[todbnla]

I have a Pioneer 1014 and it works fine however, it is staying with the home we sold and I need to replace it. I have seen the 1015 and 1016 in brick and mortar stores but really what is the difference? I think the 1015 looks beeter but whic h one is the better performer?

[Wayne Ernst]

The amplifier technology in the 1016 is no longer of a MOSFET variety, which Pioneer had in the 1014 and 1015 receivers. Which is better? I'm not so sure - but, here are some of my observations. I've owned the 54TX, which was 2 generations back - and out at the time that the 1014 was. I now have the 80TXv, which is similar to the 1016, but offers the 2nd zone feature.

54TX: Very nice construction.
80TXv: Construction isn't nearly as good as the 54TX.

However, my ears like the sound of the 80TXv a bit better, when it comes to music. For me, the 54TX didn't seem quite a musical. This though, is all from my memory of sound - which could or could not be a good thing, depending on how you look at it. Both receivers were purchased through mail-order vendors. However, I paid about $350 less for the 80TXv - and, for the price, is quite a bargain.

[Stephen Hopkins]

The 1016TX also has HDMI video switching, but will not do audio over HDMI. I was not overly inpressed by the 1016TX or 80TXv when considering them as replacements for my 1014TX. Build quality has come down a notch and appearance is much more cluttered and less classy. In the price range I would consider the Onkyo SR674 or a refurbished Onkyo SR803 (top notch build, HDMI audio/video switching, only lacks HDMI scaling).

[Kin Poon]

i say look for a 54tx or a 56tx used. The newer ones such as the 74tx and the 84tx has a nicer preamp stage which makes it great as a standalone preamp, but the amp quality has gone down. However, for a good all arounder, the older models are still a beast of a reciever with really solid constrction.

[Stephen Hopkins]

Even the 72TXv and 74TXvi have that classic Elite build quality and amps. I would take anything from 45TX on over a 1014TX or 1015TX and a 72TX on over a 1016TX if HDMI is of importance.