Pioneer AV Amp

[admin_exported]

I was in my (reasonably) trusted Home Cinema store last week and in our discussions about mid-priced amps the guy I usually deal with was a trifle sniffy about the ubiquitous Onkyo 606 (I have my doubts, too I have to admit) and mentioned the Pioneer VSX-LX60 which he could let me have for around £640. It's only got 3 HDMIs in but seems to do more than the Onk. (ipod link is included, for example). 1080p upscaling, THX certification etc is all good. Oh, and it looks good too!! The question is - is it any good? Have any of the fine people at WHFSAV played with it? I am assuming that I would connect as follows, btw: BD via HDMI HD-DVD via HDMI DVD (multi-region & SACD) via HDMI & 5.1 phono V-Box by component and optical

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Casca. I purchased a pioneer vsx lx 60 two weeks ago, really happy with this unit.The auto MCACC setup works really well. Sounds good with both music and films and of course it supports HD-Master and Dolby true HD. There seems to be alot of concern with the onkyos getting hot. Up to you but i would favour the pioneer. Good luck. Paul.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Paul! Thanks for this. Really helpful to get feedback from a 'real' person!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh - I forgot to ask - what's the upscaling like? For me, I'm keen to bump up the res on the V-box to progressive. The 1080p on the HD sources is excellent, obviously.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Casca. The upscaling is excellent. I have a panasonic BD30 blu-ray player and find it difficult to tell the difference between some blu-ray discs and some normal dvds. It also performs well with my sky HDbox. By the way £640 for the LX60 is a bargain. I paid £799 for mine. Let me know what you decide to do. good luck. Paul.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been interested in looking into a Pioneer receiver to partner my Kuro. Apparently there will shortly be an announcement from Pioneer regarding their new receiver range, as well as news about blu-ray players/2008 plasmas. Clare Newstead had word of possibly the 23rd May. From news at CES the VSX-1018TXH-K sounds most appealing, having 3 HDMI, 1080p upscaling and full HD audio support. Perhaps the RRP of $599 (hopefully £400) could give you a cheaper but similarly capable alternative? Not sure about THX certification though.

 

[Andrew Everard]

They call her Clair, they call her Newstead, they die a horrible death.

Yes, the Pioneer launch is this Friday, and no doubt whoever's going will be indulging in both near-instantaneous news reporting and copious bloggage on the matter.

It won't be me, as I'm driving down to Cornwall on Friday for a family event over the weekend, returning on Monday.

Yes, Bank Holiday Monday. I must be mad...

 

[Anonymous]

The VSX-1018TXH-K looks VERY interesting. Of course we won't get the straight 50% exchange rate. It'll be Dollar for Pound minimum. Interesting on the radio side though. Sat radio in the US might mean DAB here........ Or probably not....
In any case my £640 deal still looks good....

 

[Anonymous]

Don't know where Newstead came from, I think all this AV equipment and it's lovely EM radiation is frying my slowly shrinking brain! Apologies Clare.