[Todd_zilla]

Hi guys,


I'm in the process of narrowing down my choices of AV receivers and have pretty much come down to these two. I'm interested in gathering opinions on these two models and finding out any information outside of what the spec sheets say. If you have one of these units, please let me know what you think of it and what speakers you have it matched up with. Right now, I'm leaning towards either Paradigm Reference (Studio 60s, CC-470, ADP-470s, Servo 15) or Definitive Technology. The speaker choice will depend on budget. I'd love to get the Digms, but may opt for a significantly lower-priced DefTech setup (7004s, CLR2500, BP2X or maybe even 7006s, CLR2300, BP1.2X).


I have heard both of these receivers but have not been able to do a side by side comparison and have not been able to hear them through the same speakers. The only Digm dealer in town doesn't carry Pioneer Elite. The DefTech dealers that I've been to in town don't have the particular speakers I want to hear and didn't have any DefTechs hooked up to any of the same speakers that the Denon was hooked up to... frustrating. I know these receivers and speakers produce very different sound. The media room this is going into is strictly an HT room... little to no music will ever be played in this room. Approximate dimensions are 25x15 for the room.


Thanks in advance and please share some info, opinions, and advice...

 

[cburbs]

I had the denon 985s at home for a while. Great little receiver. All the current bells/whistles.

I know own the Pioneer 54tx but that is because I couldn't get the 2805s thru ecost in time and I was without a reciever.

Personally I don't think the 52tx is worth the money - just get the 1014 instead.

The 2805 is good but I don't think it is worth $900mrsp. If you can get it cheaper then I would opt for that.


I sent you a pm.

 

[Yung]

Todd,


While I have not heard the 52TX, I have the 1014TX which is nearly identical to the 52TX. I listened to the 1014TX and Denon AVR-2805 through a pair of Polk RTi8 tower speakers at my local dealer.


My impression was that the vocals were more detailed on the 2805 than the 1014TX; however, it was to the point of almost being too detailed. The overall music and volume came through much louder on the Pioneer though. I had to check with the salesman if they were indeed set to similar volume levels which he confirmed.


That being said, I have head the 2805 & 3805 through the Paradigm Atoms, Titans and Mini-Monitors and remember liking what I heard.


I have not heard the 1014TX through Paradigms yet, but am thinking of getting the Atoms which is not in the same class as the Studios you are considering.


If you don't need the features the 52TX has over the 1014TX (multi-source, 12V trigger, analog outputs for multi-room, MR/MS IR, and RS-232C), then you can get the 1014TX instead and put the extra $200-$250 towards your speakers.

 

[Steve S]

Unless the auto calibration has been done, the volume settings on the Pioneer vs the Denon are meaningless as far as comparing the volume at an indicated db. The Pioneer will calibrate it's test tones to produce 85db at the mic position when volume is set to 0db, the Denon calibrates it's tones to 75 db at the mic with the volume set to 0db, so even after calibration their volume readings aren't comparable.

 

[Yung]

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve S Unless the auto calibration has been done, the volume settings on the Pioneer vs the Denon are meaningless as far as comparing the volume at an indicated db. The Pioneer will calibrate it's test tones to produce 85db at the mic position when volume is set to 0db, the Denon calibrates it's tones to 75 db at the mic with the volume set to 0db, so even after calibration their volume readings aren't comparable.

Yeah, I asked the salesman if the units had been calibrated, but he said it was impossible to do so in a retail environment where there are so many speakers and so many itchy fingers playing with the various settings on the receiver during the day.

 

[Todd_zilla]

I can't find any info on a 1014 model of Pioneer Elite... what speakers do you guys have your receivers mated to and would you describe the mating as "bright" or "warm"?

 

[hoss]

Todd, the 1014 is not an Elite Model.

 

[Todd_zilla]

Oh, I guess that would explain me not being able to find it... it's also absent from the Pioneer website... kinda strange

 

[Ja Phule]

thats kind of odd, the 1014 seems to be on and off the website a lot recently. Remember seeing it on the site just last week.

