The "OFFICIAL" Pioneer Elite VSX-52 / 53 Owner's Thread - Page 2

I ordered a SC35 last nite.

I called Pioneer today and I was told that their is no plans at this time to take the Home Media Gallery Setup that is Direct Access with the D'Pad and allow it to work with the remote.

Secondly, on the Pioneer WebSite for the Elite's Compare Page, Link here: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...eivers.Compare
If you checked off all of the boxes at the top: (Except 2 Zone Capable)

THX Certified
Air Studios Certified
Class D Amplification
PC Control
Detachable Power Cord
3 Zone Capable

The resulting receivers shown will be the SC37, SC35 and the VSX 53.
I confirmed with Pioneer that this is in Error and the VSX 53 should not be shown, because it does NOT have Class D Amplification or Air Studios Certification!
Just an FYI for anyone that sees this and wonders what is up like I did.

Pioneer also confirmed to me that the VSX1121 does not have any 12volt Triggers as is stated in the VSX 1121 Brochure!

Lastly dhs135 asked,
Pioneer's response to me today is that the Sub is not Setup correctly .
Check the Speaker Setup and try again..

Just a few FYI's,

Bud B.........

Hi CHASLS2,
So, you ordered a SC 35 today...
Where did you order it from?
I saw an SC37 at Best Buy Today for $1875.00.
You look into a VSX 52 and do not see very much..You look into a SC37 through the Top Fins and it is Jam Packed with Wiring and PC Boards.

The SC35 does not have the newer I-Pad connectivity or the Rhapsody, Pandora, etc.
But you can always connect a HTPC and get the Rhapsody, Pandora, etc via the Computer.

You should be very happy with the SC35!
BUT...
Have a Look..
Pioneer just added the replacements for the SC35 and the SC37!
They are the SC55 and SC57 respectively! No Price Yet....

Link Here: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...eivers.Compare

SC55 Brochure: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ep...le%20Sheet.pdf

SC57 Brochure: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ep...le%20Sheet.pdf

SC55 & SC57 Operators Manual: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/St...ions060711.pdf

Enjoy,
Bud B

I just did a reset to factory defaults... now I have my sub back for all inputs, including FM band and don't even need to use EXT STEREO to get it.

I also now have PLIIx again and all is well. Didn't have to change any wiring or anything and it just works. I guess I messed up a setting somewhere when fiddling with it.

Now heres the thing: I run the MCACC again and it finds my speakers and all that, but the sub is gone again, also the PLIIx is not available as it is now just PLII. So apparently that is what did it but I don't know why or what it means.

So I have reset defaults again and will not do the MCACC again until I know what is going on. Should I even do it again? Can you shed some light on what is going on here?

Thanks again.

I got it thru Amazon. Be a good 10 days or more before i get it i guess. Guy just came and bought my 1120k and UPA2 , so i will have to rough it for a few days.

I don't care about ipod and or Pandora or any of that stuff. Only thing that goes into the receiver is a Pioneer Elite DV59 AVI, Elite 05 FD, OPPO83 and my Klipsch RF7's RC7, RS7's, Sunfire True sub and the optical out from the Kuro. Nothing else goes into the AVR.

dhs135: Probably the main issue is that when you do auto MCACC. It'll ask you if your speakers are THX certified. If you select "NO", then it'll default your speakers to "large". and automatically turn off your sub.

Howdy,

Setup Note:
I'd like to mention that when you are setting up the speakers on this unit, if you set the front speakers to something other than "small", you will disable the subwoofer when playing back stereo music. Set them to small to have all low frequency sound sent to your subwoofer.

Check this out in MCACC Data Management and your Speaker Size..
You also want to make sure that the Crossover is set to 80Hz, mine was set to 150Hz...Too High!


Bud B

Hmmm, mine is at 80Hz but I'd actually like it lower. How do you manually select the crossover point?

Hi Rkwak,

I think that this is what you do..You can also read about this on Page 70 in the OP Manual, third column and about midway down to number 3)

Go to:
System Setup
a) Manual SP Setup
2) Speaker Settings
X. Over (left on Remote Dial to 50Hz)
Enter or just return and Back out via Return to MCACC Data Check to Speaker Setting, and then confirm that the X.Over setting should now show 50Hz or whatever you set it at.

