Price Paid:  $120.00 from private owner

Summary:
amazing for the price

Strengths:
I was lucky to run into this unit on craiglist, I was looking for Harmon Kardon stereo receiver, but was lucky when my wife suggested we look into home theater unit.

The receiver sound is terrific, I was into HK warm sound, this is best stereo fidelity I have heard thru my customized speaker. Warm but with quick attack when called for tight bass, just amazing. I am sensitive to minimal hiss on most units when no music is playing this unit is dead quiet. I am still exploring all the possible theater oriented features, I am more than satisfied with its sound, am sure we will enjoy it with DVD waching, it has THX but not sure what that is yet...

Weaknesses:
it is huge and heavy, this is my weakness, likely reflects receiver's quality.

Similar Products Used:
Harmon Kardon, Carver, Adcom

Price Paid:  $385.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
I bought this receiver about 18 mo.s ago, after reading countless reviews of the Elite line of recievers. I love it. Music sounds terrific, but I mainly use it for DVD's. The DTS sounds unbelievable, I enjoy it slightly more than the available Dolby 5.1. I tend to enjoy the audio so much because my TV is 10 years old.

Strengths:
Every feature/conection that you need at a price you can afford.

Weaknesses:
None found so far.

Similar Products Used:
Old Denon receiver, pre-Dolby.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Sam Sungs Home Theat

Summary:
I originally bought a lower Pioneer Elite model (the VSX-25 I think), however the main controller baord blew up within 6mths. Pioneer were good about it - as it was an Elite product they wanted to replce the entire unit and not just the part. Although I had to ship it back to Hawaii and wait several months, I got this as a replacement.

This amp really is value for money. I would have to pay approx. US$1500 for an equivalent amp here in New Zealand.

Nice sound. Heaps of features. Sub-Woofer set up is limiting. Remote pretty basic.

This amp is huge. I had to buy a new cabinet! Nice looking though!

This is may 2nd home theatre amp (first one was the Dolby Pro Logic VSX-d503s) and the 2nd from Pioneer. I'll be going back.

Strengths:
Features. Price. Sound quality. Front inputs. Nice looking.

Weaknesses:
Basic remote. Set up.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Magnolia HiFi Beaver

Summary:
I purchased the VSX 33TX to replace my aging Pioneer VSX 557. I had been checking out the new receivers on Dealtime and noticed this pioneer elite unit offered THX post processing(THX Select) for under $500 and was immediately interest. In addition, I wanted to get DTS sound as well. So after reviewing the prices online I called Magnolia Hifi and they had a couple units in stock. In their sound room of course they had all the high Denon's, Yamaha's, and Pioneer Elites. I figured I needed a couple of DVD's to take with me to measure the sound on this unit. I took two THX certified movies with Zorro, and the phantom Menace(Star War). I played some of favorite scenes on the VSX 33TX, and then on a Yamaha(they don't offer THX),and Denon offering THX select at quite a higher price. Amazingly enough this unit sounded considerly better than both the units and is better built. The polished black finish on this unit gives it much more appeal. I have been using it everyday for the last 6 months and love it. I can't imagine any other unit out there by any manufacturer that can touch this unit at it's price. It sounds awesome hooked into my energy Encore Sats and Sub. I wondered what the top of the line VSX 49 sounds like? Kudo's to Pioneer for their Elite line of Recievers.
In my book their the best by far.

Strengths:
Awesome sound, well built, THX, Great black polished look, Direct current MOSFET AMP, Remote, Setup, and Power.

Weaknesses:
None at this price.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer VSX 557, Sony, Dennon, Yamaha,

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Leigh Adams Discount

Summary:
I bought the 33tx after they told me that they discontinued the 35tx. well i bought this receiver. when i opened the box this receiver is huge, and nice looks like if it's really polished. the front panel looks really nice and much better not like the old ones. I was going to buy an onkyo but after i hear this Pioneer Elite i made up my decision it would be 33tx. I like this receiver because it's spooks up the neighbors and on especially with the THX surround sound. i heard the horror story and i almost didn't buy it but i bought it and it had the sticker that meant it was fixed all ready so i wouldn't worry anymore. movies like u-571 kick but on this reciever especially on DTS. on Dolby Digital with the THX see a movie called Megiddo: The omega code 2 or 3 disk OMEGA CODE COLLECTION. there's alot of dramatic scenes expecially when end time sequences begin whoa! this receiver might be on the low side but with the THX it enhances everything! so go and buy the 33tx.

Strengths:
THX Surround Sound
Dolby Digital, receiver's appearence

Weaknesses:
non-ex

Similar Products Used:
aiwa xv220