[Corey-Reid]

Just ordered the new pioneer elite 74txvi yesterday, will be in on Thursday. This is replacing a Yamaha rxv-2090.
I cant wit to get this thing in and see what it sonuds like.

Ill post my impressions shortly after I get it.

[Corey-Reid]

Well I got the Pionner up and running.
I am no expert in home audio, so keep that in mind.

I was able to get through the setup procedure with the new MCACC pretty easy. I have an energy es10 sub, and the MCACC flashed a screen that said the sub was to loud and to turn it down. Once I got it to the acceptable level for the auto calibration, it was wayyyyyy too low IMO.

I have a Boston vr10 center, Boston cr6s in the rear and a set of Kenwood 3 ways with 2 12 in woofers in them for the mains. I literally could not tell I had a sub withthe level it was set at.

Speakers were set at large fronts, and small for all others. With my old setup, the subs input gain was at about 3 or 4, It is now up to 7 or 8, cant remember. If I left it at 5 and played my AC/dc live at donnington in 5.1, I couldnt even here any real bass in the music.

After going to the manual speaker setup, I set the sub at -40db from the -60db it was at. That was much more to my liking.

In my master plan, new speakers were always at the top of my list, that just changed after listening to the Pioneer.

My Kenwoods sound like a new set of speakers. Im assuming this is due to the MCACC, but it now sounds as if I also just added new speakers to my system.

I popped in the Matrix and watched about the first 25 minutes and (Ive heard this before and always rolled my eyes) I heard things I had never noticed before. In the opening scenes of the movie, Trinity is being chased over some rooftops by a few Agenst and local cops. They run across some tin roof and I was amazed at how the sounds of their steps on that tin just grabbed my attention. I love this movie, seen it dozens of times, and I never noticed this before, or it never got my attention.

Listening to AC/DC in 5.1 was great. I listen at LOUD volumes, and I had the volume up to 0 and the sound was crystal clear and could have gone much more. Those that are worried about lower power levels on this receiver have no need to worry.

Connected my kids Ipod and that was a simple task. Onscreen display makes getting what you want out of the Ipod simple.

Got mine from BB, got them to give 10%off, and then when it was being rung up, the lady at the register gives me a $100.00 BB gift card, I had no idea that was coming. So I basically got 250 bucks back from the MSRP.

I am pretty darn happy at this point.

[PhilCo]

Test Bench: Pioneer VSX-74TXVi receiver

BY DANIEL KUMIN
October 2005

DOLBY DIGITAL PERFORMANCE
All data were obtained from various test DVDs using 16-bit dithered test signals, which set limits on measured distorting and noise performance. Reference input level is –20 dBFS, and reference output is 1 watt into 8 ohms. Volume setting for reference level was –8. All level trims at zero, except for subwoofer-related tests, all speakers were set to “large,” subwoofer on. All are worst-case figures where applicable.
Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms)
1 channel driven: 172/296 W (22.4/24.7 dBW)*
5 channels driven (8 ohms): 61 W (17.9 dBW)*
6 channels driven (8 ohms): 52 W (17.1 dBW)*
Distortion at 1 watt (THD+N, 1 kHz)
8/4 ohms: 0.04/0.05%
Noise level (A-wtd): –74.9 dB
Excess noise (with sine tone)
16-bit (EN16): +1.4 dB
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, –0.3 dB
* Speaker-impedance setup switch set to 8-ohm position.

[Wayne Ernst]

Quote:

6 channels driven (8 ohms): 52 W (17.1 dBW)*

Crash ... and burn.

[Kenneth Harden]

Is that a bad thing?

How would my Harman Kardon 635 compare?

[JeremyErwin]

Kumin writes for Sound and Vision Magazine, so assuming that their methodology is precise and their results repeatable, you could try searching their archives for mention of a h/k 635.

But the H/K 330 achieves 66 W with 5 channels driven...

And, yes. It's bad.

Look here for a test of the VSX-815 (not even the VSX-1014, darling of so many htforum goers.)

Quote:

1/2 channels driven 110/95 W (20.5/19.75 dBW)
5/7 channels driven 70/61 W (18.5/17.75 dBW)

So, either Pioneer produced a $1500 dud, or something's a bit screwy with S&V's lab.

[JeremyErwin]

At avsforum, there's a thread on the 74's capacitors

[Kenneth Harden]

Wow, I am liking my Harman Kardon more and more every day!

[Corey-Reid]

I used an SPL from Radio shack set up at 12 feet from the center speaker and while listening to the DTS track of Clapton's "One Car, One Rider dvd, the spl meter hit 104 decibals on "Cocaine," with the volume at "0" on the 74txvi. Those test results dont mean squat to me. I go by my ears, and the sound is clean, and the power is not lacking.

[Wayne Ernst]

Quote:

Those test results dont mean squat to me. I go by my ears, and the sound is clean, and the power is not lacking.

I'll agree with you - that the end result is all that counts. If you're happy with the sound and the power, then all is well.

What I do find disturbing, though, is how Pioneer slipped this one out. They had lots of great press with their previous years' and the Elite product. Not to forget, how well the 1014 and 1015 have been doing. Now, they release the 74 and advertise it as producing more power, etc. While the price did go down slightly ($200) I still feel they have a lot of nerve doing what they did.

For years, Yamaha has been producing great receivers - but, their performance (output wise) has never lived up to the rated specs. However, Yamaha receivers can usually be picked up for a song (no pun intended.) :b

[Arthur S]

Corey

I am happy that you are happy. Your Kenwood main speakers are probably very efficient with those 2 12 inch woofs in each one. With the advanced MCACC, the 74 can give you a really good FR.

The 74 can last you a good while. If you ever feel the need for more power: for example,if you were to change to speakers that are difficult to drive, you could always pick up some separate amplification without spending a lot.

Enjoy