Note that in the OP Manual and as an asterisk under this X.Over Section,
it states..
"With Full Auto MCACC or Auto MCACC (All or Speaker Setting) The setting here will not apply and the Crossover Frequency will be Automatically Set."

By that I am understanding that you are good to go but should you run either of the MCACC Setup's and you chose "ALL" or "Speaker Setting" then the Crossover point would automatically be selected and this will be over-written.

If anyone understands this to indicate anything differently, please jump in....

Later,
Bud B

I would suggest spending time reviewing the "Pioneer Official MCACC Thread"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1112470

First page has a number of helpful links and posting questions there is more likely to bring responses from those more experienced. Some advice - to really dial in your speakers you need to invest in a sound meter - Radio Shack - inexpensive and handy regardless of what room correction system you use know or later. The first page of the SC05/SC07 thread has great information about dialing in your sub. One of the best threads on the Forum.

Just my .02 cents, i'd suggest playing with your Pioneer more and seeing what options does what. Just a month ago, I had my first AVR unit from the VSX-521 and went up to the VSX-52. All I can say was, WOW! A lot of options that I wasn't familiar with and didn't know what to do. So just check out the setup options and tweak it a bit and see what it does. Hands on training I'd say.

BUD B: I got an e-mail reply back regaring the plug not fitting just right on the VSX-52. Here's their response:

"It sounds that the Receiver is defective, you will need to take the unit in to a Pioneer Authorized Service Provider to have this fixed or take the unit back to the store is your store has an exchange policy and have it replaced for another. "

Hi Wild_Fyer,

WOW! Incredible!
Unless all of the IEC Receptacles that they Installed into their receivers are bad.
Myself I think that it is the IEC Cord that they are supplying with their receivers.
You can look at the end of the cord and the holes look round to go on Blade connectors.

Talk about throwing out the Baby with the Bath water!
Just supply some better Power cords!

I'll send them some Pics... Crazy!

Thanks for the FYI on the response.

Bud B

Hi smurraybhm,

Thanks for the Link..I will definitely check it out!

Later,
Bud B

If the IEC cord is not fitting right and it bugs you. Here's the subject header and you can reference it if you call or e-mail Pioneer customer service.

Hook up and Operation|A00001|6233370135 [#1364534]


Sups Bud B. Update on my TV. Got a 55" Samsung LED but returned it because it turns out the distance from the TV to the viewing distance is too close for a 55". So I dropped down to a 46" instead, I was getting motion sickness from playing some FPS games on the 55".

Thanks Bud B and smurraybhm. Mea culpa, however, I didn't actually ask what I meant to ask, which is that I'd like the x-over to be lower than 80, but not 50 which seems to be the next pre-set option, and I'm wondering if there's a way to manually enter the x-over point as opposed to selecting from one of the presets (too much spread between them IMO).

smurraybhm - will definitely give the MCACC thread a read.

Hi all,

Well, I have been thinking and thinking about the Elite VSX 53 and with the arrival of the new SC55 and SC57,
along with the fact that I could never rationalize spending an extra $800.00 to buy a SC55, I thought that hey, I could at least get to the top of the Elite VSX line..LOL!
Ya know rationalization is a B-tch!
I think that ever since I got the E52 I have been trying to rationalize going to the Elite VSX 53 and spending the extra $200.00
I'd rationalize that Hey, I have a BB 36 month's same as cash no Interest plan and the E53 is just an extra five dollars a month!
Full Bandwidth, 2nd HDMI (I can use that someday right!) Etc... Etc.. it even cracks me up LOL!

So not knowing it last night when I went to bed, but when I awoke this morning the above hit me (I think that I was on the Crapper, those are times of deep thought! LOL!)
I said to myself, I'm going to get the Elite VSX 53 today!
I boxed up my E52, put it in my car and then after work I went to the only Best Buy in my area (showed On-Line) that had an Elite VSX 53, they did and I exchange my E52 for a new E53..
Driving away thinking, "Ahhh the Joy of it All!

