Official Pioneer SC-05 and SC-07 Owners Thread - Page 277

Originally Posted by Thunderduck

Do these receivers require you to play them at high levels in order to get the best sound out of them? Because of my situation, townhouse and family sleeping one floor up when i want to watch movies or play a game, I will not and actually do not want to have to crank the volume up to get excellent audio. My current receiver is an Onkyo 606. I can't really put my finger on it, but I am just not very happy with the audio.

My speakers are DefTech BP7006 for the f/l and f/r and a Mythosthree for the center.
I do have surronds as well but not sure what the brand is. Got them from a friend for nothing so using them until I can replace.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Regards,

Steve

Originally Posted by b_scott

No, you can get great sound out of them at moderate and even low volumes. Honestly I'm barely able to crank past -20db before it's too loud for my fiancee. And she has no outside hobbies. Haha. But it still sounds amazing in my apartment. Run MCAAC room calibration and you'll get the best sound for your space. Also I suggest you use loudness control, so at low volumes it's still punchy.

Originally Posted by CHP_VR

Thunderduck;
in addition to b_scott's suggestions (all right on), you can play with the "midnight" function (page 96)
.. lots of options on this beast.
These beauties sound great at low and high volumes.. the real difference is you can crank these up and the sound is just as great, louder and without distortion.

MIDNIGHT Allows you to hear effective
surround sound of movies at low
volumes.
LOUDNESS Used to get good bass and treble ON
from music sources at low
volumes.

Originally Posted by DML85

Ok so I can admit when I make a mistake. I was plugging in a HDMI cable that was not in use that was just hanging in the back of my media center So when I plugged the correct HDMI in, my video miraculously worked, crazy right?

Originally Posted by kramster73

Please help I'm going mad!!

Trying to setup my subwoofer, but nothing is coming out of it. I've plugged it into the subwoofer jack and set my speakers to small and Xover to 80. The power is on and the cables are all connected. I Run MCACC and it says to turn up the sub, but I have. It is the same with any cable, so I know it's not that. The sub works with speaker level inputs, as I have been using it like that for a week or two waiting for my long cable to arrive so I can have it in the opposite end of the room. I have an SC-05 with a Rythmik D15SE.

I seem to remember having the same problem when I first got the sub and ran it right next to the receiver with my short cable. It was not recognizing anything and then I don't know what I did and it kicked in. Right now I'm trying test tones from CD and I get nothing. Also tried plugging the sub cable into the front pre out. Do you have to do something to enable preouts?

Thanks in advance. I just got the Matrix Bluray Trilogy and my nice long cable and I want to enjoy my evening instead of tearing my hair out

Originally Posted by ccotenj

check to make sure you are plugged into "sub out" and not "sub in" on the avr...

Originally Posted by kramster73

That's a really good tip. In fact I just came back to say that I'm retarded and did exactly what you suggested I may have.

Thanks. I'm off the enjoy it now.

Originally Posted by icemanu

I just ordered my Speakers to go with my SC07...

Front : Aperion 5T
Sub : Aperion 5B
Center: Aperion 5C
Sub : Aperion 8D

Does anyone with Pioneer Elite series uses Aperion as their speakers ?

Hoping for the best - If I dont like the sub - I might jump onto SVS Subs.

Originally Posted by Thunderduck

Do these receivers require you to play them at high levels in order to get the best sound out of them? Because of my situation, townhouse and family sleeping one floor up when i want to watch movies or play a game, I will not and actually do not want to have to crank the volume up to get excellent audio. My current receiver is an Onkyo 606. I can't really put my finger on it, but I am just not very happy with the audio.

My speakers are DefTech BP7006 for the f/l and f/r and a Mythosthree for the center.
I do have surronds as well but not sure what the brand is. Got them from a friend for nothing so using them until I can replace.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Regards,

Steve

Originally Posted by septim

Thanks appreciate the direct comparison. Everyone seems to think refurb Pioneers don't exist. The eBay seller has pictures of the refurb boxes that clearly show they are direct from Pioneer and has a ton of positive feedback on refurb 92TXHs and 94s he has sold in the past.

Originally Posted by septim

I'm considering getting a refurbished Pioneer SC-05. Pioneer refurbished not retailer refurbished. Has anyone gone this route? Do I have anything to worry about?

How will the SC-05 stack up against an Onkyo 805?

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

Septim:

I have both an SC-07 and an Integra 8.8 (cousin to the higher 905 amp wise).

The SC-07 and its brother the 05 is a notch down feature and amp wise from the 905 but should compare favorably vs the 805's amps. It runs much cooler and from what I have heard from the 805 series should be better sounding overall.

When you can get a SC-05 for new for so little why go refurb?

Originally Posted by aseer

What did you think of the SC's version of MCACC and the Integra's Audyssey (which is the Mult-EQ XT version I think)?

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

I was more pleased with the "7 position based" Audessey Multi-EQ XT for its default calibration (I have an option for Audessey Pro but have not done that yet). I disliked MCACC so much I had my SC-07 professionally calibrated by UMR.

NIGHT and DAY difference after that with the SC-07. Were it not for his guidance and help I would have returned it after the first month. Post calibration it was so much smoother, so much less harsh and grating. The X-Curve helped but not nearly as much as professional analysis.

Overall the ICE amps are nice but they still are not as warm and accurate to my ears as the AB amps in the Integra 8.8 (with terroridal transformer) and the Pioneer 49/59 TXi series.


