Yet another receiver choice thread ...Pioneer vs Onkyo

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

This is where my research and budget has landed me. Seemingly good receivers with pre-outs for future upgrades.

Onkyo TX-NR808 , around $700 right now

Pioneer VSX-1120-K , rebadged , budget ELITE receiver , around $500 right now.

Any pro's or con's to these that anyone might want to throw out there ? Particularly why the Oinker might be worth the extra $200.
(Note the huge difference in weight between them , which usually equals better power supplys , etc)

Tomorrow I'm going to BB Magnolia (the best I have to work with near me - sorry) and I'll give some Elites and Oinkers a listen , as close to the models I'm looking at as I can get.
Currently running Monitor 10B's and a CSi5 center.

I am in the process of updating all of my gear due to the Panasonic TC-P54G25 (54" plasma) Christmas gift I received , :biggrin: , THANKS MOM AND DAD !

Will probably end up with some bookshelf RTiA's for the fronts before too long , the look of the 10B's just isn't getting it with Momma. Though I would love the towers and they may here for the basement man cave some day.

I will be replacing an OLD Sony from the mid-90's , so I'm sure either will be a great upgrade.
If you are into reading about antiques , here ya go , http://www.docs.sony.com/release/STRD1015.PDF

Thanks ,
Eric

polkfarmboy · January 2011

Why not buy it for less than $800 onkyo 808 for $599 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

But you dont need 3D so you could buy the same for less with an onkyo 707 for $130 cheaper at $469 onkyo 807 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

The pioneer is a good machine but for around $750 you can score a pioneer elite sc25

drselect · January 2011

About a year ago was in similar situation trying to choose between a onkyo and a pio until I went to a BB magnolia and heard them both. Decided to go with the Pio elite SC25 with ICE. Go have a listen and let you ears make a choice.

Knucklehead · January 2011

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Why not buy it for less than $800 onkyo 808 for $599 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

But you dont need 3D so you could buy the same for less with an onkyo 707 for $130 cheaper at $469 onkyo 807 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

The pioneer is a good machine but for around $750 you can score a pioneer elite sc25

+1, and if your not opposed to going used, you can get a whole lot of receiver for that budget.

dcoil · January 2011

Hoosierbronco wrote: »

I will be replacing an OLD Sony from the mid-90's , so I'm sure either will be a great upgrade.
Thanks ,
Eric

Eric, that's an understatement. Every time I've upgraded my receiver over the years, from a similar Sony, to Denon, to B&K, to loaner Onkyo to Yamaha, I've heard major sonic improvements. With input from some CP heavy hitters, I'm now planning to go separates. Bottom line, yes, I think you are in for a treat regardless of which one you end up with.:biggrin:

spock 2054 · January 2011

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Why not buy it for less than $800 onkyo 808 for $599 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

But you dont need 3D so you could buy the same for less with an onkyo 707 for $130 cheaper at $469 onkyo 807 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

The pioneer is a good machine but for around $750 you can score a pioneer elite sc25

+1 on Accessories 4 Less...

stangjason · January 2011

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Why not buy it for less than $800 onkyo 808 for $599 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

But you dont need 3D so you could buy the same for less with an onkyo 707 for $130 cheaper at $469 onkyo 807 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR808/Onkyo/TX-NR808-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

The pioneer is a good machine but for around $750 you can score a pioneer elite sc25

If he's like me $750 is $200 past his his limit and out of the question...per my wife in this case.

Glowrdr · January 2011

stangjason wrote: »

If he's like me $750 is $200 past his his limit and out of the question...per my wife in this case.

That's why you leave the wife out of it. lol - I told her that I'm getting a new receiver and she reluctantly said yes. I left out the part that it's a $1400 receiver.

On a side note - I was planning on buying an 02 Trans Am WS6 this spring, and she told me the other night "You're not buying any POS Pontiac. If you're getting anything, it's gonna be a Porsche". God I love my wife.

stangjason · January 2011

Glowrdr wrote: »

That's why you leave the wife out of it. lol - I told her that I'm getting a new receiver and she reluctantly said yes. I left out the part that it's a $1400 receiver.

On a side note - I was planning on buying an 02 Trans Am WS6 this spring, and she told me the other night "You're not buying any POS Pontiac. If you're getting anything, it's gonna be a Porsche". God I love my wife.

Yeah I sold my Polk RS series speakers for $200 and I ended up getting a $500 receiver in return but I do need to sale my H/K avr635 now to help make up some of the difference. I did already rack up pretty good during Christmas by getting an NVIDIA 5870 and some other things so I do need to take it easy on the bank account.

