Pioneer SC-25 and SC-27 Receiver Thread - Page 166

Right, but I'm worried about everything else. I'm going to be hooking up my htpc via HDMI (my video card is 3d capable), my PS3 and Xbox 360 which will go straight to my receiver and my directtv box. I'm thinking htpc and direct tv to the oppo and everything else to the receiver. The Oppo should help with the direct tv video, correct?

It is the auto level control.

Hi everybody, Are there any good apps for the iPad or Android tablets that work with the SC25?
Thanks
Mario

My sc25 only shows 'PCM' when playing BD's from my new player which has DTS and DD. I press the signal select button on the sc25 remote (p.68 of the manual) but only 'SIGSEL HDMI' appears, and when I press the button to cycle through the options (AUTO / ANALOG / DIGITAL....) nothing changes. I must have something set incorrectly. Would appreciate some help.

Is there anyway to adjust (raise) the volume on the optical outputs?

use the auto/alc/direct button on bottom left to toggle through until it says TRUE HD

Is anyone using a Harmony One remote with the SC -27? I am having difficulting getting the receiver to switch inputs when I select a new option like watch video or watch TV.

Many thanks.

I'm glad I could help

I am using mine with a Harmony One and have no issues.

I use a Harmony One with my SC-25. You have to use discreet commands to switch inputs. What software are you using to program your remote (My Harmony or Harmony Remote Software 7)?

Software 7 is what you want...

dnscg, did this work?

When the SC-25 shows PCM it's because the player is doing the decoding. To see True HD on the AVR display, you would have to switch your player to "bitstream". The auto/alc/direct will change between the modes Auto, Automatic Level Control (ALC), direct and pure direct modes. I don't see how this could make TrueHD appear when it was showing PCM. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

Dan.

I don't believe so. Usually, optical outputs have to go to another device which does the amplificiation, and therefore volume control. What is your "use case" where you would require volume control from the AVR for digital outputs?

Dan.

For you current and past owners of the SC-25/27, would you still recommend it today to someone who wanted killer SQ with a receiver upgrade and who didn't need the latest bells and whistles? I've found these used for around $400-$500 in some cases and am tempted to pull the trigger.

Back story: I'm coming from a ~10 year old Sony STR-DE945 whose greatest feat is decoding Dolby AC3, so even having HDMI 1.3 would be a huge upgrade for me, let alone lots of clean power on tap (the Sony is quite a disappointment coming from Carver amps when I downsized, even at lower volumes). I don't care about 3D, Airplay, or multizone, but networking would be nice. I was originally saving up for a Yamaha Aventage 10XX or higher but those haven't come down on the used market as much. My main goals are sound quality, reliability, low price, auto speaker calibration, compatibility w Harmony remotes, and being easy enough to use that my wife can toggle between sources and modes without cursing my name. A used Elite SC-XX seemed like a potentially good way to go.

Advice or not, thanks for all the helpful posts on these models. I feel like I've read the manual front to back!

MB

Hi Monkey B,

I'm still using a SC-25 and love it. If you don't need 3D pass-through, etc, I'd say you'd be more than happy with one. 140 WPC / all channels driven is pretty stout for a receiver all by itself and mine powers a 7.1 Paradigm / Rythmic system very well. The controlls aren't too difficult and I couldn't say your wife wouldn't have any problem with it, but you might if she starts pushing all the wrong buttons ;-) There are a TON of settings

Good Luck,
Ish.

I love my SC-25! I I had a Pio Elite VSX-01 before this and there was a big difference in sound quality and power. The only thing I wish it had was the ability to use the roomie app .

Except for a few features (3D, iDevice control, etc.), the SC-25/27 will perform just as well as the current generation AVRs. I bought my SC-25 in 2009 and have no plans to replace it anytime soon. I love it.

I am using an SC-55 for my family room and "retired" my SC-25 to the master bedroom. Still love it. Sure its nice to have airplay on the SC-55 but I can pretty much do the same stuff with my SC-25 using an Apple TV. The SC-25 definitely runs cooler than my 10 year old VSX-53txi (which is still going strong in the kids playroom for their wii). Make sure you get a good surge protector. Would try to get for $400 or less - when these were phased out at Best Buy years ago they went down to between $500-750 brand new in a box. Then again, $500 aint so bad for such a wonderful receiver. Enjoy!!!

