Pioneer 1018TXH True HD, DTS MA HDMI 1.3 receiver

[eightninesuited]

VSX-1018TXH-K Specifications:

Direct Energy Amplifier
130 watts x 7 amplification
Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration w/ microphone
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD
DTS
DTS 96/24
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio
WMA9 Pro
Video Conversion to HDMI
1080p HDMI 1.3 inputs - 3 in
1080p Component inputs - 3 in, 1 out
Digital inputs/outputs - 6/1
iPod Digital
Auto Level Control (ALC)
XM Satellite Radio
Sirrius Satellite Radio
Suggested Price - $599 US
Availability - June 2008

This receiver is already making me drool at that price.

[congo]

Looks nice and has lots of features. Just curious how it would stand up to a Yamaha receiver (that I currently have) with respect to the audio circuitry. Would this type of receiver have discrete audio output devices or would there be one or more "chip amps" to drive the speakers. I know my Yammy has 3 db of dynamic headroom and relatively high current. Would this unit have these features? I went to Pioneer's website and couldn't really find this.

It's a good price (is it Canadian?) and I'd be interested in moving up to HDMI switching to reduce the cable clutter.

Thanks,
Congo

[whitbyterry]

Nice find. It makes me drool too!

[breeze]

I currently have a Pioneer 1015 and a Sharp BD-HP20U Blu ray player. I'm
using the 1015's multichannel inputs for Dolby Digital HD decoding through the player. If I go with with the 1018, does anyone know if it will be able to decode Dolby Digital HD and DTS MA through HDMI (and bypass decoding through the Sharp player)? Basically, do I get any benefit other than DTS MA decoding, or will I have to still use multichannel in for Dolby Digital HD? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks

[eightninesuited]

Originally Posted by breeze

I currently have a Pioneer 1015 and a Sharp BD-HP20U Blu ray player. I'm
using the 1015's multichannel inputs for Dolby Digital HD decoding through the player. If I go with with the 1018, does anyone know if it will be able to decode Dolby Digital HD and DTS MA through HDMI (and bypass decoding through the Sharp player)? Basically, do I get any benefit other than DTS MA decoding, or will I have to still use multichannel in for Dolby Digital HD? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks

No it cannot. The Sharp has to be a HDMI 1.3 player with bitstreaming ability of the new codecs to the receiver.

Currently, the only ones now are Panasonic BD30 and Samsung 1400. Every player coming out in 2008 will do that though.

[Jam]

These models are going to be released about the time I'm in the market for my first (and last for a long time hopefully) AVR.

I have a question regarding the chart though, are Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HDMA etc something that I should be looking for in a reciever, with intentions of playing HDM in the near future, or are these functions performed by the HDM player? Any other instances where these formats are used besides Blu-ray etc?

The reason I ask is that I have a fairly small room and 7.1 would not be an advantage to me over 5.1 for the life of this particular reciever.

[eightninesuited]

Originally Posted by Jam

These models are going to be released about the time I'm in the market for my first (and last for a long time hopefully) AVR.

I have a question regarding the chart though, are Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HDMA etc something that I should be looking for in a reciever, with intentions of playing HDM in the near future, or are these functions performed by the HDM player? Any other instances where these formats are used besides Blu-ray etc?

The reason I ask is that I have a fairly small room and 7.1 would not be an advantage to me over 5.1 for the life of this particular reciever.

There's a common misconception by people that "Oh, just let the player decode it and send it as PCM". While that is theoretically correct, the new codecs has built in alogarithms for bass management (ie, proper LFE boost) and so forth. Letting the receiver decode means that the receiver is able to apply any necessary adjustments. While this is done on PCM as well, not a lot of receivers do this. Example, HK 247, Pioneer Elite 72, 74, Yamaha V1600, V1700 etc..

Also, 7.1 is the only reason for these new codecs. Its primary function is to present the audio in master quality - which is a HUGE jump over DVD, depending on your speakers.

[kev604]

I'm dying to find out what Canadian store/street pricing on this unit will be.

[eightninesuited]

Probably $699.

[kev604]

Lets hope your right. I'll be in the market for a new receiver soon. Features and price wise this could fit the bill.

[Bazz]

Wow, this is a much better unit than the 1017 I picked up yesterday. Looks like I will be returning it and waiting for this one. The price on the 1017 was $499 on sale. The regular price is $699 which I think the 1018 will be since it is a replacement for the 1017.

[MikeH]

Hopefully this combined with the Panny bd50 will make a nice 1/2 punch this summer.

[Larry]

What advantages does this receiver have over say the Pioneer VSX-917V-K ?

Is it worth waiting for?

[eightninesuited]

Originally Posted by Larry

What advantages does this receiver have over say the Pioneer VSX-917V-K ?

Is it worth waiting for?

There's a chart I posted on the 1st post, it shows the 918. So guesstimate how the 917 would compare to the 1918.

[Chordz]

Hook up your sharp BD player with HDMI to this receiver and you will be enjoying trueHD audio.