Pioneer VSX 919 A good amp?

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Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#86115 1-Jul-2011 06:07

Hello,

I have seen a display model of this amp in town for $600.
It has 7.1 Channels,3 x HDMI,auto mic calibration etc.
Read a few reviews and it seems a pretty handy unit.
Any thoughts or does anyone have one of these and how do you find it and would it power my surround set up-Wharfedale Diamond 10S 5.1 setup?
Also regarding Sub cables does it matter having 1 rca into the amp and 1 into the sub or 1 into the amp and a L/R going into the sub?

Cheers

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4086 posts

Uber Geek

#488454 1-Jul-2011 22:12

No wonder it's $600... it's a 2009 / 2010 amp, which will be superseded in the next month or 2 for the 2011 / 2012 amp. The current model is the VSX920, it's 3D capable, it has more HDMI ports, direct iPod video / audio integration, interweb radio yadaya...
So basically, the amp you're looking at is really quite old - and you'd want to make sure it's a display amp only, not a demo amp that has been pumping out audio day in, day out since 2009.

Sound wise, it should be just fine with your Wharfdale's though! So... bonus!
Having said that, you should be able to find a 2010 / 2011 amp on clearance (maybe ex-display... not ex-demo) for around $700 to $850. I'd grab one of those :-)

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#488512 2-Jul-2011 09:19

Yeah i'm not too fussed with the 3D side of things as well as internet radio.When i have seen the amp running it's hooked up to a set of wee bookshelfs so i wouldn't think it's been thrashed.Have seen the VSX 820 at JB's but thought i'd look at this as it has 7.1 if i decide to go down that road later on.Might pop into town later on for a look around the stores anyway.

Cheers!

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#488525 2-Jul-2011 10:26

I'd recommend getting a receiver with a bit of grunt for your speakers.

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#488531 2-Jul-2011 10:39

Any recomendations?

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#488544 2-Jul-2011 11:20

Not off-hand. Possibly ask the distributor if they recommend anything?
http://www.wharfedale.co.nz/default.asp?ObjectID=133

I'd be looking possibly at the higher end Denon's, Onkyo's, etc? Not real sure sorry. Something with a good power supply though. I believe its better to have plenty of clean power and not push the receiver, than to have an lower powered amp and have to crank it. Distortion isn't good for speakers. Just reading the specifications can be tricky, because they don't all use the same way of rating them.

One option, which may be a hassle, is to see if a store will let you bring in your two floor standers and see how they go with the receiver you would be considering in a demo room. But also need to know if it will power all your speakers simultaneously though.

When I bought my floor standers, I took my receiver into the store to demo them. Just my $0.02 and YMMV.

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#488546 2-Jul-2011 11:26

OK cool.
Thanks for your post.Will have a bit of a poke around the stores and see whats about.

Thanks.

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#488554 2-Jul-2011 11:44

No problem. I hope it helps.

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#488596 2-Jul-2011 14:09

The amps gone now so that solves that one.
Ha ha!

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#488673 2-Jul-2011 19:59

As an aside, for the VSX920, you could bi-amp the surrounds (in tandem with the front amps) onto your front floor standers in order to access more power...
Should work fine for you.

k14

629 posts

Ultimate Geek

#488675 2-Jul-2011 20:22

I bought an Onkyo NR609 from JB HiFi last weekend for $840. Go and see what deals they will do. They had a 15% off all HiFi still that weekend but see if they will match it.

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#488684 2-Jul-2011 21:24

Alas no JBHIFI where i live ( Nelson ) Only really have Harveys but do keep an eye out on the JB website and have seen that Pioneer VSX 820 which may be OK hopefully but no purchaese yet.

Cheers Team!

k14

629 posts

Ultimate Geek

#488744 3-Jul-2011 09:36

Gambit: Alas no JBHIFI where i live ( Nelson ) Only really have Harveys but do keep an eye out on the JB website and have seen that Pioneer VSX 820 which may be OK hopefully but no purchaese yet.

Cheers Team!

I don't either (live in Alexandra) but I bought it online, even includes free delivery. You could try calling up a JB store and see if they will do the deal and send to you. Also Harvey's normally are pretty good for cash, see how much they will take off.

threads

18 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#491780 10-Jul-2011 22:04

I'd be careful if you buy online from JB HiFi.

I've bought stuff from their online shop in the past and been very pleased with the low $$$. However recentl I helped my father-in-law buy a new Pioneer amp for his home theatre.

We purchased on the 28th of April but didn't get around to opening the box until the 28th of June. He lives about an hours drive away and for a couple of months there I didn't get a chance to get over to his place on the w/end. When setting the amp up however I thought there was a problem with one of the audio posts (TV/SAT).

I emailed their support and a day or two later got a short sharp reply saying that it was longer than 30 days since delivery and that I should contact Pioneer directly. Funny kinda of support. Even Pioneer thought it was a bit lame.

Luckily in the end it turned out to be the Sky box that was feeding the amp garbled sound.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#491785 10-Jul-2011 22:14

Remember - even if you buy on-line, the support shouldn't be from the importer...
The CGA states that the company who sold it to you is responsible for any warranty related issues.

Gambit

169 posts

Master Geek

#492009 11-Jul-2011 12:43

Picked up a Pioneer VSX 920 yesterday from Harvey Normans and am pretty happy with it but still early days.Will have a good play around when i get home.

Yay!

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