Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Simply a wonderful sounding receiver. I am running it with Cambridge Soundworks Newton T500, MC150 and M60's and it is great.

Strengths:
Sound and build quality

Weaknesses:
Gets very warm.

Price Paid:  $2599.00 from hometheaterphiles.co

Summary:
This is by far the best receiver I have used in my current system. One should read the reviews under the 49tx as well, as the only difference between the 49tx and the 49txi is the firewire/i.LINK attachement, as far as I know. Not only that, it is also the most convenient, easiest to set up, most aesthetically pleasing, and easiest to use receiver that I have owned, and I have used MANY. From the VERY easy and thorough manual (I think Pioneer deserves an award for the manual---it is truly a work of art. I've never seen one from a Japanese product that is this well done) to the "higher than 160 W/channel" sound, this thing is a godsend for anyone looking for an "all in one".

I made a promise to myself after years of excess using Krells, Classe's, Conrad Johnson's, etc... (and going nearly bankrupt in the process)---that I would ALWAYS buy a receiver in order to be more REASONABLE in my hobby (my wife agrees with this edict), and so, I have not used separates since 1995.

The first time you turn this amplifier on (after following the manual to connect to your Monitor and speakers), you are guided through a lengthy and VERY useful setup process which sets your preferences and your speakers using an (INCLUDED) setup microphone (which has a very long cord, BTW).

Once setup, the receiver is VERY easy to use and has a wonderful sound. The remote is VERY easy to use (my wife figured it out without any assistance, and she complains about all my equipment being so complicated). From Bach Organ works by Koopman, to the Police's Synchronicity, to Miles Smiles to "The Game" by Queen...all sources were handled with aplomb. And, I could not detect any significant distortion before hurting my ears upon "turning up to 11"!!!

All in all, Pioneer has found its way back to true respectability with the newer Elite line. I had been disappointed in the past by their products, and was reluctant to try this one, but I'm extremely glad I did. It blows away the Onkyo, and is MUCH more musical and easier to use than the Denons...

Strengths:
Inexpensive (relative to other companies' "flagship" products

High power/current (ignore the review below)...I have tried this with 4 and 6 ohm speakers, and never had a problem with any shut downs or performance problems...

Auto input switching

Great Component video switching

Weaknesses:
The i.Link setup is a little complicated if you are using an i.Link product with it, and this is not made clear in the manual.

Similar Products Used:
Denon AVR-5800/5803
Harmon Kardon receivers
B&K 507
Yamaha RX-V1
Onkyo 989

Price Paid:  $2530.00 from online store

Summary:
I absolutely don't agree with review no.1 - I use this receiver with 4 Ohm M&K THX 150 system (the original sub exchanged to 350MkII) and surround speakers are in tripole mode (impedance goes down to 2.6 Ohm)... it never shuts down even at the highest power ... that should be the problem of Bose speakers! I've found the info in internet that http://www.whatvideotv.com/testbench/index.html it can produce 235 W at 4 Ohm ... continious power! (AX10 (European version, VSA - amplifier, VSX-receiver)=49TX - output to speakers the same as 49TXi)
This receiver is a real gem for me.

Strengths:
Everything in one piece, not "colored" sound, great i-link feature, MCACC is superior in comparison to any other receiver from competitors.

Weaknesses:
No coaxial output (only optical), transcoder from composit to YPbPr is not excellent

Similar Products Used:
Harman Kardon AVR-5000

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from Century TV, Californ

Summary:
For the price, I thought I was getting everything. Of course, if you use this unit as a preamp, you do; lots of flexibility. However, the amplifier is not high current, therefore if speaker impendance drops at anytime below 6 ohms you have a problems, the unit shuts down. I have Bose speakers which are mostly rated at 6 ohms and if I use the 49TXi at high levels for an extended period of time (more than 10 minutes) it shuts down. I had the Onkyo 989 before and never had this problem, the Onkyo's amp is High Current. I'm thinking about returning this unit, unless I buy a good external amplifier or higher impendance speakers and I'm not willing to go for the extra expense.

Strengths:
Good looks, lots of features.

Weaknesses:
Amp not high current. At this price bracket it should be.

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo TX-DS989

Price Paid:  $2900.00 from absoluteaudiovideo

Summary:
Refer to my looong review on the 49tx/txi forum:
http://pub106.ezboard.com/faussiedvdandhtforumfrm24.showMessage?topicID=407.topic

Strengths:
Practically everything so far. Especially if compared to its competition for price.

Weaknesses:
A second component output would have been nice. Otherwise, too bad it doesn't mix and serve drinks during the performance.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first AV-Receiver but I've been an audio-freak for 15 years so I know what to look for in any hifi-related component.