig cable, monster 16 guage speaker wire running to POLK rm 6700 speakers, with a psw12 sub, hooked up speaker level.
I am eyeing a pioneer 1015tx receiver. From what I have read, it has 120w per channel, and diff sources quote diff THD, but at the worst, it is .2%. All my other equipment would stay the same. IF anyone has experience with this stuff, would the new receiver make a lot of diff in my sound quality, sound being pushed through the speakers, etc? Or would I end up with all the same tones, etc, as I have now probably? I hope to make a decision by this weekend, so any feedback wouldbe greatly appreciated!

speakergeek

I think going to the 1015 will give you a significant increase in performance. I have one myself and have been quite pleased with it. I think the power supply of the 1015 is much more robust than the 509S is, and the 1015 is THX certified which is a nice plus. While it is rated at 0.2% distortion at 120W, it is rated at 0.09% at 110 watts. Some say it is a rebadged VSX-52TX (I think it is myself comparing specs and manuals).

I used to have a VSX-501S and then a TX-SR600. The 1015 out performs both by a huge margin. It is a real giant killer in terms of value.

I noticed the 509 weighs about 18.5 lbs, while the 1015 weighs nearly twice that at 34 lbs. That is a pretty good indication of the improved internals in the 1015 (larger transformer, better amp, larger caps). But don't expect it to sound much louder because the wattage ratings are "close". But it is a very good receiver (the 1015) for the price.

skrewloose

I figured the loudness would not increase, but I have heard different receivers have diff sound qualities, like speakers. I have been told a newer, more powerful one may bring out sound effects i never heard before, etc. Plus I have heard the auto set up program on it is awesome, one of the only ones that is very good at what it does.
Why the 2 diff THD and watt listings?
And will set up, with the auto program, be difficult since my sub is run through my speakers?

speakergeek

Marketing (advertising higher wattage, but also increasing the distortion). I ran the MCACC on my system, but tweeked it manually, which you can do. I really like how it sounds. It's killer with movies. Very good musically as well. I'm not sure about how it will affect your sub settings.

skrewloose

Ok thanks. Wasn't sure if anyone would reply, but figured I'd ask. Still trying to decide if I want to spend the money or save for a new tv, but I had gotten on an upgrading kick when my old sub would power on but stopped puttingout bass, got the psw12 from there, which rocks, then got the rm6700's. They were not needed, but decided to get them anyway. Defintely great speakers, especially for the size. I am sure I would tweak the auto cali some, but probably not mess with bass, treble, etc. Just the volume, etc. Maybe someday use the 7.1, but not nthe near future. So they ad 120, but it is actually 110? Not that it matters. I am just most concerned about sound quality improvement, not just volume.

speakergeek

It is putting out the claimed 120 wpc, but at 0.2 % THD. The manual includes the output at 0.09 % THD (110 wpc) also. Neither level of distortion is audible. When testing the spec. I guess the engineer's turned the volume up a bit more and measured the distortion.

speakergeek

You may find this a good read also. It is the rated output of the VSX-52TX. While it is a different receiver, the 1015 in theory should come very close to these ratings if not the same. I have read over on another board about this thing being a rebadged VSX-52TX elite receiver. I know it has the same amp and same sized caps (15000 uF). There are some preamp and decoding differences though.

http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/1204pioneer/index2.html

Probably more than you want to know, but this is why I call it the giant killer, and why I chose it.

Cheers

cfrizz

Looks like a good buy. It also has preouts so that if you want more power you can add it which will help with sound quaulity improvement.

skrewloose

Thanks again, I think I am going to get that new receiver to replace my older pioneer. I am just hoping it is a at least semi noticable inprovement so i do not have to ask myself why I spent the money. lol.

reeltrouble1

skrewloose wrote:

Thanks again, I think I am going to get that new receiver to replace my older pioneer. I am just hoping it is a at least semi noticable inprovement so i do not have to ask myself why I spent the money. lol.

Not trying to be a naysayer, but I would not really think its going to be much different.

Do you need a new receiver? Oh, yes, you likely do if you dont have pre-outs on the one you have. You also need a high current amp to go with it, which is what the pre-outs are for. As far as the difference in power between the two receivers, oh, less than 1db difference between 100W and 120W.

But hey, if it makes you happy to get a new one that does matter.

RT1