Comparrison: Pioneer VSX-01TXH - Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K (1 Viewer)

[Cpt.America]

Hello again all.. I am very very new to the HT world, and have started piecing my 5.1 system together recently. I am very budget minded ($2000 - $2500 total) and planned out a budget for all my pieces put together, and then tried to find the most bang-for-buck I could, in each category. I am down to my receiver and here is where I need your help.

I was originally comparring the Pioneer 1018, the yammah663, and the onk 606. I eventually found the pioneer to be the best of the 3 from all the reviews I could find online and that was going to be my purchase until I found the pioneer Elite series. It seems that the base model Elite series, the VSX-01isn't THAT much more expensive than the 1018. (maybe 100 bucks more)(although, I haven't found the best price for the unit yet... any online retailers yo know with a bangin price for the VSX-01?)

So my question to all of you is, What is the main difference between these two models? The 1018 being the top of their base line, and the VSX-01 being the bottom of their Elite line. What am I missing by going with the 1018? I tried to do a comparrison between the two on pioneer's website, but you can only compare models in the same series.

Here is what I have already

Mains - polk audio RTi10s
Center - polk audio C5
Sub - Elemental Designs A3-300 with upgraded driver
Surrounds - TBD

I am going to be doing 50/50 Music/HT. Music will be piped through an OPPO and my movies will either be played through the OPPO (dvd) or BDs through the PS3.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

-Cpt.America

 

[gene c]

Here is a direct (but limited) comparison of the two. For more detailed discriptions: 1018 and 01. As always, I suggest you download the manual for each to get an accurate idea of what each is capable of. The Elite series does come with a two year warranty vs. one year for the standard series.

1018,606,01,663 contains a comparison of all four you mentioned. You have to scroll half way down the page to see it.

 

[Cpt.America]

Thanks Gene... So according to that comparrison, there really isn't any difference between any of them... and the vsx01 doesnt' have a sub pre-out? Somethings not right there...

 

[gene c]

The differences between receivers in the same price range are usually not dramatic but minor. But they can be important depending on your needs. The biggest differences I see is the 1018 only has a one year warranty, the 663 only has two hdmi inputs, the 606 has a little less rated power and only a five band eq (but it does have Dynamic eq) and upconverts to 1080i not 1080p and the 663 is also rated a little lower. I'm sure there are other things that I missed, but I doubt they'd be critical. As I said in a previous thread, I'd go with a more powerful receiver for those RTi10's as they tend to dip below 4 ohms on occasion.

Choosing a receiver is nerve racking. So many choices and it's hard to tell which is the best fit. I went thru it early this year and wound up getting a 5 year old Pioneer Elite 59txi. Couldn't be happier. Glad to see you settled on a sub and dvd player, though

.

These comparison charts and product discriptions are not always accurate. That's why I recommend downloading the manual. Here's a picture of the 01, rear view It's there.

 

[Cpt.America]

Thanks Gene.. I am really not intested at all in the Yamaha or Onk... I was solely interested in the difference between teh 1018, and the 01 from pioneer. I really like that elite, but if the only differences is the 12v plugs on the back, I will pass. CERTIANLY you get more from stepping up to the Elite series, right? I just can't find out what it is.

 

[gene c]

The top of the standard line, which is now the 1018, has always been closer to the Elite series then the standard series. I think you need to get to the 92txh before a member of the Elite series really starts to pull away from the 1018. That's why the 10xx has always been popular. It's almost like getting an Elite receiver for standard series money.

 

[Aaron Gilbert]

The 1018 has NO S-video inputs, whereas the VSX-01 has four. The 1018 does offer an additional rear panel optical input, however.

I couldn't do without the S-video, and wanted five digital inputs on the back, so actually, neither of these worked for me.

 

[slarity]

Just curious, why? S-Video might as well be identical to composit since it doesnt even do 480p.

 

[Ryan Peddle]

When I look down the specs chart from pioneers website I see a few glaring differences.

1. Power ratings. Elite give you full disclosure 20-20k, 8ohm, while the regular line gives 1khz rating...don't like that right off the top for the 1018.

2. Elite line has Faroudja 1080p processing...reg line just has "1080p processing", my interpretation is the reg line has a generic scaling engine

3. The reg line does not advise the type of DAC/ADC are in them

Warranty is better on the Elite line as well.

 

[Abel1337]

You dont really need the s-video inputs for basic functions. I got a 1018 and it does me just fine for what I use it for which is what most people use it for

 

[NewtoHT]

I am in thee same boat , finally which one did you choose Pioneer 1018/19 or
VSX-01

Thanks,