What you guys think of Pioneer VSX-919AH-K - Page 5

Pictures:









Note that my comments are being made without a proper inspection of the unit. I don't want to tear this thing down far enough to do that. So, take these comments with a grain of salt.

Initial impressions - I was right about the power supply. It's an SMPS. The bridge rectifier being used on it is a D5SBA20... this part is good for 2.8A without a heatsink or 6A with a heatsink. It is without a heatsink in this application.

Amplifier section is the old amp on chip approach. One four channel part and one three channel. The reason for the receiver running hot up top is the three regulation transistors near the top middle of the heatsink... they're always on. Couldn't find the fan control thermistor - it's probably way down by the amp chips. Fan is a Nidec model - didn't get the model number.

What do I think? I think that even if the amp section could do 100W x5 or x7 continuously, the power supply could not handle it. I think the 919 is weak on both sides of the fence - both in amp power and in power supply capacity. It has the guts to do that kind of power in short term bursts, so it's not that weak, but this is how they got so many features in there for the price.

ooooooo...... amp guts! we LIKE amp guts!

i'm no expert, but i'd agree with your assessment...

Thanks so much for the pics. I've been reading that it sounds very good. Going to get this one or the next model up.

I think they should rename the amp technology to S.K.I.N.N.Y.

In all fairness, it's still a decent 7.1 receiver. It's just not a powerful one.

I gotta add something to this. It wasn't too long ago that I was the proud owner of a Lexicon MC-12 pre/pro, two HUGE Parasound amps (1205 & 1000 with HUGE transformers and HUGE caps) along with a full M&K 7.1 speaker system. Sounded great in my rather large house.

Things happened........I retired and had to do some radical downsizing. Now living in a small apartment and driving some old Boston Acoustics HD-5 bookshelves all around with a Boston Sub driven by a new Pioneer 919.

My previous system put out a true 1400 watts continuous, all channels driven. My current system (Pioneer 919) puts out a fraction of that.

Am I happy with my wimpy Pioneer? You betcha. Sure, it couldn't drive my old M&K's. They were 4 ohms and required a bit of power to really deliver in my fairly large HT space, but it does just fine with my BA's in a small space. Really don't require any more power than the 919 puts out.

As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters

I've been on the fence about mine ever since I stuffed the Chrysler/Infinity builds and the receiver had them set to large. The 919 just doesn't seem to have enough power for that with these particular speakers. So, I've got them all back on small... the 919 seems to do a lot better keeping its heat down that way, and that'll hold me for a while.

I'll probably be upgrading around this time next year though. I'd like some headroom for these speakers, and the only way I'm going to get it is by spending the extra cash for something with more potential.

Interesting comments linked below from Dr. Earl Geddes. (cliff notes version in quotes):


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post16753463


and some additional commentary:


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...r#post17250690


I wonder which specific Pioneer receiver he owns.

Reluctantly bought the 819 at BB, so i impatient am I. But I'm happy with it so far. On TruHD film(Ghosts of Mars) I couldn't turn it up past 56 less my ears would bleed I'm sure. So I find it's got plenty of power.

The Pioneer Home site no longer lists the 919. Discontinued? Maybe that's why BB isn't selling it. Or making way for 2010 models?

hmmm.... still seems to show on the pioneer usa page...

clicky

it'd be unusual to discontinue it so early, since new models wouldn't be due out for several months... but unusual things have happened before...

+1

It's not necessarily a problem with the quantity of the total power output - -it's all about the quality. When you have more efficient speakers (my Klipsch Reference series mains and center are rated at 98db sensitivity, surrounds at 95db) and a heavier gauge speaker wire (16 gauge or better), you don't need a large number of watts from the receiver to continuously drive them, even at reference level!

if you actually try to pick the 919 from the "left side" menu of receivers "Pioneer A/V receivers", it is not available on the Pioneer-USA site, just the 519, 819, and 1019. Seems the Pioneer site is not real consistent, because it is shown on the "clicky" site mentioned. Maybe some good sale prices are in the near future.

True, ESPECIALLY when you cross them over at 80hz. With the majority of speakers out there, when you take off the demand for them to produce low freqs at 80Hz and below, it's amazing how little power they need to be driven to reference levels in a medium sized, medium live room.

Does the 919's on Screen Display (OSD) display via HDMI? I don't care if it's in 480i or not but want it to display via HDMI so I don't have to run multiple cables to the TV.

Yes, GUI is available on hdmi.

And for those concerned with the amps specs here are test results from an australian review. http://igs.avhub.com.au/ignitionsuit...76246193210000

link is PDF

Good to know we have another source for measurements on the 919/1019.

Quick question, I might be coming over from the Onkyo 606...is the sound relatively the same and the power, I've been very impressed with the Onkyo 606 sound...and can I bi-amp my front two speakers on this?...Thanks

I got the 919 several months ago.
I have no idea how to get surround sound out of it.
I can make no sense out of the manual.

I have tried many settings, but hardley ever get anything out of the surround
speakers.

I am running in 5.1 mode and 2 speakers out on the patio.

