Clean, precise raw power. Good looking, clean unit.

Haven't noticed any!

(purchase price is Hong Kong Dollars. Conversion is 7.8HKD = 1USD) Previous system was a Sony all in one, so I'm not exactly experienced in purchasing nice audio gear. However, I do consider myself as being one with a keen attention to detail. My model number is the VSX-D2011 as I purchased in Hong Kong, and this is the model number anywhere outside the USA as far as I can tell. I also compared to the Denon 3803, and I must say that my decision was heavily influenced by the ability to bi-amp the front two speakers (if only running in 5.1 "mode"). The result is impressive. The bi-amped fronts are B&W DM604 S3's. Man do they pump! I didn't even know about bi-amping and bi-wiring until I researched this purchase, but from what I had read on the www and in magazines, I quickly realised that this was the way to go. Very impressive. The 604's punch out plenty of bass, and the Pioneer has the horsepower and clarity to do them justice. For HT - the only trouble I've had is getting the D2011 (45TX) to regulate the sub at lower listening levels. It's not a THX sub, and I'e since worked out that by simply limiting the output level of the sub (on the sub's back panel), my problem is solved. I initially tried to achieve this by setting the "bass peak level" but this only limited the max power sent to the sub, and at lower volumes was still sending too much power. MCACC works a treat, and as one magazine review suggested, it set the levels for the rear surrounds a little on the high side. This, of course, was easily remidied. I have replaced about six remotes with the one Pioneer, and as suggested in a previous review, minimal use of the "learning" feature was required. Very happy with this product. Pioneer VSX-D2011 (US... ELITE VSX-45TX) Pioneer DVD-655A Sony Grand Wega 50" rear projection B&W DM604 S3 (bi-amped) B&W DM600 S3 rears B&W LCR600 S3 centre B&W ASW675 10"sub whoa! Hope this helps

Sound, looks, price, VALUE! And of course the MCACC auto-calibration function!

VERY HEAVY!

After months of reading reviews and posts I finally decided to replace my old Pioneer 810S. I was torn between the Denon 3803 and the Pioneer Elite 43TX. Well, I went with neither of those receivers and bit the bullet with the Pioneer Elite 45TX. And I have no regrets! The sound is amazingly clean and has enough power for my living room/home theater. And, this was the selling point for me, it's got the MCACC auto calibration feature!! This feature is amazing, it can do the calibration, that would normally take me hours, in 5 or 6 mins. And a perfectly calibrated sound makes movies more of a blast! This is a great value receiver that outperforms receivers that costs more. I highly reccomend it to anyone looking for a hometheater reciever. My HT stuff: Pioneer Elite 45TX Hitachi 51SWX20B HDTV Panasonic RP-56 DVD player JBL speaker set (center and surround) Bose front speaker set Paradigm 10" subwoofer

Similar Products Used:

Used: Pioneer 810s Tested: Pioneer Elite 43TX, Denon 3803

Superior build quality, MCACC is a great plus, Decodes everything, 7 channels of power, Remote is backlit.

Hard to see display from 12 ft away, or maybe I'm going blind.

After much review and thought I decided on the VSX 45tx, the Denon 3803 was going to be my choice, but after hearing them side by side (several times) and doing blind tests, I always went back to the Pioneer, It Just sounded cleaner and had a better soundstage. After selling off some pretty expensive separates a few years ago. (original Krell HTS), I'm back into Home theater, and I must say that the technology that out there today would have cost mega bucks only 3-4 years ago. The VSX 45tx is a perfect example. It sounds great, has all the features you will ever want or need for that matter. The MCACC is a great tool to set up your whole system in about 6 minutes and it really works, I know that there are some geeks out in the world who will knock this calibration and say that is not totally accurate, hey in the real world where the majority of the population spends only $200 on a Circiut city HT receiver, the MCACC is a breakthough. The Motorola DSP chips in the 45tx sounds great, it decodes all formatts, Multi input for SACD, Component switching, And a beautiful front face, much nicer than the DENON. The only thing that the Denon had was the upconversion to Component, but at the price of Denon, I doubt very much if it will pass a HDTV or progessive signal without loosing some sharpness (hey it's not a Lexicon or Krell). All in all if you are out there debating over the 45TX or 3803, let your ears be the judge, I happened to like pioneer, it sounded and looked that small percentage better, that made me make the plunge. I am also using the Pioneer DVD 47a, which has superior Burr-brown DAC's for listening to CD's, And after A-B ing the Analog input into the 45tx and switching to the digital input on the same song, guess what, no difference they both sound awesome!!! Goodluck. I found mine on E-bay, brand new factory sealed for $800 (including shipping). System Pioneer Elite 45tx Pioneer elite 47a DVD Sony 555es SACD Player Piioneer Elite HDTV pro B&W Nautilus 805's B&W Naut. HTM 1 center 4 B&W thx Surrounds. B&W 3500 SUB For Hometheater, Not much better, You would be suprised, The more money you spend does not yield better sound. (unless you get into top of line Proceed, krell, etc...)Good-luck

