pioneer vsx1014txk vs yamaha rxv650 buy which one?

[mr. budget]

I want to buy the yamaha rxv650...but I was just reading the pioneer vsx1014txk reviews, those seem like very happy people stunned at what the pioneer can do. So, which one should I get, or which one would you get and why. I can't go higher on price so if there's another unit better than these costwise I'd like to know about it. Thanks.

[mr. budget]

I'm going with the yamaha because I'v eheard far too much praise for their units, clean power, good mechanics...sold to yamaha for xxdollars. I'll let you know what this unit is like for me. thanks.

[mr. budget]

Well, I got the rxv 650 and I must say this thing is so darm versatialle. I'm really happy with this thing and ht is incredible. a while I've been waiting for this setup. Yamahaulauver, damn right I hauled it all over the busses, etc. I think the pioneer would be a good buy too of course this is the opinion of someone who's never had a system before

[shokhead]

Not enough difference between the two,really about the same.

[kexodusc]

Mr. Budget...take your time to read that f'n manual...Twice...tons of stuff in their, and the students Yamaha hires during the summers to write their manuals don't appear to be the brightest.

Give that YPAO auto/setup thingy a go....don't even breathe while it's hissing and bleeping and blooping. I wouldn't recommend running 9 speakers off that things power supply...and if you're running 7, use common sense and be careful...it's got plenty of power and will play loud, but it is a receiver...

[mr. budget]

That thing's kind of cool, you could also adjust it further manually. I'm trying to get started on fixing this system up, got regular 27" tv, regular other stuff, trying to make a dent in the instr mnl. What's a good level for movies and music for volume dbs and does it take power to run this thing if the speakers are unplugged like if I ran only a center in 6.1 would it still output as much power if the other speakers are unplugged? Also, thanks for the warning about power, any other major no no's that people usually hurt their units accidentally? I've thought I had in indestructable system before, over time I brainwashed myself and believed a lot of things n/a to my system. Like I'd read someone say you couldn't blow these speakers if you tried, he's talking about really really strong speakers, not mine, but I believed mine were too! and I'm lucky it didn't all blow up a few times. I would have got an amp but I realized I'm financially challenged and so a budget buy. Hey, I can always sell and buy if things change, I really don't like limits. It's a lot nicer here now that I have a proper unit. I've probably read it before but what is your system like kexodusc, it's tough sometimes for me to go back and find stuff i read previously.

[kexodusc]

I dunno, on my RX-V1400 (last year's RX-V1500), and I listen to anything from -40 dB to -20 dB, but I only use the receiver's amp for the center channel, I have the pre-outs feeding into 2 Adcom GFA-535II power amps and an AudioSource AmpOne power amp for some added juice...for average size rooms at good volumes, you your receiver is fine...my room is 21 X 24 or with high ceilings though, and sometimes we really crank the tunes/movies...so the extra power is nice. I had the amps lying around anyway so I put them to use...some mess of cables at the back of the rack though. Never tried the receiver by itself much. My brother's receiver is identical to yours, he usually runs in between -35 and -25 dB, and he doesn't play stuff very loud.

Rule of thumb, is for every speaker you plug in, count on the workload being harder on the receiver...with 7 channels driven, your Yamaha probably puts our a more realistic 30-35 watts per channel with 6 or 7 speakers going, but that's plenty. With 2 speakers you probably get 80-90 watts or whatever the rating on in the brochure says. Most speakers today will play very loud, 89 watts at a distance of 1 meter away with only 1 watt of power...if your mom and dad are visiting, you can bet you aren't even using 1/2 a watt...point is, sometimes power is over-rated...sometimes. Trick is not to push the receiver too, too hard...never turn your receiver up past -15 dB. Too much volume and not enough power can lead to clipping...distortion...bad stuff...blown amp, damaged speakers, and you're back to a boombox before you know it.

My system has grown over the years since I first got into this stuff in high school. I started with some old stereo gear, went to a Sony receiver, than Marantz receivers for a few years, then a Yamaha RX-V795a last year to hold me over until I bough the RX-V1400. I have 2 systems, my Home Theater (HT) and my 2-channel stereo system in my little studio for serious listening. Just bought a 51" Toshiba HDTV, loving it so far, and Rogers is coming tomorrow with the PVR HDTV terminal...we'll see how goes...this winter I replaced my Paradigm Studio 20's and 40's with the EFE ar.com DIY speaker kits...took forever for me to build since I was always on the road, but when they were done it was all worth it...much better sound at a lower price (though my woodworking skills could be improved), I'd recommend them if you want $1200 speakers for $400 without the brand name. Still have the Studio 40's...don't know what to do with them, but I won't sell them.
Next project is a 15" sealed subwoofer...got the cabinet cut, but not assembled, waiting for some back ordered parts. Should be fun when it's done.