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Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice

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Posted on September 13, 2014 at 14:33:36
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Hi all. I am in the market to purchase a new home theater receiver. I have decided to go with a pre-owned Pioneer Elite brand but I'm not sure which one I should pick. The available options are:

SC-27 $500
SC-37 $400
Sc-71 $559
SC-75 $995

When reviewing the info on all these models on Pioneer's website, there is a huge difference in retail price (when new) between the 27 & 37 versus the 71 & 75. The 27 & 37 sold for $2,200 while the 71 & 75 sold for about $1,000 to $1,500. The 27 & 37 have all of the features I need/want but lack a few "bells & whistles found in the 71 & 75. So, bottom line, are there any good reasons why I should spend more to get what the 71 and 75 have to offer? Or, should I go with the 27 or 37? Thanks in advance for your input.
Kerry

 

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RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 13, 2014 at 18:34:29
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Welcome! Kidomaha-

buy the top-of-the-line model.

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 13, 2014 at 18:38:09
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Lol. Thanks. The "top of the line" for this brand is $7k but I'm only going to spend $1k on whatever I get. Thanks for you welcome message and the suggestion. Much appreciated.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 13, 2014 at 18:46:08
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 Hi Kid.....I just got a new Denon 7+1 for about 1000.00 that I really love. Sound, picture are wonderful using HDMI, has internet, blutoothe (Spotify) ..... highly recommended.

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 13, 2014 at 19:29:17
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16242
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 I didn't look up the specs, but any receiver that doesn't have at least a couple of HDMI 1.2 or 1.3, that supports higher rez and sound is nearly worthless for HT. If it only has S-Video, pass.

-Rod

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 13, 2014 at 21:12:35
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 The only thing I would suggest is if the entry models have the features you need the one thing I would look for is pre amp out. If the entry level receiver has this then you can buy a second hand power amplifier for $500 from say Rotel or Bryston and this will be a major upgrade over the power amp section in the top model you're looking at and probably better than the power amp section in perhaps any model they offer. It's unlikely the parts quality in the preamp stage in any of them will be different. You're paying more for more channels and slightly beefier power amp/supplies. But a lower end receiver with a separate power amp will very likely trump all that.

When I added a Bryston to my flagship Pioneer Elite receiver it was jaw dropping. That was the moment I became interested in audio seriously.

I never used about 80% of all the crap the thing comes with in terms of the features. Most of which made music sound worse. So why pay for it since you're not going to likely use it. The preamp out is nice because you can upgrade without having to sell the thing.

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 08:46:48
jllaudio
Audiophile

Posts: 859
Joined: May 27, 2002
Contributor
  Since: May 2, 2007
 I could be wrong, but doesn't the SC-81 cost about $1000 and support HDMI 2.0?

 

Pioneer receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 13:26:00
Alex F.
Audiophile

Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
 If I decided to buy a Pioneer AV receiver and did not require multichannel preamp outputs, I would likely purchase a brand-new leftover Pioneer VSX-1123 from Amazon. They're being cleared out for only $349 with free shipping (see link below).

Also, Pioneer is selling refurbished SC-75 receivers for $800. Here's a link:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/Specials/Home+specials/SC-75+REFURBISHED

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 21:23:00
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Thanks Rod. I could not agree more. All of the mentioned receivers have those features. Unfortunately, the one I was leaning towards, the SC-37 was sold on eBay. The auction ended just as I was taking my twin daughters back to their mom's house so I wasn't at a computer and able to monitor what was going on. That said, it gives me more time to make a considered decision. Thanks again. I look forward to my association with this group and learning all I can!
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 21:33:09
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 That is a very good point. I've got 2 older "flagship" and almost flagship receivers from the 90's that are only collecting dust. i was thinking of using one (maybe both) as just an amp for the HT system after I get the receiver. (I have a Sony DA-80ES and a Yamaha RXV-2092. Colleting even more dust are a Sansui AU-D7 and 507). Frankly, if that Sony had video upscaling and HDMI ports I would have stuck with it for eternity. Thanks again. I will update you all soon after a purchase is made.

I have one more question about some gear I have but I think it belongs in a different category. If Philips High Fidelity Laboratory interests anyone, take a look. I'll post in a few minutes.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 22:05:11
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Well, I'll be damned. Yoou are spot on JLL. Looks like I can snag one for less than $1k too. Thanks brother.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer receiver choice, posted on September 14, 2014 at 22:10:14
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Alex F, you have just become my hero! I love the SC-75 and had no idea that I could get one refurbished directly from Pioneer. I have been watching this site for a long time but always felt I didn't have the expertise to chime in. I'm so glad I finally took the leap! If you ever need a lawyer in Indiana, I owe you one.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer receiver choice, posted on September 15, 2014 at 13:34:03
Alex F.
Audiophile

Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
 You are welcome.

It is highly unlikely I will ever need legal help in Indiana, but thank you for the offer!

 

RE: Pioneer receiver choice, posted on September 16, 2014 at 17:18:16
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Good to hear Kerry.

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 18, 2014 at 03:36:12
Polyphonic
Audiophile

Posts: 7
Location: Boston
Joined: September 3, 2014
 Just as an aside, Im very happy with Marantz. The new receivers are very nice. The last generation too. The amp sections are very beefy (currentwise). I use mine for its internal amps as well as the pre-outs to power a couple of monoblocks. It performs admirably. The overwhelming number of positive reviews, I felt, could not be ignored. You can best-buy them, but they are all over ebay as well for $100s less. I have owned many pioneer products including a 100 watt av receiver and I find the newer amps are nothing like the old pioneers. But I digress, I have not auditioned pioneer in a while. Good luck

 

RE: Pioneer receiver choice, posted on September 21, 2014 at 10:12:23
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 That was really all I had to offer... Thanks Alex.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 21, 2014 at 10:20:03
Kidomaha
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Location: Indiana
Joined: September 13, 2014
 Last question. DO you think the differences between the sc-71 and sc-75 are great enough to justify the 75 being $200 more than the 71? (Both are unused). Thanks again all. You have already been very helpful.
Kerry

 

RE: Pioneer Elite "sc" receiver choice, posted on September 21, 2014 at 20:51:33
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Read RGAs post, below.

Keep in mind that the way receivers are made means MUCH of the guts are in common. Some manufacturers even go so far as to build a common 'motherboard' than jumper IN or OUT features depending on the intended destination for the board.


Too much is never enough

 

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