Official Pioneer SC-05 and SC-07 Owners Thread - Page 298

Yeah, well I didn't realize I could save over $100 on a set of speakers by buying them right off of NewEgg with free shipping on top of that instead of my Dad's local Best Buy who has a ridiculously small assortment of speakers to choose from.

Set the gain on the Sentinel accordingly, so that MCACC puts the trim level somewhere between -5dB and 0dB

All the way back on the left is a large circular vent. That is where the fan is.

I don't remember the answer to One, but 2,3 and 4 are all "No."

For 3, you must use a compatible, late model Pioneer display... those sets use the SR link to accomplish this, but is the only way to get OSD volume with the SC05/07.

Just ordered an SC-05 from 6ave. today at the same price as the "name your price" promotion they had a couple of weeks ago. For anyone that's on the fence you better hurry up and get one before they're gone. They still have a lot left. Get one now.

Thanks...

I've been reading quite a bit about the jitter shoot out between various receivers/pre-amps conducted by Hi-Fi News magazine and I was wondering if anyone measured the jitter of the SC-05.

The SC-07 measured outstandingly but it has a Burr Brown sample rate converter whereas the SC-05 does not.

I'd be interested to see if it also has low jitter measurements.

Are these players capable of firmware upgrades through the ethernet port? Has Pioneer made an attempt with the last firmware to do this?

This was answered 4 posts up #8914

To all new SC 05/07 owners, WELCOME! You're going to like the SC. It offers a whole lot of "tweakability". So, set up and tweak 'till your heart's content. To anyone who wants to set it/forget it.....hook up the microphone" and run through "Advanced MCACC" and you should be set. For those who like to customize their sound, plenty of options available to do that, too.

Common answers....

-the SC does just fine with 4 Ohm speakers
-overall, set your speakers to "small" regardless of their configuration
-"Dynamic Range Control" (DRC/DNR) should be turned "off" in the set up menus

Aside from that, explore all the settings. You won't break anything by changing and tweaking to get the sound to where you like it.

Just as a follow-up to FilmMixer's post, many companies rely on firmware to fix issues. While some may want this or that to work differently, overall there is no need for a firmware upgrade for the SCs. They're operationally solid, right out of the box.

Regarding OSD, it's a fairly simple affair. Just hit the "Home" button on the remote and all settings are available to you. There are separate buttons on the remote for quick setting changes like THX, etc.

It does baffle me a bit regarding OSD for "vol". Personally, I turn it up or down to where I want it with no regard to what the OSD "vol" control says. It has little relation to the actual "gain" anyway.

For those who are new to the SC series, there's a wealth of information on the first page of this thread.

Some of our SC brethren have moved on to the flagship in the SC line (09). So, it may take a bit longer to get questions answered for the SC 05/07.

They also show OSD volume with HDMI control "On" in both the TV and AVR.

I can't wait until I get a new place and can get a nice rack or shelves built into the wall to show off my SC-05 / BDP-51

I like my setup now, the stand we got looks nice. But it has glass doors with wood that blocks the beauty of the systems.

Paul:

Filmmixer is accurate:

Do not expect Pioneer to be like Denon in features. Pioneer spends their money on the amps not the gadgets.

1) Most menu options are available by using the Tools or Home menu button on the remote. Midnight Mode apparently isn't - manual page 96. You should be able to do this with a pronto but I don't use it personally.

Turn on THX loudness plus. That will help with both dialog and other surround activity at very low volume levels.

2) See above - no

3) Unless you have a Pioneer set with Kurolink or a similar HDMI control display, or a Pioneer SR set and cable NO - Pioneer does not want to corrupt the HDMI connection in any way with OSDs overlayed on an image.

4) Actually least important question - I know you come from Denon and their upgrade via net world - Pioneer, Onkyo and others DON'T do firmware via internet or ethernet. There is a posibility it may change - there is a provision for some form of web interface (Search the thread for the link from CHP_VR).
You ca see this by directing your browser to the IP address on your network for the SC-05/07. The update option it is not active now. It will tell you your firmware version then exit that page.

Don't expect Pioneer to offer any updates this way or feature changes. Only mandatory issues are fixed and usually that is by SENDING THE UNIT IN. No US firmware updates are out and there are unlikely to be any (except perhaps for an I-pod Touch issue). Most Pio units don't need them anyway.

If you want gadgets, gizmos and updates to the latest and greatest you will need to go back to Denon. I don't see Pioneer offering this in the immediate future or the next 5 years for that matter. It's not their style.

I didn't dig into it much, so my observations were very superficial. Later, I went back and noticed that the 705's are a much newer design (by roughly a decade), and no doubt reflect some technological advances. I noticed Polk rates the newer, smaller mids as going a bit lower than the older, larger ones.