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3803, Yamaha (no good) Rotel

look, sound, MCACC

I have bought model VSX 2011 - I believe based on features, parameters this is something comparable to 43/45 according to the american numbering scheme

MCACC, remote, styling

As with any high end receiver, it's gargantuan and heavy

I am stepping up to the 45tx after years of using Sony products. Although I've always enjoyed my Sony receivers (non-ES), and after long hours spent reading forums and reviews, I decided that the Pioneer 45tx was the way to go and I couldn't be happier with that decision. As the previous reviewer indicated, to get this receiver for under $1000 you'll have to buy from an "unauthorized" retailer, but even if you buy a third party warranty, you'll still save big bucks. I decided to go with www.acousticsounddesign.com based on their price and apparent customer satisfaction record. Once again, couldn't be happier...quick response and great merchandise. The receiver is very advanced, but the MCACC is one of the coolest and most useful features imaginable for setting everything up. Within 15 minutes I was experiencing far superior sound to anything I'd ever heard on my Sony's. I was also impressed with the remote. Although not the end-all-be-all of remotes, I was able to quickly setup control of all my components and can utilize about 85% of their functionality without even using the "learning" feature. Great Item! Current Setup: Pioneer 45tx Hitachi 57SWX20b TV Sony HD200 Sat Receiver Panasonic RP82 DVD PS2, Gamecube JBL Studio speakers

Similar Products Used:

Compared Denon 3803, Sony DAE4S, and HK 525

Outstanding DSP all the way around. This unit is comparible with some very nice pre/pro seperates. User friendly...and I mean wife friendly! very functional remote and elementary to program. Gorgeous, after all, it is in the front of the viewing room. Contrary to some of the posts I've read, I think the amplification is outstanding.

From that which I have heard, possibly the amplification section. I have not noticed this as I drive my 5.1 system to the limits. Judging by extension of my drivers and the volume level, I don't think my speakers could handle much more.

I see the low price listed here. I couldn't find that from ANY authorized dealer. I believe myself to be one of the first to buy this unit (9/7/02). I have read and posted several forums at avsforum.com. This is generally considered a very good unit. There is no mistaking the quality of this unit in any manner. It is very much deserved of its ELITE status. I was very determined in my search for a replacement unit for my aging str-da50es. I had learned from the sony(considered by some to be an outstanding unit) what I did not like in a receiver. This receiver is designed for ease-of-use. I have tried several methods for controlling my home theater, and this unit and supplied remote is the best I have ever had. It is much simpler than the several other units I auditioned. (I had a pronto2000 that I used to control a lot of things. I sold it after owning this receiver for a month). There is some tight competition in this market. I wanted the best receiver for my need, so I started picking them up, two at a time, and taking back whichever I didn't like. I'll keep it to the short list of the receivers I liked best: HK 520, Denon 3802, Marantz 8200. I finally decided on the Pioneer because it was easy to use, had outstanding processing, could be upgraded to a limitless quality of amplification and still be a very respectable pre/pro. I figured it was superior to the others by a small margin. It's built in calibration system(MCACC) is an outstanding feature. It could save the inexperienced consumer hours of installation and setup time. I used it and tweeked the setting to my preferences and saved myself some time. I think this receiver would have to be on anyone's short list. If pure sound was the only consideration, I might have went with the HK 520(525). However, I can add an external amp later in life if I choose, and I was very satisfied with this receivers sound compared to all the units I auditioned. HT as follows: Toshiba 61a61 ELITE vsx-45tx Pioneer DV-525 DishNet pvr 508 Hitachi 6head HiFi Paradigm Monitor7 L/R Paradigm LCR 350 Paradigm MiniMonitors

Similar Products Used:

Denon3802; HK 325, 520; Yamaha R??2200?; Sony ES 50es & 4es; Marantz 7200,8200; Integra 7.2