How To Set Up Pioneer Speakers

pio-xformer The SC-07 is the 2nd in line from flagship condition for Pioneer Aristocracy and decodes virtually every known audio format in existence. This 40lbs metal beast houses a highly efficient Class D ability amplifier that is rated for 140wpc ten 7. Video processing and scaling is accomplished past Faroudja DCDi, proving 1080p support and analog to HDMI video upconversion. There's besides the new Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS) which, according to Pioneer, re-clocks ii-CH PCM CD sound from the HDMI digital output of a compatible Pioneer Blu-ray disc role player to reduce jitter and improve fidelity. Since I didn't accept a Pioneer Blu-ray role player on hand, I was unable to ostend this characteristic'southward do good.

Pio-top The Pioneer SC-07 build quality is typical of what I've seen in by Elite products: a nice sleeky faceplate, big chassis to house all of the electronics, and a make clean and simple front end console as far as the bridge of a Starship goes. Seriously, could they or any other Japanese receiver company effigy out how to squeeze more than poorly marked buttons on a front panel of a receiver? Removing the top panel was no small task and Pioneer would surely win the laurels for "most screws in a single chassis" (count 'em, in that location'due south 22).

The SC-07 is missing one cardinal element bestowed upon its predecessors: a large heatsink on which to mountain the power devices. Instead, the Water ice amplifier module is located in an isolated compartment on the lesser of the receiver which I was unable to become to for photos. I was a chip perplexed equally to why they located the parts that generate the virtually heat towards the lesser of the receiver but it seemed to be more than a existent estate issue than one of preference. Make no fault, despite this is a highly efficient Class D amplifier, the module gets hot to the touch when this amp is running at loftier levels for long periods of time. This is a fact that I learned after my multi-channel listening test was done and I was packing it back in the box. The tiptop of the chassis is cross beam braced for increased rigidity and reduction of mechanical vibration. This is a welcome feature I am seeing offered on the latest flagship receivers from other brands every bit well.

Where's the beefiness?

Although the SC-07 contains an ICE amplifier module, Pioneer chose to stick with a linear power supply, which in my opinion was a good telephone call on their function. SMPS (Switch Manner Power Supply) , although more compact and efficient, tin can be more plush to pattern properly and still result in less overall headroom and college power supply ripple during heavy demands. This can lead to power sag and sonic nasties. The Due east-core power transformer utilized in the SC-07 was a bit small for a receiver in this toll grade, about x-15% smaller than what I observed in the Yamaha RX-Z7 which I too had under review at the aforementioned time. What was even more surprising to me was the meager 2 10 x,000uF power supply capacitors. I've reviewed $400 Yamaha and $850 Denon receivers with more juice than this. I also noticed that they employed 80V capacitors, which is a fashion larger Vrating than is needed for the 140wpc rating on this receiver. I started to suspect that maybe Pioneer was using a lower electric current high voltage ability transformer to yield more impressive dynamic ability measurements at the expense of sustained low impedance continuous ability delivery. I would confirm this later on on the demote.

Organization Setup & Configuration

I fix up the SC-07 for 5.1 but biamped my front channels full range which consisted of RBH Sound T-30LSE towers that dip into the 3-ohm range to really give the Water ice amplifier modules a conditioning. I used the matching RBH T-1SE/R center channel and MC-6C bookshelfs on stands for the rears and i of my Velodyne DD-15'southward for the subwoofer channel. The transports were the Denon DVD-5910, Toshiba Hard disk drive-A2 Hard disk drive DVD thespian (yea I know, dead format) and the Yamaha MusicCAST MCX-2000. All of my cables were Sonicwave past Bear upon Acoustics / Cables to Get with the exception of my front end speakers which were wired with Rivercable Starflex.

Pio-back3

Back Console View of the Pioneer SC-07

The back console of the SC-07 is a fleck crowded like all other receivers in this price range. There are vii speaker connections where two of them can either be used equally Speaker B, Surround Backs, Zone2 or Biamp depending on how you assign them in the OSD. There are four HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, 3 component inputs and 2 outputs (ane for Zone2), 4 TOSlink ins / 2 outs, and 3 coax inputs. The power string is not detachable which is disappointing at this price, and there are no provisions for switched or unswitched outlets.

Choosing the Speaker Impedance?

Um, well not really. In fact, this is the first UL rated receiver that has no impedance markings on the back console or the user manual. Pioneer gives zilch equally far equally recommending a minimum impedance speaker to use with this receiver sans the pocket-sized blip on page 64 of the user manual about recommending 6 ohm yo 16 ohm speakers when using the Speaker B amp configuration. Instead of a silk screen with impedance markings, my unit had a removable sparse film plastic faceplate over the speaker terminals. I have no idea what that was for. As far as I know, Pioneer has no consequence connecting upward a fork on the outputs, but I wouldn't recommend it.

bradberry11 posts on February 14, 2022 21:35

Swell review. FYI, component video supports upward to 720p or 1080i max, and so the xBox 360 was merely unable to do that test (of analog 1080p).

Dan Banquer posts on Dec 29, 2008 eighteen:56

Bandwidth Limiting

I would like to add a bit more than fuel to this burn.
Back in the 70's and fourscore'southward linear amps were doing some very similar things as the ICE power module unit in question. What was found was this caused slew rate limitations giving what is still known as slewing induced baloney. This was observed on in ring impulse response testing. Opposite to some behavior one does not need a DC to light bandwidth to Not take slewing induced distrotion but one must have a near flat response to 20 kHz independent of power for the load the amp is designed for.
Also run into audio get dorsum in history and make the same mistakes all over again is but a flake disheartening.
d.b.

Sherardp posts on December 29, 2008 15:42

I read this review on the SC07, very informative to say the least. However I've endemic the SC-07 for some time and I have to say its an infrequent unit. I did next comparisons with the Denons and felt they were a lilliputian too laid back for my personal tastes. Granted I utilise external amplication for powering my speakers, however if I were in the market today, I'd buy it or the 05 again. IMHO they are pretty good AVRS and capable of existence a pretty darn good pre/pro.

Gov posts on December 29, 2008 14:24

Looking forward to it

gene posts on December 28, 2008 15:29

Even though a lot of people there disagree with you (and still do) they (like I) capeesh your review and your posts at that place.
What I did not agree with is how you announced your last mail service on that thread and said you lot were done with it. Why not continue to defend your review? You never got whatever personal attacks or insults.

I don't need to "defend" my review that has objective measurements washed by the almost advanced and manufacture standard Sound Analyzer with a test in accordance to how the FTC has measured amplifiers for the last 30 years. There are people that would similar to believe total bandwidth power tests are irrelevant and I'd say more power to them (no pun intended), but there are those that also believe in testing products to their limits and ensuring they are getting an amplifier that can evangelize maximum full bandwidth ability into low impedance loads. I am not on a quest to change peoples minds. I do however test all amplifiers nether the same exam conditions and agree the same criteria regardless of amplifier classification. Y'all will see before long a review of a Class D amp that can evangelize total power bandwidth into 8, 4 and two ohm loads as an instance as well equally a serial of articles on this very topic.