Pioneer Elite owners...

Grimster74

Right now I can get an amazing deal on a couple month old VSX-82TXS with the latest firmware already installed. This would only be a temporary pre/pro solution until Outlaw releases there new pre/pro's. Can any Elite owners tell me there experiences with these units. I'd be replacing the Outlaw 990 for the HDMI switching abilities of the 82TXS. Thanks.

Early B.

Wow. HDMI switching must be real important to you to consider a temporary downgrade.

I have an older 52TX and it sounds great. It replaced a Harman Kardon which sounded great, as well, but not quite as good as the PE.

wingnut4772

I don't think it would be a downgrade. I have heard the 84txsi and it sounds really sweet. If the 82 sounds anything like it, I don't think it will be a temporary move for you.

Edit: The Pioneer sounded WAY better than my old Sherwood which is reputed to sound similar to the 990 FWIW.

Grimster74

Well, the price is just that GOOD on the 82TXS that I just wanna make sure it would be a smart move over the 990. If I then decide to go with Outlaws new pre/pro, the 82TXS would then move to the upstairs rig.

Grimster74

I also found a pretty good deal on a Denon AVR-4306 so now I'm stuck between which is better, the Denon or the Pioneer.

Early B.

Go with Pioneer. Definitely.

Sherardp

My vote is for the Pioneer, as others have said the sound will be right on point and plus you can eliminate the switches in your current setup. Let us know bro. Go get the beast and bring it on home man.

shahmichael@com

I can tell you if it any thing as good as my 74txvi it will be great,easy setup,good sound possibilitys,hdmi,sounds like a good combo.

Grimster74

Well ladies and gents, pulled the trigger on the Elite today, should receive it sometime this week.

mantis

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well ladies and gents, pulled the trigger on the Elite today, should receive it sometime this week.

Good move, as a preamp the Pioneer is a better choice over the Denon. it's more dynamic. Not taking anything away from the Denon but I perfer the Robust abilities of the Elite receivers as receiver or as Preamps over the Denon models.

Great job, it might be a keeper after all. Trust your ears.

Dan

Sherardp

mantis wrote: »

Good move, as a preamp the Pioneer is a better choice over the Denon. it's more dynamic. Not taking anything away from the Denon but I perfer the Robust abilities of the Elite receivers as receiver or as Preamps over the Denon models.

Great job, it might be a keeper after all. Trust your ears.

Dan

+1 on this, it may end up finding permanent residence in the rack .

Grimster74

Okay, the gentlemen I purchased this unit from just e-mailed me and said that he's not sure how, but the little door on the Optical 1 input fell off. He has the little swing door still but my question is, how hard is this little door to put back on. He has offered to give me a full refund and just cancel the sale but I'm not sure if this is something I should worry about. Should I still go ahead and purchase this unit? Will the door not being there render the optical 1 useless? Thanks guys.

Dennis Gardner

The door won't matter if a cable is always plugged into the port. I think the door simply keeps light from escaping into the room.

You could try on optical plug type cover. I would think that would plug the hole if not in use.

Grimster74

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

You could try on optical plug type cover. I would think that would plug the hole if not in use.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Have plenty of these plugs laying around somewhere.

G-2

Gotta give another vote for the Pioneer, wouldn't trade ours period! We're really pleased with our 84TXVi

Grimster74

Well, once again, the deal fell threw. Received a call from the gentlemen I ordered the receiver from informing me that he refunded my money. He said when he put the unit up for sale it was in perfect condition. Well, not only was the optical door broke, seems some of the binding post were busted also. Said he wasn't sure what happened but to me, it sounds like it was dropped. I told him that beings he was the original owner of the unit to send it back to Pioneer to get it repaired under warranty and once it was fixed, I may still be interested. I'm guessing at this rate, I may end up having to wait on Outlaws new pre/pro.

mwaarna

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well, once again, the deal fell threw. Received a call from the gentlemen I ordered the receiver from informing me that he refunded my money. He said when he put the unit up for sale it was in perfect condition. Well, not only was the optical door broke, seems some of the binding post were busted also. Said he wasn't sure what happened but to me, it sounds like it was dropped. I told him that beings he was the original owner of the unit to send it back to Pioneer to get it repaired under warranty and once it was fixed, I may still be interested. I'm guessing at this rate, I may end up having to wait on Outlaws new pre/pro.

since you were waiting for a new outlaw pre/pro... why not take a look at the integra 9.8
http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTC-9.8&class=Separates&p=f
or the Onkyo 885
http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=PR-SC885P&class=Preamplifier&p=i

I am looking to upgrade to a new HDMI switching pre/pro as well.

