As a price reference, Option 1 can get at Harvey Norman Sunway Pyramid.

Current Price RM3,499/-. Last time I asked, if you don't want extended warranty you can get it cheaper , maybe RM3,299/-. (You still get 1 yr warranty). This you have to ask and confirm yourself.

Above is just for reference. Try other places for better prices (if they have the set yet) because it's very new.

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Added on September 3, 2009, 3:22 amThe main diff between 818 and 819 is the 818 is obselete model which can't even accept HD audio over the HDMI (not even decoded LPCM). The HDMI is for show only to allow passthrough, not to playback the HD sound.

The 819 is the new model where it accept both LPCM and also has the DD TrueHD and DTS-MA decoders for bitstreamed HD audio .

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 3 2009, 03:32 AM

For goodness sake read the first post what the package includes and what I was referring to when talking about Option 1.

You are comparing the overseas price for just the AVR to the local price which includes the AVR plus a full set of 5.1 Pioneer Speakers (Tall Front Speakers mind you and a Big Sub-Woofer).

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 3 2009, 10:52 AM

You can infact input 3 HDMI devices to this AVR and then output to TV. Actually just get a decent quality hdmi cable (good enough for HDMI Ver 1.3) will do. No need for those fancy stuff. The output quality will be the same.

For my info can you pls let me know where you are getting at RM2,900/-? Do be careful, they are also selling the VSX-519 model with the same speaker set , so check carefully they didn't quote you for the wrong set.

For your info, the 519 don't have the HD audio decoders. But it can input decoded LPCM from your Blu-ray player through HDMI.

Unfortunately I am not fr Penang. I think RM2,900/- is an extremely good deal (espc with the free HDMI cables and stands for the surrounds). The speaker system is the one made of wood right and not the black ugly ones?

Which electrical shop did you buy from, maybe they have a branch over here where I can check out.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 4 2009, 08:08 AM

Lucky you I know no one and no one knows me

Wah, high end already. Over RM3K I guess.

If you have space in your home, better get the big set. The AVR has lots more functions, better power and has a 5 band calibration equaliser compared to only 3 in the HiTB set. Furthermore the small sub-woofer of the LX61 is only a passive sub (from what I read). Anything goes wrong, the speakers and sub-woofer will have problems fitting into a new system later.

With the big set, all components can still be used with future change or upgrades.

But then again if you like things small and compact you know what to get

I was going to suggest to you to use the MCACC (Auto-calibration) feature of the AVR to automatically tune the sound of your speakers and to enable your sub-woofer to match the phase.

But then I just realised that the 519 does not come with the MCACC

Sorry I gave the wrong info earlier. Only the 819 set comes with MCACC, which somehow I thought was the set you mentioned.

You have to really play around with the AVR settings manually. It might take quite a bit of tweaking espc the sub. I somehow feel the sub which was taken from the earlier Todoroki packages does not match very well with the newer speakers set.

Try setting your front speakers to large. Maybe the sub is too large for your room and there are a lot of objects around that affect the bass of the sub.

Adjusting the phase of the sub is very important too but too bad you do not have the MCACC to help out.

I actually saw the Harvey Norman demo sets had their sub placed facing sideways because the MCACC (refering to the 819 set) couldn't configure them properly when facing front.

You have try every different way you can think of. Good luck

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 9 2009, 01:34 PM

Quite easily available. Try Desa Home Theatre. Negotiate the price, if possible RM1,600/- or cheaper.

One guy Johannes was selling vsx-818 clearance stocks (New sets) at RM699/- recently. By now all sold out already.

If you do a search at the right sections, I believe you will find quite a lot of seperate thread posted on the same sale by Johannes.

But I think I read it one of his very recent postings that all have been sold out.

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Here, let me do the search for you :-

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1089499&hl=vsx

His last posting on Sep 6 indicated all have been sold out.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 17 2009, 06:39 PM

My personal feelings is I do agree the Pioneer sub not quite suit the overall sound of the speakers. Ask Desa HT to try out both Pioneer and Boston speaker sets for you. Listen for yourself and let your ears decide.

Altrenately you can just listen to the Complete 819 set at Harvey Norman Sunway and see if it suits your ears. They already have a set-up there and supossedly calibrated by a Pioneer rep. It should sound better here than at Desa HT.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 18 2009, 12:51 PM

The price (including active sub) ranges from RM2,900/- to RM3,299/- with 1 yr warranty. Someone in Penang bought for RM2,900/-. Over in KL unless you are very good negotiator, mostly around RM3K/-.

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Added on September 18, 2009, 10:21 pmLet us know how the 3 diff speakers sound combined with the 819. I would like to know your observations.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 18 2009, 10:30 PM

Aiyo, how any times got to say this. Read lah post #4.

Harvey Norman price

1. Whole set (WITH Sub-Woofer)- 5 yrs warranty = RM3,499/-.

2. Whole set (WITH Sub-Woofer -1 yr warranty = RM3,299/-.

If shop around other places maybe can negotiate cheaper.

If you think Desa HT RM3,599 is best offer then be the water Fish

Just go to Desa HT and negotiate with them for RM3,000/-. If they can't offer you the price than just say someone in Penang bought for only RM2,900 with speaker stands and free HDMI cable. Walk away if they can't lower the price to your satisfaction. Can always go back another day if you change your mind

I don't recommend you to get the 519 since you are newbie. It doesn't have MCACC (Auto Calibration) and HD audio decoders. The MCACC found in the 819 will help you to calibrate the sound to suit your room acoustics.

One guy here bought the 519 and is having a hard time getting the Sub-woofer into the correct phase and balance with the speakers. This particular Pioneer sub-woofer is quite difficult to match with the current MS-800 speakers since it actually came from the Todoroki set.

Anyway please go to Harvey Norman and listen to the set which is on display. Ask them to play some music and movies on the set before you decide anything. Most important is you must like the sound.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 22 2009, 01:13 AM

Just curious, what speakers did they hooked up to? Might go and have a listen when have the time.

Bought from authorised dealer with warranty??

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 24 2009, 02:14 PM

Everyone have their own method of calibrating. Pioneer call theirs MCACC, Sony D.C.A.C , yamaha YPAO etc.

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Added on September 24, 2009, 11:52 pmYes, there was someone clearing stocks of 818 for a Dealer (new unopened sets according to him) for RM699/- but without warranty from Pioneer. Only few mths of warranty from dealer. Quite a number of people of people bought from him.

That's why I asked, no need to raise your voice. Even if I am interested in your set before , I am no longer now

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 24 2009, 11:52 PM

Typing YES! in Caps is considered shouting

This post has been edited by Ngto: Sep 25 2009, 12:22 AM