8 out of 10 - Excellent At par with the 3808.. for the most part
In the past few weeks, I've owned both the Denon 3808ci and the Pioneer VSX-94TXH. Seeing as they have ...
In the past few weeks, I've owned both the Denon 3808ci and the Pioneer VSX-94TXH. Seeing as they have the same MSRP, I feel it's a reasonable comparison. Each model has their pros & cons... depending on the user application, one may be a better choice than the other.
The Pioneer out of the box is a monster. Over 40lbs with a beautiful piano black luster. The initial disappointment was that it didn't include a 2nd Zone remote, but that was quickly remedied by the inclusion of an iPod cable (something you pay extra for with the Denon). This cable directly connects your MP3 player to the unit... no extra purchase required. The presentation on the front is attractive. Though it lacks a few faceplate buttons as compared to the 3808, I feel what is included is sufficient. In the back, the connectivity is similar to the Denon, but with a better layout. Speaker terminals are separate from the AV terminals, and everything is easy to navigate. I was however disheartened by the fact that the power cable was built-in. (I typically use an upgraded power cable) The on-screen menu is its biggest shortfall. Blocky and basic menu navigation is not nearly as enticing as the Denon. However, it took sufficiently less time to setup. The Pioneer also allows you to customize your input names. Convenient if you can't ever remember what's plugged into what. The included setup mic and menu worked just fine. With the Denon, volume control was displayed on-screen. Not the case with the Pioneer. However, the volume is easier to read on the Pioneer's display, which makes it (for me) a non-issue. So far, no HDMI handshaking issues. I had a few quirks with the Denon... enough for me to switch out. And at 4 HDMI inputs, there is enough connectivity for even the biggest Home Theater lovers. Internet radio is much easier to navigate on the '94. Simply select the InternetRadio input and choose your station from the on-screen display. A must-have feature from now on. Sure, the Pioneer's remote isn't as flashy as the Denon's. But I feel it's still superior as far as ease of use is concerned.
Bottom line, there's nothing I feel I'm missing now that I've switched to the Pioneer. For the price, it's the superior product. And I always get a fuzzy feeling when I can say I own the "top of the line" product from any manufacturer. The Denon does have some advantages, but in this case... Less is More.
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by dane_peterson (see profile) -
December 1, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular It has it all
I got this one on line to rplace my 2003 Pioneer Elite VSX 53. I was very happy with the ...
I got this one on line to rplace my 2003 Pioneer Elite VSX 53. I was very happy with the 53 but then I sold it and got this one and I was surpriced with all the features and the amazing sound. The HDMI imputs deliver perfect picture and sound FX. It is very versatile and has tons of different imputs to hook up lots of equipment. The ethernet and internet capabilities are amazing. If you are looking for a top of the line product at a very afordable price this is the one for you. There is no way to get all of its features in other brands for less than 2K. it is just amazing. The only thing I did not like and I think my olders receiver had better, was the front lid. For a receiver like this I think Pioneer should keep the same quality materials (decorative) from the older models. Internally everything is just as fine as the older brothers.
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by Gus1030 (see profile) -
December 19, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Phenomenal !!!!
I've been researching A/V receivers for a little over a year now and have come to the conclusion ...
I've been researching A/V receivers for a little over a year now and have come to the conclusion that the VSX-94TXH is by far the best bang-for-the-buck. You will not be disapointed if you make the investment. I bought mine from "IBUYDIGITAL" on line. Excellent price and follow-up. 7-10 day standard ground shipping (free) actually arrived in 3 days.
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by Philspub (see profile) -
February 26, 2008
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Outstanding Receiver
I just purchased this unit and it is absolutely amazing for sound and the channel distribution for wattage and current ...
I just purchased this unit and it is absolutely amazing for sound and the channel distribution for wattage and current is phenomenal, esp. for movies like T2 and The Bourne trilogy and other action flicks, even Pan's Labyrinth on Blu Ray is incredible! The user interface and remote is a bit complicated though. A lot of buttons and a lot of different options to pick. I really do think Pioneer is an outstanding audio/visual company. Once again, very very nice!
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by jlocice (see profile) -
June 3, 2008
5 out of 10 - Average Apple-based Interface Limitations
I just spoke to a Pioneer tech-rep who said, officially, they will not guarantee its interoperability with Apple computers. If ...
I just spoke to a Pioneer tech-rep who said, officially, they will not guarantee its interoperability with Apple computers. If you're a graphic artist or photographer, don't plan on using an Apple-based Photoshop program without taking your chances. Also, from what I've read, don't plan on a flawless connection to PC-based systems either. I've seen reviews that claim the most recent receivers are based on Vista, and that Windows XP is having problems with these receivers, as well as with Pioneer's BluRay players. For what it's worth, I have had trouble verifying these last two points. I do not own a 94TXH. I'm comparison shopping, and It hasn't helped that no AV technician I've spoken to has fooled around with these software hook-ups. Neither has it helped that the Pioneer tec-rep I spoke to was being a little evasive. It has made getting answers problematic.
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by ichibo780 (see profile) -
February 5, 2008
Bi-Amplifying,
Sirius satellite radio ready,
HD radio ready,
Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration Circuit (MCACC),
Midnight Mode,
Digital noise reduction,
XM satellite radio ready,
Multi-jog operation,
Dual-zone capability,
WMA compatible,
Bi-Wiring,
IPod ready,
On-screen display,
USB host function
Connections / Cables / Slots
HD connectors
HDMI connection(s) on this receiver make it a great choice for your High-Def home theater. One cable carries digital audio and video data directly to your display.
Connectors
Headphone Jack
Yes
Coaxial Digital Input
Yes
Coaxial Digital Output
2
Optical Digital Input
Yes
Optical Digital Output
Yes
Equalizer
Equalizer type
Digital
Equalizer band qty
9 bands
Radio
Type
Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
Digital Tuner Band
XM
Tuner Frequency Range
FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz,
AM: 530 - 1700 kHz
Tuning Display
Fluorescent display
Antenna Form Factor
Loop AM / wire FM
Response Bandwidth
30 - 15000 Hz
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
70 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion
Stereo: 0.5%
Additional Features
XM HD Surround Sound,
Sirius satellite radio ready
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