LX 51 review please WHF

[admin_exported]

Dear WHF

Many thanks for the review of the LX71. Not wanting to sound ungrateful but are you planning on reviewing the LX51 soon?

The Pioneers that you have reviewed lately all start at over 1000 and I was aiming more for £700. I know you have reviewed the 1018 and that is around £500 but this has been around a while and does not have 1080p upscaling (which I am keen on).

LX81 sounds great at 1400, the LX71 sounds a little disappointing for 1200 (both based on your reviews), the LX51 can be had for £500 cheaper and that is around my budget.

Many thanks

Rich

 

[Simon Lucas]

Our LX51 is due to arrive tomorrow - possibly Thursday. So it should be in time for April issue (on sale March 11th).

 

[Anonymous]

Simon,

Will your review be posted online beforehand or do I need to wait until March 11? I was keen to purchase in the next week but may hold off to see what you think.

Basically the Onkyos for that price range have good reviews from you and I want to know if the LX51 stacks up well or not.

Thanks for your reply.

Rich

 

[Simon Lucas]

I'm sure Mr Online Editor Clough would like it up asap, but the machine's not even here yet so I'm not counting any chickens.

 

[Anonymous]

Simon,

I will scan the site daily! (from Thursday)

Thanks again.

Rich

 

[Andrew Everard]

I wouldn't hold your breath - any review even online is going to take several weeks, and the way things are going the product may not even make the April issue,

 

[Anonymous]

Understood.

Any personal views, comments or recommendations on the LX51 out there?

Rich

 

[jase fox]

Richard8:
Understood.

Any personal views, comments or recommendations on the LX51 out there?

Rich
My local HIFI store got them in today so hopefully ill be having a demo of it during the week so ill keep you posted Richard8

 

[Anonymous]

Jase, many thanks.

 

[jase fox]

Richard8:
Jase, many thanks.
No problem Richard

 

[Anonymous]

Dear WHF and Jase,

Any news on the VSX-LX51? Has the machine arrived with you and if so, will you be reviewing this soon, in time for the next issue?

My SKY HD machine is arriving in 2 weeks and I would like to buy my new system in time for that.

Thanks

Rich

(Rest of system: KRL-37V, BDP-51FD, Mordaunt Short Alumni 5.1)

 

[Anonymous]

Hello
I upgraded recently from an Onkyo 605 and alumni speakers to a Pioneer LX51 and KEF 3005se 7.1 and must say it's very impressive. You'll definately hear the best the speakers can offer. CD playback from the 51FD through the amp is pukka. The only gripes I have are that zone 2 isn't powered if you have 7.1 so I had to buy a new stereo amp for the kitchen, and you cant upgrade the power cable because it's got a cheap one hardwired in. I didn't compare it with other makes though.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I have also upgraded from an Onkyo 605 to the LX51 with a mix of Monitor Audio speakers, my Blu Ray / CD source is a Sony BDP350s. My own impressions are that the LX51 is a noticeable improvement over the Onkyo and I would have thought the Pioneer Blu Ray to be even better than the Sony although you won't gain the benefit of clock sync the LX71 & 81 offer.

I did a fair amount of comparison and thought the Pioneer offered a good balance of sound / video quality against cost and as an added bonus looks far better than most other AV amps.

As always, try and demo as one persons taste may not suit you and £700.00 could b e a costly mistake.

 

[Anonymous]

With CD playback, as the LX51 does not have the Pioneer PQLS, do you use stereo leads into CD on the LX51 (as if it was a separate source) or do you continue to use the one HDMI lead?

The bluray player I was think of is BDP 51FD which has both a HDMI output and 2-channel stereo output.

Thanks

Rich

 

[Andrew Everard]

Richard8:Any news on the VSX-LX51? Has the machine arrived with you and if so, will you be reviewing this soon, in time for the next issue?

Not received yet - Mr Lucas has resumed his pursuit of Pioneer on the subject...

UPDATE: No stocks left at Pioneer, and no more production happening. New model coming in late May.

 

[Big Aura]

when was it release? Is is not a bit odd how manufacturers seem to have a shelf-life of 6 months for their products (and the tend to be out of stock for 4 and a half of those months!).

Suppose it's great for a magazine in the business of reviewing said kit, but still....

 

[Anonymous]

Question for sdf1965 and paulusmasonus,

When using the 51FD or other bluray player for CD playback, do use a HDMI cable connection or stereo cables into the back of the LX51 (as it does not have PQLS)?

Buying the 51FD tomorrow with the LX51 or maybe the LX81 (although I think the with Mordaunt Short Alumni and KRL 37V this might be overkill).

Thanks

Rich