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The "OFFICIAL" Pioneer Elite VSX-52 / 53 Owner's Thread - Page 5

post #121 of 1374
9/13/11 at 7:46pm
agreed. and yes, the app is nice, but a decent universal remote will make you even happier.

my harmony one plays nice with my VSX-52
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post #122 of 1374
9/14/11 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbragin View Post

I'm about to get the VSX 52. The Magnolia guy was pushing the Control 4 remote system. But with this receiver, can't I just use the iPhone and/or iPad app? I know the included remote is supposed to be too unwieldy with the small buttons, but do I really need an expensive remote system if I have an iPhone? What are all of you using? Is it easy and convenient to use the iPhone app (i.e. wife-ready?)

If all you care about is one universal remote for one area to watch tv then C4 is not for you. If you want to invest into C4 on multiple tv's, listen to music in any room, and want a true home automation system then you go the path of c4. I have a C4 install, did not get bestbuy to install it, and I love the C4 system. I have whole house audio, can control any tv/receiver/etc from anywhere in the house with no line of sight to the components, full lighting automation through out the house, can control my house temperature, open the garage and doors throughout the house, and finally have my security cams integrated into the c4 system. As you can see if you want to invest into C4 beyond a simple universal remote then by all means but your wasting money by using just as universal remote. The smallest controller is about $400 plus another $200 for the remote and then about $400 for programming (bestbuy prices).
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post #123 of 1374
9/14/11 at 5:31pm
I am in need of some help choosing a new AV receiver. I am trying to choose between the Pioneer vsx-50, vsx-52, denon 2112CI and 2312CI. I know the advice is to try to listen to the units side by side and choose the one you like best.

I was able to demo them at the local BB/Magnolia and that just confused me more. On classic rock and classical music, the Pioneer was much warmer and natural. But on bass heavy hip-hop, the sound was muddy. The denon sounded better on beat heavy music, but the high-hat in the rock was annoyingly front and center.

On movies(the dark knight), the pioneer was muddy in bass sections and when music and dialogue mixed, but the sound of glass breaking was amazing. Here are my questions.

Q1-- I want to give the Pioneer the best listen possible. Can someone tell me what settings I should enter to get the best sound for music and the best sound for movies. (I know this is subjective, but i need some guidance and the BB staff was clueless).

Q2--Once I gave the vsx-50 a slight boost in volume, the vsx-50 and vsx-52 sounded exactly the same. So it was hard for me to understand why I would pay $300 more fo the 52. What are the added benefits of the 52?

Q3--If anyone else has chosen between these pioneer and denon models, I'd be interested in hearing the pros and cons in your choice.

Thanks for your help.
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post #124 of 1374
9/15/11 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmmcnew View Post
I am in need of some help choosing a new AV receiver. I am trying to choose between the Pioneer vsx-50, vsx-52, denon 2112CI and 2312CI. I know the advice is to try to listen to the units side by side and choose the one you like best.

I was able to demo them at the local BB/Magnolia and that just confused me more. On classic rock and classical music, the Pioneer was much warmer and natural. But on bass heavy hip-hop, the sound was muddy. The denon sounded better on beat heavy music, but the high-hat in the rock was annoyingly front and center.

On movies(the dark knight), the pioneer was muddy in bass sections and when music and dialogue mixed, but the sound of glass breaking was amazing. Here are my questions.

Q1-- I want to give the Pioneer the best listen possible. Can someone tell me what settings I should enter to get the best sound for music and the best sound for movies. (I know this is subjective, but i need some guidance and the BB staff was clueless).

Q2--Once I gave the vsx-50 a slight boost in volume, the vsx-50 and vsx-52 sounded exactly the same. So it was hard for me to understand why I would pay $300 more fo the 52. What are the added benefits of the 52?

Q3--If anyone else has chosen between these pioneer and denon models, I'd be interested in hearing the pros and cons in your choice.

Thanks for your help.
I was a big Denon guy until about two years ago when i took the leap and went with a Pioneer Elite VSX-32. I didnt regret the decision. I just recently upgraded by 32 to the VSX-52 and love it. Wish I would have gone with the SC-55 but they dont have it in stock any longer. I have seen that Pioneer Elite continues to separate themselves from Denon. From my experience Denon seems to be going backwards. Unless you get into the 43XX series for Denon you cant go wrong with the Elite VSX. If you have the extra money get the 52. The additional power is worth it.
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post #125 of 1374
9/15/11 at 2:07pm
What has anyone paid for the vsx 52? I have a bunch of bb gift cards I'd like to use but they won't budge off the $899 list price and they don't carry the 1121.
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post #126 of 1374
9/16/11 at 5:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbragin View Post

What has anyone paid for the vsx 52? I have a bunch of bb gift cards I'd like to use but they won't budge off the $899 list price and they don't carry the 1121.

