PLAYBACK 24: Pioneer Elite SC-27 THX Ultra2 Plus-Certified A/V Receiver
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- PLAYBACK 24: Pioneer Elite SC-27 THX Ultra2 Plus-Certified A/V Receiver
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| Related products: | Pioneer SC-27 THX Ultra2 Plus-certified A/V receiver |
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Pioneer Elite’s SC-27 is a powerful (7 x 140 Wpc, with ICEpower Class D amplifier modules), full-featured, Ethernet-enabled, THX Ultra2 Plus-certified A/V receiver that stands as the number two model in Pioneer’s lineup—second only to the very impressive but also very costly flagship SC-09TX. Given the huge price differential between the SC-27 ($2000) vs. the SC-09TX ($7000—gulp!), we think the SC-27 will be the model that most performance-minded enthusiasts choose to look at first, especially in light of the fact that the SC-27 is a more recent design that in some respects provides an even broader mix of features than its big brother.
Because the SC-27, like most high-end AVRs of Japanese provenance, is chockfull of advanced features, it would be easy to assume the receiver focuses primarily on elaborate technical gongs and whistles, but frankly that is missing the central point. At heart, what the SC-27 is really all about is achieving the best possible sound quality at a sensible price—something it does very well. Perhaps a small anecdote will make this point clear.
At a recent presentation at CEDIA Expo 2009, I heard a talk given by THX representatives who pointed out that their THX Ultra2 Plus certification rating is difficult to earn. In fact, the THX people emphasized that while many manufacturers have tried and failed, Pioneer is to date the only firm to have its Class D amplifier systems (as used in the SC-27 and a small handful of other Pioneer receivers) achieve full THX Ultra2 Plus certification. But what is even more telling, the THX spokesman said, is the fact that Pioneer did not immediately go to market once its class D receivers earned Ultra2 Plus approval. The reason? Pioneer felt that, good though its newly certified designs were, they did not quite meet the stringent sound quality standards Pioneer hoped to achieve with its new, top-tier Elite models. So, Pioneer delayed release of its Class D-powered receivers over a year until it had tweaked and tuned their sound to even higher levels.
Helping Pioneer in the tweaking and tuning process were the good folks at AIR studios, who have awarded the SC-27 with official AIR Studios Monitor Sound Tuning Certification—tuning that has essentially become an integral element within Pioneer’s next-generation Advanced MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration and Control) automated room/speaker EQ/setup system. The result is a receiver whose sound is muscular and full-bodied, yet full of nuance, refinement, transparency and detail.
OVERVIEW
Consider this AVR if: You want an A/V receiver whose up-to-the-minute technical features are not easily outgrown, yet whose primary emphasis is where it should be: on sound quality. Consider this model if you want most of the sound quality of a $5k-$7k receiver, but at a $2k price. Finally, consider the SC-27 if you’re a die-hard A/V enthusiast who enjoys tweaking and fine-tuning the performance of his/her system; the SC-27 provides far more extensive tuning and set-up options than most other AVRs we’ve tried.
Look further if: Technical complexity frightens or confuses you. The SC-27 is not particularly hard to use or understand, but neither is it a dirt-simple, set-it-and-forget-it receiver. Like many products targeted toward knowledgeable enthusiasts, it offers some very advanced set-up and operational modes that can and do take extra time and effort to master. This receiver is a killer performer, but to get the most out of it you must study its manual carefully.
Ratings (relative to comparably priced AVRs)
- User interface: 7
- Sound quality, music: 9
- Sound quality, movies: 10
- Value: 9
FEATURES
- 7 x 140 Watts per channel, rated from 20 Hz – 20kHz at less than .09% total harmonic distortion, with all channels driven.
- Uses advanced ICEpower Class D amplification modules.
- THX Ultra2 Plus-certified.
- Tuned for AIR Studios Monitor certification.
- Unused amplifier channels can be re-routed to bi-amp main loudspeakers.
- Provides full multichannel (7.1-channel) analog inputs and preamp outputs.
