Nice remote,good selection of listening modes,good power

Great Unit Probably your safest bet in picking a reciever in terms of reliability performance and value. Have not found any negatives yet. Cant say anything that has not been said in previous reviews.

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JVC 880

Ok, I have to be fair. After I dropped my unit off at the repair center, I called Pioneer with the claim number. They said they would call the center to try and expedite the repair and that they would 2nd Day Air any parts if required. Three days after dropping my receiver off, they called and said the repair was complete and it was ready for pick-up! After driving cautiously through where I received my speeding ticket, I picked it up. It's back home, safe and sound. The problem was a bad solder joint on an IC. I know those things can happen and I am again a satisfied Pioneer customer.

Good sound quality, lots of features for the casual listener. Hooks up well with any number of audio/video input devices.

Reliability! And the speaker posts are too close together horizontally.

I had what I expect is the same IC problem that others have had -- 6 months of good performance, then a period where the machine had to "warm up", then no sound at all. Pioneer sent out a replacement at no cost, which was nice, but my warranty comes up in 3 weeks and I'm wondering if I'll have the same problem again?

I would definitely go back and read other comments from Pioneer users with the "no sound" problem on this board -- they're for real.

Other than the reliability problem I love the unit, but I wish I would have had a professional come out and set up my system (B&W 602s, dipole surrounds, 302 center) -- I can't help but feel it could be optimized.

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Crappy old Sony, pre-1994 Pioneer system

Ergonomics, power, features

None

I've had this unit for 2 months. This unit offers the best combination of sound quality and features for under $1000.
Combined with my B&W 604s, B&W CC3, Definitive BPX surrounds
and Energy sub, the system performs superbly. There is so much power it is almost impossible for me to clip the receiver. The multiroom with video works great. The Pioneer definitely offers superior ergonomics and features when compared to other comparably priced receivers (Denon and Yamaha).

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Denon AVR 3300, Yamaha 995

Features

Works only when it wants.

Like so many before me, I also have no audio. It is in the shop for the third time now. The authorized Pioneer service center is rebuilding it piece by piece. I have contacted Pioneer, and have asked for a replacement. They should take ownership of this defect. I have gone months without it.

When it works, I am very happy with it. But I expect more from Pioneer "Elite". This is their high end line of audio gear, not alarm clock radio stuff. On a previous trip to the shop, Pioneer offered to replace it with "B" stock. I asked them if they were running a pawn shop, I paid a very real new product price.

I would like to see Pioneer replace it with a new unit. I do not understand how rebuilding it (countless items so far, not to metioned the labor cost) is cost effective to them or far to the consumer.

Will drop a line when this is resolved...

Great sound, nice features, good remote

none

Hi there,

I been having this amp since 3 months. And I'm using it every day, at least ten hours per day. At night, I shut it off. I have no problem, it's working just fine. I bought this amp before I knew this web page. so I was really scare after I read the reviews. But not anymore, I believe this is a great product, very reliable. The owner of the store told me that this amp will never break, because it's made in Japan. I believe it too.

good luck to all

Sound, THX function, Remote

Bulky need more space. Speaker connection too close

I am pleased with this receiver. It has all the functionality I was looking for; it has excellent power and awesome learning remote. I am able to control my Panasonic DVD and VCR from the same remote. The only bad part of the unit is as others have mentioned speaker connectors are too close. The multi room option is great.

I am using digital optical connection for my DVD and using DAC on the receiver. The first movie I watched on this baby was Matrix and what a difference it made from my old system. Setting up this unit was an easy task as the manual is clear and the best part is on screen display. Playing THX movies (Fight Club) was fun.

Listening to music on this baby was fun. I tried with using the DAC on the receiver and with the DAC on my Sony CD player. I liked the DAC on the Pioneer better. Now that I have upgraded my CD system to Cambridge Audio I am not using DAC on the receiver, as Cambridge Audio DAC is better for music. One note, if you do not like to listen to music on Stereo mode then you may have to do some adjustments for using all speakers. The DSP modes are OK, but again I did not spend much time on this, as I like to listen to music mainly from my fronts.

If you have lot of tapes and don’t want to get rid of it then I would recommend buying Pioneer Elite CT-05D or 07D. I have CT-05 in my system and I cannot believe the sound quality I get from my tapes. These units work well with the receiver and I can use the receiver remote to control my tape deck!!

The drawback of this unit is that it is bulky, so you will need to plan on your audio rack. I am happy with Elite products and definitely consider them as my first choice for future upgrades. I hope this review was helpful.

My System:
Main: Infinity RS-5
CC: Infinity IL-36C
Rear: Infinity RS-3
Sub: Velodyne CT-120
DVD: Panasonic RV-30
CD: Cambridge Audio D500
Tape: Pioneer Elite CT-05D

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Crapy JVC

This receiver is a GREAT product. The sound is absolutely remarkable. I concur with other positive reviews but I do want to pass along some info I learned FYI.

Apparently, Pioneer had a manufacturing problem with soldering an IC onto one of the boards. This weak soldering of the IC has caused a MAJOR problem: No sound until the unit "warms up". Intermitent sound is also an effect. I owned my receiver 8 months before the problem cropped up and I know that others have experienced it.

After talking to the repair shop, I found out that he had fixed "about 50" of these. Its not a big fix and it is covered by warranty. Luckily, it is a known problem and can be resolved in about 2-3 hours (just a simple resolder). I suspect that this is the same problem others are having with this receiver which they have mistaken as a "crappy unit" (not the case, just a manufacturing problem with ONE IC).

So, in summary, I don't agree that this is a crappy unit. In fact, the product is great....5 out of 5. Its the best receiver I've ever owned. I just caution people NOT to overreact to the manufacturing issue. Yes, its bad that Pioneer had this trouble, but it IS a simple fix. Once fixed, the unit is flawless - but be warned, you may have a little hassel with this issue.

By the way, I have heard that "most" people don't have this problem, but for the ones that do, its just one extra step. Not a big deal. Don't overreact.

can run my klipish (10.5), with out making my ears bleed.

none yet.

I was waiting for yamaha to come out with new receiver,that never came.So i went to contemporary audio to look at this pioneer elite, that you, (the reviewers)have been talking about.Got this receiver home,AND ASK MYSELF WHAT THE HELL TOOK ME SO LONG TO BUY THIS RECEIVE!!!Paid 750 out the door.and have no regrets.

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I drove an hour and a half one-way today to drop my unit off at the repair center, I received an $80 speeding ticket along the way in my rush to get to the repair center before they closed. Not having a good time. I should note that while at the repair center, I saw 3 other Pioneer VSX receivers of various models in the incoming staging area. I am fast becoming Pioneer's worst enemy. Will post the results.