It was pretty tough for me to make a purchase decision between the Pioneer VSX-27TX and VSX-29TX since I was looking for the optimum result for my investment. I knew both of them have the identical features and power except for the Copper Shielded Chassis, Rosewood Side Panels, gold plated in&out puts and a LCD remote exclusively for the 29TX. However, the price gap was pretty big between the two models for my financial situation. Well, I was curious about the LCD remote and its copper shielded construction on the 29TX so I bought that after the struggle. After I received the unit, I found out that I made the right decision. Actually the receiver was excellent as I expected. I loved the crisp clearness of the midnight mode and all DSP modes. And also, since the Video's signal-to-noise ratio was 65dB, all S-video connections from my LD, S-video, Playstation etc. were very clear on my TV. Usually, the picture quality gets little bit worse if they were connected via a receiver with Video's signal-to-noise ratio of 55dB. I know the 27TX is the same great receiver as the 29TX but what made the 29TX receiver really different was the LCD remote. I love it period. I love the feature from the LCD menu since its user interface was pretty easy to learn & use without the instruction. Well actually, it was my first time using a LCD remote and that could be another reason for my satisfaction. I really did not put much attention on the rosewood panel but once I put on my rack it was not bad. Other factors like the 96K/24-bit of Digital-to-Analog converters, Dolby Digital and dts with THX ultra certified also make both 27TX & 29TX exceptional receivers.

The flagship of the Pioneer Elite line looks classy with its Urushi finish and glossy rosewood side panels; it is also solidly built.
It sounds clean and powerful in the stereo and surround modes and
once properly set up, with good auxiliary components and cabling,
will get you to audio heaven, or at least close to it.
At the dealership, I listened to DVDs and CDs only, as they were not
set up to demonstrate LP playback equipment.
On the basis of these auditions alone, I purchased the unit.
I expected a decent phono preamp stage, but to my pleasant surprise,
this baby exceeds my wildest expectations!
The floor noise level is extremely low and good or better LPs have a
tube-like liquidity and silky transparency which becomes addictive.
The modestly priced AR Turntable EB-101 with its original Tonearm and
Grado Prestige Red Cartridge has again become the focal point for
music reproduction and proves that analog is still alive and doing well!
The remote control LCD display is a joy to use, but use it sparingly to
prolong the life of the batteries; I basically use it for setup functions,
using the controls on the Receiver for the operating functions.
My only complaints are the closely spaced banana and RCA jacks and
the chintzy spring clip receptacles for the supplied AM and FM antennas.
It appears the built in FM Tuner is quite good, but I am sticking with the
trusty Magnum Dynalab FT-101A, connected to its ST-2 antenna.
This is connected to the CD input on the Receiver, as the CDs are played
on the Elite DV-09 DVD Player.
If you find the VSX-29TX beyond your budget, check out the VSX-27TX,
which is minus the gold-plated jacks, copper plate shielding, rosewood
side panels and LCD remote control.
To sum it up, this is a highly desirable piece of audio/video gear.

This is one of the most beautiful components I have ever owned. It produces so much clean power and signal to my speakers, I am truly in awe everytime I listen to a Cd or watch a DVD. The remote control is a blast to have!!! It completes the "coolness" factor of having a THX certifed piece of equipment.
The soundfield it produces is unmatched by any other component in the price range. One may argue that the DSP features of the Yahama-DSPA1 outperform the 29TX, and it may in the 2-channel cd recording department, but let's face it. If you're buying this A/V receiver, you're probably buying (hopefully buying) this unit for the DD and DTS features. It produces clean dialogue with great clean, tight bass. The best feature is the delay settings are done for you by simply selecting how far the listner is from each speaker on the remote. I have tested many 5.1 recordings and my home theater blows away some "real" movie theaters.
I love this unit, and you will too!!!!

system:
Pioneer VSX-29TX - A/V receiver
Pioneer DV-09 - DVD player
B&W Matrix 804's - front speakers
B&W CDM: CSE - center speaker
B&W 610i - rear speakers
Velodyne F-1000 and HGS12 - subwoofers

look, build, ease of use

none that I know of

I've have the opportunity to audition this wonderful
receiver at a local dealer, and frankly this unit blows me
away. The set up they have is 29-tx, dv-09, TZ700 set of
speakers. The prices were given at the local dealer was
rather stiff (more than $6,500 just for the 29tx and the 5
speakers alone). I would like to find out if there are
any place on the net where I can get this a little cheaper,
like around $5k for the 29tx and the speakers. Are there better HT speakers for the 29tx than the TZ700? Please send
the website info., tel.number and the contact name to me
at tonytran@sun.com Is there any horror story for buying
this rather expensive unit from the net?

