Ok, I'm beginning to plan my HT setup. First is the new Panisonic 50DL54 DLP (better PQ than Sammy or Hit). Then will be the Axiom Epic 60 Home Theater (but I think I might replace the sub and get a HSU VTF-2 MK 2 or the SVS PB1-ISD).

But what receiver? I am leaning towards the Pioneer. I have heard it has great HT performance, and the sound is warmer and cleaner than the Denon. I know the Denon has some great features though.

I know both of these are popluar receivers. I was wondering if someone has listened to both of these on their Axioms? If not, then why did you decide on the receiver you did?

I just ordered my setup last night.
From Axiom:
M60Ti fronts
VP150 center
QS8 surrounds
SVS 20-39PCi subwoofer
Pioneer VSX-54tx receiver

I first figured out what speakers I wanted, and then started the research on receivers. I have owned many receivers in my days (I'm only 32) but for some reason, I keep going back to Pioneer. I will be honest. I have never owned a Denon receiver, but I looked at Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Harmon Kardon... Onkyo dropped off my list pretty early on. The line I was looking at didn't offer as many features as the others. I then dropped HK due to price/options as well. To get what Denon and Pioneer had in my price range, HK was a couple hundred dollars more.

I started reading as much as I could on the Denon and Pioneer, and at a few other home theater sites I saw a lot of excitement about the Pioneer 54TX... Then I found people that had posted that they owned the Pioneer and Denon models I was looking at, and I got a better "great product" response from the Pioneer folks.

There were other factors as well, but I could get the Pioneer for a couple hundred dollars less than the 3805, and from what I was reading, it is a great product. I am not saying that the Pioneer sounds better or worse than the Denon. That was mainly because I couldn't do a head to head comparison, but I liked what I heard from both of them, but couldn't beat the $200+ price difference.

Just my $.02

Nick

I can't speak for the 3805, but I can for the 2805. I absolutely love the Denon/Axiom combination. Like Nick, a few months back I was back and forth between the Denon 2805/Elite 53 or 54tx/Yammy 1400. I had opportunities to listen to all of them on various speakers like B&W, NHT, Klipsch, and a few others. I was worried about all the hype on AVS, Axiom, and other forumns regarding terms like Bright, Warm, Harsh, .....yaada yada yaada (ok so I like Seinfeld) Anyway, after talking to Alan, Brent, Joe from Axiom, and others on this website, I ended up going with the Denon. For me, the combination seems perfect. The sound is so accurate and detailed, it is hard for me to imagine it getting any better. In the past I was always a Pioneer fan, and I was this >< close to getting the Elite. But things happen for a reason. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices your looking at, just look at all the options and pick one the best fits your needs, and never look back...

Asta La Vista Baaaaby

Randy

Lar, welcome. Disregard any hogwash you may have read elsewhere about one receiver being "warmer"(or "brighter")than another with essentially identically flat frequency response. It can't happen in reality if the output levels are adjusted to be equal within 0.1dB(slight differences in level can fool listeners into imagining differences in quality when the difference is only in quantity). Both of those receivers are excellent and neutral in sound. If you can't decide based on features, go with the best price.

Alan from here at Axiom had originally steered me away from Pioneer, but that was when I was looking at their non-Elite line. One of his biggest comments was about getting a receiver that can drive speakers that have a < 8ohm rating (like the M80's)... Not a big issue since I was getting M60's...
Here is exactly what he said in response to my questions about M22's (pre-M60 decision) and my comment about getting a non-Elite Pioneer...

--------------------------
"Pioneer stuff is generally excellent, although lately I prefer Denon and Harman/Kardon for a/v receivers (they will drive even our 4-ohm M80 towers, whereas many other brands will not (sony, Onkyo, Kenwood, some Pioneer)."
-------------------------- Alan Lofft

So, no real help here, I know, but I think that you will find either receiver to be an excellent choice.

To me they are both great recievers and you can't go wrong with either one. From what I've read here both will sound great with axioms.

I got the denon 2805 and will continue to get denon recievers..Why? It's sorta silly but denon gives you all the information they have freely. If I want to control my denon through the serial port I can. If I need help on how to do something the info is there and easy to get versus pioneer which makes you sign up for any info.
I know it's silly but it makes sense to me.

Leaf

I have this same setup (except a different sub)4qs8's surround. I have a fairly large room 27 X 14.5 X 8 The 54TX is an awesome receiver extremely powerful No way you can turn it much past -5. Very clean sounding. The Axioms continue to be impressive sounding I demoed Yamaha 5760 and Denon 3805 and went with the Pioneer. These questions are really extraneous because all these amps are great and it is personal prefernce in the sound; features or price will drive your choice.You can't go wrong selecting any of em. Good Luck Whoops to Laring

Hey, nice set up....I fibbed on one of my posts, my ebay bid on a receiver got outbid at the last minute :-( So, can you tell me where you got your Pioneer at? I know where Izub got his.

If you are looking at the Denon, I picked up a "B" stock 3803 for about $650 at www.dakmart.com. No problems at all.

Those two receivers will definitely sound different. I demoed both head to head with M60s. I prefered the Pioneer. To my ears the Pioneer sounded smoother, yet was still very clear. It is lacking a bit in the mid bass though, while the Denon had overblown bass in my opinion. In the end though I gave up on home theater receivers and am looking at, dare I say it on this forum, Tube amps.

LOVE my 45TX. I have M22's, VP150, QS8's and a VTF2 sub. I can't put it past -10...too loud. But I'm not sure if it's the speakers that are too loud or my wife yelling at me to turn it down...

I think either receiver will be fine. The MCACC on the Pio is a great feature. I know that Alan has misgivings, but it works great for me.

I got my 54TX at www.thebestpricestore.com for $681 shipped to my door...

My SVS 20-39PCi shows up tomorrow, and Dec 10 for my Axiom setup (factory)

Nick,

Ok I'm guessing you have this system set up, and have had a little time to play with it. Any thoughts on the receiver with the sub? That's a great price on the Pioneer, but they are not an authorized dealer, which makes me nervous. I can get the 54TX from Josh Lehman at docdvd.com. I know a lot of people at AVSforum and a few here have gotten Pioneer Elites from Josh. I got the price of $792.07 for the 54TX, and he is an authorize dealer.

I'm going to be listening to the Epic M60 setup on a Yamaha receiver next week.

Thanks,
Larry

Speaking of MCACC. I used it on my Pioneer VSX-1014 last night...sounds great but a little soft. So, I went into the manual part and upped the settings a little....but the sounds from my new Axioms on DPIIx-music is WOW!