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Pioneer Elite VSX-53 $499.98!!

post #1 of 99
2/27/13 at 8:48am
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FYI

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+Elite+-+Elite+770W+7.1-Channel+3D+Pass+Through+A/V+Home+Theater+Receiver/2769133.p?id=1218349685273&skuId=2769133

Can purchase in store starting today, will be able to purchase online as well sometime today or tomorrow.
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post #2 of 99
2/27/13 at 8:51am
Just FYI, I dont think Pioneer will honor the warranty if it is not bought through Pioneer. I dont think anyone is an authorized dealer on the Elite line.
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post #3 of 99
2/27/13 at 8:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrh1010 View Post

Just FYI, I dont think Pioneer will honor the warranty if it is not bought through Pioneer. I dont think anyone is an authorized dealer on the Elite line.

Magnolia is an authorized dealer. This is a discontinued model. Pioneer will honor the warranty. If you are worried though, you can always run into the store and pick one up.
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post #4 of 99
2/27/13 at 10:25am
Get the most out of your investment – Manufacturer’s warranty and rebate are not valid when you purchase from an unauthorized dealer. Only Pioneer-branded products* (not Elite-branded products) purchased from a Pioneer Authorized Home Entertainment Internet Dealer qualify for the manufacturer's limited warranty.

*Pioneer does NOT authorize any dealers to sell Elite-branded products on the Internet (only in-store sales are permitted). Therefore, any Elite-branded product purchased on the Internet is NOT authorized, which means that it does NOT carry the manufacturer's limited warranty and does not qualify for any manufacturer's rebate.

Peace of mind – Only authorized dealers are able to sell brand-new, non-refurbished, original stock products, complete with accessories and manuals that are made for use in the US.


I actually mispoke, sorry, it just states that it cant be purchased on the internet.
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post #5 of 99
2/27/13 at 10:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrh1010 View Post

Get the most out of your investment – Manufacturer’s warranty and rebate are not valid when you purchase from an unauthorized dealer. Only Pioneer-branded products* (not Elite-branded products) purchased from a Pioneer Authorized Home Entertainment Internet Dealer qualify for the manufacturer's limited warranty.

*Pioneer does NOT authorize any dealers to sell Elite-branded products on the Internet (only in-store sales are permitted). Therefore, any Elite-branded product purchased on the Internet is NOT authorized, which means that it does NOT carry the manufacturer's limited warranty and does not qualify for any manufacturer's rebate.

Peace of mind – Only authorized dealers are able to sell brand-new, non-refurbished, original stock products, complete with accessories and manuals that are made for use in the US.


I actually mispoke, sorry, it just states that it cant be purchased on the internet.

Well again, if you have concerns, just stop in the store and purchase it directly. Problem solved.
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post #6 of 99
3/1/13 at 2:03am
I picked mine up today at our closest MAGNOLIA. I called and they were good enough to set on aside for me until I got there......full 2 year warranty at a great price. I have just sold my VSX-1121 wanting to upgrade to the SC-1222 but after looking at the deal on the E%# and listening to it I made my choice. I know the VSX-1121 and E/52-53 are supposed to be pretty much the same unit but after getting the E%# hooked up and calibrated last night I swear it sounds better. Maybe it's just the thrill of a new AVR? Anyways...one heck of a deal even if it is a model year old.
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post #7 of 99
3/1/13 at 6:20am
This is truly an excellent deal! The VSX-53 list was originally $1100, marked down last year to $900 and now again to $500. Very good AVR at an outstanding price with a full 2 year Elite warranty. Yes, Magnolia is an authorized Pioneer Elite dealer so you can buy from them with no worries.

I have a VSX-52 that I bought from Magnolia brand new last year at what I thought was a great clearance price. $499.98 though for a VSX-53 is even less. Sure, basically it is the same AVR but you get another HDMI output and aluminum faceplate with the 53. If your looking for an Elite or thinking about just getting a new AVR, here it is. I wouldn't wait long on this one.
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post #8 of 99
3/1/13 at 10:20am
Played a few SACD's and CD's on the OPPO last night and the E53 sounds sweet! I 'll try a few BD's this weekend.
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post #9 of 99
3/1/13 at 11:41am
How good is the room correction and calibration technology? How does it compare to Audyssey? I have a 6 year old Denon 2807 - which has Audyssey. The lack of that feature (in favor of Pio's proprietary version of the tech) gives me pause before upgrading.
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post #10 of 99
3/1/13 at 11:56am
To avoid any kind of room correction debate, lets just say Audyssey is good and so is Pioneers advanced MCACC. In fact some actually prefer it. I know I do. MCACC is highly tweakable and has always been very effective for me. And I have had four Elites over the years and had great luck with all of them.
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post #11 of 99
3/1/13 at 12:14pm
Thanks -- I just wanted to make sure it was a robust system (versus say -- Emotiva's EmoQ -- which seems pretty ... well ... lame).