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5700

flexibility, power, appearance, *remote*

none however it does generate a lot of heat

I listened on several occaisions to the top of the line Denon, Sony and Pioneer before choosing the 29-tx. The fact is all produced clean sound, but asthetically and functionally, the Pioneer blows the others away. The remote is key....it's simply awesome. It's the first remote that truly has allowed me to toss the 7 component specific ones. One huge plus is the capability of setting up your surround sound from speaker size right up to the distance each speaker sits from the listener (with the remote)....Pioneer takes it from there and sets the signals up perfectly. Another thing that Pioneer has been doing for a long time is providing every conceivable input/output. They did it again. The damn thing has 5 digital/optical inputs. The optical input is key from your DVD...the sound is incredible. I could write forever about this receiver... I now realize it's possible to love an inanimate object. One word of caution, if your cabinet isn't vented then you will need/want to put a fan on the unit. I know it can supposedly handle it, but you could fry an egg on the damn thing during "The Matrix".
Paul in Corvallis, Oregon

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Denon 3300...but hardly similar

powerful,elegant

i still can't find any

i researched this purchase for 2 mos.i am so happy with this receiver i hope they never upgrade to a new format.
the amps are so sweet sounding for critical listening.but when watching some action movie on dvd,who will be blown away by the power.i finnaly know what it means when i read a reveiw and they say they got drawn into the movie.in fact,the sound was so impressive,i forgot to pay attention to the plot...no really...i found myself so mesmarized by the sounds that i was not wathing the movie.this has never happened to me before.set up is easy and no non-sense.the remote is wonderful.it learns any and everything you ask it to.pioneer....i love you....my whole system sounds better now!!!!

ps discounts are hard to find,but they are out there.i paid $1600 and would pay full price now that i have it.

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sony,yamaha

Haven't found many

This product is garbage. It has been in the shop twice this year. I would sell it but it wouldn't be fair to pawn this crap off on anyone else

I am totally disgusted at Pioneer for putting this unit on the market and taking good money under the pretense that it's a "high end" unit. My repair man knows me by name!

price,looks and sound when working-also remote

reliability

loved it to death untilthe dsp took a dump.was repaired quickly and didnt think much of it until it broke again.this time it wiil not shut off w/o using remote.the service center states that they do not know what is wrong w/it.it is now going on 2 weeks-bummer.i use this receiver everyday-everything runs through it.i was a happy customer but now cannot recommend this to anyone because of the reliabilty issue.this was my only impulse buy in my entire system and now i regret it.should have went with the b&k or seperates.

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old pro-logic kenwood

Processing, remote, looks

Unit's sound shutting down

I bought this product in June from a good friend. I could not pass up the price as it was brand new and in the box. Recently, after listening to music at a high sound level, the sound portion of the Pioneer shut down. I checked all connections and let the unit cool down for about 18 hours. Next day, the unit worked fine. Then again, it shut down. I know there is a problem but the unit is working fine now. Of course, I don't have a reciept, but I am getting a faxed reciept this week. Does this product definately need service? I'd rather not take it in but I also hate the insecurities I feel everytime I turn on my television. Please right back or email. Thanks in advance.

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Yamaha, Denon and Pioneer

Good Looks

Extremelly difficult to set up with remote controll LCD hard to see.

Wrong choice. For half the price ( I paid $1,600 out the door) the Onkyo 777 would have been a better choice. Sound quality about the same. Convenience the Onkyo is better, direct access to any input and easy set up. I have had this receiver over 3 months and I'm still unable to get it right and the manual does not help, bad english and not enough detail. For a unit at this price range I expected more. Soon I may decide to sell it.

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Onkyo dx-ts777