Bought a 77 from authorized dealer in my area. He sold it to me for retail with a 10% discount for paying with check. It was installed last week along with outdoor speakers and a sonos box. I haven't spent a great deal of time with it but I do have some first impressions. I upgraded from an SC-05. He installed 4 outdoor speakers. I have 5.1 in the viewing room, the other 4 channels are being used for the outdoor speakers. 2 in Zone 2 and 2 in Zone 3.
Also installed a sonos box for content. Idea is to use icontrolav for turning zones on/off and adjusting volume, and using the sonos app/box for content. All is hardwired.
Pros:
Big upgrade in sound from the SC-05. Sounds better/fuller at all volume levels. Ridicoulous good. Met every expectation in this regard.
MCAAA set-up (or whatever) was easy and very similar to the SC-05 with a few additional options.
Limitations:
1. Still unable to have seaprate video and audio in viewing room. Would be nice to be able to listen to sonos and have ballgame on TV. In order to do it I have to run a hdmi from cable box to tv and bypass AVR. Its a hassle and unsightly.
2. Quirky thing with sonos optical out. I can't use optical and hear the sonos box in zone 2/3. I have to use analog. Optical works fine in viewing room. Lose all the DAC goodness by having to use analog in zone 2/3.
3. Because of the above I thought I could use the AVR to play pandora and media server content when using zones 2/3 (I wanna use the DACs I paid for darn it!). Pandora works OK, I can't get the media server content to play. Says folder empty. This is most likely a user issue but I've spent some time on it and still haven't figured it out. I would consider myself a pretty advanced user. It shouldnt be that hard (any ideas to help would be welcomed.) I can see why the installer sold me on sonos...content via AVR is cluncky at best. Coupled with #2 I'm pretty dissapointed with the multi zone capabilities.
3. icontrolAV recognition of the AVR is intermittent. It may be the AVR needs to be on before you open the app. Gives an network error...AVR not found error. Seems like when I turn the AVR on then open app it works. Have not had time to fully diagnose the issue. Far from flawless...again would not really need it other than zone control.
Summary:
AVR for viewing room is AMAZING. There are limitations for multi zone use. There are current media server/icontrolav complexities that I hope to overcome leaving the only dissapointment #1. Work in process.
Also installed a sonos box for content. Idea is to use icontrolav for turning zones on/off and adjusting volume, and using the sonos app/box for content. All is hardwired.
Pros:
Big upgrade in sound from the SC-05. Sounds better/fuller at all volume levels. Ridicoulous good. Met every expectation in this regard.
MCAAA set-up (or whatever) was easy and very similar to the SC-05 with a few additional options.
Limitations:
1. Still unable to have seaprate video and audio in viewing room. Would be nice to be able to listen to sonos and have ballgame on TV. In order to do it I have to run a hdmi from cable box to tv and bypass AVR. Its a hassle and unsightly.
2. Quirky thing with sonos optical out. I can't use optical and hear the sonos box in zone 2/3. I have to use analog. Optical works fine in viewing room. Lose all the DAC goodness by having to use analog in zone 2/3.
3. Because of the above I thought I could use the AVR to play pandora and media server content when using zones 2/3 (I wanna use the DACs I paid for darn it!). Pandora works OK, I can't get the media server content to play. Says folder empty. This is most likely a user issue but I've spent some time on it and still haven't figured it out. I would consider myself a pretty advanced user. It shouldnt be that hard (any ideas to help would be welcomed.) I can see why the installer sold me on sonos...content via AVR is cluncky at best. Coupled with #2 I'm pretty dissapointed with the multi zone capabilities.
3. icontrolAV recognition of the AVR is intermittent. It may be the AVR needs to be on before you open the app. Gives an network error...AVR not found error. Seems like when I turn the AVR on then open app it works. Have not had time to fully diagnose the issue. Far from flawless...again would not really need it other than zone control.
Summary:
AVR for viewing room is AMAZING. There are limitations for multi zone use. There are current media server/icontrolav complexities that I hope to overcome leaving the only dissapointment #1. Work in process.