I'm about ready to sale my 03 Cobra if you or someone you know is interested. I've just lost interest in the car scene now that I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old .

drselect · January 2011

Glowrdr wrote: »

On a side note - I was planning on buying an 02 Trans Am WS6 this spring, and she told me the other night "You're not buying any POS Pontiac. If you're getting anything, it's gonna be a Porsche". God I love my wife.

The way its snowing up there you might need to wait till August to make that purchase. Can't see either of those doing well on 35 or 94 with snow/ice.:biggrin:

Glowrdr · January 2011

drselect wrote: »

The way its snowing up there you might need to wait till August to make that purchase. Can't see either of those doing well on 35 or 94 with snow/ice.:biggrin:

That's the beauty of it. I just sold my '04 TL (instead of parking it for the winter) - So I'm used to having the summer/winter route. But with gas headed on up the line, I'd hate to drive my dodge ram quad-cab all year round. Besides, what fun is that?

stangjason wrote: »

I'm about ready to sale my 03 Cobra if you or someone you know is interested. I've just lost interest in the car scene now that I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old .

Not what I had in mind, but go ahead and PM some info - The right car for the right price always peaks my interest. Obviously though, I'd have to throw some Polk speakers in it

drselect · January 2011

Glowrdr wrote: »

I just sold my '04 TL (instead of parking it for the winter) - So I'm used to having the summer/winter route. But with gas headed on up the line, I'd hate to drive my dodge ram quad-cab all year round. Besides, what fun is that?
:

I will guess that is a 04 Acura TL if so that is what my wife drives know. She lets me drive it once and a while wish I could drive it more. Couldn't talk her into a CTS-V.

Not to beat a dead horse but with the way winter is going you may need to drive the dodge until then:biggrin: thats one reason I moved south don't miss it at all.

Glowrdr · January 2011

Sorry OP - didn't mean for this to turn into a car thread :biggrin:

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Hoosierbronco · January 2011

LOL !!!

HEY YOU HI-JACKERS , STOP JACKING MY THREAD !

For what it's worth , no purchase made yet , but after reading mucho reviews on Oinkers , Pioneers , Denons and even a NAD T747 ($699 right now - new@ Audio Advisors - Ooohhh sooo tempting !) I'm going for the Pioneer VSK-1120-k.

Why :
1 : Only one I really got a good listen on , really liked the sound , luckily.
2 : Reviews , pro reviews of the 1120 or elite 32 have been really good.
2b: Owner reviews have been outstanding. All the other AVR reviews were along the lines of "pretty good" or "impressed" , the Pioneer reviews have ALOT of "WOW!" 's , especially among folks like myself who are getting rid of antiques.

3. So many good comments about the processing package and how well it works is what pushed a lot of the other receivers out. Seems the Audessy/MCACC debate runs about 50/50 with either earning respect from the opposing camp , win/win.

My only reserve would be the quality/power of the amps , which would apply to just about any AVR
(except maybe the NAD , but its video processing had some issues)
in which case I'll use it as a (great)pre/pro and buy a nice NAD or B&K amp.
(Good gawd , how I've always wanted a really nice amp to make these old 10B's sing).

Main concern now is working Pandora into my set up somehow .... probably through an Oppo 93 or Panny BDP-85.

I'll have a whole new system over the coming year , more than likely.

For you car guys , my favorite ride in the stable (project bronco) has no radio , I'm happy as a pig in $hit just listening to the symphony the American V8 makes rumbling down the road.

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

I got a kick out of reading the entire thread in this link : Audioholics

Summation : After 6 pages of "Just buy the damn Pioneer or something and give it a listen before you order thousands of dollars in amps and subs etc!"
He orders a 1020 , sends it back unopened and buys an Elite Vsx-21. Gets impatient waiting for the rest of the gear to arrive and makes these posts :

Hey Sholling, I just received the elite and I don't think I can wait until the subs get here. I said I would wait, but I just can't take it

Subs are not gonna arrive until the 20th............................................Th e receiver looks Soooooooo beautiful. I can do this.............Woooosaaah

later :

Oh the hell with this, I'm hooking my Elite up when I get home.

later :

Eyecantcode wrote: »

WOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This, this, this, can't be what I'm hearing.

I mean where is this bass coming from? I don't have a sub woofer connected. No amp! No sub! Just Ellite

I had the receiver on 0db (I was afraid to turn it up beyond that) and My son an I couldn't hear one another speak unless we were literally screaming.....................Honest.

It sounded nothing like this with my little HTIB. The bass; where is it coming from. I mean I know its coming from the connected speakers, but that deep I thought I'd need a sub for that.

