After the fact...1014Tx review

John Garcia · 08-20-2005, 05:40 PM

It's earmarked for a customer, but it will be with me over the weekend. Still under original warranty, seller bought it right when the 1015 came out. Going to give it a run through this weekend to see if it lives up to it's rep. as a top budget receiver.

I fired it up real quick and dirty in my 2ch rig. Analog only from my CDP to the CD input, stereo, direct. Bass was slightly subdued, and the highs are a bit dialed back at the top - not quite a lack of detail, but for lack of a better term, less of a "round" sound compared to my Marantz PM -7200. Though a bit flat, midrange detail seems good, but when I went back to my 7200 (in class AB mode), it seemed pretty clear that there was not as much depth with the 1014. It sounds almost identical to the 41Tx I had listened to previously.

Power is what I was most curious about, and when I cranked it, this is where I really started to notice the difference. The 1014's power was all at the top. To get the 1014 at a moderate level, I was at -18 on the dial (MCACC off), and the volume only really seemed to make significant changes when I reached about -20, as if 90% of the the volume range was between -25 and 0, and I figure at -20 I'm at about 85% of total power. To achieve the same volume on my 7200 I'm at less than 30% on the dial. I checked the manual, and found it to be rated 20-20K .09THD, but it specifically states that is only with the two main channels driven. No numbers given for all channels driven, and while the numbers look good, with just my two bookshelf speakers hooked up, distortion was quite evident when I pushed it up to -12. With Loreena McKennit Live in Paris & Toronto, her vocals quickly became "fuzzy" and the loss of control was obvious during the heaviest vocal passages, so I brought it back down. Back to the 7200 - not a hint of this fuzzy sound at even higher volume. Perhaps there is some kind of current limiting going on in the amp section? I am now hesitant to even hook up my 4 Ohm mains to this guy...

Build quality is very good for a receiver in this price range. The remote is impressive also. I'll be trying out the 1014's DACs, and possibly MCACC. I'll also use a SPL meter so I am comparing sound at the same registered volume.

IMO, it's par for the price range, and is certainly not a bad receiver by any means. I picked it up for $300, BTW.

gene c · 08-20-2005, 09:42 PM

I bought one a few months ago from OneCall and while it's a good receiver with many features (some that didn't work all that well) I don't think it lived up to all the hype (but how could it?). The bass and treble did seem a little flat to me and the MCACC came up with some very strange settings. Even though it seemed to sound o.k. I just couldn't get myself to trust the numbers. 110 wpc also seems to be a bit of a stretch. But all things considered it was a nice upgrade from my Onkyo htib receiver it wound up replacing in a secondary room. But it was un-able to push aside my HK 520 in my main room for which it was intended. My fault though. I should have known better.

Oachalon · 08-20-2005, 10:45 PM

i just picked up the 1015tx the other day and its a good receiver for the price. I picked it up for my basement setup which isnt my main setup and im using cheap speakers down there but it works. I still like my yamaha rx-v1400 for my main setup better but im happy.

Chris*Liberti · 08-20-2005, 11:01 PM

Like all THX receivers, the 1014TX when setup and calibrated with the supplied mic will do reference at 0. This means at 0 it will have average levels of 85dbc. This is why it seems as if it is closer to the top end of its volume control when watching a movie.

John Garcia · 08-21-2005, 02:11 AM

My receiver is THX Select also, and reference is not zero. I hit 85dB at about -15; average listening level is about -25, depending on material. Reference level for a given room is relative to that particular set of speakers and room, and since I had MCACC off and the receiver in direct mode, that isn't a factor.

I wasn't watching a movie, this was stereo only, with two relatively easy to drive bookshelf speakers in my bedroom. I have not tried MCACC yet, but I have to say, the amp section doesn't live up to it's reputation or it's rating. I recently installed an Onkyo 601 for a customer and I was more impressed with the sound quality and amp section of that receiver (also with Mordaunt Short speakers), and it was about the same price MSRP.

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Wayne Ernst · 08-21-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

I'll be trying out the 1014's DACs

John, For reference, I own the Onix XCD-88 CD player. It features Burr-Brown DACs. When I would A/B the Onix on my Pioneer 54TX, the Onix DACs would win every time. I'm sure the DACs in the 1014/1015 are awfully similar to the 54TX. They just were not as dynamic as the DACs in the Onix.

Quote:

but I have to say, the amp section doesn't live up to it's reputation or it's rating.

You know, people on the Ecoustics message board have questioned my hearing when I posted some comments on the Pioneer receivers - and their ability to not be as musical. For theater, it performs flawlessly. With music, the dynamics and separation were a bit weak, IMO.

Then again, we all know it can be very hard to cover all the bases with just one system. I'm not telling people not to buy Pioneer receivers. However, I would indicate that when it comes to music, ensure the Pioneer is right for you.

For music, even my H/K AVR-125 could outshine the 54TX. Plus, I only paid 1/8th the cost of the 54TX. The Pioneer was new and the H/K was used.

lee ison · 08-21-2005, 05:52 PM

all these tests(?) are purely subjective and NOWHERE based on fact , purely personal, just muddies the truth.Size of room, speakers, as well as source material is a big influence on preceived validation of opinions. Like all equip., it either suits your preference or it don't , without a controlled lab test these comparisons have no weight. They are after all just opinions....everybody has one.

chrisCo · 08-21-2005, 07:48 PM

Five years from now someone will pickup one of these up at a garage sale and feel compelled to post a "review" of it comparing unfavorably to their then current $700 HT receiver. Declaring it par just validates spending more for comparable performance. A review of a receiver that for all practical purposes is unavailable for purchase, what could the posters motivation be? This offers nothing, let the thread die.

Steve_L · 08-21-2005, 08:01 PM

I have a 1014 and I think it is great. I've owned Marantz, Sherwood and HK previously and this is much more receiver for the money.

Great power. Full, warm and robust across the frequency spectrum.

John Garcia · 08-22-2005, 01:13 AM

Quote:

They are after all just opinions....everybody has one.

That's right, and this is mine, so if you don't like it, don't respond. Numbers don't tell you how something sounds do they?

Quote:

A review of a receiver that for all practical purposes is unavailable for purchase, what could the posters motivation be? This offers nothing, let the thread die.

My receiver actually costs a LOT more than that...and I've had it for over 2 years. I have a business installing equipment and I actually spend quite a bit of time setting up and listening to many brands. There's so much hype about the 1014 and 1015, I had to give one a listen MYSELF, and this is what I found. I have NO ulterior motives, except to report what I hear. Do you think any review in a magazine by a "professional" is NOT subjective? They don't just give the numbers do they? I didn't think so. 90% of everything on this forum and most forums like it, are opinion...yours is no more valid than the next person's. Again, don't bother posting in this thread unless you have something relevant to say. The truth is, your respose actually offers nothing as opposed to my post.

I just spent some time using the 1014's DACs. They sounded pretty good, to be honest. Depth is still not up there with the best, but bass was improved. Overall midrange is still flat with a hint of bloom, but vocals were very good. No thumbs down for this guy, it's a good receiver, but it isn't going to be competing with models above it like the hype would seem to suggest. I don't have any problem recommending this receiver (or rather the 1015) in the price range.