Impossible to find used Pio. Elite SC-05?

polkapolka

Hi all. Well, I am close to pulling the trigger on a VSX-03, brand new. However, I would like very much to find an SC-05 used, if I could stay in the $500 price range.

I have been looking for some time, and haven't come across any used SC-05s. Is it possible to find one these days?

I have been looking on here, Audiogon, & Ebay. Anywhere else I should be looking?

Thanks guys - I hate you for getting me started on this little hobby! :eek:
Matt

stuwee

I'd do CL searches, concentrate on college towns and citys. With the kids leaving soon, all kinds of stuff shows up....not just the Pioneer you seek but, other things you didn't know you needed too

There's a guy who goes by MacGyver on several forums who thinks your A/V receiver is the Bomb!

polkapolka

Thanks stuwee. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a CL search? Keep in mind, I am heavily medicated !

I will also try to track down MacGyver. I know I have seen his name elsewhere, now if only I could find my memory, I just keep forgetting where I put it...

Nevermind, I found it, all I had to do was Google that bad boy, lol

Matt

cnh

I'd say it's 'unlikely' you're going to find much 'used' in that market. Those are the latest and greatest Elite's and most people who bought them 'new' are NOT ready to part with them!

So good luck, but I wouldn't even waste my time on a search. I'd just wait for a big sale. In fact you just missed one where NEW models were selling for about half price. See threads on ICE amps and the ICE-club?

cnh

mantis

right now the Sc05 and Sc07 are at a all time low price. I was told they will not stay there . They are suppose to go back up. My source is not Pioneer so it maybe false. I don't know exaclty. But I will say this, if you want the caliber receiver the SC-05 is , spend the money now. You do know it's a 1800.00 receiver and many have paid it and love it.


Dan

Pedler

No Offence, but at the prices they are now why not spend the extra like Mantis said?
I am not saying that you may not find it used... ( :(To be Blunt you are not going to find some one crazy enough to let it go...so early, maybe in 1,2 years. or when Pioneer releases the next line and some have to do the upgrade due to they must have the latest and greatest...if you want to wait that long)
Another problem is that if they do the upgrade from the sc05/07 to the next models they may more than likely keep it and put it in the bedroom or rec-room.

I would never let mine go because I have heard a lot of AVR's and they are the best right now.:D
Don't get me wrong I just don't want you to get your hopes up remember it just came out not too long ago. And the prices are so low right now.
Best of luck...Searching

polkapolka

Pedler wrote: »

No Offence, but at the prices they are now why not spend the extra like Mantis said?
I am not saying that you may not find it used... ( :(To be Blunt you are not going to find some one crazy enough to let it go...so early, maybe in 1,2 years. or when Pioneer releases the next line and some have to do the upgrade due to they must have the latest and greatest...if you want to wait that long)
Another problem is that if they do the upgrade from the sc05/07 to the next models they may more than likely keep it and put it in the bedroom or rec-room.

I would never let mine go because I have heard a lot of AVR's and they are the best right now.:D
Don't get me wrong I just don't want you to get your hopes up remember it just came out not too long ago. And the prices are so low right now.
Best of luck...Searching

Thanks you guys for the input. No offense taken. I really am becoming convinced that the 05 is worth the extra $. I think I will have to save an extra month or two, and hopefully still find it at the $699 price.

Man, this is a hard decision, as I just keep on finding out more and more, it becomes less and less obvious which is the best choice. But, I don know that I can't go wrong with an SC-05.

Contemplating,
Thanks guys,
Matt

Pedler

polkapolka wrote: »

Thanks you guys for the input. No offense taken. I really am becoming convinced that the 05 is worth the extra $. I think I will have to save an extra month or two, and hopefully still find it at the $699 price.

Man, this is a hard decision, as I just keep on finding out more and more, it becomes less and less obvious which is the best choice. But, I don know that I can't go wrong with an SC-05.

Contemplating,
Thanks guys,
Matt

Matt Try and find a place that has the top AVR's and do a listen and have them switch between them and let your ears decide.
I am not saying the SC is the end all be all but it is a step up in my opinion.
When I was looking for a receiver I wanted better sound quality not Amp power. and that is one of the reasons why i like the SC it sounds better.

I think once you hear the others you will realize why we recomend saving for the SC.

as a note I compared it to the Denon 3808/Pioneer SC-05/ yamaha 3900
on Paridigm speakers. I can't remember the model (it wasn't the signature series) I was willing to spend more for the -05 but at the low prices I picked up the sc-07. I would have been content with the -05 easily...