$899. Purchased two weeks ago from Bestbuy in Dublin, OH. Can you find the 52? I heard they were back ordered.
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post #127 of 1374
9/16/11 at 7:28am
I got mine for $700. (and yes, I have a factory warranty)
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post #128 of 1374
9/16/11 at 10:00am
Do you mind saying where you got that price?
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post #129 of 1374
9/16/11 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbragin View Post

Do you mind saying where you got that price?

PM sent
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post #130 of 1374
9/16/11 at 2:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowhat View Post

PM sent

Could you PM me as well w/ the price?
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post #131 of 1374
9/18/11 at 6:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jch1 View Post

Could you PM me as well w/ the price?

Me too, please!
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post #132 of 1374
9/18/11 at 7:06am
I have my 52 hooked to my ATT/Uverse DVR. I wish I could get the pass through thing to work. I have tried every setting I could find. If I set the 52 control to ON then when I shut off the ATT receiver everything shuts off which is fine. But when I turn it on, nothing, I still have to manually turn on the receiver Really frustrating because my previous Denon and Marantz both did this just fine. If I turn the control off then it does nothing at all, i mean i have to manually turn on and off the 52....

Thinking about just running the ATT straight to the TV and bypassing the receiver all together...

I DO notice a "lag" when i switch between sources. Sometimes if I go from my PS3 to TV then the pic takes awhile to show up, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Some trouble playing FLAC from my receiver. Some days it plays just fine, some days it wont see all the files??

The iPad app is great... love it. and now that i learned I can share mine and wife's itunes its even better.

Thinking about going to Yamaha or Denon...


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud B View Post

Hi all,

I have a question in regard to HDTV Viewing thru the Pioneer receivers.
I have a Time Warner Cable DVR Box, HDMI out to Pio and To my Pio Kuro Plasma,
but I will probably be connecting my Pioneers to Comcast Cable in the near future.
I received an advertisement from AT&T for their Uverse System because my DSL service is with them.

Does anyone have their Pioneers connected to an AT&T Uverse DVR / HD Boxes or Comcast Cable DVR / HD Boxes?
If so, what do you think?

Thanks,
Bud B
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post #133 of 1374
9/18/11 at 9:14am
Hi wyowolf,

You are not alone on the "Pass Through" issue with the Pioneers!
I have seen it mentioned here numerous times and because I never have my Kuro HDTV ON without my VSX53 ON, I have not really given it much thought beyond seeing it discussed here!

I would say that for this issue to be finally dealt with and figured out, is for someone to actually call Pioneer, have them walk someone through the process and then share it here!
Because it is very evident that no one in these Forums, knows how to do it!
There is a MCACC Thread and there should probably be a Pioneer "Pass Through" Thread as well.

I have another issue that I have never seen really resolved and that is the always confusing "HDMI Control!"
I have a Pioneer Kuro HDTV with my VSX 53 and I still have troubles.
I can see the Volume and other info on my Kuro but it bugs me that every-time I turn on my Kuro, my VSX 53 comes on and it goes to TV/SAT and not to HDMI 2 where I have my Kuro plugged into.

I can turn off HDMI Control and set TV/SAT to use HDMI 2 but as soon as I turn HDMI Control "ON" it removes HDMI 2 from TV/SAT and it's an evil circle!
I am about to call Pioneer and ask them how I can set up "HDMI Control" and actually use HDMI! NOT TV/SAT! Grrrr! LOL!

Yes we have our little quirks (and I am sure that I will get them worked out) but I still Love my Pioneers, the VSX 1020, my Elite VSX 53 and my Kuro HDTV!
I would not give them up for any Yamaha or Denon!

I still freak out when people say, I can't SEE my Volume Bar or Numbers on my HDTV screen when I adjust the Volume!
It's the Bloody Volume, push the Volume Up and it get's "LOUDER", the Volume button down and it gets "quieter" LOL!

Maybe I'll break down and call Pioneer and ask them about "Pass Through" and "HDMI Control!"

