Upgrade from Onkyo to pioneer receiver.

[martynsh1984]

Hi all,

Had my onkyo TX-SR606 for a couple of years now and I have the upgrade itch once again.

My local specialist (peter tyson) is clearing off the older pioneer receivers (lx-72 & 82) for £1099 and £1349 respectively and i'm thinking of opting for one of these.

Has anyone made this move and how big a difference if any did it make. I will be using the system for films and TV primarily but occasionally music.

Also if i was to make this change, would it be worthwhile changing the speakers also? I'm happy with the surround speakers in the Bronze AV package as they are neat and tidy (keeps the missus happy) but the fronts, sub and center are upgradeable.

We sit about 3.5-4m from the TV.

I would like to stick with MA for the speakers as i really like the finishes and quality of the systems, plus they do seem to get good reviews most of the time. More a question of the differences with the amps and quality between the different levels of speakers.

Thanks in advance to any help, Martyn

 

[Sorreltiger]

You could have a Yamaha DSPZ7 for £1300. Many people would suggest it was a better match for the MA speakers than a Pioneer. The RX6 would be a possible upgrade if you can afford it!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

martynsh1984:
Hi all,

Had my onkyo TX-SR606 for a couple of years now and I have the upgrade itch once again.

My local specialist (peter tyson) is clearing off the older pioneer receivers (lx-72 & 82) for £1099 and £1349 respectively and i'm thinking of opting for one of these.

Has anyone made this move and how big a difference if any did it make. I will be using the system for films and TV primarily but occasionally music.

Also if i was to make this change, would it be worthwhile changing the speakers also? I'm happy with the surround speakers in the Bronze AV package as they are neat and tidy (keeps the missus happy) but the fronts, sub and center are upgradeable.

We sit about 3.5-4m from the TV.

I would like to stick with MA for the speakers as i really like the finishes and quality of the systems, plus they do seem to get good reviews most of the time. More a question of the differences with the amps and quality between the different levels of speakers.

Thanks in advance to any help, Martyn

Hi martynsh1984

As good as the LX72/LX82 reveivers are i personally would not recommend them with Monitor Audio speakers as the combonation frankly just sounds 'cold'.

If you are looking to change your Onkyo and are prepared to go up to £1.4k than Yamaha's DSP-Z7 is also worth serious consideration. The DSP-Z7 will not only be a massive improvement over the 606 it will also gel superbly with your speakers.

Yamaha AV amps + Monitor Audio speakers = great match (time after time)

Besides which the DSP-Z7 IMO is the finest VFM AV amplifier currently available on the market (even at its full RRP of £2k). DSP-Z7's are now generally available for £1.4-£1.5k making it a bargain.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Sorreltiger]

Something told me you'd say that, Rick!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Sorreltiger:Something told me you'd say that, Rick!

Hi Sorreltiger

I also had a feeling you would recommend the Yamaha AV receivers!

Yamaha inspires confidence

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[bigboss]

Totally agree with Rick & Sorreltiger here!

 

[The Lawnmower Man]

martynsh1984:
Hi all,

Had my onkyo TX-SR606 for a couple of years now and I have the upgrade itch once again.

My local specialist (peter tyson) is clearing off the older pioneer receivers (lx-72 & 82) for £1099 and £1349 respectively and i'm thinking of opting for one of these.

Has anyone made this move and how big a difference if any did it make. I will be using the system for films and TV primarily but occasionally music.

Also if i was to make this change, would it be worthwhile changing the speakers also? I'm happy with the surround speakers in the Bronze AV package as they are neat and tidy (keeps the missus happy) but the fronts, sub and center are upgradeable.

We sit about 3.5-4m from the TV.

I would like to stick with MA for the speakers as i really like the finishes and quality of the systems, plus they do seem to get good reviews most of the time. More a question of the differences with the amps and quality between the different levels of speakers.

Thanks in advance to any help, Martyn

Why not get some cream for the itch and save yourself a fortune

 

[martynsh1984]

Not the worst idea lawnmower.

Seems that the Yamaha gets the vote from quite few of you. Nowhere local to have a listen however but im sure if its that good ill make the trip.

One of the main reasons i was considering the pioneers was to match the blu ray. Not the biggest consideration i know but they do look good together and would cause less confusion for the other half.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

martynsh1984:
Not the worst idea lawnmower.

Seems that the Yamaha gets the vote from quite few of you. Nowhere local to have a listen however but im sure if its that good ill make the trip.