UMR is well experienced with each and doesn't seem to be wowed by either. I think he prefers MCACC though from what I recall but clearly does not let it stay at default settings at least for the EQ of the speakers.


So for my particular large space with a huge opening to the left and about a 7,000 Cub/ft space to play with (in three adjacent rooms) I did not like the MCACC default calibration. I prefer the prior generation MCACC from my 49TXi and believe it was far superior even without the standing wave correction.

Now if I could only find a cheap B stock or closeout SC-09 TX to compare.... Maybe CHARLES will sell some day.

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

I was more pleased with the "7 position based" Audessey Multi-EQ XT for its default calibration (I have an option for Audessey Pro but have not done that yet). I disliked MCACC so much I had my SC-07 professionally calibrated by UMR.

NIGHT and DAY difference after that with the SC-07. Were it not for his guidance and help I would have returned it after the first month. Post calibration it was so much smoother, so much less harsh and grating. The X-Curve helped but not nearly as much as professional analysis.

Overall the ICE amps are nice but they still are not as warm and accurate to my ears as the AB amps in the Integra 8.8 (with terroridal transformer) and the Pioneer 49/59 TXi series.


UMR is well experienced with each and doesn't seem to be wowed by either. I think he prefers MCACC though from what I recall but clearly does not let it stay at default settings at least for the EQ of the speakers.


So for my particular large space with a huge opening to the left and about a 7,000 Cub/ft space to play with (in three adjacent rooms) I did not like the MCACC default calibration. I prefer the prior generation MCACC from my 49TXi and believe it was far superior even without the standing wave correction.

Now if I could only find a cheap B stock or closeout SC-09 TX to compare.... Maybe CHARLES will sell some day.

Originally Posted by alerion

Piling on....
The SC-05 sounds very good at low volume - stereo or multi-channel. Very clean sound - music smooth and stereo or multi-ch movies and tv very intelligible.
My wife was grading papers last night in adjacent room with no complaints. We listen to some movies in the -30 range with plenty of impact. I listen to music if just relaxing even lower.
This is without enhancement modes.
I found THX loudness can abruptly transition to too loud as volume turns up.

Originally Posted by Mixdoctor

I have a different experience. I am not to fond of Audessey, but do like MCACC . It just seems to get the entire setup right more than Audessey. When I compared the SC-05 to my 905, MCACC sounded more right despite the fact that I have run Audessey several times since I had the 905. Not that the 905 is bad I just think the SC series sounds better without a lot of tweaking.

Originally Posted by Thunderduck


If I may ask one more question. How hard are they to update? Can I download an update and load it myself, or does the unit need to be taken to a service center?

Thanks again for all the great info!

Steve

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

Septim:

I have both an SC-07 and an Integra 8.8 (cousin to the higher 905 amp wise).

The SC-07 and its brother the 05 is a notch down feature and amp wise from the 905 but should compare favorably vs the 805's amps. It runs much cooler and from what I have heard from the 805 series should be better sounding overall.

When you can get a SC-05 for new for so little why go refurb?

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

How large is the room where your 905 is located? Did you run the full 7 position run for the Audessey?

I find that is more effective than the 3 or even 4 position tests I ran.

I think MCACC is more tweekable though with the X-Curve and other standing wave and even user computer controlled options. With the right amount of work (and TIME) it can be a very good starting point for troublesome rooms. However I would compare its default Advanced Auto Calibration selections (at least in my environment) to a lesser sophistaed Auto EQ. It did very much what the Denon AUTO Room EQ in my old 3805 did by default. That was even less tweakable, really thinned the bass and mids and the 3805 didn't survive very long in its surround role. Then again its amps weren't all that exciting either.

The older I get the less I want to tinker and make multiple mistakes. I just want a device that is relatively easy to use (with some learning curve) and works well with it's automatic settings and limited post calibration adjustment. I strongly recommend if you ever have a display calibrated that you also get an audio calibration or two. I didn't think professional calibration of a display would make "that" much differerence with a very high end display and thought even less of audio calibration options. I was way off on both calls.

If you can't get it just right it's worth the $ to save the frustration - especially with nice hardware that has so much potential like the SC series.

Originally Posted by Mixdoctor

I have a different experience. I am not to fond of Audessey, but do like MCACC . It just seems to get the entire setup right more than Audessey. When I compared the SC-05 to my 905, MCACC sounded more right despite the fact that I have run Audessey several times since I had the 905. Not that the 905 is bad I just think the SC series sounds better without a lot of tweaking.

Originally Posted by WormInfested

should i have my crossover at 80hz or is 50hz fine with speakers set to small? i have it at 50 at the moment. sounds nice but debating to switch it to 80. I have yet to crank my sc-05 past -20 to reference level or close to it.

Originally Posted by WormInfested

should i have my crossover at 80hz or is 50hz fine with speakers set to small? i have it at 50 at the moment. sounds nice but debating to switch it to 80. I have yet to crank my sc-05 past -20 to reference level or close to it.

Originally Posted by wtownsend3843

Just talked to Pioneer, version 3.7.32.7468 will fix the problems with no sound
from the iPod touch when plugged into the usb port in the front of the receiver.

I will have to take mine to a shop to have the upgrade done and the shop says
it can take one hour. Just wondering if anyone has found this to fix
the problem....

My sc-05 came with HMG version 3.7.30.7468.

--Bill
New owner of an sc-05.

Originally Posted by eldithomaso

Steve:

Unless you have an I-Pod touch you likely will never need an update. They have an internet provision for some updates but that has not been activated. Other updates require a trip to the service center. If you are near SoCal it's very close.