How many calibration positions does the Advanced MCACC allow on the VSX-53?
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post #12 of 99
3/1/13 at 7:48pm
Its very robust. MCACC allows for 6 calibration positions and each one can be saved in the units memory and named. Again if your considering the VSX-53 from Magnolia, you can always return it if it doesn't meet your expectation. Good luck.
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post #13 of 99
3/2/13 at 11:13am
I just bought a VSX-60 from Best Buy in Jan for a little less than this. Anyone used both? Interested in whether it would be worth moving to the 53 and returning the 60?
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post #14 of 99
3/2/13 at 3:03pm
I will tell you it would be worth returning the VSX-60 for the VSX-53. The VSX-60 is pretty much the same as the VSX-1122 with a few extras such as the 2 year warranty. The VSX-53 has a much better power supply and many extra features above what the VSX-60 has. Compare them both and I think you will see the advantages of getting the VSX-53
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post #15 of 99
3/2/13 at 3:17pm
Thanks. I may need to make a run to BB tonight. Anyone know if the is an OSD on the 53? That's one of the things that has bugged me about the 60. It'd be nice to see volume displayed on the screen.
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post #16 of 99
3/2/13 at 5:24pm
That is a function depending on if you are using your HDMI control...but yes it will or does.
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post #17 of 99
3/2/13 at 6:57pm
Thanks for info.

Speakerphile-Thanks for posting the price. For an exchange and an extra $20, I swapped my VSX-60 for the 53.
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post #18 of 99
3/3/13 at 7:02am
Has anyone had a problem with the HDMI on these unit? I purchased one on Friday, returned it yesterday, because the HDMI kept dropping out, and I was constantly resetting the unit. Trying a second one to see what happens.
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post #19 of 99
3/3/13 at 7:23am
Hey guys -- another few questions, and I am having trouble finding answers.

Is the Marvell Qdeo performing all video processing duties, or is it just a scaler? I know the Qdeo chipset is well regarded. I currently have my old Denon AVR-2807 paired up with a DVDO Edge (which performers all the HDMI switching duties and robust video processing with its Anchor Bay chips performing all scaling, de-interlacing, noise control, etc.). It's a good setup -- especially since the 2807 is just performing audio processing and pre-amp duties (since I also use a Rotel RMB-1075 for amplification).

But -- like many of you -- I have upgrade/smoking deal-itis, and this unit interests me. But if I got it -- the plan would be to retire and sell both the 2807 and DVDO Edge -- and use the VSX-53 as a pre/pro for the Rotel.

OK -- with that background -- I am having real trouble figuring out how robust this Qdeo implementation is. All it says in the literature is that the Qdeo is a "scaler" ("Video Scaler Marvell Qdeo up to 1080p / 24fps"). Is a lower quality chipset performing the rest of the video processing (i.e. contrast control, noise control, etc.)? Also -- on the Edge you can set different HDMI sources to different settings. So I can pump up noise control, sharpness, and contrast when the source is my DirecTV box, and leave everything on "0" when using my blu-ray player, and have it on "game mode" bypassing processing altogether when using my Xbox 360. Can you do similar setups for individual sources on the VSX-53?

BTW -- for those of you in the DC area, the Tyson's Corner BB shows the unit as in stock.
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post #20 of 99
3/3/13 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skrill View Post

Hey guys -- another few questions, and I am having trouble finding answers.

Is the Marvell Qdeo performing all video processing duties, or is it just a scaler? I know the Qdeo chipset is well regarded. I currently have my old Denon AVR-2807 paired up with a DVDO Edge (which performers all the HDMI switching duties and robust video processing with its Anchor Bay chips performing all scaling, de-interlacing, noise control, etc.). It's a good setup -- especially since the 2807 is just performing audio processing and pre-amp duties (since I also use a Rotel RMB-1075 for amplification).

But -- like many of you -- I have upgrade/smoking deal-itis, and this unit interests me. But if I got it -- the plan would be to retire and sell both the 2807 and DVDO Edge -- and use the VSX-53 as a pre/pro for the Rotel.

OK -- with that background -- I am having real trouble figuring out how robust this Qdeo implementation is. All it says in the literature is that the Qdeo is a "scaler" ("Video Scaler Marvell Qdeo up to 1080p / 24fps"). Is a lower quality chipset performing the rest of the video processing (i.e. contrast control, noise control, etc.)? Also -- on the Edge you can set different HDMI sources to different settings. So I can pump up noise control, sharpness, and contrast when the source is my DirecTV box, and leave everything on "0" when using my blu-ray player, and have it on "game mode" bypassing processing altogether when using my Xbox 360. Can you do similar setups for individual sources on the VSX-53?

BTW -- for those of you in the DC area, the Tyson's Corner BB shows the unit as in stock.

