Hi all,

It has been quite some time since I was last on the board but wanted to get your advice/opinions if possible. I am in the midst of re-doing the HT room including adding projector and new receiver. I will be keeping the Axiom M22's, VP100, QS8
's in a 7.1 configuration. The question that I have is regarding the potential purchase of the Pioneer Elite vsx-01. A local store has offered to sell at a a great price, and I like the idea of buying electronics local. Has anone heard or have comments about the Pio Elit? Any ifo is appreciated.

Regards and happy holidays to all

Specs look good.
Couldn't find any info about running 4ohm loads, but that might not be applicable in your situation

Pioneer Elite vsx-01

Power
Amplifier Design Discrete (A.D. Energy)
Surround Power 110 Watts x 7 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 0.09% THD - FTC)
Stereo Power 110 Watts x 2 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 0.09% THD - FTC)

There are many here that have a Pio elite and like them, other than maybe an issue with 4 ohm loads, which you don't have any ways, the Pioneer should be good as long as it suits your needs.

lhulls, jakewash - thanks for the replies. You are correct, 4 ohm load is not an issue in my setup and it will be a while before anyone wrestles the M22's away from me as I just love those guys. Isn't it funny how subjective sound is? My friend does not care for my Axiom's that much but when I go to his home I am just not that crazy about his rig which he raves about. That's fine, I smile and let him go on about them. That's lthe neat thing though everyone has their taste.

I spoke with the dealer yesterday and I am going to carry my M3s in and take a listen. I know that the 3's and 22's have a different presentation but I am very familiar with the way they sound in the current setup. I would think, err hop :-)that I would be able to tell if the Elite colors the sound when running the M3's.

Will let you know what I find out.

I'm not saying it is or is not possible that electronics might color the sound of your M3s (No need to go down that road!). But I think everyone would agree that if there IS any difference in the sound of your M3s, it's because the room will make them sound different as that would be a much larger factor in their sound... by probably 20-fold...

Thanks Mark

Kelly, welcome back. As Mark pointed out, any difference in sound that you may notice if you take the M3s to the dealer may be due to the different room or some other factor in his setup. You can be confident that the VSX-01txh won't add any audible coloration, since it's a typically well-designed modern unit that amplifies transparently within its designed power limits. In other words, from that standpoint, there's no benefit in taking your M3s to the dealer to listen.

You guys are making me feel better and better about my decision to buy ... so many thanks.

The price is right, has the features and reviews are pretty good so don't know why I wouldn't go forward. Thanks everyone.

Just for shit's-n-giggles, what system is your buddy running that he feels is SOOO much better than yours? lol

Probably M80s and four EP600s...

It is an older PSB system that he has. It may be that his particular config is "off" as PSB makes fine products. Bottom line is I really, really enjoy the sound of the M22's, coupled with the QS8's I have a very accurate system and one that does everything I want very well.

Hypothetically you could run a test where 9 out of 10 say that his system sounds better than mine but that is their opinion and at the end of the day it's all about me :-)

Just want to make it clear that in no way am I slamming another vendors products, it's just that the sound of my setup is what I was searching for and rec'd. Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

Also, been discussed many times but with the M22's the thing that sealed it was when I properly calibrated and integrated my sub. A whole new world opened and playback was killer.

Back to original post I am re-doing my HT room and hope to have some pics available. I am building a riser, adding new seating, sconces, paint. Projector will not be here until after Christmas but that's fine. Want to have it ready for the new year's day bowls.

Especially the cotton bowl Wreck 'em Tech

Wishing all a great holiday

Lol, well done sir!

I listened to a few tower PSB's (no idea the models) at a local store with a dedicated h/t room and was underwhlemed to say the least. The room looked good, the speakers looked good, the price wasn't great and the sound made the final desicion. There was no wow factor, the speakers sounded laid back missing the high detail with a more pronounced mid presence. Not bad, just not the sound that I was looking for.

If anything, to me, they would be like the M3 but without the detail the M3 provides. I find the M3 a little laid back but it has a nice smooth sound and while the highs aren't as apparent as other Axioms I have or listened to, you still get very nice detail with them.

Bingo HAY, that was my impression as well. Nothing wrong with the sound just different. My experience was the same in that it was a bit more laid back than what I like. I just didn't get that "sizzle" when I listened to them.

I also have M3's and think that they are a great speaker.

I like Pioneer Elite receivers.

I use a Pioneer Elite VSX-43TX as my pre-pro in my system. It is old; made in 2002, but it was a good receiver (~$1,000) in its day. I have three problems with it 1) it was made before the HDMI era, 2) it lacks an On-screen-display, and 3) it can't effectively power my M80's. Fine at low volumes, but the sound gets harsh and clippy as I'd reach 'loud' levels. The LPA-1 amp solved that. Before my M80's, I had a pair of M22's as mains and the 43TX worked beautifully with those.

1 and 2 are a not an issue with modern Elites, and I suspect that 3 might not be a problem either. I've read of a few others around here with newer Elites powering M80's without incident.

It continues to be an excellent receiver, other than my minor quibbles. Clean sound (never any hissing, popping, etc), relatively easy to setup, solid connectors & dials, has never required a reboot or otherwise hiccuped, etc. It just works. I've been very happy with it and really can't find any reason to upgrade to anything else until I take the leap into Blu Ray media. And when that eventually happens, if I get another receiver (rather than a real prepro), I will definitely start by looking at Pioneer Elite's offerings.

Good info Peter.

We are going to go ahead and take the Blue Ray leap so upgraded receiver is a must. Just ask my loving wife who was convinced that we needed a new "brain". And after all 20 years of marriage has taught me that I should never argue with such sound reasoning and logic.

Enjoy your new "brain."

Unless you're also an electronic drummer, then brain doesn't need the quotes.

that was a direct quote from my lovely wife. She has also used the terms "stereo", "thingy", "home theater" and "miserable POS". The latter is a reference to the fact that it is an older receiver and not as user friendly as what it could be. It's an older Newcastle and if you hit the power button instead of the standby it clears all of your settings. So what that means is the next time it's turned on you have to start over with the setting aargh. However, it's a nice, powerful piece of equipment that will serve me nicely in the bedroom. Wait, that sounds kind of bad doesn't it? OK, it's a receiver that I will be utilizing to power the M3's in my bedroom setup.

Wow, that power-button "feature" is quite an example of brilliant design! "Miserable POS" about covers it.