- Features Pioneer’s latest generation Advanced MCACC automated room/speaker EQ/setup system with a built-in 9-band equalizer and included calibration microphone. The system offers three levels of room EQ/speaker calibration: Full Auto MCACC (maximum simplicity and ease of use), Auto MCACC (offers some user-driven customization options), and Manual MCACC (offers extensive user-driven customization options). The system also incorporates “Full Band Phase Control” that “analyzes the frequency-phase characteristics of the speakers connected and corrects the phase distortion to the flattened frequency-phase characteristics,” said to yield better overall surround sound integration and a clearer, more focused sound. Note: the Phase Control can be turned on or off at the owner’s discretion.
- Provides Pioneer’s PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System), which is a “digital audio signal transfer control technology using (Pioneer’s) KURO LINK function.” When used with PQLS-compatible digital disc players, the system is said to remove jitter that would otherwise have “a negative effect on the quality of the sound.”
- Supports Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic IIx. DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS ES, DTS, DTS 96/24, Neural-THX Surround, WMA-9 Pro, HDMI SACD Transfer and HDMI DVD-Audio Transfer modes, plus 14 other proprietary Pioneer surround sound processing modes.
- Provides audiophile-oriented Stream Direct mode that disables all non-essential audio signal processing.
- The receiver also supports the following digital audio formats: LPCM, WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, and FLAC.
- Features Burr Brown 192kHz/24-bit analog-to-digital converters and Wolfson WM8740 192kHz/24-bit DACs.
- Tuners: The receiver provides standard AM/FM reception and is Sirius/XM satellite radio-ready.
- Built-in Ethernet connectivity supports streaming Internet radio, Rhapsody, Neural Music Direct, Sirius via Internet, and allows for periodic receiver firmware updates.
- Receiver is iPod/iPhone and USB-ready and is Works with iPhone certified. Features front-panel iPod/iPhone/USB connections (the iPod/USB cable is included) and requires no dock. The receiver is capable of looking up album art for iTunes material.
- Five HDMI inputs (one front panel mounted).
- Video processing: supports HDMI 48-bit Deep Color, HDMI x.v. Color, and HDMI 1080p Video Transfer, and incorporates a 1080p scaler for lower resolution/analog video sources plus a Pure Cinema I/P converter.
- Offers Pioneer’s latest and best full-color graphical user interface (GUI), complete with Graphic PC output to facilitate Advanced MCACC setup and adjustment.
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Comments
Nice review. I particularly like the idea that Pioneer's room correction is adjustable. Net net, how does this system compare with Audyssey?
I have the SC-25 and concur that once setup using MCACC there is a slightly bright aspect to the top-end. Otherwise it's a sonically outstanding receiver. Just wondering if the reviewer found a fix for this?
I see a few features that improve on the SC-07 (user-upgradable firmware for one), but how about audio and video performance? Any noticable changes?
It's all about the Burr Brown 192kHz/24-bit A/D and Wolfson WM8740 192kHz/24-bit DACs for me. Been eyeing this receiver since Pioneer announced it would include these!
I've been using an Elite 81TXV for three years and while the sound is very good, it's not necessarily a match for my Class A amp and other separates (which reside in my closet because of NY apartment space constrictions!). I hope I can get this unit soon...but THAT'S all about getting the $$ together.
I had a chance to audition this receiver but only in stereo mode in a store a few years ago. I auditoned the same music source against Denons, Sonys and Yamahas that were out at that time competing with this unit. IMHO, this Pioneer and the upper models that were selling were the only units to buy. The quality of reproduction of the music I heard was second to none; in fact the quality sounded more like something out of a MacIntosh and I said that to the salemen in the store. The stereo reproduction of the same music on the other models I mentioned above in stereo were nothing short of atrocious. Only the 80TXV from Pioneer did not have quality sound.
Did you do any wattage measurements to see if the unit perfomed as specified?
Yamaha recievers are trash on audio quality. That's friggin' hilarious. I've heard several >$10k separates that don't sound as good as a Yamaha playing stereo.
Kelsci,
Your statements about compariing "this Pioneer" unit with "other" modles a few years ago confuse me. The Pioneer has several ker technologies that are VERY current like the advanced surround decoding options, certification, etc. that were not available in an all out unit like this model, so what could you have been listening to, and I agree with Matt W. about Yamaha equipment. Yamha is known"industry wide" as a VERY GOOD manufactuerer of high quality great sounding"especially in stereo" gear.
