THX Ultra Certification and THX extra functions, good remote, powerful, good bass management, component video switching, Dolby Surround EX, 5- and 7-channel stereo, multi-room/multi-source, 5 digital inputs (2 coax, 3 optical), 96 kHz 24-bit D/A converters onboard, good owner's manual, good on-screen menus

wouldn't mind some visual feedback on the on-screen display when volume is changed

Since I used audioreview.com extensively during my research, I felt like I should give something back in the form of this review.

After using this receiver for awhile, auditioning Dolby Digital DVDs such as The Matrix, Any Given Sunday, etc., as well as CDs and cable TV sources, I am very happy with it and would recommend it.

I would describe the sound as very smooth, open, and clean, without any undue harshness in the upper ranges as seems to be the case with some receivers and amps.

I set it up as follows:
Fronts: Boston HD10
Surround R and L: smaller 2-way speakers
Rear surround R and L: Polk Audio Model 11
Subwoofer: Velodyne F-1500
All speakers set to "Small"
Subwoofer connected to subwoofer out jack on receiver and using the receiver's crossover at 100 Hz (with Velodyne's crossover turned all the way up to keep it out of the picture)

To use Surround EX (7.1), preamp outputs are provided for the rear surround channels, and you do need an outboard amp.
Since I was replacing a 130w/ch receiver, this was a good way to put this perfectly good amp to good use.

The remote has many components preconfigured, and allows for learning of other components and commands. I like the fact that you can program sequences of commands which can turn on, say, 5 components and set up the 36TX to use THX Cinema mode, for example. It also provides a one-button System Off function that can power down all of your components in the sequence you choose.
I prefer a remote that has normal buttons (backlit) rather than a touchscreen remote that requires navigation of menus to do functions. The Pioneer fits the bill.

On-screen menus are well-designed and provide helpful information when setting up various functions such as the remote.

Owner's manual is good and provides complete information, step by step, in easy-to-read English.

I have a Pioneer Elite F-19 300-disc CD player which has "Hi-bit Legato Link conversion" and is a fine-sounding CD player. When connected via the digital or analog inputs, I thought it was difficult to tell the difference but I seemed to prefer the digital input using the 36TX's DACs. I would like to try a CD encoded at 96 kHz/24-bit but I have not done so. The 36TX provides a "direct" function which bypasses all tone controls if desired.

On the topic of tone controls, the 36TX also provides individual bass/treble adjustments for each of the 7 channels; I haven't tweaked my system to that extent but it is nice to know I can when using various speaker setups.

I used the THX Cinema mode when viewing several DVDs and the results were excellent, sounding very much like a THX-certified movie theater.

I have not yet evaluated the multi-room, multi-source function, but it is something I wanted on a receiver.

This unit has all the inputs and outputs (including preamp outs for all channels) that I foresee ever needing.

The fact that Pioneer was willing to submit its Elite line of receivers to THX testing, and the fact that this receiver qualifies at the Ultra level, to me, adds to its value and is a statement of its high performance. The fact that I can acquire this component for still a reasonable price is why, as a previous reviewer stated, I keep coming back to Pioneer after considering products from Denon, Onkyo, Sony ES, Carver, and others.

Similar Products Used:

130w/ch Dolby Pro-logic receiver

see prior review

see prior review and add I can't hear the voices on movies

I need to add more to my prior review. I have been intensely trying to resolve the the positives and negatives of the 36TX versus the Denon 3801. I have some new experiences to share after using both longer...

The bass and treble adjustments have a greater range on the 3801 compared to the 36TX. Of course the 3801 allows you to tweak and save each mode separately. Greater tweaking became important because I experienced lousy voices (but great music)on the 36TX and hurting ears on the 3801. The second 3801 didn't sound good out of the box either especially on cymbals which were harsh (could be my speaker crossover point causing the problem). I ran the 3801 for 2 days non-stop which did help the sound a little.

The 3801 allows me to hear voices better in most settings and especially in the widescreen DSP mode compared to the 36TX. Voices were really weak in THX mode. I tried everything I could on the 36TX to get the voices. I can't raise volume (of everything) where I live to hear voices in movies. I tried raising the treble on the 36TX but not enough adjustment available. I tried raising the center channel but the surround separation went away when I got the voices on the 36TX. The 36TX is more musical than the 3801 so it sounds more comfortable with both units zeroed out. I've learned that the 3801 bass and treble is so adjustable that can I tweak it sufficiently to get some of the brightness out and still hear the voices. The 3801 lets me selectively engage re-equalizing for each mode the 36TX doesn't. The customization and complexity on the 3801 is incredible.

Did anyone else have the voices problem in movies? My speakers are pretty uniform and accurate. They shouldn't be main reason. I suspect certain receivers are better at movies and other better at music - something to think about when buying a unit.

The 3801 adjustment has a heavy reliance on the use of OSD mode and having to use the remote. The 3801 remote has a tremendous amount of control using the OSD function. The 36TX remote OSD is much more limited except in setup mode which is excellent. Example: the 36TX makes you go to the receiver to adjust bass and treble, 3801 adjusts from the remote and customizes per mode. If you lost the remote you'd rather have the 36TX because most or all functions can be done at the unit unlike the 3801.

Again the 3801 is much more complex and could be more difficult for those less techie inclined. Setting up the FM channels was a breeze on the 36TX. I still haven't figured out how to get it the way I want on the 3801.

This can get complicated. I did alot of research and still didn't know enough about the different units particulars before I bought. It is hard to really know till you use the actual unit. My salesman at Magnolia HiFi has been wonderfully cooperative, I'm very glad I bought this complex equipment locally from an excellent dealer.