Hopefully I can see you post in the Ice Club...:)
Pelter

polkapolka

Thanks Pedler. I agree with wanting sound quality vs. raw power. My major dilemna is my wife is giving me enough money to buy the Elite VSX-03 @ $499 on Audiogon. This happens to be through HiFi Heaven, which is actually less than 2 hrs. drive for me!
Now, I am not an audiophile. However, I do like and appreciate great sound, and quality is very important. I rarely crank it, if ever.
Right now I have a HTIB Onkyo 540 AVR. I have just upgraded from the HTIB to the speakers in my sig. I don't think the sound is too bad right now. I know, many of you may be laughing. But, the truth is, I have never been able to afford high end stuff, and have never had the opportunity to listen to it in a proper setting. So, that means that ignorance is bliss for me.
I am thinking I will truly appreciate the 03. As time goes on, I can upgrade to separates, or an SC, etc.
I guess my question is: Is the Elite VSX-03 that bad of a receiver? I know that the ICE amps are in a different league, but does the 03 hold it's own at all?

Thanks for your honest replies, you are all helping me make some very hard decisions.l

Matt

Falcon01

Polkapolka, don't limit yourself to just Pioneer. I heard a Denon 889 recently and it absolutely smoked the sound I'm getting from my VSX-01. Granted he has different speakers than I do but still the sound was not marginally better, it was on another level completely.

You can get some good Denon receivers, along with Onkyo, HK, etc for around the same price range and there are some good used deals out there also.

mantis

polkapolka wrote: »

Thanks Pedler. I agree with wanting sound quality vs. raw power. My major dilemna is my wife is giving me enough money to buy the Elite VSX-03 @ $499 on Audiogon. This happens to be through HiFi Heaven, which is actually less than 2 hrs. drive for me!
Now, I am not an audiophile. However, I do like and appreciate great sound, and quality is very important. I rarely crank it, if ever.
Right now I have a HTIB Onkyo 540 AVR. I have just upgraded from the HTIB to the speakers in my sig. I don't think the sound is too bad right now. I know, many of you may be laughing. But, the truth is, I have never been able to afford high end stuff, and have never had the opportunity to listen to it in a proper setting. So, that means that ignorance is bliss for me.
I am thinking I will truly appreciate the 03. As time goes on, I can upgrade to separates, or an SC, etc.
I guess my question is: Is the Elite VSX-03 that bad of a receiver? I know that the ICE amps are in a different league, but does the 03 hold it's own at all?

Thanks for your honest replies, you are all helping me make some very hard decisions.l

Matt

The vsx03txh is a fantastic receiver and sounds amazing. I have to add this years Elite receivers are the most complete I have ever seen. Since the release of HDMI, this year is complete. Now the 01/03 series while not being ICE are still fantastic. Just search for my opinion I have given many times on how the 01 has impressed me. It tickled me pink when it was released. I felt finally the line is complete. The ICE models are the LOL ICE ing on the cake.
With your needs and current system, the 03 will bring you years of enjoyment and in my opinion way better sound. It's dynamic and clear. fully featured and a honor to own.

Don't feel bad owning it or regret not being able to step up to ICE. With your current system, your not missing anything. Trust me on this one.

When you get it, I would like to read a full in your words review of your thoughts. Give it time to compare and really listen to it.

I'll be waiting for your review,

Dan

polkapolka

Falcon01 wrote: »

Polkapolka, don't limit yourself to just Pioneer. I heard a Denon 889 recently and it absolutely smoked the sound I'm getting from my VSX-01. Granted he has different speakers than I do but still the sound was not marginally better, it was on another level completely.

You can get some good Denon receivers, along with Onkyo, HK, etc for around the same price range and there are some good used deals out there also.

Good advice Falcon01. I have spent the last 3-4 mos. reading daily about all of the receivers under $600. I eventually narrowed my search down to the Elites. The overall package of the Elites, along with the huge following, seem to be the best match for my needs.

Although, I am not against keeping my options open. As far as Denon goes, I have found that people are having a very hard time setting them up. Many say they are unnecessarily complicated to get decent sound out of them.
Do you think that is true?

Also, I think that the Denons are overpriced, especially for the options you get compared to their competitors in the same price range.

But, that doesn't mean that I am not open to them at all. Just that they don't seem like a top choice for the best bang-for-the-buck receiver out there now.

Competition is fierce. Which is great for us. While at the same time it is a curse, as we are bombarded with so many choices, it is mind-boggling!

Thanks for the input, and please elaborate on any of the receivers you think are good, including your 889 experience.

