Official Pioneer SC-05 and SC-07 Owners Thread - Page 145

Are there any discreet codes for Midnight-ON and Dialogue Enhancement-ON?

I find that I am often switching these on and off, but my receiver is in a cabinet (I use RF) and I don't currently have the OSD so I need to open the cabinet and look at the display.

Thanks for the help.

[quote=fresno1232001;15526998]Graphicguy- You say the SCs are not as warm sounding as Marantz, but they are more powerful and articulate sounding. If I don't need a lot of power, maybe that knocks out HALF the "advantage" the SCs have over Marantz.

I have Allison One speakers in the front and B&W 9NTs for the rears. Both are 8 Ohm speakers, but I have read here that the B&Ws are somewhat power-hungry 8 ohm speakers.

I do not play my system very loudly since I protect my hearing and do not want to provoke retaliation from neighboring houses. SO, unless my B&Ws really are power-hungry, I don't need a lot of power. That would just leave the "more articulate sounding" as the advantage an SC-07 would have for me over a Marantz 8002, with "less warm" being what I would give up witht the SC-07.

So the question then would be, would you give up the warm sound of the Marantz SR 8002 to get the more articulate sound of the SC? Would "more articulate" be worth that? Thanks for an opinion on this.


fresno....your assessment is fair. We're talking about subjective opinions (mine, more subjective than any). If you don't need, now want the power, then there are other options that will work as well. If power is something you value, the SC edges out the SR 8002. MCACC edges out Audyssey, too.

Just don't go with options that sacrifice sound quality for no other reason than it's a little cheaper.

The Marantz SR 8002 is a quality sounding piece of gear, as is the SC series. As I said, I could be (and is/was) happy with both. I can't answer whether anyone values the sound of one over the other.

If I could have two systems, with a Marantz in one, and the SC in the other, I'd truly be happy (if I could find a reliable subwoofer).

That doesn't help you much. Except I HAD a Marantz SR 8002. I HAVE an SC 05 in my system.

Fresno, you're deep in the throes of 'analysis paralysis'. What you need to do is find a dealer that sells both Marantz and Pioneer and will let you try them in your home with the understanding that you will buy one or the other -- write 'em a check before you take the first one home. Let your ears judge which you like best.

Excellent advice, you will know for sure

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...eivers.Default

Use the SC-09TX pronto file... or if you are using URC, live update your program as they have recently added the SC-05 and SC-07 to the database... I like the CCF more though as with the Universal Browser all the commands are available on one screen, not in a scroll list like the IR Database.

I just checked with my URC editor's Universal Browser and there are loudness, midnight/loudness and dialogue discretes.

I cannot guarantee they work, as I didn't use those in my programing, but that is the CCF I used for all the input functions/volume/navigation/Home Media etc. and all worked perfectly, so I would be surprised to hear those don't.

RPT

I have the dial norm displayed upon switching inputs to either BD movies or regular cable tv.
I do know what it's for but is this a normal occurance on the sc07?

Yes.

To answer your question, no. There are discrete codes for these, but the code only calls up the parameters, you still have send the right or left directional codes to turn them on or off.

Just as an update to my HSU subwoofer conundrum, I did receive a response from Pete Hsu.

I was mistaken thinking that it was still in warranty. Apparently, there are different warranty lengths based on the different iterations of the VTF3. Mine had a 5 year warranty. So, it is indeed out of warranty (but just barely).

So, HSU was right. I was wrong!

Instead of investing $200 + in the HSU I have, and investing my labor to fix it, I'll look at something that proves (fingers crossed) a bit more durable.

As mentioned, the SVS PC12-NSD and the Elemental Design A5 are on my short list.

The SVS is $549 + shipping (~$600 total). The Elemental Design is $650, shipping included. It's tempting for no other reason than they're now offering it with a better finish and an upgraded amp (550w vs the old 350w) at no charge.

...I thought this thread was about Pio Amps....

You have a PM over at HSU

Gov....I replied with my response.

If there's one thing about this thread that I enjoy the most, it's the fact that the SC owners help each other, regardless of the issue.

Some asked me to respond with the outcome. I did. I didn't like the outcome. But, there you have it.

Fresno....I'm with catapult and Gov on this. Both are excellent choices. Obviously, those of us here like the SC.

But, both will work well. You just have to draw a line in the sand and pick one.

Whichever you decide on, there isn't a wrong choice.

Great find Charles.

