Receiver Help

tyatnu82
tyatnu82 Posts: 14
edited December 2008 in Electronics
I currently own a Pioneer elite vsx-91txh. I can get a pretty good deal on the Sony STR-DA5300ES receiver. Is the Sony better than the Pioneer? Should I upgrade to the Sony?
Post edited by tyatnu82 on
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited November 2008
    It looks like the Sony would be a slight upgrade to the Pioneer, only noticable difference would be about a 10W increase per channel, and 4 more HDMI inputs. Also the Sony upconverts analog signals to 1080P whereas the Pioneer does not, I don't see this a big plus because what is the point of buying a receiver that has 6 HDMI inputs unless you plan to use them? Also the Sony has 5 optical inputs and 3 digital coax inputs, whereas the Pioneer only has one optical in and no digital coax, I think. Is your mind set on the Sony, I personally like Onkyo products and for about $650 shipped you can get the one I have (TX-SR806) and it uses the same Faroudja DCDi for upscaling, has 130W per channel and alot of the same features as the Sony. Just my $.02
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • tyatnu82
    tyatnu82 Posts: 14
    edited December 2008
    My current system is:
    Receiver - Pioneer Elite vsx-91txh
    Front - Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center - Polk Audio CS2
    Surround - Polk Audio Monitor 40
    Sub - Polk Audio PSW 505

    If I'm not that concerned about the 1080 upconversion, which of these three receivers is the best (Sony Str-da5300es, Yamaha Rx-V1800...or stick with what I have, Pioneer Elite vas-91txh)

    I have read a lot of reviews on all of them, and it seems as if the Sony has a lot of HDMI compatibility issues/bugs ??? Can anyone elaborate on that?
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited December 2008
    Why do you feel the need to upgrade? Is something lacking with what you have now? Or do you just have the upgrade bug?
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • tyatnu82
    tyatnu82 Posts: 14
    edited December 2008
    Well a little case of the upgrade bug. The main reason is that my dad is looking for a new receiver, but he does'nt want to spend more than around $400. So I was thinking since I bought my Pioneer for $600, I would sell him that for $400 and the rest would be considered a christmas present, then I could get Yamaha for $600 or the Sony for $700. Do you think that either getting the Sony or Yamaha would be a good deal? Is it worth it? If not, I was thinking of telling my dad to get the Onkyo 606 for $320. One of my biggest concerns for the upgrade is the Pioneer only has 2 HDMI slots. I only use two right now, but I never know if I will need more...If I stay with the Pioneer, do the HDMI switches and splitters work ok?? If so what are some good brands? And where to buy?
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited December 2008
    Ah. I was going to suggest that you just use the pre-outs of the existing AVR (if it has them) and buy a new separate amp for the money to get more of an 'upgrade'. But it appears that route is not really an option.

    Some of the newer HDTV's have multiple HDMI inputs as well, my guess is that your Sony likely does. You don't have to use the HDMI inputs in the AVR. Some like them because of some of the video upconversion features, but some of the better TVs will also upconvert.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited December 2008
    Don't want to kill the upgrade bug, or ruin Christmas for your dad, but I hear these work good:
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4066&seq=1&format=2#description
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  • doggie750
    doggie750 Posts: 1,160
    edited December 2008
    tyatnu82 wrote: »
    Well a little case of the upgrade bug. The main reason is that my dad is looking for a new receiver, but he does'nt want to spend more than around $400. So I was thinking since I bought my Pioneer for $600, I would sell him that for $400 and the rest would be considered a christmas present, then I could get Yamaha for $600 or the Sony for $700. Do you think that either getting the Sony or Yamaha would be a good deal? Is it worth it? If not, I was thinking of telling my dad to get the Onkyo 606 for $320. One of my biggest concerns for the upgrade is the Pioneer only has 2 HDMI slots. I only use two right now, but I never know if I will need more...If I stay with the Pioneer, do the HDMI switches and splitters work ok?? If so what are some good brands? And where to buy?

    Give your dad a break......give him the unit for free! He changed your diapers several times when you were on it...otherwise keep you current AVR and buy him a cheaper used avr. That's my 2cents
    Godspeed,
    D0661E

    AVR:Pioneer Elite SC-07
    Surrounds: RTis
    2channel:Rti100 (carver driven
    Sub:SVS PB12-Plus/2
    Dedicated AMPs:Adcom GFA535, 2xCarver 1.5t, Carver m1.0t
    Wsrn:Hitachi ultra vision LCD60, 32XBR400
    PowerConditioner: MonsterC HTS5100
    PS3, Toshiba HD A2, etc: SonySACD/ Panasonic gears DIVX.

    MR3LIGION: Polkaudio; GSXR; E46; Reeftank;
    Odyclub; Xsimulator; Sony; Zune; Canon
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