Pieneer Elite VSX-80TXV a glorified 1016TXV?

[chefi]

I have been in the market for a sub $500.00 receiver and have my list down to the Onkyo TX-SR604 ($450.00 at CC), the Pioneer VSX1016 ($450.00 at BB and CC), and the Yamaha RX-V659 ($469.00 at Myer-Emco). Well, last night I went to my local Tweeter store and noticed they only carry the Elite series on the Pioneer brand at significantly higher prices. I had a short conversation with what seemed to be knowledgeable associate about the superior sound processing on the Pioneer Elite VSX80 vs. the non-elite VSX1016. After shelling out an extra $125.00 I came out the store with the “higher end”, svelte-looking Pio Elite VSX80 ($575.00). After doing research on the internet about the Elite VSX80 I noticed it has pretty much everything the VSX1016 has, including the pass-through only HDMI switch. Did I just buy a glorified VSX1016? I still have the unopened box in my basement and I’m thinking about returning it to go to CC to get either either the Onkyo TX-SR604 or the Pioneer VSX1016. I will appreciate any input on this decision.

[Falke401]

im not sure on the differences, but i have the VSX1016 and am very happy with it. I got it for a little under $400 though. I dont think you can go wrong with any of the choices

[Demiurge]

In your price range, I don't think you can go wrong with the Pioneer Elite series. I like mine very much, but it's only here until I get my B & K. :)

[PSOVLSK]

I think the answer is "yes". I know when I was looking at a few Yamaha receivers, the model # was different at Tweeter than at CC, BB, etc. I went to the Yamaha website and found that the difference was basically that the writing on the "big box" model was white and on the "high end" model was gold. This may not be the case with the Pioneer, but it seems very similar.

[chefi]

Thanks for your comments. I returned the Elite VSX-80 and have now the VSX-1016. Needless to say I'm very happy with the HT sound reproduction as well as music fidelity. To bad Pioneer doesn’t include a more detailed and convincing statement in their website differentiating their lower-end Elite series vs their higher-end non-Elite series. I’ll just keep pondering while listening to my nice lower-end non-Elite VSX-1016. Very nice indeed…