Charles, As always, you make this the best thread on AVS! Thanks, Blue

Thanks for the response, graphicguy. I know we've discussed before. I guess I was just looking for reassurance before I plunk down $3-5k on a new 5.1. I can hear my wife now, "You need to buy a new receiver, why?!" Blue

Quote:
Originally Posted by graphicguy
I think we've come to the conclusion that Pioneer does this to cover their a$$. There are posters here who are running a full set of Magnepans (very hard to drive) to good effect. Audioholics also ran the SC 07 in a 4 Ohm setup and said it came very close to sounding like the reference separates costing 7X the price of the SC 07.

So, I don't think you've got much to worry about regarding Pioneer's statements. They've been "warning" about 4 Ohm setups for years. The THX designation requires amps and AVRs to run down to 3.2 Ohms, also.


Not always: ( From: http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avrecei...er/index4.html)


Driving all seven channels into 8Ω, the VSX-59TXi delivered 133Wpc at 20Hz and 140Wpc at 1kHz (to the nearest watt) before clipping (1% THD+noise). Into 4Ω, all seven channels operating, it delivered 181Wpc at 20Hz and 183Wpc at 1kHz. The 4Ω test blew the internal mains fuse; Digital Safety was turned off for all tests.

With only two channels operating, at 1kHz, the Pioneer clipped at 151Wpc into 8Ω and 276Wpc into 4Ω.—TJN

To do a quick test I reprogrammed my harmony one using the sc-09 and assigning the hmg buttons accordingly. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the sc-05 to respond to the hmg page up and down. I might try send the code to harmony just to verify.

Rowlf

I tried the codes with a Universal Remote and it also does not respond to the command, even using the specific SC-07 data, not the 09 which has worked for everything else...

I think the commands are bogus though, as the IR/Hex file that is on the Pioneer site for the SC-07 does not list Page Up and Page Down in the Home Media Gallery Section...

Shame too, would make HMG much easier to use...

RPT

20 Hz and 1 kHz is going to be much more meaningful than any test at 20kHz. So, those measurements were very impressive. Plus, the tested output far exceeded what Pioneer stated they should do. Understand, that's the way most run those tests. They either run the tests until clipping occurs. Or, the protection fuse blows (which usually happens about the same time). Plus, I suspect they were trying to blow the fuse if they turned off "digital safety" (not sure exactly what that is, but I'd imagine it was meant to keep something from self-destructing).

7-channels driven into 4 Ohm impedance, putting out 180+w/channel is pretty darn good.

The point being, Pioneer always seems to state some "legalese gobbledygook" about 4 Ohm loads. In reality, there are plenty (including professional testers) that have no issues running 4 Ohm loads.

I had one of those 59 TXis. Another, in a long line of great Elite AVRs.

Do you guys with 7.1 setups like to run your SC receivers in 7.1 mode or 5.1 mode when playing 5.1 Blu-ray movies? I tried forcing 7.1 through my back channels but I still didn't get any sound back there while playing DTS-HD 5.1 through my PS3.

I run 7.1 mode with regular DVD's, with BD I leave the receiver in Direct mode, I have been able to do 7.1 with 5.1 BD's though.

To force 7.1 on 5.1 material: Set SB=ON, then Run in Auto Surround Mode with DDPLIIx overlayed on top of the TrueHD. I believe it says "DDHD+PLIIx MV". I haven't had an issue with DTS-HD, always seems to play out of rears for me in Suround Auto mode with SB=ON.

LOL! Blue, I know that "tone of voice" all too well. No longer have a wife (which is why I have the HT to begin with), but I remember those "discussions".

You'll be fine. Totally understand that you don't want to make a $2K mistake. You won't. We won't let you.

I shan't sacrifice sound quality to save a little money. If anything, I'll go to the other extreme. There is a professional review of the Marantz SR 8002 where he says "the lower-mids and upper-bass were less voluptuous than on my Rotel RSX-1065 reference AVR receiver, as usual". So I'd pay $2,600 for the new Rotel RSX-1560 AVR if it had a phono input and a headphone jack. (What were they thinking in leaving them off?)

My thanks to graphicguy, catapult and Gov for responding. Trying to find a dealer of both Marantz and Pioneer Elite is a good idea. It seems that the Marantz SR-8002 and the Pioneer SCs are quite comparable.

The Marantz apparently lacks a phono input, but it would be easy to plug a phono preamp into the Marantz, no?

[quote=graphicguy;15528140 Just don't go with options that sacrifice sound quality for no other reason than it's a little cheaper.

The Marantz SR 8002 is a quality sounding piece of gear, as is the SC series. As I said, I could be (and is/was) happy with both. I can't answer whether anyone values the sound of one over the other.

If I could have two systems, with a Marantz in one, and the SC in the other, I'd truly be happy (if I could find a reliable subwoofer).

That doesn't help you much. Except I HAD a Marantz SR 8002. I HAVE an SC 05 in my system.[/QUOTE]