I have owned the VSX-24TX since January of 2000. IMHO, it is one of the better sounding A/V receivers in this price range. For the year it was released, the feature-set was pretty extensive. Build-quality is very good. All controls have a solid feel. FM performance is ok, as is the phono stage. Although the remote is decent, I have replaced it with a Home Theater Master MX-500. I have not had one single mechanical or operational problem with this receiver. That, despite it being accidentally showered with dirt from a contruction project (the drop cloth fell off).
Compared to other similarly-priced A/V receivers by Yamaha, Harman Kardon, Denon and Onkyo, I find the sound to be fairly warm, smooth and with good detail. Dynamics are only fair, and compression at higher volumes, especially in 2-channel mode, is easily apparent. Imaging is good, although the sound stage is a bit flat, with fair width, good hieght, and very little depth.
My only real complaint is a rather weak output voltage from the subwoofer/LFE output. I have had to add a Paradigm X-30 (14dB of line-stage gain) to bring the signal level up enough for my subwoofer.
In May of 2002, I added a Rotel 1066 6-channel amp to run the front three channels (rated at 150 watts X 3 in bridged mode). Although the improvement was significant, especially in terms of dynamic range, detail and soundstage, the differences were not that huge. This begs the conclusion that the Pioneer's amp section is very respectable for a mid-fi kit.
Associated gear:
Teac (vintage) CDP w/internal DAC
Toshiba SD-2109 DVD player
Vandersteen 1C (2 pair - front L/R and rear L/R)
Vandersteen VCC center channel
Definitive Technology PF15 powered subwoofer
Paradigm X-30 subwoofer crossover box
Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro/Parametric EQ (to control room modes)
JVC and Panasonic S-VHS VCRs
JVC DishPlayer receiver w/optical digital audio output
Thorens TD-166 MkII Table
Shure M91HE pickup
Monster Cable ICs throughout
Kimber (entry-level) speaker cable
Compared to other similarly-priced A/V receivers by Yamaha, Harman Kardon, Denon and Onkyo, I find the sound to be fairly warm, smooth and with good detail. Dynamics are only fair, and compression at higher volumes, especially in 2-channel mode, is easily apparent. Imaging is good, although the sound stage is a bit flat, with fair width, good hieght, and very little depth.
My only real complaint is a rather weak output voltage from the subwoofer/LFE output. I have had to add a Paradigm X-30 (14dB of line-stage gain) to bring the signal level up enough for my subwoofer.
In May of 2002, I added a Rotel 1066 6-channel amp to run the front three channels (rated at 150 watts X 3 in bridged mode). Although the improvement was significant, especially in terms of dynamic range, detail and soundstage, the differences were not that huge. This begs the conclusion that the Pioneer's amp section is very respectable for a mid-fi kit.
Associated gear:
Teac (vintage) CDP w/internal DAC
Toshiba SD-2109 DVD player
Vandersteen 1C (2 pair - front L/R and rear L/R)
Vandersteen VCC center channel
Definitive Technology PF15 powered subwoofer
Paradigm X-30 subwoofer crossover box
Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro/Parametric EQ (to control room modes)
JVC and Panasonic S-VHS VCRs
JVC DishPlayer receiver w/optical digital audio output
Thorens TD-166 MkII Table
Shure M91HE pickup
Monster Cable ICs throughout
Kimber (entry-level) speaker cable