Similar Products Used:

see prior review

Component Video Switching, 5 or 7 channel Stereo, Dolby Digital, DTS, & The New THX Surround EX!

None Found.

Another Great Receiver from Pioneer Elite. If you thought last years Elite receivers where something to brag about Pioneer has just up the standard with the New Elite line. The sound quality is very smooth and warm in both movies and music. This receiver is quite the value for the money. The addition of component video switching, 5 channel stereo, and Surround EX make this receiver quite the bang for the buck. You can buy $2000.00 receivers on the market today and not get the features and sound that the Elite receiver will provide you with for a half the price. The setup on this receiver is pretty straight forward. The remote is very nice and you can program it to control about everything. I would highly recommend check out one of the new Elite VSX-36TX Receivers. If you have a few bucks more to spend Elite has a new Flagship to which is really nice. It was just a little bit out of my budget.

Similar Products Used:

VSX-26TX, RX-V995, AVR-3300, Kenwood VR-4090 & Onkoyo Intergra.

EX Surround,THX, On Screen Programming, Multi-Source, Remote Control, Many Many More

Adjusting Bass Levels in Network Crossover

Wow!!! This is a very fine unit that Pioneer has put out. The features are endless and the sound is as good as I've heard in unit at this price. The EX sounds excellent in the Matrix and the 5th Element. The remote is one of the best stock remotes I have ever used. I was considering a Marantz RC 5000 but no need at this point. You can program each one of your components for it's own sound. So when you go to that component it has it's own individual sound. The price is low that I paid but I have an inside connection with Pioneer. I recommend this unit to anyone.



My System:

Pioneer Elite VSX-36TX
Pioneer Elite A-35-R (EX Amp)
Pioneer Elite DV-09 (DVD Player)
Pioneer Elite DVL-919 (LD Player)
Pioneer Elite PD-F27 (CD Changer)

B&W 801 Matrix's (Fronts)
B&W LCR 6 (Center Channel & Rear Surround)
B&W 602's (Rear Center Channel's)
B&W ASW 2500 (Subwoofer)

Tributaries Interconnects
Audio Quest CV4 Speaker Wire

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 2095

THX Ultra Certification,Value, THX surround EX
5 channel stereo and great remote!

Push terminal for fm radio

This reciever rocks! I can not believe that for a thousand dollars I recieved ultra thx and surround ex in one reciever! The mosfet amplification sounds warm and smooth. There is virtually no hiss in surround speakers at EXTREME volumes. I like LOUD. My B&W speakers never sounded so good. I don't understand why pioneer did not put a 75 Ohm input for fm radio. Why a push terminal? Anyways this is a small gripe because who listens to the radio on a thousand dollar reciever?( I don't) I am going to have to invest in a separate amp for the two extra channels for surround ex. Pioneer makes one for their elite line. It is about 300.00. I will get one real soon. 5 channel stereo rocks on this reciever. It's LOUD and CRISP. My movies have a dynamic realism to them with this reciever. Pow, Punch, Bang, ELITE sounds great, Dang. That rhymes (he,he) Highly recommend this bad boy. Did I mention that this reciever sounds fantastic! Yea I did. Inexpensive, full of burr-brown and crystal chips and surround ex! It's all good baby.The remote is a learning one. It controls ALL of my components. The keys are white with bright orange lights behind them. It is very easy to read all keys in all light differences.5 stars to this whole setup. Kudos pioneer elite.

My system:
Speakers:
B&W 604 s2 as front mains
B&W lcr6 as center
B&W 602 s2 as surrounds(Same for surround ex)
Kimber Kable 8pr for fronts and center
Monster cable mcx-1s for surrounds
Receiver:
Pioneer vsx 36tx(duh)
DVD:
Denon 3700
CD:
Denon 3700(same one)
Interconnects:
Audioquest
Tv:
Sony kv-32s66 trinitron
Subwoofer:
Bag End infrasub 18(This is the baddest sub on earth! 18 inches. Get it! Be afraid)

Similar Products Used:

Sony es series and yamaha consumer products

THX certified, Great Sound.

None So Far

I have been using many audio products for many years. I aways seem to go back to the Pioneer stuff. For the price, you can't beat this receiver. I listend to a 3000 dollar Yamaha in a store and it was not THX certified. I listened to the New flagship from Onkyo, the TX-DS989. The VSX 36TX sound just as good if not better than both them for a third of the price. Some people would say that Pioneer makes mass market junk, but let me tell you that they make the Elite receivers in a different way. The way they are supposed to make things. With 5 channels rated at 100 watts per channel, this beast cranks. The digital noise reduction feature is great for all those poorly recorded cds that you might have. With the stamp of aproval from Lucasfilm, this receiver will turn you home into a movie theather. The pre-out for the 7.1 sound is a nice feature. I hooked up a Sansui 3000A to run the back surround with some old speakers, just to test it out. It sounds great. I have a set of Bose 701's for the front, a set of Bose 301's for the back, and a VCS10 for the center. This receiver has a good remote, and it was easy to use after I read the manual.I was going to get a eq for it, but after just 2 days of listening to it, I really would be wasting more money and I would ruin the sound. The 24-bit D/A converter makes buying an expensive CD player a waste of money. I bought a 300 mass market cd player and ran it through the VSX 36 Tx using a digtal optital cable. I did the same when it came to the dvd player. The sound that this thing puts out is fantastic. There are tons of A/V hook ups and an on screen set up. The surround sound from the VSX36TX is the best I have heard in a long time. All in all, this entry level receiver is well worth the price, and it should be. It is a Pioneer Elite.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX 608, Sansui 3000A, Sony STR-Da777ES, Onkyo TX-DS989, Kenwood VR-408 and many others.