Anxiously waiting for an answer to Skrill's question as well
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post #21 of 99
3/3/13 at 7:57am
Which is better the sc 1222 or the vsx 52?
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post #22 of 99
3/3/13 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by realife3 View Post

Has anyone had a problem with the HDMI on these unit? I purchased one on Friday, returned it yesterday, because the HDMI kept dropping out, and I was constantly resetting the unit. Trying a second one to see what happens.



Wow. Just hooked up the second one. The first thing I noticed when taking it out the box, was the sticker decal on the front of the receiver listing the features. It was not on the previous one, which lead me to believe I was sold a refurb. Everything seems to be fine with this one.
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post #23 of 99
3/3/13 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skrill View Post

Hey guys -- another few questions, and I am having trouble finding answers.

Is the Marvell Qdeo performing all video processing duties, or is it just a scaler? I know the Qdeo chipset is well regarded. I currently have my old Denon AVR-2807 paired up with a DVDO Edge (which performers all the HDMI switching duties and robust video processing with its Anchor Bay chips performing all scaling, de-interlacing, noise control, etc.). It's a good setup -- especially since the 2807 is just performing audio processing and pre-amp duties (since I also use a Rotel RMB-1075 for amplification).

But -- like many of you -- I have upgrade/smoking deal-itis, and this unit interests me. But if I got it -- the plan would be to retire and sell both the 2807 and DVDO Edge -- and use the VSX-53 as a pre/pro for the Rotel.

OK -- with that background -- I am having real trouble figuring out how robust this Qdeo implementation is. All it says in the literature is that the Qdeo is a "scaler" ("Video Scaler Marvell Qdeo up to 1080p / 24fps"). Is a lower quality chipset performing the rest of the video processing (i.e. contrast control, noise control, etc.)? Also -- on the Edge you can set different HDMI sources to different settings. So I can pump up noise control, sharpness, and contrast when the source is my DirecTV box, and leave everything on "0" when using my blu-ray player, and have it on "game mode" bypassing processing altogether when using my Xbox 360. Can you do similar setups for individual sources on the VSX-53?

BTW -- for those of you in the DC area, the Tyson's Corner BB shows the unit as in stock.

Here is a link describing the QDEO function: http://www.marvell.com/digital-entertainment/assets/qdeo_extended_technology_brief.pdf I hope this is what your looking for. As far as dropouts I've had none since getting this unit last Thursday and I would guess it has 40 hours of use so far. I'm still tweaking the sound a bit but overall a killer unit at a great price.
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post #24 of 99
3/3/13 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by realife3 View Post

Wow. Just hooked up the second one. The first thing I noticed when taking it out the box, was the sticker decal on the front of the receiver listing the features. It was not on the previous one, which lead me to believe I was sold a refurb. Everything seems to be fine with this one.

Mine had no stickers and was not refurbished. What is the build date on yours? Mine is September 2012.
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post #25 of 99
3/3/13 at 9:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by realife3 View Post

Wow. Just hooked up the second one. The first thing I noticed when taking it out the box, was the sticker decal on the front of the receiver listing the features. It was not on the previous one, which lead me to believe I was sold a refurb. Everything seems to be fine with this one.

More than likely, a customer had returned it previously and had re-sealed the box telling the store he hadn't opened it. Refurb products are clearly marked on the packaging. Furthermore, we do not sell Pioneer Elite refurb, or refurb [anything] in Magnolia.
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post #26 of 99
3/3/13 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by realife3 View Post

Wow. Just hooked up the second one. The first thing I noticed when taking it out the box, was the sticker decal on the front of the receiver listing the features. It was not on the previous one, which lead me to believe I was sold a refurb. Everything seems to be fine with this one.

I'll echo that. Mine did not have the sticker above the display, either. This thing better not be a refurb. The build date on mine is Nov'12.
Edited by MarkMac - 3/3/13 at 1:37pm
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post #27 of 99
3/3/13 at 1:18pm
Did not check the first one, this one is May 2011.
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post #28 of 99
3/3/13 at 1:46pm
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Originally Posted by MarkMac View Post

I'll echo that. Mine did not have the sticker above the display, either. This thing better not be a refurb. The build date on mine is Nov'12.

Unless Pioneer is repackaging refurbs as new and shipping them to Best Buy without their knowledge, I find this highly unlikely.
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post #29 of 99
3/3/13 at 7:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speakerphile View Post

Unless Pioneer is repackaging refurbs as new and shipping them to Best Buy without their knowledge, I find this highly unlikely.

Speakerphile -- can you answer my question about the video processing settings. Can you assign different settings for different sources? I.e., Directv box, blu-ray, Xbox, etc.?
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post #30 of 99
3/3/13 at 8:07pm
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Originally Posted by Skrill View Post

Speakerphile -- can you answer my question about the video processing settings. Can you assign different settings for different sources? I.e., Directv box, blu-ray, Xbox, etc.?

I don't have the answer to that off the top of my head. I will try to get it for you tomorrow though.
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