Kelsci,
Your statements about compariing "this Pioneer" unit with "other" modles a few years ago confuse me. The Pioneer has several ker technologies that are VERY current like the advanced surround decoding options, certification, etc. that were not available in an all out unit like this model, so what could you have been listening to, and I agree with Matt W. about Yamaha equipment. Yamha is known"industry wide" as a VERY GOOD manufactuerer of high quality great sounding"especially in stereo" gear.
I thought Pioneer was getting out of the home electronics business and focusing on automotive electronics? If that's true, why would I ever invest in Pioneer for my home?
No not true. Pioneer have been suffering trying to make a buck out of plasma (universally rated the best around) and have taken a real financial
beating, however they have always worked hard to bring something special to the world of audio and their optical expertise stretch from bluray to
the creation of the laser disc. I understand that after exiting the flat panel business they will continue strongly in car audio, navigation and
the home entertainment area. It appears their association with Britain's Air studios is continuing to pay dividends. Last years Elite model A/V receiver
was voted "Receiver of the year" in the U.K. This looks like a brilliant follow up from what i've read.
I has a speaker set from NHT classic . Is Elite sc-27 good match for my speaker?
Thanks
I has a speaker set from NHT classic . Is Elite sc-27 good match for my speaker?
Thanks
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Hellow - these 2 receivers have both received very good reviews from your publication and seem to be in the same class. Would you be able to comment on any sonic differences between the two? I am weighing the potential purchase of one of these, and would be pairing it with either a def tech ST based system or a Mirage OMD-28 based system. I tend to dislike "bright" sounding equipment, and generally enjoy the warmth of Yamaha to the sound of Denon, which often sounds hard and edgy to me.
Any comments that you might be able to make between the 2 would be quite helpful. Thank you much.
sorry - didn't realize that the subject didn't populate the body. The two receivers I was asking you to compare were the Pioneer sc-27 and the Onkyo SR-tx876. Thank you
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nice review.
Chris,
I enjoyed your review of the Pioneer SC-27 very much. I am currently considering a Yamaha RX-V3900 and thought I'd locked on this decision. After reading your review of the Pioneer, I'm waffling some. I realize the Pioneer has the THX certification, which seems to be an advantage over the Yamaha, but in many other respects these units are very similar. I appreciate the Yamaha's advanced sound processing capabilities, which seem a step above the Pioneer (I realize many poo-poo these, but I've always like them.) In addition, I think the Anchor Bay video processing in the Yamaha is a win. It appears the user interface received a better score than the Pioneer too.
Do you have a recommendation for one over the other? I've noted that the Pioneer can be had (from an authorized retailer) for around $1400, while the Yamaha goes for nearly $1800. Too much $$$ to ignore in the overall decision possibly.
Thanks,
- Rob (San Diego)
Hi Rob,
In this price range, you might want to consider the Denon AVR-4310CI. I think it has better separation, more detail, and bigger sound stage than the Pioneer SC-27. I have demo both at Bestbuy and decided to go with the Denon. I was able to get the unit for $1399 w/ 3yr interest free financing down from $1999 after speaking w/ the manager.
Thanks.
I've considered Denon in the past, but they've received really negative reviews of both their user interface, remotes, and manuals that I've dropped them from my list.
- Rob
>>>I think it has better separation
That's absurd. Even a $100 receiver has more than 90db separation between channels when playing back anything but radio and vinyl. There is no way you could be hearing BETTER separation via the receiver, assuming by separation, you mean separation between the channels. All you have to do is put a test CD, DVD or Blu-ray that sends audio to one channel at a time to prove this. If you can't hear anything in the other channels when a signal is playing in the designated channel, than the separation is perfect. And you'll find that it will be in any receiver that doesn't have a short.
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I was not the only one in the store making a A,B,C and D test. My brother was in the market looking for a potential receiver and he too came to the same conclusion as I. Any Elite model that year from the 80 up thru the 84 at least in stereo mode outbeat any of the other receivers that we tried in those modes; the current Yamahas, Sony's and Denons that were on display at that time. Unfortunately, the sound rooms were not set up properly and in most stores at that time they were not set up properly to test movie surround at any one time. However, when a store had a separate surround system set up with a particulay receiver in one case a uppder end Denon unit, I found its surround sound ability beyound reproach.