PIONEER ELITE VSX-39TX THX EX/DTS ES RECEIVER
Dec 02 '00 (Updated Dec 14 '01)
The Bottom Line See Review
Pioneer Elite is Pioneer Electronics brand name for their high end products. The Elite brand product base includes CD players, DVD players, audio video receivers, on up to $8000 high definition capable rear projection televisions. Pioneer Elite has a solid reputation in the world of consumer electronics, and has continued that with the subject of this review.
The VSX-39TX is a multi channel audio video receiver which is THX Ultra certified, and includes THX Surround EX decoding, DTS ES matrix decoding, THX processing, as well as Dolby Digital and DTS standard 5.1 channel decoding. The unit is rated at 120 watts per channel X 2 for stereo operation, and 120 watts X 5 for surround sound operation. Like other receiver's in it's class it has auto detection of incoming digital or analog signals, and switches to the appropriate source ( Dolby Digital, DTS or analog ).
It features component video switching ( two inputs and one output ), composite, and S video switching, as well as having a set of front panel audio video inputs. This unit features an RF input for connection of a laser disc player, 5 audio digital inputs, and two audio digital outputs. There is a 7.1 channel pre amp input for connecting additional amplifiers/processors or for upgrading to DVD Audio or multichannel Super Audio CD ( only two channel SACD exists currently ). This unit comes with 96khz 24 bit digital to analog convertors, and will reproduce two channel or multi channel high resolution audio. Lastly the VSX-39TX comes with an LCD ( liquid crystal display ) touch pad remote control which is learning/Macro capable, and comes preprogrammed with other brand operating codes.
Whew! I tried to hit the highlights with regard to the goodies that come inside this receiver, and as you can see it is fully featured. To begin with the 39TX is quite a sight to behold with it's rose wood side panels, and Pioneer's Urushi finish. The latter gives the receiver a beautiful high gloss shine on the side panels, and front. It weighs in at just over forty pounds which is heavy, but not so much that it won't fit into your cabinet/rack. All of the RCA type connectors on the 39TX are gold plated, and the front of the unit has gold lettering/striping.
The 39TX comes with a 90 page operating manual ( which includes instructions for the remote ) which is well laid out, and comprehensive. Setting the system up was a breeze, and for someone who is not electronics savy the manual walks you right through it. I liked the fact that you can use either an on screen display via the units S video output ( to a TV ) or you can use the LCD display on the remote ( which is the avenue I took ). I utilized an SPL ( sound pressure level ) meter from Radio Shack to set the speaker levels. The test tone generator in the 39TX worked great. I had no problem with the remote interacting with the 39TX, every command was acknowledged. Once the unit was set up I began by listening to standard stereo CD's. The first thing I noticed was that this receiver has a warm, open sound in the mid range. The last receiver I had sounded very in your face with female vocals, piano etc. I also found the 39TX to be very smooth, and tight in the lower end with or without a sub woofer.
The 39TX also has a stereo Direct mode which bypasses the tone controls and presents a natural sound with all stereo recordings ( some obviously sound better than others ). This unit comes with several DSP ( digital signal processing ) modes which I am usually not a big user of BUT! It has a 5 or 7 channel stereo mode ( depending on which speaker configuration you are using ) which I absolutely love. It works with any two channel stereo source, and feeds the info through all the speakers ( and the sub ). I found myself listening to my CD collection all over again, and found that it really helped some, but others sounded better in two channel stereo. I don't listen to the radio in my home theater but I will say that the 39TX has forty FM/AM presets for radio listening, and an above average tuner.
I connected my Toshiba SD5109 DVD player to the 39TX via an AudioQuest coaxial digital cable. Let me tell you that this unit absolutely rocks with standard 5.1 channel Dolby Digital and DTS DVD's!! I heard sounds with this receiver that I was missing with my old setup ( which was also a DD/DTS 5.1 ). 5.1 channel music whether it's DTS CD's or music DVD's all sound fantastic. I activated the THX processing which includes Re-Equalization, Timbre Matching, Bass peak level management, and loud speaker position time synchronization ( for more on these go to the THX website ). The THX processing simply blew me away with how it made the overall sound much smoother, and seamless. The center channel dialogue, and interaction between the front three and rear surrounds was much more in tune, and had a richer low end to the bass.
THX Surround EX/DTS ES:
Without getting into a lot of detail about the above let me best describe them this way. Surround EX was developed in conjunction with Lucasfilm and Dolby labs. It requires a decoder which decodes surround sound in a rear channel ( or two ) center speaker. The decoding uses a matrix steering algorhythm between the rear surrounds, very similar to the way Dolby pro logic works. This additional channel or channels fills in the " gap " if you will, in the rear soundstage. This additional processing creates a very enveloping sound, and to be quite honest it's just awesome!
DTS ES ( extended surround ) is very simply the DTS version of Surround EX which works as described above for DTS encoded movies/music.
You will note that as I stated earlier the 39TX has 5 channels of on board amplification. To utilize the Surround EX/DTS ES decoding you will need either a mono power amplifier, two channel power amplifier or maybe an old receiver that can be used to power the additional surround ( s ). I chose the Audiosource AMP Two two channel power amp for my set up. The 39TX has a two channel surround pre out for the rear surrounds. Setting this up was a breeze, and the Amp Two sounds fantastic ( I will review that unit here at epinions ). I installed two BIC M60 in wall speakers for the rear surrounds. I have several THX Surround EX/DTS ES encoded movies. I have Terminator 2 ( the ultimate edition ), The Bone Collector, Gladiator ( DTS ES 6.1 discrete ), and Chicken Run. I have to tell you that I was blown away by the depth that the additional surrounds adds to the experience of watching a movie or concert. Of this group I feel that Gladiator is by far the most dynamic which is not to take anything away from the others. I also found that by switching on the Surround EX/DTS ES decoding ( depending on the movie ) while watching movies that are not EX/ES encoded it worked quite well also. Universal's " U-571 " DVD is a great example of this, this movie sounded great before, but with the DTS ES decoding it blows you out of your seat!
Pioneer Elite is one of only a handful of Electronics company's endorsed by THX to carry the Surround EX decoding/designation ( Onkyo and Denon are the others ) at present. I agree that this unit does not have 7 channels of on board amplification, but that's it's only weak point. If you want to keep it all in the Pioneer family Elite makes a couple of two channel amps that you can mate with their EX receivers.
This is a kick butt unit with plenty of power, looks, features, and a great remote to boot ( which by the way comes with a stylus pen so you don't get oily finger prints all over the LCD touch pad ). If you are in the market for a great receiver whether for 5.1 Home Theater, Surround EX Home Theater, or for stereo music give this an audition. You won't find a better receiver in it's class for the price! Please feel free to contact me via e mail with any questions or comments at placidman1802@netscape.net
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Epinions.com ID:
Placidman
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Member: Ralph Potts
Location: Middletown, NY
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 9 members
About Me:
I am an Audiophile who loves to read and write about Home Audio/Video.
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