I just finished setting it up and doing the MCACC.
The E53 has an extra step in the MCACC Process and that is the: Full Band Phase Control / Group Delay
It's Kinda neat, little chirps come out of the speakers.
I also set my Mic in a different place this time, my main chair is a recliner so I pulled it out and with a tripod I placed the Mic exactly where my head would normally be.
Pressed start on the MCACC and left the room.
It set the Crossover to 150Hz so I set it to 80Hz

I also noticed (with the E52) that when I turned on my HTPC and I had HDMI Control ON, my picture would shake around on my Kuro..
I Turned HDMI Control OFF and my Computer screen on my Kuro was OK..
But with the E53 I was almost going to shut off HDMI Control before turning on my HTPC and then I just thought, what the heck, I'll just leave it ON and see what happens,
well, my Computer came up without any picture problems.
So that was weird!

I have not used the second HDMI Out yet.

So, anyway, I thought that I'd share...

Later,
Bud B

Hey, new member here!

I'm just starting out (just bought a new house!) and getting into high-end A/V...

I've gone through the threads on the VSX-52, and it seems like a good receiver. I'm either considering the Onkyo TX-NR809 or the VSX-52, however I can't find that much info on the DACs for the 52; does anyone know what the DAC is for the Pioneer?

I know the Onkyo 809 has Burr-Browns, so how do you think the audio quality of the 809 would stack up to the VSX-52?

Hi jrbr85,


I went to the Pioneer website and I saw press releases stating that Pioneer has done extensive R&D with Burr Browns for their Blu-Ray players as well as other products, but I did not see anything that stated specifically that Pioneer paired with Burr Browns for the Elite's.
I would not really have it as a concern (Pioneer produces Quality and would not throw any low quality DAC's into their receivers) but if it was that important to you,
a quick call to Pioneer would set you at ease. Their number is: 1-800-746-6337 (Their in Pacific Time Zone)
I called them twice in the last two days and I got right through to them.
Their prompts will direct you to their website but there is also a prompt if you cannot reach the web and a rep will chat with you.

On paper the Onkyo looks on Par with the Elites less a number of features.
One of those Features is the "Home Media Gallery" you can look in the OP Manual to see what that is all about.
Another few missing Feature's is "Air Play" and "Air Jam" as well as No I-Pad support.
I also did not see support for Android's which is a big thing these days.

Your best bet is to download the OP Manual for each product that you are interested in and just do a quick walk through as to it's Connections and Features.
This way you can compare them Apples to Apples or in this case Apples to Oranges because of the vast differences between them.
Then you need to evaluate for YOURSELF the importance or not of what each has to offer or not offer.

If you search backwards through this post you will find the Brochures for the Elite VSX 52 and 53 as well as a link for the OP Manual.
Also go to the Onkyo 809 thread here at AVS, I am sure that there is one and see what they have to say...has there been any issues so far with the 809.
Onkyo has not been perfect with their excessive heating issues and some are a bit skiddish on Onkyo.
I will say that the Pioneers run very cool to warm which is good when placed into and on a shelf in a entertainment center or component stand.
The Elite VSX 53 has two HDMI Outs (like the 809 has) and is priced the same as the Onkyo 809 on paper but unlike the Pioneer Elites which Cannot be purchased online,
the 809 can be found on-line and for roughly the price of a VSX 1121.

Sound-Wise...
I have seen post after post from people that have listened to many different receivers from many different manufacturers that have always commented on the sound quality of the Pioneers.
In a good and positive way.
I think that Sound quality is in the EAR of the beholder! LOL!
There are very discerning Ears and there are some that will do with a $200.00 receiver of whatever good deal can be found!
My parents do not even understand connecting their TV to a Receiver and will gladly sit and watch a 27" CRT from the TV's speakers! LOL!
So the gambit runs from there up to where we are here.
I would like to say unequivocally that you would not be disappointed, but then again..I do not have your ears!

Best Buy "Magnolia Home Theater" stores have both the Elite's and the Onkyo's with a myriad of Speaker choices in listening rooms...Get your Ears over there and give them a listen!

That's my best advice!

Good Luck on your Quest!

Bud B

BUD B: Hey, your starting on the road like I did "Return & Exchange". Keep moving up for a better avr. Maybe the SC-55 will be your next upgrade.

You know, pioneer should provide the sound difference for each model. I mean, each model keeps going up in power and video enhancements but need like graph on what sound its producing. But I guess there more to it since there are a lot of moving parts such as speakers and subs, drivers, tweeters, etc...