I'll let ya know.....

Bud B
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post #134 of 1374
9/18/11 at 9:17am
^^^

it is working "as designed"... it has worked that way in every pioneer avr since hdmi control (kurolink) has been implemented...
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post #135 of 1374
9/18/11 at 11:34am
Howdy ccotenj,
Quote:
it is working "as designed"... it has worked that way in every pioneer avr since hdmi control (kurolink) has been implemented...
What kind of Design is that?
Why would I possibly want to use HDMI Control with the TV/SAT "Composite"
Not even Component Input?

So each time that I turn on my Kuro, I then have to change the Input on the VSX 53 to HDMI 2.

I am probably going to get a 6 foot 1/8" Mono Mini Plug to a 1/8" Mono Mini Plug and go from Control Out on my Kuro to Control IN on my E53 and just use my Kuro sensor to control both TV and Receiver.
Then just point to my Kuro with my Universal remote and turn it all ON / OFF Volume etc..
Forget about the HDMI Control.
I do not need to see the Volume etc on my HDTV.

Bud B
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post #136 of 1374
9/18/11 at 11:41am
^^^

i don't make design decisions, i'm just telling you how it works...

if you have a universal remote, why are you even screwing around with sr control?


there's a reason why a lot of the old pio heads don't post much anymore...
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post #137 of 1374
9/18/11 at 5:55pm
Hi again,

Quote:


i don't make design decisions, i'm just telling you how it works..

Oh, I know..I was just thinking out loud!
It's 2011 Pioneer..Get ahead of the Times and make a change for the better..See, I'm doing it again! LOL!

Quote:


if you have a universal remote, why are you even screwing around with sr control?

I still have the multitude of remotes, though I am investigating the Harmony One and 650 among others.
My VSX 53 sits way off to the left of my Kuro and my TWC Cable Box is below my Kuro.
So, when I am adjusting the volume, etc. on the E53 I have to point the E53 remote over to the receiver and for my Cable Channels on my TWC cable box,
I point my TWC remote towards my Kuro.
If I use the control Out of my Kuro and a 10 foot (not HDMI) mini plug male to male to my E53's Control IN,
I will no longer have to point to the other side of my room to operate the E53.
I know it's a crazy setup which will change when I move back home to Florida...but for now it is what it is!
There is just no room under my Kuro for the big E53 receiver.

Quote:


there's a reason why a lot of the old pio heads don't post much anymore...

I guess I get that but I still check and post in some old Pio threads, but I have no Life! LOL!

Well, back to Football..Atlanta just scored a TD!

Have a Great Monday and Rest of the Week!

Bud B
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post #138 of 1374
9/18/11 at 6:54pm
^^^

you said you had a universal remote in your previous post.

you weren't who i was referring to...
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post #139 of 1374
9/19/11 at 4:48am
Hi again,

Quote:


you said you had a universal remote in your previous post.

Well, Technically everyone refers to their remote as a universal..even the remote for the Pioneer Elite VSX 53.
They call it a "Illuminated Learning Remote Control"
But yes, it is NOT what you would consider a true Universal Remote...Sorry about that..I was stretching the truth a bit.

Going to BB today and check out the Harmony One and the 650, they are on sale and I have $60.00 in BB Rewards Zone Certificates.

So, I may have one or two Universals by the days end.


Later,

Bud B
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post #140 of 1374
9/19/11 at 5:29pm
I have resigned myself that the pass through will not work properly. so either I live with it or bypass it and run straight to the TV. The only downside is I will have to switch the inputs at the TV

At least the FLAC files seem to be playing fine And it seems to see and play files from my NAS ok

If you somehow find a solution to this I would appreciate any info...

Frank



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud B View Post

Hi wyowolf,

You are not alone on the "Pass Through" issue with the Pioneers!
I have seen it mentioned here numerous times and because I never have my Kuro HDTV ON without my VSX53 ON, I have not really given it much thought beyond seeing it discussed here!

I would say that for this issue to be finally dealt with and figured out, is for someone to actually call Pioneer, have them walk someone through the process and then share it here!
Because it is very evident that no one in these Forums, knows how to do it!
There is a MCACC Thread and there should probably be a Pioneer "Pass Through" Thread as well.

I have another issue that I have never seen really resolved and that is the always confusing "HDMI Control!"
I have a Pioneer Kuro HDTV with my VSX 53 and I still have troubles.
I can see the Volume and other info on my Kuro but it bugs me that every-time I turn on my Kuro, my VSX 53 comes on and it goes to TV/SAT and not to HDMI 2 where I have my Kuro plugged into.

