Axiom Home Page
Posted By: steven_h AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 02:26 AM
Hi all,

I am a newbie and just beginning to build my home theater. I am looking at the Pioneer Elite VSX50 vs the Denon AVR 2112 CI. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Steven
Posted By: JohnK Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 03:23 AM
Steven, welcome. My thoughts are that the Audyssey MultEQ calibration and room equalization of Denon(and similar Onkyo models)makes it preferable to the Pioneers, which can be considered as essentially equal as far as basic amplification goes.

The most cost-effective way to buy these Denons and Onkyos is through a factory refurbished unit, which should be at least as reliable as a brand-new one. Denons are available from Dakmart and eCost, Onkyos from Accessories4less and ShopOnkyo. For example, an excellent deal on the 2112 is available for about $430 here .
Posted By: nickbuol Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 03:59 AM
As someone who has owned Pioneer Elite gear in the past, you won't go wrong.
John mentioned Audyssey, which is more common of an auto-EQ type system than what Pioneer has to try to make corrections in your room's flaws (no reasonable room is perfect in acoustics).

Personally I liked what MCACC did for my horribly imperfect room, but even like the Audyssey, it usually is just a starting point in which you will need to make some fine tune adjustments to your liking.

I've heard a number of times when people are troubleshooting their sound and someone will tell them to turn off Audyssey (or MCACC for that matter) and the person gets the results that they were looking for. Why, I don't know, but it has happened.

I would focus on features that you want and need and of course the price point.

You will probably not go wrong with either receiver. Both are made by great companies. I know that you were looking for a definitive "buy this, it will even pop popcorn and serve you a soda while watching a movie, all for $XXX" but it isn't that clear cut unfortunately.
Posted By: steven_h Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 04:09 AM
Thanks John.
Posted By: steven_h Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 04:17 AM
Nick, is MCACC the same as the Audyssey except for Pioneer. The one feature I am trying to figure out is the Airplay. Pioneer calls it Airplay compatible and Denon has Airplay built in.
Posted By: nickbuol Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 04:48 AM
I guess that you could say that MCACC is Pioneer's version of Audyssey. According to what I was reading, the VSX 50 has Airplay built in. I've seen it all over the web with just a quick search. Basically, as long as you are "above" the VSX 40 model, you DO have Airplay...
Posted By: JohnK Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 05:19 AM
The objects of Audyssey and MCAAC(automatic speaker calibration and the separate room equalization process), along with others, such as Yamaha's YPAO, are of course the same. They employ entirely different technologies for room equalization, and the question is which is more effective(the problem is so complex that it's probably safe to say that a perfect system will never be developed). All speakers are adversely affected by all listening rooms and good equalization is helpful. My study of the problem had led me to buy and use Audyssey, which has achieved very satisfactory results.
Posted By: CatBrat Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 12:10 PM
I've gotten reasonable results using MCACC, but then I haven experienced Audyssey. Same with power output. I love the power that my Pioneer Elite puts out, but I haven't experenced the sound of Denon. I would think that both would be similar.
Posted By: steven_h Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 06:49 PM
Thanks for the help. It doesn't look like I can really go wrong and either one would be a giant step up from the Kenwood stereo I am using now. Next questions will be about surround speaker placement. I will start a new topic.
Posted By: SirQuack Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/16/11 10:56 PM
Audyssey corrects for all seats in your room, the others just the primary center seat, they are not really the same.
Posted By: steven_h Re: AV Receiver Question - 08/17/11 07:54 PM
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the help. I decided to go with the Denon 2112 based on the fact that the Pioneer was Airplay compatible not built in like the Denon. I would have had to buy a LAN Wireless Adapter for the Pioneer which was another $150. My wife has a lot of music on her Ipad/Iphone.
© Axiom Message Boards