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I have the usual complement of audio/video components attached to it, and it does a fine job of handling a wide array of analog and digital signals, including the new "lossless" audio codecs from Dolby and DTS.I was especially intrigued by the Home Media Gallery feature which allows this unit to access audio files on external devices connected to it via an Ethernet computer network. It is high-powered, built like a tank, and oozes quality. And if that network is also connected to the Internet, you can use your remote to search for and listen to Internet radio stations with as much ease as finding and listening to AM and FM.Of course, the sound quality of many Internet radio stations is not always what you might expect from a quality CD. Pioneer VSX-94TXH Home Audio ReceiverI bought the Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH about a month ago, primarily to take advantage of the newer audio codecs available on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Read them if you're interested in technical details about performance.I only want to add that this unit absolutely lives up to its billing. However, it is eye-opening to be able to conveniently listen to this kind of programing through a quality sound system in the living room, rather than through the limited-capacity amp and speakers typically attached to a PC.At its list price of $1,600, I would consider this unit a good value. (See my review of the Samsung BD-UP5000 combination HD DVD/Blu-ray player elsewhere on Amazon).You can find a number of detailed reviews in prominent sources, both in hard-copy magazines (Sound & Vision and Home Theater come to mind) and a number of Web sites. At its "street price" of about $1,200, it's a steal.Highly recommended.
I am blown away by the amazing sounds the receiver can produce when watching a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD encoded with True HD and DTS-MA. Other than those two minor complaints, I can't imagine owning a better receiver. 1. I think I may have eliminated the problem by outputting only 1080/60p from my Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD (Another GREAT piece of equipment).***FOLLOW UP - The "NOT SUPPORT" was blinking because I had the HDMI Control turned off on everything. I would expect nothing less from a Pioneer Elite product. The onscreen menu for adjusting Receiver features and setup is HORRIBLE.
The reason I turned it off on the receiver was based on the advice from Pioneer via the telephone. C'mon Pioneer. Hopefully this will be solved with future firmware updates. To remedy this, I turned on the HDMI control on every piece of equipment even though I am using a universal remote and really don't need it to be turned on to select inputs. This is most likely due to your component or your display having an issue with HDCP. I say "almost" since HDMI control is not 100% compatible between devices from different manufacturers. But.
"NOT SUPPORT" message blinks occasionally across the screen of the receiver. I ordered from ButterflyPhoto via Amazon, and the unit arrived perfectly. This receiver comes at a high price, but I believe it is well worth it if you want the best. Using HDMI control on all components and the receiver does work almost flawlessly.
4 HDMI 1.3 inputs, Dolby True HD, DTS-MA, crystal clear sound. But, after talking to the Pioneer Elite team on the phone and trying to troubleshoot it, I was left with the intermittent problem. You can research this point many places on the web.***2. It does it all. Not only is the color scheme b/w, but the text looks like something out of a 1978 PONG gaming system box. They were 100% incorrect in their diagnosing of the problem. i know the setup menu is not super-important in the big scheme of things.
I love this receiver. However, the HDMI control on the Receiver itself does not actually turn off (even when "off" is selected and the machine is restarted). let me say that first. I believe the root is my Sony VPL-VW60 projector not accepting a 1080/24p signal. Uncompressed audio is great and there is no way to do it justice until your hear it. That said, there are a few areas of concern that I have experienced. I am very happy with this purchase.
That is enough to drive my power hungry 4 OHM speakers. I have looked and listened to just about every new one that has come out in the past 7 years. I can get lost in the musical canvas it unfolds. It not that there has not been some good receivers on the market before but either it was lacking in a area that I felt meaningful to me or I just did not have the $$ available at that point in time. With its looks, brawn and musical finesse Pioneer was a real winner in the Elite 94 TXH.
It has 140 watts per 7 channels. In the back of my mind I had the idea that I just needed to wait till I could afford to get the high end separates that I thought I needed.Let me just say that the only reason that I chose the Elite VSX-94TXH was that it meets all of my minimal requirements for home theater. The sound stage is big and vivid. It has everything I need to be an outstanding heart of for my home theater system. And the third reason is that it looks wonderful.
There is detail and separation of sounds and instruments voices. Let me start by saying that I have waited many a year before I finally upgraded my home A/V receiver. To start it simply sounds wonderful. I am100% satisfied with it, I love it. Another problem is that I am some what of an audiophile snob.
The wait is over.
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