Grimster74

mwaarna wrote: »

since you were waiting for a new outlaw pre/pro... why not take a look at the integra 9.8

Well here is the deal, I've limited myself to a budget of $800 for a temporary solution to gain HDMI video/audio switching. The Pioneer Elite I was looking at was purchased in July of '07' and he was selling it for more than half off, he replaced it with the Onkyo 805. What ever I purchase will probaly be moved upstairs once I replace it with the new Outlaw.

mantis

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well here is the deal, I've limited myself to a budget of $800 for a temporary solution to gain HDMI video/audio switching. The Pioneer Elite I was looking at was purchased in July of '07' and he was selling it for more than half off, he replaced it with the Onkyo 805. What ever I purchase will probaly be moved upstairs once I replace it with the new Outlaw.

It's funny I'm in the same boat but I don't really have a limit on what I will spend to get what I want. But I'm thinking that a Pioneer Elite receiver is a great way to get into the new formats and see what goes on. Rotel is releasing there new preamp in the rsp1069 but I'm not crazy about it. Not to mention it's 2200.00. For that kind of money I'm seeing what B&K will come out with.


Dan

Grimster74

Well, I'm back on track. Just purchased a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi off Audiogon for $25 more than the VSX-82TXS. Can't wait to actually get a new pre-amp in my basement so I don't keep spending all day looking for a new one. LOL Anyways, this guy is going to double box the unit and everything before shipping it out.

Sherardp

So what who cares, just kidding bro. Congrats. Looking forward to your thoughts on the new toy. Now its my turn. Hmmmmm what should I buy?

mantis

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well, I'm back on track. Just purchased a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi off Audiogon for $25 more than the VSX-82TXS. Can't wait to actually get a new pre-amp in my basement so I don't keep spending all day looking for a new one. LOL Anyways, this guy is going to double box the unit and everything before shipping it out.

Damn, thats top of the line yest one model back. It's a fantastic receiver and I can't wait to hear what you think of it as a preamp. You know I never been a fan of doing just this. Actually I don't believe in it but Pioneer Elite receivers for some reason or another make for great sounding and functional preamps.

mantis

**** dude, you own all Rti series. Hell I'm going to bet you'll like the internal amps. try it before you connect to your power amp. You maybe suprised.

Dan

Grimster74

Hey Dan, you seem to really like the Elite line from Pioneer. Are there any other 'particulars' about the Elite line you can tell me about that make you such a strong supporter? Thanks.

Grimster74

Another thing about this unit is the most current firmware has already been installed on the unit, he sent me pictures last night of the invoice from where he had the firmware updated. The unit itself is roughly a year old with very, very little usage. Apparently it's in mint shape minus some dust and the pictures he sent me of the unit showed that. Seemed to be no cosmetic flaws, scratches, dings, dents, etc. Really looking forward to getting the unit though just so I can get rid of all the switches in my H/T so I can simplify my life.

mantis

Grimster74 wrote: »

Hey Dan, you seem to really like the Elite line from Pioneer. Are there any other 'particulars' about the Elite line you can tell me about that make you such a strong supporter? Thanks.

It's the no nonsense approach they take. They give you everything you need and nothing you don't. I have worked with Yamaha and Denon for so long and Pioneer always seemed easier to setup, they always sounded a tad bit better, the dynamic range seemed to be better then the Denon lines and more on line with the Yamahas without all the Brightness.

I have added amps to there receivers with great results. With Denon, even adding B&K power amps, it still seemed kinda flat and lifeless drive harder speakers. With the Pioneers it seemed like seperates.

They where the first to use a calibration mic. To this day they do it the best. Denon and Yamaha sound worse with a calibration done by the mic. I think I can set them up better with my meter and making my own setup adjustments. The Pioneers sound great after a calibration. It's called Mcacc.They also do more in there setup.

Over the years zone 2 has been a breeze with Pioneer. Yamaha flat out sucks for zone 2 and Denon is in the middle.

When you get it,read the owners manual and really get the most out of it. I really wish they made there receivers as Preamps 2. I wouldn't have no reason to use anything else. My speakers (Dynaudio) are to much for the internal amps. They are only rated at 6 ohms and I already did a setup and clipped them. But you own Rti's which will not be a problem.I don't think you will need your power amp anymore.

2 channel stereo I felt was the best out of all the Japanese receivers I have ever used and that Includes Onkyo and Integra. Sony ES I felt was good stuff as well. They are like Pioneer where music sounds really good for a receiver.

Good luck with it man. If you need any help with it, I know everything about them.

Dan

wingnut4772

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well ladies and gents, pulled the trigger on the Elite today, should receive it sometime this week.

I don't think you will be disappointed. Congrats.:)

xMEATx

I am a fan of the Elite as well. I have the 82 and love it. Does anyone who uses the 82 as a pre/ pro think and amp is overkill?

Early B.

xMEATx wrote: »

I am a fan of the Elite as well. I have the 82 and love it. Does anyone who uses the 82 as a pre/ pro think and amp is overkill?

A decent amp will typically outperform most receivers.