New AV Receiver advice

[k2208]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-80TXV which is very nice. I was kicking around the idea of upgrading to a new receiver. What do you consider the best bang for the buck in the sub $800 range. I would consider any brand, I am intrigued by the Integra line and the new Panasonic.

Is there much difference between Pioneer and their Elite line?

Thanks

[MrBoylan]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-80TXV which is very nice. I was kicking around the idea of upgrading to a new receiver. What do you consider the best bang for the buck in the sub $800 range. I would consider any brand, I am intrigued by the Integra line and the new Panasonic.

Is there much difference between Pioneer and their Elite line?

Thanks

I was shocked at how good the new Panasonic receiver sounded at a demo event I went to in the city a couple of months ago. Interestingly enough, it forgoes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding in favor of PCM decoding and high quality parts on the analog side. It also offers bi-amplification which can really open up the soundstage on stereo sources. I'm not sure if that's shipping yet, but it could be a popular piece for them.

In terms of what's out now, I do like the Integras and Onkyos (I purchased a TX-SR605 and Integra DTC-9.8 out of pocket for my own systems), but to get the models that have the HQV video processing is a little outside your $800 budget. The lowest model that has that is the TX-SR876 which sells online for a little under $1000.

Saw a great deal this weekend on a Denon, the AVR-988 on Amazon for about $540:

Denon AVR-988 for $539.97 including shipping

A really nice receiver for the money. The only drawback is that it only has 2 HDMI inputs, which is kinda chintzy for a high-end piece. Amazon is offering a deal to address this where you can get the Oppo HM-31 switch for half price ($50) when purchased with the Denon receiver. This effectively gives you 4 HDMI inputs, instead of 2. And if you're using a universal remote like a Harmony, then it doesn't much matter that you have another switch in there. I use the HM-31 in my current system and have found it to be fully compatible with every device I've thrown at it so far.

Anyway... the Pio Elites are nice too. I'm reviewing the 94TXH right now. Great sound, and the MCACC calibration software works well to address speaker and room deficiencies. But I find the remote a little too complicated for the average user.

Anyway, happy shopping!

-CB