Hey seth and sholling, why didn't you guys tell me it would be this loud with no amp

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

Well I made it back to BB/Magnolia through a heavy snowstorm this evening and was able to give a good listen to a Pioneer VSX-32 , a Denon 2311(iirc) and a Marantz 6005.
Used the same speakers , same cd/dvd's and the recievers were set to source direct or equivalent.
I did not dig into the settings of these at all , so it is possible that something was set in some menu somewhere that effected the audition.
Sorry , I have not read the audiophiles glossary handbook , so I'm shooting from the hip.

I did not care for the sound on the Denon at all. Too muted , not spacious , soundstage was crappy really. Definitely not bright. Listening to Bob Seger's "Turn the page..." , the sax or whatever horn that is so dominate normally , was just there somewhere , in the speakers. Like everything else , it just was not allowed to escape the speakers.

The Marantz was much better , much more open , brighter , there was a definite soundstage this time. I'd be happy listening to this for a long time ... provided I never heard the Pioneer.

The Pioneer , might be a bit bright for some folks , but I think my slight case of tinnitus leads me to like the way this sounds. Soundstage was the best of the bunch , Bob Segers voice was nailed to center stage , the horn in "Turn the page..." just reached out and grabbed you by the boys. Just try listening to "You'll accompany me" without singing along , you can't do it when it is sounding this good.

All in all , had a good time jamming out at Magnolia , sales guy showed me how to set up the selector and left me the hell alone , until his manager showed up during the loudest part of my audition. Even then , he just chuckled and asked if I had any questions and left again.

So again , for the fellow noobs , before you become a spec sheet expert while looking at all the different AVRs available to you , get your arse out there and give them a LISTEN !

For the pro's , why Bob Seger ? (one of his greatest hits CD's)
It's all I had in the truck ...

,

but fortunately I am VERY familiar with the disc and how it can sound. Good piano tracks , he has a very sharp voice which , I have found , can find a weakness in a speaker real fast. Whatever speakers I used there , they were pretty good but could not handle Bob's voice nowhere near as well as my 10B's.

cnh · January 2011

I'd say that's a pretty damn good review for shooting from the hip. And that you got your answer. I agree about the Denon. If you want to hear the real Denon sound listen to a much older piece!

I probably would've, perhaps, preferred the Marantz! But that's me!

So, did you BUY the Pioneer or did I miss something?

cnh

ben62670 · January 2011

Love that old Bronce. I am guessing that it is a 76-77 because of the dual gas tanks. The one I currently have is a 68 with too many goodies to list. The body needs work, but is solid in the areas it needs to be to weld new sheet metal to.
Enjoy
Ben

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

I will buy the Pioneer , probably the 32's non-elite twin , VSX-1120-K. Same , same except no 12v triggers , 1 year less warranty , $200 less money and no Elite badge.

May go back and try to clobber them on the VSX-32 , but I can get the 1120 to my door for a hair under $500 right now , so they will have to do some dealing for me to buy it there.
I hate doing that kind of crap , using their gear but ordering online , but they can't seem to even get an 1120 for me right now.

I forgot to add , to be fair , the Pioneer wasn't some kind of super machine , it did seem like it was running out of steam at the upper volume level at the end , but it was definitely loud enough at that point to get me buy for a damn good while. I think there was enough power there to do most movies just fine , even if you want explosions to kick you in the chest , but giving it a good musical workout would probably wear it down pretty quick.
Also , I used only a two channel set up , no center , no sub , so keep that in mind if you will be using more channels alot.

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

ben62670 wrote: »

Love that old Bronce. I am guessing that it is a 76-77 because of the dual gas tanks. The one I currently have is a 68 with too many goodies to list. The body needs work, but is solid in the areas it needs to be to weld new sheet metal to.
Enjoy
Ben

Thanks Ben.
69 actually , iirc , duel gas tanks was an option for a number of years.
You can find me at http://classicbroncos.com/ , screenname HoosierDaddy. :biggrin:

ben62670 · January 2011

I know that site, and James Duff, Vintage Bronco's, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. I have owned 6 early Broncos. I am going to be soon changing out the cam in my 68. The motor is a roller rockered, double pumpered, single plenium, long duration cammed axle breaking beast. It does small power wheelies off speed bumps with the C4:biggrin: I'll do some looking over there. Also Ford still had door hinges for around $30 for them last time I looked

gmm141 · January 2011

How'd you make out Hoosier?

Did you end up with the 1120 or the 32?

BTW, awesome Bronco.

