Pioneer Elite VSX 54TX 7.1 channel Receiver

I just bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX after reading reviews of the Pioneer Elite 53/54/56/59 series of receivers, both on eBay and on the web.

I you are looking for exceptional sound quality, I can thoroughly endorse the Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX. Smooth, focused, airy, detailed, and unstrained are but a few of the adjectives that apply to the 54TX.

The 54TX has surround formats up through Dolby Digital IIx, so it handles nearly anything. Since it also has analog 7.1 inputs, will accept decoded 7.1 audio from Blu-Ray players with ease. Obviously, with no HDMI, it doesn't fit all users needs, but its sonics overcome that limitation for me.

I used to own a Pioneer VSX-1015TX, which was Pioneer's 2004 top of the line (not including the Elite series) sold at the same time as the Elite 50 series. The 1015TX sounded strained and harsh compared to the Elite 54TX. Even though the power ratings, distortion, etc., are basically identical, the Elite sounds so much better. (Not to mention that the amplifier section has a silent internal cooling fan - maybe that's why my 1015TX died after 2½ years.) The 1015TX and 54TX are both THX Select 2 certified, but that doesn't relate to how they sound, only to measured specifications. I bought my Pioneer VSX-1015TX from an authorized online retailer in 2004 without listening to one first. I never 'warmed' to its sound, and didn't really mind when it died.

The eBay seller that sold me his 54TX needed a new receiver with HDMI. Since he loved the sound of his 54TX, he first listened to the latest HDMI-equipped Pioneer Elites (the 90 series), but found they didn't sound as good as the 50 series. Other brands he auditioned didn't sound as good either. He ultimately found the Denon AVR-3808CI ($1700 MSRP) was in the same sonic league as the Pioneer VSX-54TX.

Pioneer, like most other manufacturers, cut corners on their new units, unfortunately with degraded sound quality as well.

The 50 series Elite receivers are solidly constructed and are much heavier than new models. Most consider them to be the pinnacle of Pioneer's home theater receivers. From the exceptional sound of this 54TX, I can't argue with that conclusion.

After just 2 weeks of listening to this VSX-54TX, I love the sound. I hope to use it for a long time to come.

I bought my 54TX on eBay for $325 in June 2008 (compared to the MSRP of $1500 in 2004). If you don’t need HDMI, the Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX’s are now screaming bargains, IMHO.