 

[ZZtop]

Quote:

Originally posted by Yung Todd, While I have not heard the 52TX, I have the 1014TX which is nearly identical to the 52TX. I listened to the 1014TX and Denon AVR-2805 through a pair of Polk RTi8 tower speakers at my local dealer. My impression was that the vocals were more detailed on the 2805 than the 1014TX; however, it was to the point of almost being too detailed. The overall music and volume came through much louder on the Pioneer though. I had to check with the salesman if they were indeed set to similar volume levels which he confirmed. That being said, I have head the 2805 & 3805 through the Paradigm Atoms, Titans and Mini-Monitors and remember liking what I heard. I have not heard the 1014TX through Paradigms yet, but am thinking of getting the Atoms which is not in the same class as the Studios you are considering. If you don't need the features the 52TX has over the 1014TX (multi-source, 12V trigger, analog outputs for multi-room, MR/MS IR, and RS-232C), then you can get the 1014TX instead and put the extra $200-$250 towards your speakers.

Yung where would you rank the 3805 in that group sound wise and cost wise/vs return?


, I am looking at the AVR-3805, the 1014, the 56txi, and don't laugh but the new Kenwood VRS-7100 digital which sounded fantasticly loud for such a small box, it has thenew digital technology power amp that Alan Gouger made a sticky about at the top of this forum.

 

[hoss]

ZZ, I was on the fence also about the Denon 3805 and Elite 56txi. I demoed the 56txi at tweeter against the 2805 (that's all they had in the same room). Other than the obvious power difference, I really couldn't distinguish a large amount of difference in the sound. I was surprised, as I thought the Elite's, like my old one (26tx), had the "warmer" sound you hear so many talk about. Needless to say I kept my 3805. YMMV


Regards,


Hoss.

 

[Yung]

Quote:

Originally posted by ZZtop Yung where would you rank the 3805 in that group sound wise and cost wise/vs return? , I am looking at the AVR-3805, the 1014, the 56txi, and don't laugh but the new Kenwood VRS-7100 digital which sounded fantasticly loud for such a small box, it has thenew digital technology power amp that Alan Gouger made a sticky about at the top of this forum.

ZZtop,


Well, the AVR-3805 can be found for about $900-1000, while the 56TXi goes for around $1,300 or so, and the VSX-1014TX for about $450, assuming you buy from authorized dealers. I am not familiar with the Kenwood model.


I don't think you can go wrong with any of them and if you like the sound thats what counts the most. The 1014TX is definitely great for the value, but in terms of connectivity and options the Denon and the Pioneer Elite give you a lot more.


I know this doesn't help you much, but I think a lot depends on your speakers and what you want to use it for. GL.

 

[ZZtop]

Quote:

Originally posted by Yung ZZtop, Well, the AVR-3805 can be found for about $900-1000, while the 56TXi goes for around $1,300 or so, and the VSX-1014TX for about $450, assuming you buy from authorized dealers. I am not familiar with the Kenwood model. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them and if you like the sound thats what counts the most. The 1014TX is definitely great for the value, but in terms of connectivity and options the Denon and the Pioneer Elite give you a lot more. I know this doesn't help you much, but I think a lot depends on your speakers and what you want to use it for. GL.

The speakers are 2 Eosone 1000 towers, with extra subwoofers. They are 120 watt speakers, and the bottom stage or subwoofer gets power from the wall I think, as they plub into the ac outlets.

 

[mmountainbiker]

The Elite sure is prettier.

 

[Todd_zilla]

I finally got to hear both receivers hooked up to the same Deftechs last night... no comparison... the Pioneer Elite is a much better match for Deftechs (in my humble opinion of course). Warm and full would be my description of the sound... which is what I like. If I go with Deftechs (which is how I'm leaning right now due to price), I'll definitely be going with the Pioneer.