Evaluating Mid Priced Av Receivers From Pioneer And Yamaha
This study is a comparison between two of the world’s most recognized and respected names in audio equipment. Pioneer and Yamaha both have literally decades of experience in leading the market for hi-fi equipment, and in this range both receivers represent an excellent choice, but like Highlander, there can be only one
Pioneer has been a name synonymous with top quality audio hardware for decades. Recently, the company has abandoned it’s television and DVD arm, and concentrated all of it’s efforts on maintaining it’s position as a world leading audio equipment maker.
Selling for around $500, their VSX-1019AH-K is probably the best mid-range tool, and arguably the best piece of equipment at this price from any company. It will be no surprise for audio enthusiasts to learn that the equalizer is what sets this hardware apart from it’s competitors. As with all of their products, an excellent and intuitive mixer makes it possible to configure your sound to top quality depth and clarity, with very little bleeding or coloration.
The VSX-1019AH-K also has an incredibly impressive feature they call Advanced Sound Retriever or ASR which can take mp3s and fill in spaces to play them at almost CD quality. For low bitrate music it does not quite manage CD quality, but overall it does have a noticeable effect on sound quality.
Yamaha’s RX-V765 is a similar AV receiver available for around the same price. It must be said that the equalizer on the RX-V765 is a long way behind Pioneers, meaning that your audio is much less customizable and hence less effective for individuals.
The RX-V765 does have some functions that Pioneer’s receiver does not, the surround sound and 3D sound make a big difference when watching movies. Yamaha’s RX-V765 additionally supports a few more formats such as the LastFM and Mixcloud apps.
