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Review NaN of
, from norwalk, CT, USA
Price Paid:
$400.00
from J&R Summary:
First off, I only use this unit for surround sound - with video. I by-pass the unit entirely for all music listening.
But, importantly, you could use this unit to listen to two channel stereo and I have tried it out this way. The midrange is rather wonderful for such an inexpensive receiver. Very smooth but with no sacrifice in detail or clarity. I am rather amazed at how much better it sounds than an old Pioneer Reciever I own (I think a 901 something) that cost significantly more in its day. Just night and day comparing the two. The 14 creates a much bigger and more involving soundstage. The highs seem extended but don't attack like they do on the old Pioneer. Does it sound as good as my separates set up - of course not - the bass is looser and highs lack a little sparkle but that mid range is done very nicely and that is important to me.
For video, the unit seems fine. I do hear differences in Dolby Digital Processing versus other similar priced units I have used (or heard) but it is rarely obvious to me that one is better or worse - just different. I am not a fan of Dobly Pro Logic (maybe Pro Logic II will finally fix the problems?) and it sounds nasty, as always, pumping and burping along. My listening room is overly bright so I very much appriciate the RE-EQ mode. It helps tame things substantially without sucking any life out of the sound. But why-o-why can it not be activated via the remote? This is a pain because every time Dobly is turned of RE-EQ is deactivated and you have to reactivate it at the receiver. Dumb.
The DSP modes are dreadful - fake and constricted and really really phasey (except Dance which just thumps and booms). Why does Pioneer remain so far behind here? There are some really good derived surround modes but Pioneer does not include a one.
The remote is pretty good but not backlit. The learning mode is very useful.
The video switching works fine but there are only composite inputs/outputs. For this reason, as soon as there are some good Pro Logic II receivers made available this baby gets moved to another room.
Build quality is excellent, as is the case with all Elite products.
When I bought this product it was a great deal, now if you can find one used for a couple hundred bucks it would still be a great deal. But beware of the lack of SVHS and Compontent switching. Weaknesses:
only composite video switching Similar Products Used:
other Pioneer, Sony, and Technics products
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