Excellent build quality, sound staging and separation. Learning remote, THX (Select), good looks. Everything.

None

I moved to the Pioneer Elite after a bad experience with Harman Kardon and am glad to say I will never look back. This unit is amazing.
The 24TX is a 2000 model so it may be hard to find nowadays. I was considering 2001 models, the 33TX and 35TX but, settled on this one for a few reasons. The 33TX (5.1)and 35TX (7.1) both had some new features for 2001 but the build and quality of components are not up to the standards of the older 24TX. The 24TX is Japanese built while the 33 and 35 are not. The 33 and 35 have cheaper D/A converters where the 24TX has Burr-Browns. The 35TX requires a second amp for the 2 surround back channels, and I didn't want the added expense. The 36TX is a carry over from last year, but with the 2001 line-up, you must go up to the 36TX to get Burr-Brown DAC's. Pioneer has decided to skimp on the new models to bring the Elite entry units to an attractive price point, but the new low end Elite's are really high end regular Pioneer's. Anyhow, the quality of components over a few bells and whistles was the deciding factor.
After setting it up I was amazed at the difference over my last receiver. Listenning to CD's, the soundstage in stereo was enveloping. I had to keep checking to make sure I was in stereo mode just to make sure. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I had new speakers. I really didn't know until now what I was missing. DD and DTS decoding is flawless, and THX mode is a real plus. Power is excellent at 90W per channel for my room size. The unit is clean, no noise or hiss whatsoever. The digital noise reduction feature is great as well.
All the inputs I need are there, plus a phono input. I can finally dust off my turntable and old LP's. Setup was staright forward, and although only my DVD and VCR worked with pre-programed remote codes, the learning remote quickly took care of my other components. Finally I can use one remote for everything. My coffee table never looked better.
I cannot say enough about the quality of this unit. I was glad I was able to get my hands on this unit before they were all gone. So many manufacturers are shifting their production to Tiawan, Indonesia, Malaysia etc... (Denon, Onkyo, Sony ...) for their low end models that quality like this in a entry level, high end component is hard to find.

I foolishly moved away from Pioneer in a brief moment if insanity, and am so glad I came back.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Pioneer VSX-498, Harman Kardon AVR210

This is a Fantastic sounding reciever. It sounds very smooth with crystal clear detail. Setting it up is breeze. It is THX Select certified. You lose 10-30w of power, multiroom cababilities and a rf modulator compared to Pioneer Elite's higher priced units, but at less than $700 I don't think there is a better reciever on the market for the money. The remote is even great. I was able program it to control all the rest of my gear. The backlighting turns off fairly quickly, but once you become familiar with it, it's not a problem. Another quirk of the reciever is that the sub output cuts off if you select a music dsp soundfield with your front speakers selected to large. It works fine while watching movies though. You just have to change the setting of you front speakers from large to small and the sub turns back on for listening to music. The sound and the ease of use of this reciever far outshines any of it's minor problems. I give it a solid 5 stars.

I own that receiver for 2 weeks now. It replaces a Marantz D-Digital processor for the only reason that I do not have to play around with a video switcher, processor, 3 machines to turn on, etc... anymore. I use it as a audio/video processor only, hooked up to a B&K AV 5000 multi-channels amplifier, so I never tested the audio section of the receiver,(it will eventually supply another set of 5 speakers one day) but the preamp section is excellent up to now. Not too many sound field, THX certified, easy set-up, on-screen display, more than enough audio/video connections and also the capability to reassign the digital inputs to most of the reçeiver audio/video inputs. Pretty rare for a 750 $ receiver. The only regret is that the sub doesn't work if your front speakers are set to large, you have then to use the "plus" mode for the sub (there is 3 modes for the sub : "NO", "YES" and "PLUS") and it seems to be outputting too much signal in the sub. It forces you to set your front speakers to "small" to have the sub working at normal level. May be there is another solution. Otherwise, if you want to get THX, DTS and D-DIGITAL and DO NOT want to spend 2000 $ and over in a high-end receiver (but certainely not much better sounding than this one), it is impossible to go wrong with this machine (its looks and feel will also make your friends jaleous !!!)

I am an owner of an older Pioneer System VSX reciever. Until recently it met my needs. That is until I heard a friend's VSX-24tx. The sound from that unit was terrific, every mode blew my older system away. Where my old system hummed at lower volume levels this unti was absolutly quite(when need to be). With a quick adjustment of the speaker balances a well distributed Home theatre experience was to be had. I have compared this to several Non-pioneer models at various AV stores locally and this unit definitely is at the top of my list of favorites. I liked it so much that I ordered a VSX-26tx for my own system. (can't be outdone by a friend) :)

I've owned this receiver for about a week now and all I can say is - WOW!! Not only does this unit look great it sounds spectacular. It's extremely easy to setup and use. Its DSP soundfields are not overly enhanced and are very natural sounding. The remote is also very easy to use. I've never been a big fan of THX but I must admit that the THX processing has come in handy on some titles that are overly bright. On other titles, however, THX processing makes the soundtrack sound dull and lifeless. It's still nice to have THX whether you use it or not. As for the sound, it's full and detailed. It's not easy to do both of these characteristics. By full I mean the soundstage is wide and deep with a very enveloping sound. Detailed meaning you can hear all the subtle sounds in a soundtrack very clearly with no background noise. The Mosfet amps remind me of tube amps. They are warm and engrossing primarily with music without blurring the details. This receiver is powerful with plenty of reserve power. Do not be swayed by the 90w per channel ratings.
I have nothing but praise for the sound and ease of use for this receiver. Yes, there are a few quirks or things I would like to change but nothing that makes me regret my purchase. For example, the backlit remote does not light long enough and I wish there was a "Direct" button on the remote to bypass tone and DSP circuitry. It would also be nice to be able to control the flourescent display brightness from the remote. These are minor quibbles.
If you are contemplating buying one of these receivers do yourself a favor and quit searching thru literature and the web and just buy one of these. I promise you will not be disappointed.

