UPDATE: After writing our review summary, our rapport with Pioneer almost fell into the abyss. The representative we spoke with at the beginning of our case was suddenly gone and the new representative threatens to send out another VSX-26TX. After speaking to a supervisor several times, he finally agreed to send us the VSX-36TX, which we found out is the current year model. HOWEVER, it took Pioneer almost six weeks to send the VSX-36TX.

I am happy to say that the VSX-36TX works great. It was worth being persistent.

Looks nice

Reliability, sound for music listening

I wish I had read this before I purchased mine over a year ago. At least I did get a full year in unhindered listening, but at about a week over a year, it quit. I use all outboard amps, so the unit is never stressed (maybe thats why I got a whole year), and should not be building up as much heat as it does. I bought it from Ubid, so I miss out on the elite warranty (unlike some other lucky ones, Pioneer wouldn't do anything for me). With no warning one day, there was no output anywhere (pre or power), excepting the tape out. It showed everything else was still working, I could select anything, digital or analog, and it did put out quality sound into the tape loop - just no-where else. My local authorized repair shop did fix it pretty quick, but after getting it home, and making it half way through a cd, it quit again. If left to cool for a few hours, it would work for another 20 minutes, and quit again. It is back in the shop now.
I replaced it with my old elite C-91 preamp (which it replaced), which by the way, makes music sound the way it should. When I first got the receiver, I mostly watched movies, but when going to music, felt something was wrong. After much fiddling, I finally just accepted it. Now, that I've had to go back to the old Elite (which has yet to have even one glitch), I realize the substandard sound coming from this receiver. It sounds GREAT for home theater use, just not an 'elite' level piece for music. Maybe I just shouldn't have expected that from a $500 receiver.
As a final note, my (non ES) Sony 300dvd changer seems to have a much more accurate DAC. It shows much more depth and presence when played with the analog inputs into the receiver, as opposed to letting the Pioneer do the DAC honors.

power,sound,thx.....

none.

i have had mine for almost 2 years now.no problem?pioneer has told me that they made over5000 of the 26tx.maybe some had a problem on the assembly line??? i guess i am one of the lucky ones.dont knock pioneer for this problem.as i read other reviews,they will replace it if they cant fix it.it is a great purchase for me at 650.

Similar Products Used:

elite vsx26tx

Good Price, Sound (When it worked), Overall Features

Not being able to keep it out of the shop.

I felt compelled to complete a product review after reading review after review of complaints of VSX-26TX.

When the product worked, it sounded wonderful. We were disappointed that we had to take it to a repair shop so soon after purchasing it. The first repair was for the sub woofer output...it just quit! The Pioneer "certified repair center" could not fix it. They had for weeks. Finally after complaining to Pioneer, we took it to another repair center where they repaired it in days. After a couple of months the entire system shut down. Nothing worked. Back to the repair center.

We called Pioneer and they agreed to replace our receiver with a VSX-36TX. We will see what happens with this component!

For those who complained about the customer service my suggestion is to be persistent! Keep records and demand service. It worked with us.

Great price for the amount of features (THX/DTS), quality of sound, and ease of use

Can not select "direct" mode from remote.

I've had this unit for about 6 months. Although I don't have as much experience as I would like with home theater/stereos, I have had some experiences in the past with competition car-stereos. So I understand the imaging, staging, accuracy, dynamics, etc aspect of listening. I am no expert in any, however. This Elite unit is part of my first home stereo/theater system.

So far, (luckily I guess) I haven't had any problems with my unit.

Changing the system setting (or initial set up) is very easy and comprehensive. I thought it was a lot easier than some of Denon's receivers. The on-screen setup dialog is easy to use. The documentation is also well written.

For the home theater, I think this VSX-26 is a great unit. I usually use THX-Cinema mode on almost all movies (DTS whenever possible) and I have no complaints in this department.

DSP sounds great too. No complaints.

For use as a stereo, I've listened to it for the longest time thinking that there was something missing. Imaging and staging just wasn't quite right when using 2 channel sources such as CD's or my PC (playing mp3's). I thought it should sound better. Well the problem was that I was using the "STEREO" mode for listening to these sources. Pressing the "DIRECT" button on the receiver itself by-passes the processing circuits and supposedly delivers more accurate sound. Playing in "DIRECT" mode vastly improved the staging and imaging of all materials played. It brought filled in what was missing from the sound. Now, I can say that this unit sounds good for music sources as well. I don't think you can switch into "DIRECT" mode from the remote, which is a complaint I have. If I'm using DSP modes and want to switch into "DIRECT", I have to go to the unit (just lazy I guess). Still this is kinda inconvenient.

Remote is excellent, except for the small complaint I have above.

Outer appearance is great. I like its clean, serious looks. Fit and finish also looked good.

For a wish list, I wished it switched component video, I wished it had DTS-ES processing, and more power (everyone can use more power). These can be found on the new models like VSX-36TX.

Overall I believe that this purchase was a great value for the price I paid. It has key features (THX-Ultra/DTS/Burr-Brown D-A) and excellent quality sound so far. I won't have to upgrade this unit for a long time unless I win the lotto.

Rest of my system currently consists of:
Toshiba SD-9100 DVD
Pioneer Elite TZC-700 Center Channel
Pioneer Elite TZF-700 Main Speakers
Infinity HPS-500 Subwoofer
Klipch Quintet Surround Speakers
JVC CD player (as a transport to read CD-Rs)
Sony 27" TV (needs upgrade desperately)... Wega? or 16:9 RP?...

