magnetchief

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Goodwill

Summary:
I just had to add my voice to the DSP card issue. I picked my unit up from Goodwill for $50. The report stated that it worked ok. Well you know what's next. After about a week the sound strated to drop out. This would happen each time I changed the input, it channel, dvd ect. I did a little digging around on the net and found this site along with the IC issue. So, I removed the DSP card, checked the chip under a microscope and sure enough there were dry joints. Over to the PEC repair station and after a little heat and some new solder things looked pretty good. I replaced the card and powered the thing up. WOW, what a difference. I can get all the various audio formats, no loss output when switching inputs. All in all it's a great amp, far better that my original Teak. Now I just need some decent speakers to handle the power output. One other note, I didn't get the remote with the amp. Pioneer wants $150, would anyone know of a cheaper source? I'm watching ebay.

Strengths:
Output, clarity and definition.

Weaknesses:
DSP board

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
What a great reviever! Two years ago I would say its the best sounding reviever you can buy for under $1000. But since then I upgraded to the vsx-35tx. I dont know what the other guy a few posts down was talking about saying the 35tx doesnt have Burr-Brown DAC''s. I called up Pioneer and they assured me that it does but the web site doesnt say anything about it. So anyway, the 24tx is basically the same as the 35tx with a few less features but they sound both the same. The only reason I upgraded was for 7.1 capability and its great. Both recievers are unbeatable for the money.

Strengths:
Lots of features, plenty of power from just 90 watts

Weaknesses:
not 7.1 upgradeable

Similar Products Used:
VSX-35tx

Price Paid:  $269.00 from ubid

Summary:
I got a smoking deal on this reciever.It is easy to setup and produce a nice rich clear sound..I have this reciever connected to my Pioneer DVD thru the optical cable. It is awesome wacting movies like Gladitor. You feel like you are right there in the action.I have A Kenwood KVS-54 center, a pair of KVS-407 as the front main speakers and KVS 64s as surrounds with a JBL 10 inch SUB.For a tv I have a Toshiba 50 inch theatreview, which alltogeter makes movies come alive. The reciever is very heavy and well built with a multitude of effects and features.For the price you can pick these things up at on UBID, you can't go wrong, since the retail price is 100 dollars.Also regualar audio like cds sound great and crystal clear thru this reciever

Strengths:
Awesome sound, THX certified, Lots of Inputs, well made

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer VSX 409

Price Paid:  $249.00 from ubid

Summary:
I can find nothing to complain about (90 watts is what I paid for and that what i got) Capt. Kirk said it best "We need more power" LOL.. The thx recievers sound great, have enough plug-ins in the back to satisy even a DJ or a VJ.

Strengths:
cant add to others statements

Weaknesses:
runs hot and you need it well ventilated or in an open area with nothing on top.. it says to give it 8 in of clearance and this is no joke

Similar Products Used:
Denon avr-1800 denon avr-87 technics SADA-1010

Summary:
I moved to the Pioneer Elite after a bad experience with Harman Kardon and am glad to say I will never look back. This unit is amazing.
The 24TX is a 2000 model so it may be hard to find nowadays. I was considering 2001 models, the 33TX and 35TX but, settled on this one for a few reasons. The 33TX (5.1)and 35TX (7.1) both had some new features for 2001 but the build and quality of components are not up to the standards of the older 24TX. The 24TX is Japanese built while the 33 and 35 are not. The 33 and 35 have cheaper D/A converters where the 24TX has Burr-Browns. The 35TX requires a second amp for the 2 surround back channels, and I didn't want the added expense. The 36TX is a carry over from last year, but with the 2001 line-up, you must go up to the 36TX to get Burr-Brown DAC's. Pioneer has decided to skimp on the new models to bring the Elite entry units to an attractive price point, but the new low end Elite's are really high end regular Pioneer's. Anyhow, the quality of components over a few bells and whistles was the deciding factor.
After setting it up I was amazed at the difference over my last receiver. Listenning to CD's, the soundstage in stereo was enveloping. I had to keep checking to make sure I was in stereo mode just to make sure. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I had new speakers. I really didn't know until now what I was missing. DD and DTS decoding is flawless, and THX mode is a real plus. Power is excellent at 90W per channel for my room size. The unit is clean, no noise or hiss whatsoever. The digital noise reduction feature is great as well.
All the inputs I need are there, plus a phono input. I can finally dust off my turntable and old LP's. Setup was staright forward, and although only my DVD and VCR worked with pre-programed remote codes, the learning remote quickly took care of my other components. Finally I can use one remote for everything. My coffee table never looked better.
I cannot say enough about the quality of this unit. I was glad I was able to get my hands on this unit before they were all gone. So many manufacturers are shifting their production to Tiawan, Indonesia, Malaysia etc... (Denon, Onkyo, Sony ...) for their low end models that quality like this in a entry level, high end component is hard to find.

I foolishly moved away from Pioneer in a brief moment if insanity, and am so glad I came back.

Strengths:
Excellent build quality, sound staging and separation. Learning remote, THX (Select), good looks. Everything.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha, Pioneer VSX-498, Harman Kardon AVR210