Hi Wild_Fyer,

No, no one can even come close to you! You ARE the King of Returns and Swap's! LOL!

The Elite VSX 53 is it for me!
A $200.00 jump is a big difference between a $800.00 jump.
I mean, I am sure that the Elite SC55 is a nice receiver but will I really notice an $800.00 or at this point with the Elite 53 a $600.00 difference!?
It would have to practically make me Cream my Jeans for that! LOL!

I like the E53 and feel very comfortable that it will Successfully and Very Enjoyably move me forward and down the road in Surround Bliss for a few more years to come!
Not to mention that I am a Condo / Apartment dweller and cannot really take advantage of the extra Power of the SC's.

Now if in these troubled times I was to get a nice Raise (Yea Right) that would change everything!
Shoot I have $1,300.00 wrapped up in the Elite VSX 53, already much more than I was going to spend! LOL!
But it looks Really Nice and Sounds Great!
I AM Definitely a Happy Camper!

Enjoy and Have a Great Weekend!

Bud B

Congrats on your E53 pick up. LOL on the "RETURN & EXCHANGE" King.. The E52 was probably my last upgrarde. I never thought I'd be spending nearly a $1,000 on the receiver, the real plan was spending under $500.00. You know what, I also returned the Martin Logan Motion 10s'. I think I will be getting the Definitive Tech BP8020 instead. What you think Bud B?

Does the power cord actually fit this time on the E53? Let me know if you notice any sound difference between the E52 and E53. Don't you have a 1020k aswell?

Howdy

You asked...

Well, let me tell you about that!
A funny thing happened on my way to BB to swap my E52 for the E53.
I realized over half way there that I had forgotten the Owners Manual for the E52...But..No problem right? It is the same manual for both the E52 & the E53.
So when I got there I just told the girls, "Why don't I just swap the bag with the Owners Manual, Mic, etc.. un-opened and you can just put that with the E52 that I am returning, I already have this stuff with my E52 and it is the same.
It took me explaining this a couple more times before they could actually wrap their heads around the concept! LOL!
So in essence we opened my new E53 box and just transferred the bag, Remote and THE Power cord into the box with my old E52.
I thought about the power cord but it was in it's own bag as was the remote and mine were open so I told them to just keep the new Remote and Power cord that were in their own neat bags..It will be sold as an "Open Box" unit and I said whoever gets it, will at least have all new bagged and wire tied accessories inside the box!
I thought that was nice of me to do!
I'm always trying to think of the next guy (or Girl) and even if it's open box, I'd feel better with all new un-opened Accessories!

Bottom line is that the power cord from my E52 fits the same on my E53!
I seriously think that Pioneer needs to get a new batch of Power Cords from whomever their supplier is!
My 3 prong used IEC Cord fit good on both..It is definitely the Power Cord and not the receivers!


Ya know I think that I do but then I wonder if I think I do, just because it is a new Receiver.


Yes I do, it is in my Bedroom..Also sounds Great!

In fact I am listening to it as I type buy I'm getting ready to go downstairs and finish tweaking my new Elite VSX 53..
Looks like Rain here today so a good day for Tweaking and Listening!

Have yourself a Great Weekend!

Bud B

Greetings,

I am looking to purchase a new receiver soon and am leaning towards the VSX-52 or the 53. I had one general question; When you hook up your directv box, blu-ray player and x-box via the HDMI inputs of the receiver, can the receiver be in standby and/or off to listen to the sound through the TV only. There are many times that I just listen through the TV.

Thanks,

Mark

Yes, you can in standby mode.

Hi all,

At the VSX 1121 thread Bigsherv asked:

I decided to take him here as to not bore the VSX 1121 posters...

My response is below...

Hi Bigsherv,

I went to Costco's website and checked it out...Great Deal on the Elite SC35 BUT this little caviet stopped me cold and really got me thinking.....
This is listed under Shipping and Warranty...


