Pioneer receivers and future service

Murray1

Have 2 questions regarding Pioneer.

1. Will they support receivers since they are closing this division of the company? (i.e. bug fixes, enhancements, service, etc.)

2. Looking at Elite SC-05, VSX-03, & VSX-01. Comparison on Pioneer website shows sc-05 using Direct Energy HD Amplifier Design. Both VSX models are using Discrete(A.D. Energy) amp design. Does anyone know the difference between these 2 amp designs. Other than an additional 20W per channel and amp design, does not appear to be a big difference between these 3 models. BB Magnolia sales person said VSX models are stereo only. Appears website specs show all 3 models are 7.1. I plan on using for HT so I need confirmation VSX models can handle surround speakers. Also need to confirm all 3 models have pre out for external amp. Since I will be getting an external amp for future LSi speakers, I am wondering if I should go with the VSX-01 or 03 and put my money toward an external power. Thanks again folks........

Sherardp

SC-05 uses the B&O IceAmps which run cooler, are more energy efficient. You can find tons of info on the 05/07 here, See post 1 and there many threads on them here as quite a few of us here own the 05/07 models including myself.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1057599

pablo_rodz

I'm far from being "knowlegeable" in the matter, but my understanding is that Pioneer is NOT really getting out of the business. They are no longer making their plasma screens. The will still sell plasmas, but they will outsource the screens from Sharp or Panasonic (not sure). As far as receivers, I haven't heard anything about getting out of the buisness. Also about the VSX, they are 7.1. Check http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers
I have an '08 VSX-92TXH I love it, a great receiver.

This is from Pioneers website...
"Pioneer will continue to focus on what it does best, which includes engineering game-changing plasma technology and producing proprietary components that differentiate Pioneer plasma televisions from the rest of the market. The next generation KURO flat panel televisions will be coming this summer as planned with no change in Pioneer production. The only difference starting in 2009 will be that Pioneer will outsource mass production of the plasma modules before they go to finishing and assembly plants to become Pioneer televisions."

more here... http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/PlasmaTVs+Monitors/ci.Pioneer+is+committed+to+introducing+new+innovations+in+plasma+and+other+high+definition+technologies..Kuro

WilliamM2

I'm far from being "knowlegeable" in the matter, but my understanding is that Pioneer is NOT really getting out of the business. They are no longer making their plasma screens. The will still sell plasmas, but they will outsource the screens from Sharp or Panasonic (not sure).

Pioneer is leaving the TV market, and also the optical disc (DVD, Blu-Ray) business. It's old news by now. I haven't heard anything about their recievers, or other home audio products.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2341000,00.asp

metal83

Pioneer leaving home audio seems to be all hearsay thus far.
I've seen nothing to actually indicate this from any reputable source. Random people on internet forums are certainly not reputable sources.;)

apphd

Here is Pineers last posted press release.

pdf press release

Some excerpts:
1. Business Portfolio Realignment
Pioneer will realign its business portfolio through further drastic restructuring
measures in the Home Electronics business, an area where the Company has been
unable to achieve improvements in profitability despite implementing various
initiatives. Through this process, Pioneer aims to transform itself into an enterprise
centered on the Car Electronics business.

Looking ahead, Pioneer will develop Home Electronics business centered on three
areas, namely audio products, DJ equipment and cable TV set-top box businesses. We
will focus on our specialization in “sound,” as we take advantage of our extensive audio
technologies and expertise developed over the years to develop new business domains.

It is only a short 4 page read and seems to be some what contradictory to me in that it says they want to focus on the car market but also have seen huge hits there and expect that area to be hard hit again (related to new car sales). They also go on to say the typical that these plans are not cast in stone and will continue to make adjustments as the economy dictates.

They are getting out of the display manufacturing (old news) I have yet to see anything official about the rest of HT and home audio.

metal83

Murray1 wrote: »

Have 2 questions regarding Pioneer.

1. Will they support receivers since they are closing this division of the company? (i.e. bug fixes, enhancements, service, etc.)

2. Looking at Elite SC-05, VSX-03, & VSX-01. Comparison on Pioneer website shows sc-05 using Direct Energy HD Amplifier Design. Both VSX models are using Discrete(A.D. Energy) amp design. Does anyone know the difference between these 2 amp designs. Other than an additional 20W per channel and amp design, does not appear to be a big difference between these 3 models. BB Magnolia sales person said VSX models are stereo only. Appears website specs show all 3 models are 7.1. I plan on using for HT so I need confirmation VSX models can handle surround speakers. Also need to confirm all 3 models have pre out for external amp. Since I will be getting an external amp for future LSi speakers, I am wondering if I should go with the VSX-01 or 03 and put my money toward an external power. Thanks again folks........

Your BB Magnolia sales person is blowing smoke up your ****, or he has no idea what he is talking about, or both.

VSX models are "NOT" stereo only, they are 7.1 receivers.

shack

From every thing I read from a business investment standpoint, Pioneer is hurting, but has not made the move to abandon the Home Electronic segement of the industy. It may happen...but it hasn't been announced. Much of what one hears may be speculation, but the investment community is not aware of it. We know they are out of the Plasma business. They have been looking for partners in the car audio and navigation segement of the market which has been one of their strongest divisions in the past. Talks are rumored with Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Alpine Electronics Inc and Clarion Co Ltd. Pioneer Home Electronics may not make it, but that is merely speculation at this point.