Price Paid:  $400.00 from ?

Summary:
great product...can't beat it for the price

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Sound Waves (bought

Summary:
I purchased this unit refurbished from the store that I had purchased my speakers and other misc. equipment from in the past. Basically, I started out with a Yamaha HTR-5460 that did an okay job with my Paradigm Monitor speakers. The Yamaha was the first receiver I bought as a casual listener but since have decided to step up my equipment.
I like several things about the VSX41. The aesthetics of the VSX41 is very nice with a high black gloss and a blue light at the volume knob. It also has a decent fold down panel on the front that conceals all of the front inputs which I like since I hate to see a bunch of clutter on the front. I also liked the ability to dim the display directly by pushing just one button. My prior model required you to go through a menu to change this setting.
The receiver has component switching, 2 optical digital, 2 coaxial digital, and numerous other inputs/outputs, more than adequate for my needs. The most important hookups that it had that my prior unit did not is pre-outs to hook up a amplifier. That is why I purchased this item because I am purchasing a Rotel amplifier and ultimately will be switching out this unit for a preamp/pro.
I like all of the processing options, DD, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, Neo:6. The stereo did a good job at playing my CD's in stereo and definitely sounded better than my Yamaha model. Movie soundtracks were done well and I noticed certain nuances of sound that I couldn't hear with my old unit. The processing was definitely superior to my Yamaha and the price for a new one would be worth it.
However, I do not use a subwoofer in my system and the basic movie setting does not pump out enough bass to my floor standing Monitor 9's. I find that I have to use the "loudness" feature to up the bass to an adequate level. Without, the movie is flat and without good dynamics. May not be the same for others with a sub.
The DRC (dynamic range control) is weak and I would not recommend it for use since it compresses sound and did not sound good to me.
Finally, when getting it out of the box, I was quickly able to set up the receiver with speaker distances, size, etc. Pretty quick functions but not as quick as some of the nicer Pioneer Elite models that I have played with in the past.
Also, I understand why others wanted a backlit remote but I use my Sony RM-AV3000 to run everything so it isn't an issue.
Overall, I have no major complaints since I paid only $299 for this unit and I got a 2 year warranty on it for $20 (recommended for refurbished items).

For reference, my equipment is:
Paradigm Monitor 9's fronts
Paradigm CC-370 Center channel
Paradigm ADP-370 surrounds
Sony DVP-S360 (DVD player)
Toshiba 36" TV
Xbox w/optical and component outs

Strengths:
Aesthetics.
Good sound for CD's and movies in its price range.
Quick setup functions (if you are already familiar with receivers)
Connections on front and back of receiver.
Preouts. Important to consider if you ever plan on upgrading to separates (step by step)
Power

Weaknesses:
No backlit remote control
Nothing more due to price I paid and short time frame that I will be using it.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha HTR-5460

Price Paid:  $399.00 from AVMAN (on EBay)

Summary:
Short and sweet? This receiver is, cosmetically beautiful. The Urushi finish is wonderful but be careful cleaning it. It can scratch rather easily. The unit also has a door on the front that hides most of the controls.

Sound? Very powerful 110w x 7. Great soundstage. Love the "Midnight" setting. It boosts the bass and treble to give a pleasant listening experience at low volume levels.

This receiver is really made for movies. It does an admirable job of rendering the sound stage of most movies. My only disappointment was that I failed to see that this unit has .1% THD. In stereo mode (which I what I use it for mostly) you can hear too much hiss (at least for me). I assumed that buying an "Elite" would have the typical .01% THD of the rest of the line. I bought the unit for $399 on Ebay, so how mad can I be? If I bought it for $800 msrp, I would be flame throwing mad.

The remote is nice but at the MSRP of the unit you would think they could cough up some backlighting. Aside from that, it is handling ALL the remote duties for my system by itself, so again how made can I be?

For reference, my system is:
Pioneer Elite VSX-41
Pioneer Elite DV-C36 DVD/CD Carousel
Pioneer Elite PD-F09 101 CD Changer
Pioneer Elite M-72 100w 4 Ch Amplifier
Mirage M-890i Fronts (Bi-wired, Bi-amped)
Mirage BP 150 Subwoofer
Paradigm CC-170 Center
Paradigm Atoms Rear

Strengths:
Fit and finish
Lots of power
Tons of digital and Analog I/O
Price (on-line, but you lose the warranty!)
Good remote that can take care of the duty of your whole system if you should so choose.

Weaknesses:
MSRP of $800 and .1% THD. RIPOFF!
No backlight on remote.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha Entry Level AV receiver
Technics (garbage)

Price Paid:  $380.00

Summary:
I purchased my pioneer elite receiver to replace an older Yamaha RXV-592. I'm very happy so far, a very good receiver. Enough inputs and features for my needs and good power. Nice clean look, everything that should be hidden is behind a flip down door. Pioneer could have used a metal faceplate instead of plastic as this one scratches very easily. It is the only receiver in Pioneer's Elite lineup that has a plastic face. The volume knob is slightly cheesy and the remote could have been backlit. However these are minor inconveniences to me and I'm very happy with this product.

Strengths:
Look, power, features, 3 year warrantee(in Canada)

Weaknesses:
Plastic faceplate, remote.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha RXV-592

Price Paid:  $480.00 from United Online

Summary:
The Pioneer Elite VSX-41 would be the step-up brother of the retailed Pioneer 811S. I bought it to replace a low end receiver that I started with on my small TV room.
The aesthetic is impressive given the soft gloss finish of the front panel. Though careful in cleaning it. Takes very little effort to leave scratch marks.
The power (110 watts) is adequate (if not too much for a small room) while the input options are vast. The 7.1 feature is a great plus, not to mention a set of PreOuts for future amplification.
As for the sound projection, I'm satisfied with the low and high frequencies being delivered with the boosting through Midnight and/or Loudness features at lower volumes since I'm low-volume listener.
I have a Sony SACD player that makes use of the 5.1 channel analog inputs while I still stick with a coaxial digital on watching DVD movies. No problem in switching on input features, all controllable by the remote. The receiver is comfortably flexible for people who enjoys various types of input functions.
The remote control that has the LCD to remind you on what mode you're at and at what step you're in if you're programming buttons is a big help.
One miss I would have preferred the VSX-41 should've had was: TV-onscreen menu.

Strengths:
Higher than usual power for the price, the look, input features, 7.1 channel and remote control.

Weaknesses:
No TV onscreeen menu. No THX, probably trade-off for the extra power. No biggie at all.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic SA-DX1050, Kenwood VR-6070 THX