Yes I just picked up a SC-27 about 3 months ago for $400. I highly recommend it super clean sound great power. I use mine mainly for Home Theater only.
If you are a big Apple guy and like playing music it Does Not come with the air play feature which is really nice for wireless music connectivity.

It Does not have the Dolby Pro logic IIz for front Height Speakers or 3D Lot of people really dont have that these days. It does have the Dolby Pro Logic IIx and everything else.

ICE amps are great. I am running 7.1 system with Axiom Epic 80 and my front left and right speakers are 4ohms and this receiver has no issues even though the manual says 6/8 ohms. This is a THX rated receiver benched tested to 3.2 ohms.

All in all I like it for the money you will not find a more packed receiver for that $400-$500 range.
One thing I totally over looked was its massive size. This thing is a beast at 40lbs and its size. I had to modify my cabinet to fit it. It will trump in size next to normal receivers.

Note: On the 3D. If you want to add 3D in the future you can always buy a Oppo Bluray player that has 2 outputs. One to the source and the other to the SC-27/25 to bypass this receiver that doesnt bypass 3D

Hope this helps you out.

Another Point for your wife. This receiver has all the capabilities to delete what source you dont want to pop up as you switch sources on your AVR.
It has endless custom controls to rename and delete from view making it nice a simplified. All of this is done via HDMI to your screen on the GUI menu at anytime you need it.

Well that's certainly some rousing support for these models. Thanks, everyone! I'll let you know when I get my hands on one.

SC-27 owner here, and I support the above posts. The only note of caution is to not expect much in term of "networking". Internet radio is nice and works reasonably well, but there is no network remote control. The HMG interface to play DLNA home network content (audio only) is a bit of a pain to navigate when you start to have a modest sized collection.

Dan.

Roger that. Any networking will be welcome but I won't get my hopes up.

Clipping with my Pioneer Elite SC-27. I have a Axiom Epic 80 6.1 system. Speakers are newly connect to the SC-27. I only notice it when playing blu-ray DTS- Master Audio 7.1 sound. Stereo is fine and True HD 7.1 is fine. 5.1 stuff seems to be fine.

The M80 are 4 ohms. and center speaker is 6 ohms. All the QS8 are 8ohms. I have my set up as all my front speakers are set to "Large" and my QS8's are set to "Small"

Should my QS8's be set to Large????

I ran the MCACC system when I set it up initially. Should I turn my gains down??? Or does it sound like I need to go with a separate AMP at least a 2 channel to run the M80's?

Any thoughts????

"Starter" questions:

What do you hear that you think is clipping (what does it sound like)?

Do you have a sub? If so, you should everything to "small" then set the crossover as desired for proper bass management. I did not look up your speakers.

How large is your room and how far away from the speakers do you sit?

Sharp clipping sounds for sure ear piercing. had to turn down the receiver. Clipping crackling. Coming from multiple speakers. Yes I have a subwoofer.
Room is 18X17 I set 10'-12' from screen. Why set my speakers to small?
The fronts are large tower speakers with multiple drivers and two tweeters. Center has three drivers and 2 tweeters.

Any recommendations on a separate AMP to go with the Pioneer Elite SC-27?
Epic 80 Axiom 7.1 system. Front towers are 4ohms speakers and center is 6ohms. all surrounds are 8ohms which I will run off the SC-27

I might just be looking for a 2channel just for the two M80's.????

I have 2 Outlaw Audio m2200 monoblocks I could sell you. Pm me if interested.

IF you have a sub "small" engages bass management to send the LF to the sub as it should. If not, you can leave your fronts to large. "Small" and "large" should really be named "use bass management" and "no bass management" on every AVR.

Emotiva is a popular choice in value amplifiers and they are on sale right now. www.emotiva.com I have several around the house.

What kind of sound difference will I hear adding a separate amp to my sc-27 over the sc-27 itself? I plan to still run my 4 surround sounds off the sc-27. But would like to pump 300 watts rms into the front Left right and center? Thoughts?