I took a big risk and purchased the Pioneer Elite 24TX before they were even available to see in the retail stores. I did this mostly based upon the features and stats that I thought looked much better than the competition at the fantastic $620 price (shipping included) I got from Uncles Stereo. I have had some time to play with it now and let me tell you, I couldn't be happier! The unit is beautifully made. The remote control is far superior to that of Sony, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, you name it. The cabinet is enameled in glossy black and all the controls are fairly positive feeling. The unit was a breeze to setup, the manual much better than most. I have running the fabulously famous Definitive Technology ProCinema 5.1 speaker system. Wow!!! The bass this thing puts out is incredible. I have a large house and the entire thing shakes. I have had to go around trying to find a way to permanently keep all my pictures from swinging to one side. The system sounds excellent in both stereo music and THX home theater, a minor miracle these days! The on-screen display is pretty nice and definitely worth having. The remote is lit as well, however I wish it would stay lit a lot longer between button pushes. The unit does have a few quirks. I hate the counter-instinctual faux-intellectual volume decibel read-out that so most receivers now use. Also of poor ergonomics, the mute function can only be turned off by pressing "mute", not the volume buttons. Overall, this unit is an extraordinary piece of equipment. I thought the 24TX represented the sweet-point in the Elite line. It is far superior in quality and features to the VSX-21. Moreover, it's 95% or more machine of its much more expensive brothers, the 26TX, 27TX, and 29TX. One thing's for sure, nothing on market touches these new Pioneer Elite's for the money. I tried them all and nothing stood close. I could go on and on for days about this great unit. But in the end, you're going to have to take a leap of faith and try it out for yourself. Get yourself a good DVD and a handful of your favorite CD's (Gotta be RUSH for me). You will be a true believer also!!!

I have owned my VSX-24 for two months now and I love it. The sound of Dolby Digital amazing when compared to Pro-Logic. I selected this receiver much like some other people did, based on features. Two of the most important features for me were DTS decoding and "B" speaker settings (for the backyard) though it doesn't have a level balance which makes it a little unbalanced when my wife and I are in the jacuzzi. Other highlights include: pre-ins and pre-outs, THX, the same digital processing chips that the higher end Elite models have, and a learning remote with a fairly well laid out design (why is the stop button green and the play button red?). I thought about going for the VSX-26x instead, but the only other things that it offered were +10-watts of power, THX-Ultra -probably from the 10 extra watts, and multi-source capability.
I also decided to revamp my entire hometheater and stereo. I tossed out my first generation tohsiba DVD player and Rotel CD player and replaced it with the Pioneer Elite DV-05 for both audio and video. I have the Front L&R pre-outs on the VSX-24 going into a Perreaux pre-amp that passes the signal to a Krell Amp to drive the main speakers. This sounds odd, but I needed the power for my electrostatic front mains, also this way I can keep the record player, and DV-05 CD player out of the loop for music only. To make it spouse friendly, I also installed a Rotel powerline conditioner that would switch on the external amp and preamp. I got everything up to Dolby Reference level by using an SPL meter and the VSX-24's internal test tones, the pre-amp voluem was set to "5" for matching volume and fine-tuned with the Speaker setup on the VSX-24.

I know my entire setup sounds wierd, but the sound for movies is wonderful. I don't know how negatively the extra preamp in the signal path effects things, I used moderately high quality Audioquest interconnects, I ran out of steam to find out if the Direct mode on the Pioneer was as good as using my Perreaux pre-amp. The Krell amp really adds lower midrange to the sound. The entire system is kind of a mix and match: Speakers are: Radioshack Center and Rear-Surrounds with Linaem Tweeters, Acoustat Left and Right Main, and Sunfire Subwoofer. I've just ordered Dragonheart in DTS and can't wait until it gets here!

I bought this receiver last week. For the money you can't beat it. Have played several dvd's and cd's and it sounded great. The only complaint is that Pioneer seems to follow the Sony school of function. The controls and its operation takes some getting used to. You have to be Einstein to figure out how to setup some functions. Once you do it functions great. Some other brands I have seen offer much simpler ergonomics and setup but I will forgo some of that for good performance.

To Fred (the other one): I find it hard to believe that you are really an audiophile, otherwise you would thoroughly investigated the 24TX before ordering and would not have ordered from an apparently less than competent dealer.
To Scott: sorry you didn't find CD play to be good. I assume that you tried both analog and digital input? Again a reason to order from competent, reputable dealers, as I'm sure your problem could have been resolved. The 24TX has first-rate DACs, you can't buy much better. It sounds superb to me.

Overall, I liked the 24TX better than all of the other receivers I considered: Sony 33ES, HK 65, Denon 3300, and Yamaha 995, any of which I believe that U would be happy with.

I ordered 10 of these units in my store (C????? C???) You know the name? Well 5 out of the 10 worked. A 50% percent rating is NOT to good!
side note- Sent back the 5 and 2 died after three weeks!!!

If you get one that works it sounds great, hope I mean pray it doesnt die!