How's the Pioneer VSX523?

[ch@ts]

I just placed an order with Avenue Sound for a pair of Pioneer SP-52FS-LR floorstanders and a Pioneer VSX523.

The items are being imported and are expected around mid-Jan.
I'm on a tight budget, and want to know if I've chosen a decent receiver. I was planning on getting the VSX323 as it was once available for Rs.15600 on snapdeal.

Avenue Sound offered me the VSX523 at roughly the same price, along with the Andrew Jones speakers at Rs.20000 a pair.

I can't find any review of the VSX523 online that talks about the quality of the music it plays, and I'm not sure if I've made the right choice. I placed the order just yesterday, so I think there's still time for me to make changes.

My primary purpose is to listen to stereo music, but a couple of years down the line I plan on using the receiver in a dedicated home theater room. For now,I'm going to connect my HTPC to the receiver and play music, and movies through XBMC, hence I don't think I need bluetooth or networking capabilities as I'll be controlling the system through my HTPC. (correct me if I'm wrong)

I like to listen to Western classical music, rock, trance, dance, and pop.
The best pair of speakers I've owned are a set of Creative Inspire 6.1's.

I'm not looking for perfection, but I'd like to have something that's a BIG step up, and gives me great bang for the buck.

This is a blind buy.
A couple of music shops I visited (in Pune) advised me to go for Dali bookshelves, but I found their range limited, and decided I need full range speakers.

 

[madbullram]

I have heard 523 and I have nothing good or bad about it. For the price its an VFM and if I remember it was selling for 200$ around 12k INR. At that price its a good starting point in HT but I dont see it doing much in Music per se. You would be better off with Yamaha or Denon if Music is a priority in your HT.

Also, I see you will go for dedicated HT room later, so why not buy a stereo amp for now and enjoy music and movies and then buy a dedicated HT setup when you are ready. You can even look at buying a used NAD amp for 10-12k.

One FM in our forum has good reviews: http://www.hifivision.com/home-thea...ston-acoustics-soundware-xs-5-1-speakers.html

 

[ch@ts]

Thanks for the reply.
One of the reasons I prefered an AVR are the connectivity options. I'm not sure if I'll be able to connect my PC, USB stick and ipod to a stereo AMP easily. With an AVR, I can just use the HDMi port on a AMD graphics card to stream both audio and video, and the USB port for the rest.

I didn't want to go for a Denon, because I've read about them giving problems, and I wanted something that would last me a long time without any issues. Especially since I'm getting an import without any local warranty.

I wouldn't mind a Yamaha, but that would mean I'd have to up my budget. They seem to be about $100 pricier than the Pioneers.

 

[sgmane]

That's one of the good amp with lot-a features. Congrats! There are reviews for the Andrew Jones speakers and it does say good for music too. BTW, why you need an import of the AVR when you can get it here with few thousand's more along with warranty?

 

[madbullram]

My suggestion is, dont be in a hurry, build components step by step. Since you have already placed the order, get it, use it for 4-5 months see how it goes and take the next step. I mostly see people constantly upgrading but not upgrading the time they spend with a component.

 

[Naturelover]

Would suggest you get a stereo amp and a DAC and all your connectivity issues will be solved. There are several threads for DACs at various price points. You can find DACs frequently in the "For Sale" columns.
Later on you can either have two separate rigs for HiFi and HT (my preference) or get an AVR with at least front pre-outs and use your stereo amp as power amp for better sound from the fronts.
Check out this thread.
AVRs are not very good for music.
I got my Pioneer LX57 from Fairdeal, Mumbai. Check with them for prices.

 

[ch@ts]

Thanks for the replies.
@madbullram - I like your suggestion of just sticking to what I've ordered and deciding if it's good enough once I've used it for a few months. But I'm still trying to figure out what you meant by "I mostly see people constantly upgrading but not upgrading the time they spend with a component. "

@Naturelover - getting a stereo amp + a DAC sounds expensive. Also, the AVR I've chosen doesn't have front pre-outs. It's got a pre-out for the sub-woofer only. I don't think I'll be doing any upgrades till I move into my new place, a year or two from now. Is the audio output of the Pioneer VSX523 so bad that it needs a pre-amp?

@sgmane - thanks! I wasn't looking to get an import, but when I called Avenue Sound he offered me the vsx523+step down transformer @ a price lower than the price of a vsx323 in India.

 

[madbullram]

What i meant by that is, some people are always looking at what next, but the what next should after you have enjoyed the current setup. They end up spending more time to analyze what to buy than actually enjoy what they have

Thats why i said, use your system and spend quality time with it. It will tell you what you like and what you dont like about it. Then look at ways to remove what you dont like.

The reason people are asking about why avenue sound is, they wont offer warranty unlike Indian imports.

 

[GameMaster]

Have you heard the 523? If you have heard it I dont think you would be asking so many questions. 523 is feature packed for normal users in-fact my friend loved it so much that he sits back and stops worrying about upgrade and other stuff.

Are you an audiophile? if not the pre-amp and all the other stuff most people talk about can go out through the window. But i would check if the step down transformer heats up so much. Sometimes using a step down transformer will give you improper loudness ensure its a quality one. All solid state amps need a good power supply.

Imported amps are always cheaper if you can get one with a good step down transformer then why worry? Except the warranty part

 

[ch@ts]

What i meant by that is, some people are always looking at what next, but the what next should after you have enjoyed the current setup. They end up spending more time to analyze what to buy than actually enjoy what they have

Thats why i said, use your system and spend quality time with it. It will tell you what you like and what you dont like about it. Then look at ways to remove what you dont like.

The reason people are asking about why avenue sound is, they wont offer warranty unlike Indian imports.

Thats the best advice I've been given in a long time. I'll just use what I've ordered, and enjoy as much music on it as I can.

 

[ch@ts]

@Gamemaster - I haven't heard the VSX523, or the speakers for that matter. It's a blind buy, hence my doubts.
I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, though I do believe I have a discerning ear. Hope the receiver I've ordered sounds sweet to it!
Thanks for the advice about the step down transformer. It's something I've been worried about since I placed the order. The voltage at my place fluctuates between about 230v in the day to about 260v at night. I wonder if the transformer included in the deal is capable of handling that. Or should I try and replace the power supply with an Indian one? Would that be really expensive?

 

[GameMaster]

Will you get the same deal in the indian model? or ask them about the step down transformer say u need to check the adapter