The percentage of electronics at the end of their lives which were recycled.
The EPA found that the percentage remained consistent from 1999-2005. Even as recycling rates went up, the amount of electronics reaching end of life outpaced the increase, leaving the figure static. (source: EPA, July 2008)
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Hi! Just wanted to address a few points that have been brought up here...
Steven (and everyone else), there's no need for concern regarding the HT specs on any of the new Pioneer-branded receivers. We redesigned the amp stages for all of them to provide higher power across all the channels and much lower noise levels than on previous gens, especially when compared to competitor models which generally have to drop their power output almost in half to reach the same THD as we offer. That's one reason they actually weigh less than they did last year: more efficient designs which are less bulky.
You can get all those specs at "http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/Enhanced+Content/Receivers", and then click on any of the new models and hit the Documents tab for the downloadable brochures and operating instructions. I can go on and on here, but you'll see for yourselves how all the nice new benefits to these models offer significant improvements over the xx18-series. But here's one for you anyway: we give you the digital iPhone/iPod USB/video cable for free. Everyone else will charge you upwards of $100 for an analog docking station!
Thanks!
Rolf Hawkins
National Trainer
Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group
Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc.
Long Beach, CA
Rolf -- thanks for commenting. I wasn't questioning the performance of the new models (I haven't personally heard them), I just wish there would have been some more ink spilled on the other features of them. Especially or the price, they really do have impressive specs -- like Zargon commented, the lack of preamp outputs is one of the few things holding me back on them.
Steve, I hear ya on the pre-outs. Not sure what a full 7-channel pre-out circuit and wiring path would have added to the bottom line, cost-wise, but I can hypothesize that the design team chose to eliminate them from the SKU mix at these price-points because one could assume that anyone desiring a stand alone prepro would have to spend considerably more than the price of a receiver (in this particular instance in the $299-$499 range) on multiple amps or a single beefier multi-channel amp. If you were going to go that route, it would only stand to reason that you'd choose a higher-end preamp, with parts and build quality more along the lines of our Elite-badged receivers. Still, it's an intriguing thought, and one I've heard before, so I'll be sure to pass it along up the ladder! Thanks!
Thank you for commenting.
Thanks for replying Rolf,
It's actually quite nice to hear from someone from a company backing it products and explaining the choices made. It seems you have some familiarity with design choices and product implementation in regards to your receivers which beats a lot of customer service people.
Now, if you can just train box store reps to know about the products they sell. That truely would be a momutental achievement :)
Thanks for your reply,
A Pioneer Customer(my 7.1 receiver)