Pioneer 811 vs. 812? (1 Viewer)

[DominicChan]

Hi,

I've compared the stats and places seem to be selling the 812 at a cheaper price (in general) than the 811. However there is just so much love for the 811 that I dunno which one to get.

Has anyone had experience w/ BOTH or at least the 812 (since everybody knows the 811 is just great)...

I wanna go 5.1 or maybe 6.1 if I go Onkyo 500+rear. Since I really don't have that much to spend I figured this would be the best option.

Thanks. =)

Dom

 

[ChadLB]

There seems to be a couple of changes with the 812 but I like the look of the 811 better because it doesn't have the buttons showing like on the 812. I will be adding a Parasound HCA855a to my pioneer 811 tonight and will do a review soon...hopefully this weekend...

 

[Lyden]

the 811 is the same as the 812 from what i gather and also they lowerd the 812 price since they added the 912 wich has that auto calibration stuff and also 110 watts per chanel and it also has aluminum faceplate other then those two things the 912 and 812 ar same as for the 811 its the same as 812 ... ive tryed them both and seem to sound the same i favor the new look of the 812 though .. and i am adding it to my HT in a few weeks ill give the headup on it when i get it

 

[Tom_Kersting]

I believe that the 811 has an additional optical input for a total of 5 digital inputs. The 812 only has 4 digital inputs. This is not an insignificant difference in my opinion.

 

[Frank Carter]

I'd much rather have one of these lower priced Pioneer's and add a low priced external amp like the Parasound Chad mentioned. It would give you much better sound than a receiver that cost the same.

 

[ChadLB]

Frank,
Got the HCA855a last night. Hopefully can do a review of it this weekend....check my website out early next week for the A/B comparision and my review of the SVS 25-31pc Plus.

 

[Nick.Y]

ChadLB,

What brand of Interconnects/Audio Cables do you plan to use to run your 811 into your Parasound?

Nick

 

[DominicChan]

This is getting so offtopic. =P

Haha, cool tho.

But original question still stands...

Which one is "better?" 812 or 811?

Both basically the same price now...

 

[ChadLB]

Nick,
IXOS wires....got them for half price at my local Hi Fi dealer so the price couldn't be beat locally....check out my site for all gear(including wires)

DominicChan,

I personally don't think there would be a sound difference between the 2. If you are set on getting one or the other then find out what you need for inputs/outputs, etc and decide on one. If I would have paid full price for my 811 I would be able to trade in it for the 912 now but I didn't so I can't.
The 812(811 doesn't) has some of the following:
Manual MCACC w/Auto Subwoofer detection
Double Precision 48-Bit Motorola DSP

The following surround modes
TV
Sports
Game

The only other thing I see is the same thing Tom mentioned.

If you can get the 812 for the same price from an authorized dealer I would recommend the 812. Just my opinion...