H/K vs. Pioneer

ChrisConklin · 07-24-2003, 04:26 PM

I'm currently torn between the Pioneer vsx-d912 or i've heard good things about the H/K 320. Also i was thinkin of the Onkyo 601. Out of all of these i can find the 912 for $300 which is my budget really. I don't have AVIA or a SPL meter and don't think i'd get one soon, for this reason alone should i get the Pioneer just for the auto MACC feature? Does the H/K have anything bigger to offer?

Lee M T · 07-24-2003, 10:24 PM

Hmm...if adjusting your speakers is a top priority, the Pioneer may be a better way to go for you at this time. But in all honesty, I think the H/K would kick the Pio's butt in so many ways. I think it would sound better, despite the rated power difference. And the quality of the H/K itself is just no contest. Plus, the H/K has most if not all of the same connections on the rear-end, which would probably be better quality themselves. These two receivers are really apples and oranges we're talking here, it's just the H/K is an older model, where as the Pio is a brand new model. Thus why I am assuming the prices for both are relatively close together for you.

Steve Adams · 07-25-2003, 06:27 AM

I would go with pioneer, another one of my coleges has a cooked H/K. they are riddled with reliability problems. The pioneer is rock solid unit. if you can step up a couple of hundred and get an elite reciver.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=14981

check this out, very nice. and around your budget!

Don Barduca · 07-25-2003, 10:20 AM

I agree with Lee to a point. For pure sound quality, go with the HK. They put quality parts into their entire line where as Pioneer has their Elite line for 'high quality' and their regular consumer line for, well, average consumers. However, I haven't heard anything but good things about the 912K's sound for the price. Considering price it's a steal.

Steve is also correct in that over the past few years HK units have been riddled with maintenance issues, especially their units with higher price tags. But I can't confirm any issues with the HK model you are considering. Since it is a little older, does the HK have the features that you would want?

ChrisConklin · 07-25-2003, 01:00 PM

I've always considered the Elite 41tx but nowhere do i see the mention of MACC (the whole reason i was going to get the 912). The H/K 320 seems to have just the right amount of features, moreso than the 225 (no 6.1), but in the interest of saving a max of $100 i'm still leaning towards the Pioneer. My car CD player and my current Dolby Surround Midi system (no center channel) are both Pioneer so i guess i'm what they would consider a loyal customer.

**HTF Ads**

Don Barduca · 07-25-2003, 02:39 PM

Chris,

If you feel like the Pioneer then go with it. And from all that I have read the Elite 41tx is a rebadged vsx-811, or whatever the 912k predecessor was. So go with the 912 you'll get the same amps as in the 41tx but the version of MCACC that the new 912k offers.

I must admit the MCACC is quite tempting. I plan on purchasing the Elite 53tx, (replacement for the discontinued 45tx), myself when it becomes available.

Good choice!

Paul_Fisher · 07-25-2003, 03:49 PM

I would go with the H/K.

Ozzie · 07-25-2003, 04:59 PM

I have the H/K 225 and it has a speaker callibration system as well as On screen display.
I've had my H/K for about 3 months now and I couldn't be happier. Sound keeps getting better and better. I have not yet hooked up my 5.1 system because I am moving next month but there is no doubt in my mind that for music, H/K is the best...very warm and rich. They match up really well with my JBL Studio series speakers.

I've read somewhere that the problems H/K once had are a thing of the past. I would not hesitate to recommend the 225 to anyone or any other H/K product for that matter.

Steve Adams · 07-26-2003, 06:18 AM

I was at work yesterday talking to my friend, his H/K 320 bit the dust! He's trying to get another to replace it, He don't know if Future Shop will replace it or not. only time will tell, oh, btw, get the pioneer, you will not regret it!.....

Lee M T · 07-26-2003, 03:43 PM

My major concern with the Pioneer would be in the power department. I just replaced a Pioneer that was comparable to the 912 (just quite a bit older) with a Yammaha. I'm just in two-channel mode currently with both the old Pio and Yammie. The Pioneer was rated at 150 x 2 and the Yammie at 85 x 2. The Yammie sounds as if it is the one that has the 150 x 2 rating as opposed to the Pio. The difference in my upgrade is night and day. That is what I would worry about. I would think the H/K's 55 or 65 watt rating, whatever it is, would actually sound better, louder, and cleaner than the Pioneer. Just my assumption though. Maybe Pioneer has much better amps now-a-days, but as they say, nothing is made like it used to be anymore.

JeffTodd · 07-26-2003, 04:30 PM

I picked up the HK320 from Harmanaudio refurb site and have not had any problems to date. I have probably had it for about 7 months or so.

Like Ozzie said, the HK320 does have a built in speaker calibration that works pretty well. The 320 also has preouts for 6.1. I had originally gotten the 225 from Fry's, but opted for the 320 for the upgrade potential.

Good luck!

ChrisConklin · 07-28-2003, 11:42 AM

After reading around i'm getting more hooked on the idea of an H/K, but i'll have to go listen around for myself soon. The 325 and 525 seem to be out of my range unfortunately or else it would be no question (7.1), how does the 520 compare to the 225, have they vastly improved their models in a year? Thanks for the help...i didn't realize how tough of a decision this really is.