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Sony

Power, clean sound

size

I have put this unit to a real test due to the listed problems below. I have had this unit powered up for three months straight. As of now I can say there has been no problem with sound cutting out or any other problems.

When I mean powered up, this unit has been on for 24/7 for three months no heat or sound cutting out problems. The unit has served me well.

Pioneer VSX Elite 26tx
Pioneer DVD 525
Pioneer Elite CD 53M
Pioneer Cassette Deck 5MT
Mitsubishi 476 VCR
Mitsubishi 80705 55" WS

I am sure those that have had the sound problem must of felt like trashing this unit, but quality control is a problem in every business. I hope those with this problem will get it resolved soon and enjoy this system.

Similar Products Used:

updated review

Finally got this hooked up after receiving it from Electronic Warehouse early this week. I was very pleased with the instructions, the ease of assembly, and the simple set-up programming. My speaker system is the Bose Acoustimass HT (which I hate..I inherited it with a Toshiba 55" screen and sub-par built-in home theatre system when I moved in). I'm planning (ultimately) to replace the Bose with my Klipsch KG 4.5 Front speakers with matching center speaker, and with my NHT Super Zero rear speakers. However, the receiver has this neat little feature where you can specify "small" front, center and rear speakers, which shunts the majority of low effects to the subwoofer. I have a HSU Research subwoofer, so was happy about that option.
After getting it all hooked up, I easily programmed the remote to handle my Pioneer DV-414 DVD player and Toshiba TV. Haven't figured out if the remote will let me stop, pause, etc. with the DVD yet, but it's not hard to figure out how to turn on the various components, and I love that little feature that brightens the button for the component that you've "activated" for changes. All in all, I'd say the remote is very functional, and easy to use. I'd like the backlighting to stay on a second or two longer, but that's possibly a picky point.

I'm still tweaking the sound and, of course, I have a (in my opinion) compromise with the Bose speakers, but I really liked the initial sound. It's not too bright, and not muddy. The "Midnight" mode suppressed the peaks, but this thing really sings when it's let loose, with full, un-neighborly sound volumes. In setting the peak (distortion) level for the HSU subwoofer, I finally just set a peak I was happy with; there was little or no distortion, even at nearly full volume, with the crossover set in the 80k (default THX) setting (I was just getting concerned about what my neighbors might think). I can only imagine what this thing will sound like with a good speaker system. I was about to buy the Yamaha RX-V995, but they got scarce, and weren't supposed to come out 'til July, so I decided to wait for this unit. I'm glad I did; I'm pleased. May add more comments later, but for now will give this unit five stars.

One of the better of the elite series but still isn't what i call high end.Only new thing is DTS and knowone uses DTS because of the lack of source material. Decent reciever though for the first time buyer but I would sell it in a few months for a yamaha dsp-A1

My current System
Yamaha DSP-A1
All MIT interconnects
Naim cd transport
California audio 24bit/96khz DAC
Martin Logan Electrostatic Home Theater Speakers
Marantz DVD players

Two stars instead of one becuase i have some respect for pioneer elite prodcuts like dvd players

It amazes me how some reviewers can spew so much misinformation, confusion and contradiction in so few words. First of all, Jack, did you actually audition the Pioneer? It sounds to me like you just looked at a spec sheet and noticed the addition of DTS. This reciever line is completely reworked from last year, so maybe you should do your homework, or at least listen to the reciever before giving it a sub-par rating.
Which brings me to your rating system. You rate a ‘decent’ reciever, one of the ‘better’ Elite recievers, I might add, two stars? (Factoring in your ‘respect’ for Elite DVD players, of course. Glad we got that out of the way.)

And just for the record, NO product from Yamaha, not even their overpriced, overrated DSP A-1 is what you, or anyone else should call ‘high-end’. And since the new Pioneers just came out, it seems like you’re rationalizing all the cash you blew on your DSPA-1.

I’m really getting sick and tired of this kind of review on this site. Misinformed, opinionated and BRAND LOYAL to a fault. I like the DSPA-1. Don’t love it. Respect it, though. But I didn’t go polluting it’s rating just because I bought the Pioneer. The Yamaha happens to be, in my opinion, too bright and harsh sounding when matched with many speakers. The Pioneer has a warmer sound, which is more apropriate for AC-3.

People, if you’re going to trash a product (which is totally cool, by the way), at least audition the unit, spend some time with it, get to know it. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Just because this forum is open to anyone with a computer doesn’t mean everyone with a computer should use it.
This site is for helping consumers make an INFORMED decision.

This new line from Pioneer Elite is EXCELLENT. I own the 027tx and have auditioned the 026tx. It is not worthy of two stars.

Sorry for ranting, but this sort of thing is rampant on this site.

Man, this reciever is KICK-ASS! I finally upgraded to Dolby Digital and ditched my old Pro-Logic. I could tell the difference betweem the VSX(which I bought on the spot) and the Denon 3300 right away. I chose it because the full rich warm sounding music got me hooked, there was no comparison! I've had it on for two days straight!! movie after movie.....I just got hooked.
You won't be dissapointed if buy this reciever, I was going to go for the 27 but almost complete lack of difference between the two I just couldn't justify the extra ca$h.

I love this thing,

Thanks Pioneer!