- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
No mention of a DVD or BluRay player? If you don't have one yet then I'd get a BR before replacing the receiver.
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Pioneer VSX-1015TX receiver
The 1015 is a fine receiver but a newer one will have many useful features the the 1015 is lacking such as HDMI and it's HD audio capability, a better MCACC or Audyssey if you choose a receiver that's so equipped, firmware up-grades, Internet and HD radio, etc. depending on how much you want to spend. I'd look at a Denon, Onkyo or another Pioneer if you're brand loyal. The 1019 might be out of your price range but something like a Denon 789 or Onkyo 606/607 might be obtainable. Maybe even an H/K 254/354
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Paradigm Monitor 7 fronts, v.4 (soon to be bi-amped)
If you were planning on Bi-Amping them with the surround rear channels then be prepared to be disappointed in the outcome. True Bi-amping seems to require separate power supplies, not just separate amplifier channels. Virtually everyone who has tried it around here found very little, if any, benefit.
Proper setup and calibration can do wonders for just about any system that was just put in place and turned on. Make sure you have followed all setup/calibration procedures to the letter including double-checking the MCACC settings if you ran it. Speakers should be set to small and the x-over to 80 or higher, etc. A setup disc and SPL meter is handy for this. Speaker placement, including height, can also make a big difference. The little things can wind up making a big difference.
Roberts the subwoofer guy so do what he says............and hurry up! BTW, my brother has the Dayton clone of the 10" HSU and it's a real good sub for the price but that ED looks very good on paper. Probably even better in person.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
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if the surround backs aren't being used at all, is it worth using them to biamp the fronts for little gain, or not at all? Your recommendations are appreciated.
I tried it with my Pioneer 59txi just for fun and there really wasn't any increase in sound quality. Apparently you need two seperate amplifiers to get any gain at all. You can try it if you want. It would only take some time and a little speaker wire but IMO (and most others who have tried it) it's a wast of time. Bi-wiring is the same thing. Not worth the cost of the extra wire. Which is strange because most speaker manufactures recommend both bi-amping or bi-wiring. Says so in the manuals. Did nothing for me.
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I was thinking about an oppo DVD player
Excellent choice. I've owned two of them. A 970 and now a BDP-83. All the Hoopla is justified.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
Just a note on the 1019. Even though a couple of A/V magazines gave it a great review, calling the sound quality exceptional and features abundant, it now shares the same platform as the other Pioneer receivers. The previous years 1018, and the ones before it (1017, 1016, 1015 and 1014), were based off the base Elite model. As a result the 1019 only put out about 30 wpc x 5 in the bench tests oppossed to the rated 110 wpc. With average sensetivity speakers and a small room like yours it shouldn't pose a problem, but if you want to stick with Pioneer then I'd also look into the Elite VSX-21. It shouldn't be much, if any, more than the 1019. Just make sure it has the features you're looking for, and buy from an authorized dealer to protect it's warranty coverage.
And another thing (it never ends
). No need to spend a lot on wires and cables but here are a couple of often recommended sites for the often over-looked odds and ends.
Monoprice.com.
Bluejeanscables.com. PartsExpress.com. And remember, CL-2 or CL-3 wires/cables are needed for in-wall installation to satisfy local building codes. And use a good surge protector. And turn
everything off before making any connections. As I said, it never ends.
Edited by gene c - 10/26/09 at 7:11pm
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
Here's a link to Elite authorized dealers.
Elite-dealers. But only 6th ave and Abt have any Elite receivers and 6th ave is sold out of the 21 (they're having a "Name Your Price! promotion which is real popular). There are more
here but they're not authorized dealers. You can get a third party warranty from most of these sellers but who knows how reliable they would be if service was needed. Higher end brands like Elite, Integra, Rotel, etc. usually don't allow their products to be sold on-line. That's why you see so many Pioneer receivers but few, if any, Elites.
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Would you ever consider a PS3 as a primary media player? I can get one of those for dirt at work.
I'm not a gamer so I wouldn't but PS3's are popular as BluRay players and reportedly have excellent picture quality and the fastest load times of any BR player.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
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I can buy a VSX-23 off of 6th ave, the only difference I see between it and the 21 is that the 23 has 1 extra hdmi in and out, is that correct?
The 23 also has Multi channel PQLS (?) vs 2 ch for the 21, 3 zones vs. 2 and 2 HDMI outputs. Not enough to justify the extra money to me.
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On a direct comparison, would you consider the elite vsx 21 to be worth the extra money as opposed to the pioneer 1019?
That's a tough one but I'd say it is. A better version of MCACC, a more powerful amp section better internal parts like BurrBrown and Wolfson DACs, a two year warranty and 17 more pounds. But most of us probably buy more receiver than we really need.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
- Joined: August 2003
- Location: SF Bay Area
- Post Count: 2,341
I don't get that from either of my systems but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Might be a loose connection somewhere in the system or caused by a particular source component. Double-check all the connections and try it with different components. Sometimes cable/satillite boxes can cause this type of thing but usually it's a loose ground wire somewhere. If it get worse with time then it would be cause for concern, otherwise don't make too much of it.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