So, if your not happy you can return it...For how long?
I have a 4 Year Extended Warranty on my Elite VSX 53, what do you do if the SC35 has a problem in a couple of Years?
You are also voiding the 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty as soon as you buy it!
That is why the price is about half what you would spend at an Authorized Dealer!
Plus now that the Elite SC55 and SC57 are out, I would expect the prices on the SC35 and SC37 will continue to drop at Authorized Dealers!
They will eventually be discontinued..and then really great bargains could be had as Authorized Dealers clear their Inventory!!
But let's be honest here, because they are the SC35 and SC37, I do not think that the prices will need to be lowered that much for them to clear their inventory!

It is tempting but unless Costco or anyone else for that matter has a Great Service facility (Is anyone as good s the actual Manufacturer?) I would be very wary!
The future is always 20-20 and will tell you just how good or bad this deal is......
I would really check with Costco into what happens if Sh_t happens with your receiver.

Right now I have a Dead LG 32LCD HDTV in my second bedroom that is 2 years old, I purchased it at BrandsMart and thankfully I also purchased a 5 Year Extended Warranty,
A Warranty that covers ALL Parts and Labor! I think that it was $120.00 extra. I know that $120.00 today would not cover Shipping it to and from LG and their cost of repair and I still have 3 years leftover!
Sweet! My hindsight on that call was right on! I am now in the process of getting it Repaired!
It is incidences like this that make me get the extended warranty on all of my equipment!
So things DO Break!

There are third party Warranty companies so you may want to think of that for your Un-Authorized purchases!
http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/
I have seen Square Trade spoken of in these forums about an Extended Warranty Company.
They do not care where you bought your product from, but this is another option but I would search it out, I am not recommending them or any other.

I had my last receiver for 10 years with no problems, But that was back when they had Lead-Core Solder, not the Lead-Free Solder that they have to use today!
Which will in no way last the same! Check out this article about Lead-Free Solder..
http://jimwarholic.com/2009/09/solde...ree-solder.php

Bottom line just check out what you are covered for and not covered for! Especially if you plan on keeping your receiver for years to come.

Good Luck with your call though, You asked and that's my 2C.
Bud B

Hi again,
As far as the Deal of should you get the SC35 over a Elite VSX 52 or 53 I can't answer that one for you.
If the question was poised to me that for the same price of my VSX 53 I could have a brand new SC35..which would I choose..
I pause as I watch the cursor blink away waiting for me to type...I am not so sure that I would get the SC35!
With new comes more..Seeing is the best comparison..

You cannot do a direct comparison of Specs and Features on the Pioneer Website yet.
However, if you have two browsers (I have Mozilla and IE) then you can open them both to the "Specifications" page of the Pioneer Elites.

In one browser open the Elite VSX 53 "Specification" Page, in the other Browser open the SC35 "Specification" page.
Now shrink the two pages so that you can put them side by side and you now have your own comparison.
Starting with each header you can open each and move down through the Spec's and Features.
You will see some things jumbled around a bit but you can get the drift.
There are some neat things that the Newer Elite's have over the older SC 35 & 37 Elite's.
There is Air Play & Air Jam, there is of course the I-Pads, there is DLNA http://www.dlna.org/digital_living/getting_started/
There quite a few changes that have been made and as you go down the list you will be surprised..Yes it has the ICE Class D amps but I do not know if that is enough! At least for me.
The above breaks them down on Paper but I would really like to hear them both side by side, who knows the Sound could be a deciding factor.

Have you heard both the SC35 and the VSX52?
Has anyone heard them both? If so what did you think?

If I am going to buy Un-Authorized I can probably find a new SC 55 with all of the new Features and for what I paid for my VSX 53 Authorized!
Now there is a thought but then I'm back to no Warranty!

Good Luck and let us know what you do.

Later,
Bud B

Thanks Bud B. From what I have heard and experienced Costco is great about returns.

However I just can't pass up on airplay. Walking through my house and hitting a button on my iphone and it syncs wireless to my receiver will probably trump a marginally better sounding amp.


I appreciate all of your points though!

I just got my VSX-52 yesterday and had very little time to do more than connect everything and preview a blu-ray. Everything seems great, but that power cord pisses me off.

Congrats on getting the E-52.

LOL.. Yup the crazy power cord issue. It's weird how they didn't make it fit, maybe theirs a purpose for it. Maybe you can call Pioneer to send you a new cord. I e-mailed them and they said to exchange they E-52 for another but I'm sure all the E-52 power cords don't fit.