One of the main reasons i was considering the pioneers was to match the blu ray. Not the biggest consideration i know but they do look good together and would cause less confusion for the other half.

Hi martynsh1984

The DSP-Z7 is superb and an AV amp (should you go for it) which i believe you will enjoy for many years to come.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[martynsh1984]

just looking into it now rick. cheapest i can find is £1299. so slightly cheaper than the pioneer, plus it fits on my existing stand. only slight concern is the remote, it could quite possible be the ugliest remote iv ever seen.

anything else to consider at this price point?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

martynsh1984:
just looking into it now rick. cheapest i can find is £1299. so slightly cheaper than the pioneer, plus it fits on my existing stand. only slight concern is the remote, it could quite possible be the ugliest remote iv ever seen.

anything else to consider at this price point?

Hi martynsh1984

I've never really thought about the looks of the remote control. I think it looks fine. Anyway at the moment i can't think of another amp i would have at this price level.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

martynsh1984:
One of the main reasons i was considering the pioneers was to match the blu ray. Not the biggest consideration i know but they do look good together and would cause less confusion for the other half.

This is something i was also considering, i also have a Kuro plasma. I pulled the trigger on the Z7 and now considering upgrading from the PS3 blu-ray to Pioneer BDLX-52, and now also the Marantz BD5004.. Just wondering if matching brands usualy gives better synergy?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Prime Cuts:martynsh1984:
One of the main reasons i was considering the pioneers was to match the blu ray. Not the biggest consideration i know but they do look good together and would cause less confusion for the other half.

This is something i was also considering, i also have a Kuro plasma. I pulled the trigger on the Z7 and now considering upgrading from the PS3 blu-ray to Pioneer BDLX-52, and now also the Marantz BD5004.. Just wondering if matching brands usualy gives better synergy?

Hi Prime Cuts

Also consider Yamaha's BD-S1900 as it is an ideal match for the DSP-Z7 and also works a treat with Kuro televisions (which i use the BD-S1900 with).

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hi martynsh

The Pioneer AV amplifiers are excellent amplifiers, and many people have gone for the Pioneers to match their Bluray players and TV's. I certainly wouldn't describe it's sound as cold (especially with Bronze, which is the warmest sounding range MA do) - a little lean maybe yes, but this does give the Pioneer quite a detailed presentation, and the amplifier's X-Curve feature helps it to match in with most types of speaker packages, regardless of their tonal balance. Pioneer's in depth MCACC room EQ process also helps this too.

So try the Yamaha, and try the Pioneer, and see what you think.

 

[bigboss]

With regards to the remote, just get a Logitech Harmony available at cheaper prices on Amazon & play.com to operate all your AV equipment with a single remote.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

. I certainly wouldn't describe it's sound as cold - a little lean maybe yes, but this does give the Pioneer quite a detailed presentation, and the amplifier's X-Curve feature helps it to match in with most types of speaker packages, regardless of their tonal balance. Pioneer's in depth MCACC room EQ process also helps this too.

Right Frank! certinaly woudn,t describe it as cold either not even lean, personaly i find the pioneer specially the -LX82 to have an open and clean spacoius punchy sound that helps the amp. to dig out a huge amount of details from movie,s soundtrack -but realy isn,t that what,s true Home cinema all about...better still and as you have mentioned above , you have the X-Curve which will help you get the sound to your liking if you are the kind who like the sound more warm and soft or to make it match your speakers tonal.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Rick,

The BD-S1900 didn't score very well with the What Hi-Fi team at all. Would you recommend using a poorer scoring Yamaha Blu-Ray player with a Yamaha reciever over a 5 star player of a different brand?

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Hi martynsh

The Pioneer AV amplifiers are excellent amplifiers, and many people have gone for the Pioneers to match their Bluray players and TV's. I certainly wouldn't describe it's sound as cold (especially with Bronze, which is the warmest sounding range MA do) - a little lean maybe yes, but this does give the Pioneer quite a detailed presentation, and the amplifier's X-Curve feature helps it to match in with most types of speaker packages, regardless of their tonal balance. Pioneer's in depth MCACC room EQ process also helps this too.

So try the Yamaha, and try the Pioneer, and see what you think.

This is really making me second think getting the Z7 over the Lx82 now.

Pioneer Kuro LX509a, Receiver SC-LX82, Blu-Ray BDP-LX52, Speakers Monitor Audio RX6 AV12.