I never spotted the subwoofer power difference, though. Sub amp power is not at all meaningful in a vacuum. One has to know the efficiency of the driver/enclosure to evaluate how much sub amp power is needed. That info isn't usually available, so in the end, the consumer can only trust/hope the designer knew what he was doing.

Of course, the marketing folks (I'm in that fraternity, BTW! ) will play up higher power ratings because they know that most consumers believe "more is better."

Anyway, bottom line on the speakers is that there probably isn't a whole lot of difference between them. I doubt your dad would notice any difference if he weren't making a direct A/B comparison in the same room under the same conditions. (And maybe not even then.)

Thanks for the reply.

Paul

Been following this thread for months, and this is now my first post here as an OWNER!! Many questions, but I'll try to figure out as much as I can on my own.
In the mean time... with the wealth of connectivity/options the 07 provides... I find myself in need of cables (particularly HDMI, just bought a BDP-51). I figure you guys are in the know with deals etc lately, so to avoid cluttering this thread (and joining in a different thread), I would greatly appreciate it if someone could PM me a good place(s) to get cables.

Thanks

If you don't have them already, don't forget to order some banana plugs when you get your cables, curt11. You'll thank yourself if you do.

Congratulations on your 07, BTW!

Has anyone purchased a SC-05 from abesofmaine.com?

They offer a free 3 yr warranty from mackcam.com to make up for the fact they aint an authorized dealer. Sound sketchy?

BEST advice.

Why not buy it from 6ave instead since they sell it for way less? All you have to do is call and ask for their best price.

Yes, try 6ave, they have plenty of these things and are authorized....not to mention cheaper.

on 6th's site they say 'Available at any of our retail stores only.'

assumed that meant couldn't order if you weren't local.

my bad if we not suppose to discuss this in a thread.

They will ship anywhere in the U.S.. Don't worry about what the website says, just call and tell them you want it. And you get free shipping.

Can anyone pm me the price I should ask 6ave for on the SC-05 and the SC-07 I have not been able to see the prices you guys are getting them for.

Let me know.

Jeff

Hi Plasmatics,

thanks for the feedback. This past weekend, I took the chance to hook up the HR21 via component as well, to see if I can dodge that issue. Watching Apprentice in native 480i then upconverted to 1080p via component, I noticed the edges of all 4 sides exhibited more noise versus the HDMI hook up. So I am now back to HDMI hook up with my HR21 again. Next time when it happens, I'll try to take a photo and post it here and see if anyone else have this issue.

on a separate note, this past weekend was my first weekend with my 05. I watched Bourne Ultimatum, as I wanted to check out DTS-HD MA. Watched it at -14, and boy, was it dynamic and clear. I think I might tweak the bass up from the MCACC. it is very clean and lean right now, but I am curious to see how many people actually boost their LFE up from the MCACC settings.

I also listened to "November Rain" by G&R at -7. and it is really, really loud, and it does not sound strained. But come to think of it, I don't think I have ever push an amp that hard, so I don't have a point to reference with. But at that volume, music is still clear and smooth, with plenty of headroom. Of course, Axl's voice at that volume, or any volume, is slightly harsh, but I do not think it is due to the amp. I will try some different listening material this weekend.

Can anybody suggest any good SACD perhaps? as I have the hardware, but do not own any media.

Thanks graphicguy. Like alot of others on here recently, I've monitored this thread almost daily and finally took the plunge. My SC-07 arrived today. I'm an "AV noob" and know I'll probably ask some dumb questions. Hopefully we'll all get a chuckle and I'll learn something in the process.

Before I continue I want to thank you in advance for all your hard work. I know some of your buddies here have moved on to the SC-09 world. I for one am glad you stayed

I don't upgrade very often as I have not even made the jump to HD. The SC is the first step in that direction. The SC will be replacing an old Sony DA80ES. I still have to upgrade the TV, and the DirecTV receiver (hopefully before the end of the year). My Definitive BP 2002,CLR 2002 and BP-1X are staying. Not sure what to expect once I get the SC all setup (audio wise). And I'm not sure if I should try bi-amping the speakers the SC.

Now the fun begins. I will definitely check out the first page of this thread.

Just contacted them and they said it was only available at their actual retail store.

They told me that, too, over their chat on the website (or maybe it was via email) but they had no problem shipping me a SC05 during their name your price sale.

Worst case, check out Bill or Will on videogon. They sell for a nice price, but will add shipping.

UPS them to your dad. 2nd day maybe?

He would have them put to good use and you would have out of your house. (SAF)