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Posted By: Abhi Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 05:52 PM
I need to get a new receiver for my M22s. Right now budget is a big constraint, so I can't go for $500 + receivers frown

I'm thinking about a 120W (Pioneer 1120), but I see the 110W models at a significant discount. My question is, is the extra 10W worth it? With the price difference, I can almost buy a center channel (~ vp100).

Advise please! Many thanks in advance.
Posted By: SirQuack Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 06:01 PM
There are lots of receivers in the "under $500" range that would be fine. Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, are a few more I would look at..

Purchase the receiver based on features and don't get all hung up on wattage. Keep in mind the difference between a 100w and 200w receiver is only 3dB's, you won't even notice 10W.
Posted By: ClubNeon Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 06:02 PM
It's not the power you're paying for with the 1120, it's almost a completely different receiver than the 1020. The 1120 is based off the Elite platform, and has a lot more features than the 1020. You should compare the feature set and see if the difference there makes up enough for the difference in price.

10 Watts means nothing in terms of sound. But the amps in the 1120 are of a different design than the 1020, that's why they are spec'd differently in terms of power.
Posted By: Abhi Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 06:43 PM
Thank you sirquack and ClubNeon. I'm going to compare the features and get back on if they're worth it.
Posted By: CatBrat Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 06:43 PM
If the 1120 is the same as the Pioneer Elite version, I would get that, if it were me, because of the better amp. I have an elite and I love it.
Posted By: JBall Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 06:52 PM
You may want to look at buying used. You can get a killer barely used receiver (last years model) that sold for $1k at the time for like $500-600 that will spank the newer $500 receivers IMO.
Posted By: jakewash Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 07:26 PM
That there is some good advice, the only 'new' on new recievers is HDMI 1.4 spec and possibly Audyssey 32 bit.
Posted By: ClubNeon Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 07:28 PM
Prologic IIz is also new, well 2010 new.
Posted By: jakewash Re: Receiver power q. - 11/16/10 07:45 PM
Ah yes, relatively new. I was focusing on 2011 products but that was worth a mention as well smile
Posted By: Henry66 Re: Receiver power q. - 11/17/10 04:43 PM
It looks like newegg.com is again selling the VSX-1120-K for $500 with free shipping (and even a cable thrown in?).

I have been pleasantly surprised at how good this receiver is.
Posted By: Ken.C Re: Receiver power q. - 11/17/10 04:52 PM
No problems with the M80s, then?
Posted By: Henry66 Re: Receiver power q. - 11/17/10 07:35 PM
None whatsoever. grin
Posted By: Abhi Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 04:22 PM
Thank you all very much! Very sound advice. Buying used definitely makes sense.

I've been trying to gather all details on 1120 vs 1020 (vs anything else...)

So far I see three features, pqls, video upscaling and PC control. I'm not sure if I get anything out of them. Do you use them much Henry66?

(Apologize if this topic has already been discussed, if so I'd appreciate a pointer to it please!)
Posted By: ClubNeon Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 06:22 PM
The PQLS on the 1120 is for all channels, on the 1020 is it the stereo mains only. Note that PQLS only works with compatible Pioneer Blu-ray players.

The video upscaling in the 1120 is FAR superior to that in the 1020. It's the new Marvell QDEO chip that's contending for the crown from Anchor Bay. If you're using analog, or any HDMI source less than 1080p going into a 1080p display, this could be worth the difference right here.

The DACs in the 1020 are from Wolfson, the 1120 uses Burr Brown. Burr Brown is a little more respected by the audiophile community. Not sure if the differences between them are audible, but they can be shown on laboratory equipment.

Also note that the 1120 is 17" deep vs the 15" of the 1020. This is due to the better amps, but may be a drawback if your space is limited. It's also a half inch taller, and 6 and a half pounds heavier.
Posted By: Ken.C Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 06:24 PM
Don't forget to add 2-3 inches for cables behind the receiver...
Posted By: Abhi Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 08:02 PM
ClubNeon, thank you very very much. I was trying to find so much detail on the differences the last couple of days. You put it very well.

The 1120's have better amps? That's the only thing that would matter to me. Can anyone please help me with details/data on that?

(I don't use any analog video, have a PS3 for all playback, and I don't think the DACs would matter to me)

I looked up on used vsx-1019, but not much savings in $s compare to 1020...
Posted By: ClubNeon Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 08:30 PM
Yeah, Pioneer calls the class of amps used in their Elite gear, "Advanced Direct Energy", vs the normal "Direct Energy" of the rest of their line. While the big label may say 110 vs 120 Watts, the finer print tells a bit more of a story. The 1020 falls down to 80 Watts when reproducing broadband noise (20 to 20k Hz), but the 1120 can still pull off 110 Watts. The amp and power supply design of the 1120 is a level above the 1020.

I have a 1018, I'm glad I got it before the 1019 was introduced. Pioneer really just removed useful features (like pre-outs) from the 1019, to add less useful things (iPhone control). The 1020 still lacks pre-outs, but at least it has gained a few new tricks. The 1120 does have pre-outs, so if you're never not satisfied with the built-in amps, you can hook up external ones, via RCA cable.
Posted By: jakewash Re: Receiver power q. - 11/18/10 10:51 PM
Sound to me like the 1120 is indeed a better reeciver than it's predecessor, I would buy it.
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