BtrSound · January 2011

Hoosierbronco wrote: »

Thanks Ben.
69 actually , iirc , duel gas tanks was an option for a number of years.
You can find me at http://classicbroncos.com/ , screenname HoosierDaddy. :biggrin:

What is up with the tires. Is that your mall crawler?

If you are going to play, you might as well play.

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

Still waffleing on the receiver because ..... I bought an OPPO BDP-93 !!!!

So , now I am revisiting the NAD T747 because I don't feel I need all the video processing crap since I have the OPPO , freeing me up to concentrate on how well a receiver reproduces audio.

Does that sound about right , or am I on the wrong track ?

Now that I am finally able to afford decent stuff , I guess I should fill out my sig.

BtrSound wrote: »

What is up with the tires. Is that your mall crawler?

Well .... YES :rolleyes:
My other Bronco .... :eek:

any further questions ? :biggrin: :cool: :biggrin:

Glowrdr · January 2011

You are somewhat correct about the video processing, but I wouldn't completely give up on it. The processing is more for upconversions anyways, so the BRP would have been the last thing it would benefit from the AVR processing. You'll benefit more from cable/satellite and other component that aren't naturally 1080p.

A good example is that I bought the Oppo because I have so many DVD's. This machine is top of the line for upconversions. If all I was watching was blurays, I probably would have just picked up a $200 panasonic to go with my TV and not cared about the processors.

For the most part though, I think you will find everything will work itself out. It's like trying to say I'd like a $200,000 car, but I don't care about speed. If you get something nice, it will inherantly be fast as well. Same concept with receivers. Even if you don't care about video - I doubt you will find a receiver with a $500 audio section, and untouched pass-through video.

Any ideas on what you're looking toward, or still up in the air?

BtrSound · January 2011

Hoosierbronco wrote: »

Still waffleing on the receiver because ..... I bought an OPPO BDP-93 !!!!

So , now I am revisiting the NAD T747 because I don't feel I need all the video processing crap since I have the OPPO , freeing me up to concentrate on how well a receiver reproduces audio.

Does that sound about right , or am I on the wrong track ?

any further questions ? :biggrin: :cool: :biggrin:

Much better. Looks like a decent mudding/trail rig. Do you plan on stepping up to rock climbing any time soon?

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

Glowrdr - "Any ideas on what you're looking toward, or still up in the air?"
What I'll be looking for is something with a good clean power. Open to suggestions.

The NAD T747 can be had for around $700 right now , which is a bit more than I initally wanted to spend , but I had no idea I was going to get an OPPO either , so now I am looking to end up with an audio section as good as what I have for video right now (see sig).

I'm pretty much hooked on the NAD T747 right now, they are going pretty cheap and are pretty basic on all the techno do-dads yet maintain the NAD amp heritage. They will also strip just the HDMI audio if no upconversion is need on the video and pass the video straight through , except for a delay to keep the A/V synch'ed. I imagine thats what most receivers do anyways.
The big plus for me is the power NAD's are known for. I have read over and over again how a good amp will make good speakers just "sing" and I have always wanted to do that with these 10B's. They sound so good now , I can't imagine how they will sound with good power.

Btrsound - the suspension is pretty much how I bought it , for now , but yes , I will change it from a mud truck to a rock/trail buggy over time. Mud bogs are not really my cup o' tea. The guy I bought it from was making a mud truck out of it.
What I really need is a pole barn so I can get to work on both of them. Hopefully in the next couple of years ...

Bronco stats -
69 bronco - little one - has much sentimental value , will be resto-modded. Currently - 302 w/ Mustang/Explorer hybrid EFI , NV3550 (just purchased - not installed yet) , other minor stuff , PS , PB conversions , twin sticks etc.

68 trail beater - 351 , NP435 , D60's f&r , 4:56's , front is hi-pinion , rear spool , front locker , disc brakes all around , Staun internal beadlocks , 42"swampers , body is mostly bondo or fiberglass(one piece front end).

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

By the way , thanks for all the input everyone.

greyford1979 · January 2011

Definitely liking the Broncos :biggrin:

ben62670 · January 2011

302 w/ Mustang/Explorer hybrid EFI , NV3550

Thats what I wanted. Or an AOD. I have a Holly projection 670cfm waiting in my basement to replace the duble pumper, but I need to get a milder high torque cam and a dual plenium manifold like the Edelbrock performer. I want some good millage and I am tired of braking axle shafts and RnP gears with the bracket racing motor...

Hoosierbronco · January 2011

I wonder if I can change the thread title ?
Broncos , receivers and B10's discussions ... ;D

Is that an original type projection ? Good luck with those , they will make a believer out of you ... for carbs anyways.

Yet another receiver choice thread ...Pioneer vs Onkyo

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