I can turn off HDMI Control and set TV/SAT to use HDMI 2 but as soon as I turn HDMI Control "ON" it removes HDMI 2 from TV/SAT and it's an evil circle!
I am about to call Pioneer and ask them how I can set up "HDMI Control" and actually use HDMI! NOT TV/SAT! Grrrr! LOL!

Yes we have our little quirks (and I am sure that I will get them worked out) but I still Love my Pioneers, the VSX 1020, my Elite VSX 53 and my Kuro HDTV!
I would not give them up for any Yamaha or Denon!

I still freak out when people say, I can't SEE my Volume Bar or Numbers on my HDTV screen when I adjust the Volume!
It's the Bloody Volume, push the Volume Up and it get's "LOUDER", the Volume button down and it gets "quieter" LOL!

Maybe I'll break down and call Pioneer and ask them about "Pass Through" and "HDMI Control!"

I'll let ya know.....

Bud B
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post #141 of 1374
9/20/11 at 7:36am
i just had my vsx-51 installed, and my sub-woofer is not working. I went into the MCACC and ran the tests, it highlights the sub but no sound. The cables are connected properly, and there is power to the sub. Am i forgetting a step? thx
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post #142 of 1374
9/20/11 at 7:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by browntrash View Post

i just had my vsx-51 installed, and my sub-woofer is not working. I went into the MCACC and ran the tests, it highlights the sub but no sound. The cables are connected properly, and there is power to the sub. Am i forgetting a step? thx

volume up on the sub?
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post #143 of 1374
9/20/11 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowhat View Post

volume up on the sub?

yup. i looked in the troubleshooting section of the user manual, this is what i found. i need to try the last 5 items:

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post #144 of 1374
9/20/11 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by browntrash View Post

yup. i looked in the troubleshooting section of the user manual, this is what i found. i need to try the last 5 items:



Green light on front of sub, sub is on.
Speakers set to SMALL.
Tested with Advanced MCACC, no sound from sub.
Went into Manual setup to adjust volume to sub relative to others, no sound from sub.
I tried different sub output levels on the receiver, no sound from sub.
Tried removing and reinserting connector on each end.

i dont understand why i have no sound from sub?
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post #145 of 1374
9/20/11 at 5:35pm
^^^

just a suggestion... make sure you are plugged into the sub out, not in....
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post #146 of 1374
9/20/11 at 5:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

^^^

just a suggestion... make sure you are plugged into the sub out, not in....

confirmed i am plugged into sub out, still not getting it...any other suggestions?
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post #147 of 1374
9/20/11 at 5:59pm
^^^

i forget, have you tried a different cable? they rarely go bad, but it's an easy test..


if so, let's see if it's the sub or the pre-out...

turn the gain knob on the sub down to about 1/4...

connect the dvd (or whatever disk spinner you have) analog out (either left or right, it doesnt matter) to the subwoofer...

play a cd that you know has some low frequency information on it...

do you get anything from the sub then?
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post #148 of 1374
9/20/11 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by browntrash View Post

confirmed i am plugged into sub out, still not getting it...any other suggestions?

Hi browntrash, test the sub by connecting a iPod/iTouch/CD or DVD player directly to the subwoofer and play a heavy bass music.
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post #149 of 1374
9/20/11 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

^^^

i forget, have you tried a different cable? they rarely go bad, but it's an easy test..


if so, let's see if it's the sub or the pre-out...

turn the gain knob on the sub down to about 1/4...

connect the dvd (or whatever disk spinner you have) analog out (either left or right, it doesnt matter) to the subwoofer...

play a cd that you know has some low frequency information on it...

do you get anything from the sub then?

I can confirm that the sub received signal from this test, as the orange standby light went to green, but there was no sound. looks like the cable is good and the sub is gone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JChin View Post

Hi browntrash, test the sub by connecting a iPod/iTouch/CD or DVD player directly to the subwoofer and play a heavy bass music.

tried this as well, confirmed the sub is done.

pretty simple test concludes more money must be spent...at least i'll be upgrading from a HTIB sub! thx for your help guys.
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post #150 of 1374
9/20/11 at 6:49pm
^^^

glad we could help...

but sorry it's dead... sounds like the sub amp kicked..,
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