OR

Pioneer Kuro LX509a, Receiver Yamaha DSP-Z7, Blu-Ray BDP LX52, Speakers Monitor Audio RX6 AV12

Opinions on which would be the better system?

Sorry to hi-jack this thread.

 

[Anonymous]

Regardless to your speakers and taste/prefereneces in sound -The LX-82 it,s finest and best performer on the market at thise price point for now!

As i have mentined before , if you like a clean, open, punchy speciuos sound , than the LX82 is your best bet!

 

[martynsh1984]

Suppose the only way for me to find out is to have a listen.

The other question is do i upgrade the speakers to something more suitable?

Tysons are selling off the br5 and br6 models a little cheaper or do i go all the way up to the rx?

Would buying either of these amps be wasted slightly with the bronze speakers?

 

[bigboss]

marco_1:

Regardless to your speakers and taste/prefereneces in sound -The LX-82 it,s finest and best performer on the market at thise price point for now!

As i have mentined before , if you like a clean, open, punchy speciuos sound , than the LX82 is your best bet!

Certainly NOT regardless of speakers. Pioneer receivers tend to be bright sounding, so you should ideally match it with warm sounding speakers. I hated the Pioneer LX82 with Monitor Audio Radius HD speakers.

The Monitor Audio RX6 however, can even match with the Pioneer receivers.

You really should demo both the receivers & choose what you prefer. If you like a bit of treble in the sound, you will love the Pioneer. If you don't, you'll hate it.

 

[bigboss]

Prime Cuts:

Hey Rick,

The BD-S1900 didn't score very well with the What Hi-Fi team at all. Would you recommend using a poorer scoring Yamaha Blu-Ray player with a Yamaha reciever over a 5 star player of a different brand?

Mixing different brands don't really matter. The overall performance is due to the player alone, not by matching it with same-branded receiver. Go for the Yamaha if you want to match your AV equipment aesthetically.

 

[Sorreltiger]

As bigboss said previously, if you're spending that kind of money on your system a Harmony One remote (available for about £90) is a no brainer IMHO. It will let you to match the best individual components from different manufacturers and allow the whole family to operate them with ease.

 

[Anonymous]

MUSICRAFT:martynsh1984:
Hi all,

Had my onkyo TX-SR606 for a couple of years now and I have the upgrade itch once again.

My local specialist (peter tyson) is clearing off the older pioneer receivers (lx-72 & 82) for £1099 and £1349 respectively and i'm thinking of opting for one of these.

Has anyone made this move and how big a difference if any did it make. I will be using the system for films and TV primarily but occasionally music.

Also if i was to make this change, would it be worthwhile changing the speakers also? I'm happy with the surround speakers in the Bronze AV package as they are neat and tidy (keeps the missus happy) but the fronts, sub and center are upgradeable.

We sit about 3.5-4m from the TV.

I would like to stick with MA for the speakers as i really like the finishes and quality of the systems, plus they do seem to get good reviews most of the time. More a question of the differences with the amps and quality between the different levels of speakers.

Thanks in advance to any help, Martyn

Besides which the DSP-Z7 IMO is the finest VFM AV amplifier currently available on the market (even at its full RRP of £2k). DSP-Z7's are now generally available for £1.4-£1.5k making it a bargain.

I think you should add this to your bio. Seems to be there everytime. Saves you having to write it again and again and again.....

 

[Anonymous]

bigboss:marco_1:

Regardless to your speakers and taste/prefereneces in sound -The LX-82 it,s finest and best performer on the market at thise price point for now!

As i have mentined before , if you like a clean, open, punchy speciuos sound , than the LX82 is your best bet!

Certainly NOT regardless of speakers. Pioneer receivers tend to be bright sounding, so you should ideally match it with warm sounding speakers. I hated the Pioneer LX82 with Monitor Audio Radius HD speakers.

The Monitor Audio RX6 however, can even match with the Pioneer receivers.

You really should demo both the receivers & choose what you prefer. If you like a bit of treble in the sound, you will love the Pioneer. If you don't, you'll hate it.

It,s realy a matter of your taste and preferences in sound, and what u might describe as Bright , another one might call it neutral, detailed, exiting elc. but by nature the Pioneer LX82 has a clean refine sound with a very good balance that it suit a very wide variety of speakers brand.

Again for those who like a laid back sound which many describe as Warm , Pioneer has a feature called X-Curv that will make a roll off on the High Freq.