Matt

polkapolka

mantis wrote: »

The vsx03txh is a fantastic receiver and sounds amazing. I have to add this years Elite receivers are the most complete I have ever seen. Since the release of HDMI, this year is complete. Now the 01/03 series while not being ICE are still fantastic. Just search for my opinion I have given many times on how the 01 has impressed me. It tickled me pink when it was released. I felt finally the line is complete. The ICE models are the LOL ICE ing on the cake.
With your needs and current system, the 03 will bring you years of enjoyment and in my opinion way better sound. It's dynamic and clear. fully featured and a honor to own.

Don't feel bad owning it or regret not being able to step up to ICE. With your current system, your not missing anything. Trust me on this one.

When you get it, I would like to read a full in your words review of your thoughts. Give it time to compare and really listen to it.

I'll be waiting for your review,

Dan

Great!! I am very happy to hear that. I have a feeling that I will be quite happy with the 03 as well. Especially with my speakers, I don't know how sensitive they would be to the sound differences at the very high levels we are talking about. I mean, most of the people that own that amp. have spent a great deal more on their speakers.

I have only spent about $650 on all of my speakers combined! I bought them all from Polk's ebay store. All except for my monitor 50s, which I paid $60/ea for from Fry's on one of their Friday sales!

Also, this may get a laugh, I don't think that my current Onkyo sounds that bad. I mean, it must sound awful compared to these great amps we are talking about, but I guess ignorance is bliss, right?

Thanks Dan, I truly appreciate it.

Matt

digitalvideo

Just go on ebay, there are probably a few used ones on there, or you can bid for a new one on there at a much loser price.

digitalvideo

Sorry typo, "you can bid for a much LOWER price."

rallyshark

Does no one like Marantz?? Some pretty decent prices can be had on factory refurbs. Refurbs can be a gamble though. I have really enjoyed the Marantz sound myself. Just a thought:)

polkapolka

rallyshark wrote: »

Does no one like Marantz?? Some pretty decent prices can be had on factory refurbs. Refurbs can be a gamble though. I have really enjoyed the Marantz sound myself. Just a thought:)

Thanks Rallyshark for the heads up on Marantz. I have heard such a mixed bag of reviews on Marantz; 'they are havinng issues with software', 'they have video issues with HDMI', etc., that I just don't know what to think of them.

Also, another consideration for me is that the local dealer carry what I am going to buy. I am fortunate enough to live within 2 hrs drive of HiFi Heaven in Green Bay, WI! So, it would be to my great advantage to have local service with whatever brand I go with.

Unfortunately, they don't carry Marantz. Also, before I buy, I will have the seemingly rare ability to demo the prospective receivers before I buy.

One thing that puzzles me though. HiFi Heaven only has a 3 day return policy. I thought most included 30 days, no? At any rate, it is still far better to have local service than to have to deal with shipping, etc.

Any input guys?

Thanks again rallyshark,
Matt

polkapolka

digitalvideo wrote: »

Sorry typo, "you can bid for a much LOWER price."

Too funny!

polkapolka

digitalvideo wrote: »

Just go on ebay, there are probably a few used ones on there, or you can bid for a new one on there at a much loser price.

Really, that is exactly what I was hoping for: a much loser price, lol!

stuwee

polkapolka wrote: »

Thanks stuwee. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a CL search? Keep in mind, I am heavily medicated !

I will also try to track down MacGyver. I know I have seen his name elsewhere, now if only I could find my memory, I just keep forgetting where I put it...

Nevermind, I found it, all I had to do was Google that bad boy, lol

Matt

Matt, share the meds and, I'll share some info CL means Craigslist (Not me, Craig, the other one!):D

MacGyver, hangs out on the Sound Thinking forum and Steve Hoffman music forum. He's a little over the top with Pioneer worshiping but, has ton's of files and info on all Pioneer stuff from 1985 and up. Good Luck!

Craig

polkapolka

stuwee wrote: »

Matt, share the meds and, I'll share some info CL means Craigslist (Not me, Craig, the other one!):D

MacGyver, hangs out on the Sound Thinking forum and Steve Hoffman music forum. He's a little over the top with Pioneer worshiping but, has ton's of files and info on all Pioneer stuff from 1985 and up. Good Luck!

Craig

Thanks stuwee. I will see if I can track him down.

Matt

Sherardp

Not an 05, but an 07 for 850 is never a bad price

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=10006

polkapolka

Sherardp wrote: »

Not an 05, but an 07 for 850 is never a bad price

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=10006

Thanks, but that isn't even an option.