vsx 919 vs sony dh800: VSX 919 vs Sony DH800: What features make the the Pioneer worth the extra $100 besides the GUI &amp; IPOD connection?
1155474
The Pioneer VSX-919 does upconversion of analog to digital. The Sony DH800 does not. The benefit of upconversion is that you can connect analog equipment (non-HDMI, by definition) to the receiver, it will convert the signal to digital, and then you can use a single HDMI cable feed to your HD TV for all your equipment instead of the usual rat's nest of wiring. So you won't have as many cables to deal with and analog video content should look better on your TV (although lots of HD TVs do their own upconversion, so this aspect might not matter). The next model up the Sony line, the STR-DN1000, does upconversion, and gets very good reviews. Also note that the iPod connection on the front of the Pioneer is a standard USB port, so you can connect many non-Apple mp3 players, a thumb drive, or even a USB hard drive to this receiver (requires FAT32 formatting on drive) from which to play your music collection. That's a pretty cool feature.
614424
I just got mine today, I havent opened it up yet, but will tomorrow. I preordered directly from pioneer the day they sent out the emails. I got it for $549 and got the upgraded 2 days shipping for $20. Im replacing a onkyo tx sr-605 with this pioneer. I will give a small review tomorrow once I have it hooked up.
1803802
Regarding the discontinuing of the 920, perhaps Sony is doing it so "quietly" is because it was too GOOD of a receiver for the price! The 920 was a GREAT value, as it offered a LOT of HD features for the $600 (or lower) cost. True HD, DTS-MA, GUI, FOUR hdmi inputs, etc. I returned my newly-purchased 520 unit the moment I saw the 920 go on sale for $450. I would wager than any comparable unit will be more expensive in the future.
2216178
Sony website says 910 is discontinued. It might be newer, but the screen is smaller. I had the 1000, and I would rather have it than the 910. Had to sell my 1000, but I sold it for the same price that I bought it for, 2 years earlier!
899602
My system reflects it is a VSX-823. The VSX-823-k is an identical unit. Also the VSX-8231 is identical too. Check out this link http://www.avsforum.com/t/1491550/pioneer-vsx-823-vs-vsx-8231-what-is-the-difference
277149
Thanks, Rushead. Excellent explanation. I'm concluding that if I go with the BD55, I can use its 7.1 audio outputs with the 7.1 audio inputs on my Pioneer 1015. Might be the best way to go, since I'm sensing the Dolby TrueHD and DTS might be significantly better than regular DD and DTS in 5.1.
1660814
From the comments I've seen, it looks like the Kenwood DNX891HD has gotten rave reviews and scant criticism. Its a completely different OS. The software was written by a different party than the DNN991HD. I haven't sprung for the 891 since I already have the 991. If the prices come down significantly, then I will probably make that swap.
1862157
Man, I am in the same boat! I first saw the 9100THX and thought that is the system I am going for! Knowing that THX is all a certification standard. A great one at that! You're right, THX is better at reproducing sound, but from what I've researced, its just that system/receiver passing a rigor of testing. The 9100 has a seal of approval after going through movie theather quality testing. Some pass at minimum standards and others exceed THX standards. From hearing what many people say about both systems its all personal choice. I think I will go with the 7100 because of the added speaker stands (which I need, and will probably add two for the rear speakers, and two for the sides. All equalling the same amount the 9100 will cost you) Plus I didn't feel like shopping around finding speaker stands for the BEAST-like speakers of the 9100. 7100 appeals to me but it may not be for you. They both are pretty much the exact same, other then that seal from THX. In my experience, if you have one thing THX, you might as well go all the way in THX components. So you're speakers should be THX as well. But all that gets spendy. My budget was no more then $1000 at the most. I like what the 7100 offers. Maybe in like 5 years I might upgrade to a THX receiver, but for now I think what the 7100 puts out, I think I will be blown away!! In the gist there are no significant differences. (Other then the Ipod Dock on the 7100 and two speaker stands thrown in)
1206290
I'm also looking at these two models, and would appreciate any comments as well.The DH810 is newer and will upconvert video to 1080p, while the DN1000 only upconverts to 1080i. Is this a big difference?The DH810 also supports Audio Return Channel, so you only need one HDMI cable to your tv and your tv can send audio back to the receiverAlso no on-screen menu on the DH810I'm still on the fence on this one, especially since the price of the DN1000 will continue to drop.
56456
Denon 1910. The audyssey on the new denons are the best @ $500.. set it and leave it alone.. Manual next to impossible to read but when u figure it out, WOW!!
1537205
It really depends on your needs. They are both excellent receivers, but the Pioneer has better Multi-Room/Multi-Source features (audio AND video), and it is the only receiver at this price point that allows you to route and control a digital audio source to the second room with full control. If the Multi-Room/Multi-Source features do not matter to you, I would also suggest that you consider the Harman Kardon AVR-254/354, as well as the Denon 790, 1610 and 1910. Slightly more expensive, but a unit to watch for is the upcoming Marantz NR1501. Good luck!
550721
i also can now. it was shipped to my house on saturday. i'm a little disappointed, i kinda wish i got the pioneer 919 for the upscaling factor. i had tabled it cuz it was a little out of my price range but about an hour after i bought the onkyo i noticed the pioneer was only 10 bucks more. oh well...thanks brad.
849285
I purchased the Pioneer VSX 1020 K receiver & cannot get the iPhone app to work. I get an error message. Besides downloading the app, what else am I to do to get it working?
128936
No you're not missing anything - alas this is short on analog inputs and outputs. Pioneer's increasingly been focused on digital inputs on the low- and medium- range markets, and it's only near the top of the range that there are lots of analog inputs/outputs. I think other than the Yamahas and perhaps the Onkyos, nothing in the 2013 line up has a lot of analog jacks. You may have more luck on the stereo amps, though.
1089309
The Pioneer probably has a better pre-amp/signal processing, and also it also probably pushing higher voltage out of the RCAs. The Bravo is a good basic unit, and I am also looking for a better data-only deck.
1974697
The Amazon price of the vsx-1018ah has gone up from $439 with free shipping from 6th ave electronics in December to $649 today from Amazon. According to Cnet (link below), Pioneer's new and improved vsx-1019 with USB plugin for ipod/iphone and improved handling of compressed music, 4 HDMI inputs, and a full onscreen color GUI command display will retail for $499 and be released in April (presummably just after Amazon says it's $649 vsx-1018ah will become available). This price rise must be retailers trying to take advantage of the current shortage of 1018s. The $649 gouging price must be directed at uninformed or compulsive customers -- don't let them get away with it, wait for the 1019 in April. http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/pioneer-vsx-1019ah-k/4505-6466_7-33496205.html
1341817
I am really wondering about this new tx-nr515..... Provided there are no reviews out there about it, looking at the specs sheet I'm quite skeptical... I mean, it costs 200 more than the tx-nr609 and it has 3-4 additional minor features that can hardly justify the price difference. On the other hand, the tx-nr609 has even some extra features compared to its youngest sibling (higher W/ch, THX Select2 Plus certification, Audyssey DSX, and several other things). Check by yourself: http://www.eu.onkyo.com/en/product-comparison-58455.html?products=20674,11980 For some people the tx-nr515 might be the next big thing, but to me it seems more like an update of tx-nr609 with a much fatter price tag slapped on it. Ofc specs do not tell all of a device, also build quality, post-sale service and so on play their part... I'm interested in hearing other people's opinion about this, since I will be buying an a/v receiver in a couple months.