Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
VSX 9500S

What more needs to be said. I bought this in 1989 or was it 88, paid near $900 after haggling from list of 1300 or so. I still use it today. I havent seen or more importantly, heard anything better as of Jan 10 2009.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from A/V FILE

Summary:
I have owned a lot of receivers and amps, but this is one of my favorites. I have the preamp split off into an EV cross-over, then to two QSC 1500A's...plus I use the 125 watts per channel from the pioneer 9300...all this powering a pair of EV 1810's bi-amped, and a set of EV Eliminators. The sound is so clean and amazing, plus enough power to blow out my livingroom window if I wish. I love the VSX-9300. It is the hub of this amazing sound system. The only thing I like as much is a Bryston 3B. If you ever have a chance to buy a 9300, take it...you will love it.

Strengths:
tons of clean power

Weaknesses:
no center channel amp.

Similar Products Used:
VSX-D1S, Bryston, Denon, QSC, Audio Pro 3000

Price Paid:  $10.00 from Friend (traded)

Summary:
I recently traded a 2000 Sony STR-DE945 for this 1988 Pioneer VSX-9300. He wanted a gee-whiz new digital receiver, I wanted a great sounding audio receiver. In the end, we both got what we wanted out of the trade. I cannot compare this unit to the Sony, as there is absolutely no contest. For stereo sound, the Pioneer goes louder, cleaner, and deeper than the Sony ever could. Pioneer uses the “legendary” 2SC3281/2SA1302 bi-polar output devices, and while that does not mean a lot to many people, it does mane this: Clean, warm sound comparable to the offerings of 1970-s era Marantz, H/K, Onkyo, and of course Pioneer, best describe the sound. The generous use of discrete components and the chassis design show a commitment to quality that one would have to spend $2000+ to find in today’s HT offerings. The Video Enhancer and the split screen effect for it are, to say the least, unique, although I question its usefulness, as it seems to just make the picture look blotchy. In the same vein, the video processor loop is also an interesting add on. Pioneer made a good decision in including pre-amp outputs for the mail L/R channels and the center channel. In a typical HT setup, the center channel provides most of the audio, and for them to include center channel amp, I believe, would have either been to the detriment of stereo performance, center channel performance, or both. Since there are provisions for it inside the receiver, I would have liked to see, a pre-out/amp-in for the surround speakers. All that is missing are the jacks, and I may add them myself later on.

This unit does have a couple of short comings however. As is characteristic of some more modern Pioneer components, the power regulators for the lower voltages become inordinately hot (enough to cause solder to crack to even melt around the regulators). Also, the speaker terminals for the “main” speaker outputs looking invitingly like they may accept banana plugs, although they will not. And finally, as it was at (or very much near) the top of Pioneer’s HT offerings, I would have expected to see S-Video connectors along with the standard connections, but I forgive it because there were perhaps 1 or 2 widely available devices that used S-Video at the time.

Overall, the Pioneer VXS-9300 is an excellent stereo receiver with plenty of clean power. It also serves as a capable HT receiver for a bedroom or study, or where ever DD/DTS surround is not required.

Strengths:
Terrific stereo performance. Easy to use despite its seemingly complex remote and front panel.

Weaknesses:
Power regulator cooling could have been better designed.

Similar Products Used:
Denon AVR-5800, Sony STR-DE945, Denon AVR-70, Denon AVR-3300, JVC RX 778-VBK, Onkyo A-7

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from j&r music world

Summary:
This unit still whoops most of the receivers today. This one has excellent sound quality & power. My friend just bought a yamaha rx-z1. I think he paid over 2500 for it. Well to be honest it really didnt impress me. The fancy dancy remote with 9 channels and however many dsp modes that he'll never use besides the 9 channels. I think my 9500s sounds just as good or better. I definately thought the power band on his volume control wasnt as good as mine. I mean you had to really crank it to get the power out. I think thats where my pioneer shines with the high power amp with the super low total hamonic distortion. I also waanst a fan of his little display and the setup on his receiver was very confusing. you cant get any easier than the 9500s everything is right in front of you-PERFECT They just dont make them like they used to. I think the new pioneers arent even as good as the late 80's early 90's models.

Strengths:
LOADS OF POWER
SUPER LOW THD
BIG DISPLAY
EXCELLENT BUILD

Weaknesses:
no digital outputs
no subwoofer output

Similar Products Used:
vsx-9300s

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Executive Stereo, To

Summary:
Acquired as part of my first home theater in January 1990. Crisp, clean sound. The ergonomics of the remote leave a lot to be desired, but we've grown accustomed to it. Today, it serves as the a/v switch and amplifier for a home theater set up in our son's bonus room play area. With six video inputs, he runs three game boxes, plus VCR, DVD/LD combo, and satellite receiver through it.

Lacks Dolby Digital, THX, DTS, 5.1, etc., but most serviceable. We've had only one repair in thirteen years of moderate use. It was the best of its type in its era, and is still very satisfactory today.

Strengths:
Versatility, sound quality, durability

Weaknesses:
Lacks contemporary features

Similar Products Used:
Was replaced with Denon AVP-8000; then that was succeeded by McIntosh MX-132. Variety of amplifiers (separates).