Todd,
I have PIONEER vsx-d912 ( HT ONLY USE), which is not much diff from 914 ( good for HT - bright for music, and good price would be $300 shipped ) AND PE vsx-d2012 ( which is PE ELITE 45TX paid $600 instead of $1200 )
for music ( I listen 90 stereo/10 HT)
What I like about 2012:
1. MCACC with EQ ( distance inj .5 ft, level .5 db, EQ for EACH channel and FRONT allign)
2. crossover 50,80,100 and so on
3. Full, rich and at the same time very detailed and balanced sound ) As full as HK7200 which failed my test due to full, but ( HK fans don't get affended ) too darkish, over bass heavy, and not very dynamic sound ( even in spite of published 40ms slew rate, triple crossover is a nice toy for 10 minutes, EQ does it for me)
4. great remote all functions, tons of free memory, runs everything
5. Great is stereo ( ONKYO 701 failed due to low power, same distance setting for BOTH fronts, and really lame stereo sound, which was partually compenstaed with theater mode in stereo, but HEY - it is a STEROE sound )
6. video/audio independent source
7. multi zone/bi ampable. or plain sur back
8. midnight ( in ALL modes ), good ole LOUDNESS, D. noise reduction ( sometimes it does the job, HiBit sampling ( mostly doesn't do any damage and sometime does a good job )
9. M60 are NOT BRIGHT speakers with PE2012 - they PRECISE :-)
10. USB/R232 support
11. WEIGHT 45 lbs ( buy it by the pounds :-)
12. Runs warm, not hot like HK, have not heard sup. fan kicking in yet
13. Memory for setting for different modes/sources ( can compare to AI sound of ONKYO - nice )
14. Or - it does have separate bass/trebble control
I wanted NAD, but was not willing to pay for 9** lineup,
and do not regret it for a second - PE2012(45TX) mated with two M60s produce sound which is MORE "THEATER LIKE" then my living room complete surround system.
My advise about PE914 - do not buy it for music, it is very dynamic, but thin and bright, and build in FAN is JUST full noncense
