Pioneer vsx-26tx vs 912k (1 Viewer)

Both of these seem to be available for around $300. The 26 is a refurbished model. I am interested in both home theatre and multichannel sacd listening. Should I stick with the newer technology-912k or go for the preumably better sonics of the 26-lower THD and thx certified.
This will be for only 5.1, but would like 2 zone or A/B speaker outputs.

Sorry for the length and thanks for your thoughts.
paul:b

That's not a long post and I would chose the 912k over the 26TX for three reason.
1.) There is a problem with some of the DSP boards on the 2xTX series of Elites and this will cause your sound to cut in and out and have to get it repaired and it will prolly break again after that. You can search this forum for info.

2.) The amp section in the series below 4xTX aren't that Elite it wasn't until this current series that they started living up to their name; I know because I had the 37TX before my current 49TX.

3.) Features the 912k does almost everything including auto MCACC while the 26TX does DD, DTS, and THX. THX is the only thing the 912k doesn't have but if the 912 has the re-eq feature then you'll be fine.

Daniel Smith

I don't believe that the 912 has re-eq. The 912 is similiar to the 811 the only thing it looks like they added is the auto MCACC.

Oh and it is 110 * 6 and has a LCD remote....Double Precision 48-Bit Motorola DSP and Sports
Game surround mode....so it seems to have minor changes.

I would also go w/ the 912K. I had an 811S for quite awhile and it was a great entry level receiver. It would also make a very capable Pre-Pro if you decided to add external amps later on. Since it handles all current surround formats, it's very expandable. The addition of Auto MCACC is a nice feature, but not a deal-breaker by any means. The same can be said about the LCD.

No-one has verrified whether or not the 912K's MCACC is the same as the 45TX which equalizes for room nodes, or if it's just an automatic level adjuster. Either way, it would save some time in room setup.

Either receiver will have A/B speaker outputs, but I don't believe you'll be able to do simultaneous dual zone with either. Hope this helps

Steve,
From what I have been told the 912 does not do the Eq part nor does it have dual zone. That is why I listed the diff between the 912 and 811. I am not aware of anything else different between the two but I could be missing something.

If the 912K's Auto MCACC is only a speaker level adjuster, i see the only major difference between it and the 811S is the LCD remote and the slightly different front pannel layout. The DSP proccessor has been changed, but I doubt that would lead to any audible difference in a receiver of this class. I would also venture to guess that the amplification stage is unaltered and is the same as the 811S and even the 810S.

That said, since the price difference between the 811S and 912K is around $30 - $50, I would go w/ the 811S or 812K IF I already had a SPL meter and calibration disc. If not, I would go w/ the 912K.

Hope this helps

Exactly my thoughts steve. I am still surprised that there is not that much of a price diff on the net between the 912 and 811.

Hey,

Thanks for all the input. I suppose going with a newer unit, either the 812 or 912 would be best. Is the 912 worth the extra flash?

paul

The price diff on crutchfield.com for an example: 812 -$299
912 - $399.
Difference is 912 has..
Different remote with LCD display.
110 * 6
Auto MCACC

812 is 100 * 6 and has manual MCACC.

Like steve mentioned above if you have a SPL meter and disc go for the 811 and spend the extra money on a dvd or something. If you don't have all that stuff you might benefit from the 912.

It is the same with one exception, it can not be adjusted manually after the fact.

BTW, there is a great thread at AVSforum that has been on going and is full of the facts...

MCACC stands for "Multi Channel Acoustic Calibration Circuit" so by definition it is an EQ not just a speaker level meter. I wouldn't expect it to be able to be user adjustable and if it isn't then it would have the same MCACC as the 47TX not the 45TX.

Daniel Smith

Thanks for all the replies.

I have an SPL meter and plan on getting Avia. So I'm thinking the 812 is the way to go. Anyone have this unit?
Where (online) is a good price?

www.datavis.com has the 812K for $229 + sh. I've ordered from them before and they seem to be a good company. Oddly enough, the same place has the 811S and are still charging $299 for it. I guess MSRP has more influence on the street price than I thought, especially since the 812K is nearly identical to the 811S AND NEWER!

To clear up the MCACC issue on the 912K read the response I received from Pioneer Customer Support:

No, it does not adjust for EQ, speaker id, time align, speaker size, and level only... We call it standard auto MCACC vs. Advanced auto MCACC for Elite with EQ...