I just sold my Yamaha RX-V2095 receiver and am about to get another one. I am 95% convinced that Pioneer VSX-45TX (Asian version is called VSX-D2011) with MCACC is the way to go. Price is USD 715. So what's the problem ?

Well, I saw a cheaper option without MCACC... and now I am in 2 or 3 minds of which direction to take.

I am able to get an Onkyo TX-SR701 THX Select receiver at USD 425 (brandnew) which is so tempting based on the reviews I have read so far. In features. the Onkyo almost matches the Pioneer except that it is not so heavy (and no EQ).

I think I have a highly reflective room (glass cabinet, mirrors, tiles on the floor, no carpeting) so I can justify to myself that the added cost of MCACC would certainly help A LOT. Am I on the right track ?

Also I like the fact that the Pioneer has USB Audio & RS-232C port. I am also living under an illusion that MAYBE at a later date a firmware update might be released to add Dolby Prologic IIx to the Pioneer receiver (Now why would Pioneer do that if they could add another receiver with that additional feature to their lineup and sell it at a higher price ?)

Anybody using USB Audio on 45TX ? Is it a good feature to have ? Or does MCACC justify the purchase outright ?

I dont want to look at the iLink models of Pioneer because in Hong Kong they are too expensive (all new models usually are 2 or 3 times more).

Thanks guys for all your help.

Mahesh, yes I think that MCACC would be a significant benefit to you and justifies the extra cost in itself. As to the RS-232C, I wouldn't want to hold my breath waiting for them to release an upgrade to DPLIIx. This happens sometimes on flagship models, but rarely on others.

I happen to be a huge user of USB audio(despite the fact that it isn't the highest sound quality)to listen to classical music from stations all over the world. None of my receivers has a USB input, so I use a Xitel hifi-link to take the computer's USB output through its built-in DAC to feed one of my receivers. Again, not the best sound quality, but the choice of music... If I had a receiver with a USB input, I certainly would have done it that way instead. I understand that sushi does this a bit with his 45TX.

The MCACC rules, period -- and you have to listen to it in your room to really appreciate the effect.

And yes, I occasionally use the USB input on my 45TX, feeding the internet radio and other sources from my WiFi-equipped laptop. It works flawlessly -- my PowerBook immediately recognized the receiver as a USB audio device without any additional software. The connection is unidirectional (computer-to-receiver only) and 2-channel only, but of course, DPL II etc. works just fine with the USB source, too.

Hi John / Masa,

Thanks guys for your opinions that really cleared my doubts. I know I am going to use the MCACC a lot. I am going to pick up the receiver tomorrow itself.

A quick question - what about the Zone 2 speakers connected to VSX-45TX. Is there a way to calibrate those with MCACC as well ? Or does the MCACC only work on the main 5.1 speakers ?

Cheers / Mahesh

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The MCACC rules, period --

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Right along side YPAO! Thank ya very much....

Mahesh, I don't think the MCACC works on the zone 2 speakers. But I might be wrong since I've never used the Second Zone feature of the receiver.

I doubt it would, since you have to have the remote/mic in in the same room as the Zone 2 speakers for it to measure them -- and likely there'd be no way to transmit the measurements back to the receiver from a separare room.

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The MCACC rules, period --



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Right along side YPAO! Thank ya very much....

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Yep, and neither of my "flagship" recievers have them. (I have a Denon AVR-5800, which isn't flagship anymore, but was when I purchased it, and a Yamaha RX-Z1, which sadly isn't flagship anymore, but was until the Z9 with YPAO came out.)

I know that I wish I had waited a while and gotten the Z9, but at least I saved a whole lot of money, as mine is much cheaper.

The Denon 5800 is a fine piece of equipment. I have a Denon AVR-3200 that has served me well for the last 6 years and it's still going strong. I wanted to get another Denon but the lure of YPAO was too strong.