I also am using a Rocketfish to send the signal to the rear speakers.

any ideas what I can do?

thanks
mitch

Don't need to think; you're correct. The 1019 was already benched and it came in at under 30wpc into 5 channels. Here's the link:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/receiv...er/index4.html

I have seen ventilation and heat mentioned a few times, but I was wanting some more input from users.

I am leaning toward picking this up, I have had many pioneer amps, and this would be replacing a 10yo 5.1 system. The cabinet I have is just wide enough to put in standard components. Maybe 1" each side probably 6-10" to the back, but I do have like 10" above. The cabinet has a door and enclosed back (except slot for cabling), I usually leave the door cracked open.

Does this sound adequate for ventilation for this unit?

I saw the post about adding a thermostat fan, and I'm not opposed to that.

Thanks.

I'm a newbee here. I bought the VSX-919 awhile a go when it was onsale for $300! Just have sometime now to hook it up with my system and play around with it. However, I have some questions.

I connected HDMI from BD and Timewarner Cable Box to the receiver HDMI inputs BD and HDMI#1 respectively. But When I do the MCAAC sound test can't see the display on the TV?

One big disappointed for me is that the there is no extra switched outlet? My current pioneer 5.1 receiver was 12yrs old and it has an switched outlet on the back. I need it for my infinity 120W powered amp. that has no on/off switch!

Another question is that what would be a prefer hook up:

I have a 52" LCD Sharp Aquos 1080p/120hz with 4 HDMI inputs , and audio out puts for opticcal, and stereo.
1. feed all inputs devices to the receiver and connect the TV with the HDMI monitor out. (Down side: Receiver must be on to watch TV; good side is orginal sound will get reproduce.)

2. Feed all Video sources to the TV. then connect the TV Digital audio out (either optical or coax) to the receiver. (Pro: no need the receiver on to watch TV. but sound only in stereo)

Thanks.

PS : Thank you Oklahoma Wolf for the guts picutures. they looks vey cool. However, this design separate the Power/signals sections on back and front V.S pioneer legacy design of Power/Signal on the Left/Right sides!

^i'm with him. any good reads or articles on how to deal with a sub with no switch. how to create an auto switch?

hey all, long time lurker here. im currently looking at purchasing a new receiver and i am leaning towards the pioneer 919 but also looking at the Denon 1610 . I have an old sony receiver that is about 10 y.o., so i thought it was time for an upgrade. I dont know much about a lot of this technology so i have a few questions. I would be connecting an xbox 360 and a Panny BD60 BR player to the receiver then to a Panny plasma. Ive read a lot about the sound quality and features of both these receivers but what about the video? Im not concerned about up-conversion but mainly the video features like Pure Cinema, XV color, or Deep color. Do these features actually do anything? Do they improve the image? Or is it best to run the video signal from source to receiver to display with no enhancements and just utilize the audio capabilities?

Hey guys, my stepfather recently purchased this AMP, and it seems to be pretty good. I feel like it was a good buy based on what I've read on this thread, but we're having a strange problem with it, and I was wondering if anyone else with this receiver has encountered something similar.

We have the TV/SAT input preset set up to use COAX as it's Digital Audio, and HMDI (we tried 1 and 2) as the video. We have an DVI to HDMI cable going from the Satellite receiver (Motorola DSR530) and although the audio seems to work fine, there is no video. The TV is a Samsung 750 Series (LN52B750) and if we run the DVI to HDMI to the TV it seems to work fine, but ideally all the inputs should go through the Receiver, so we don't have to play with inputs on the TV.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Hey guys, I just purchased the Pioneer VSX-919-AH-K. It will be arriving in a few days.

Just wanted to ask Home Theater enthusiasts out there (since I'm a Home Theater noob), will this receiver be able to power the KEF KHT-2005.3 Speaker Package?

I'm building up my Home Theater a step at a time. Have purchased the Receiver, next up are the speakers. I know, I should have gone the other way round, but I got a fair deal on the 919.

Just wanted to ask the HT experts here (Oklahoma Wolf, ccotenj, CruelInventions, lwien123 and many many others), will the KEF Speaker package go well with the 919??? The Subwoofer included in the package is the KEF Kube-2.

Thanks for any help. And a Merry Christmas (I know its a little late) and a Happy New Year (I know its a little early).

I think the 919 will drive those speakers just fine. Although their sensitivity of these speakers is a bit low (88db), the 919 should be able to drive them without too much trouble. Since the maximum output of the speaker is rated at 104db, it only takes approximately 16 watts of power per speaker to drive them to the maximum volume. The 919 should be able to handle that.

Thanks QGGeneric

Quick question. I'm thinking of getting the 919 and Energy Take 5 speakers. As the speakers are small, they'll likely have a higher crossover point.

Does anyone know if the 919 can adjust crossover?

Yes

Just like the 1019 you can adjust the crossover, however I can't find the range. I remember it giving you several options between 50 and 250, but don't quote me on those numbers.

As long as it goes up to at least 120hz I think I'm good!

Thanks!