So I bought the SC-LX501 last week as I finally got a very special price here in EU so I´d like to share some observations...
First off, I never figured out why Pioneer dropped out the MCACC Pro from the SC-LX501, being an Elite-branded receiver It looks like the MCACC Pro in 701/801/901 is identical to the ADVANCED MCACC on previous models, just like on my former SC-1224/Elite SC 81-82. On the SC-LX501 there is a stripped down, simple version of MCACC with neither options of Symmetry/All Channel Adjust/Front Align nor Reverb/Standing Wave management and fine channel adjustment. The Manual MCACC only allows EQ Adjust by leveling channels up/down in relation with frequency. Also, as often recommended to set Crossover to 80Hz and all speakers to SMALL before running MCACC as a best concept, there is no such option here since the FULL AUTO MCACC everytime rewrites any setting, which seems kinda weird. I´m really missing the point here and already sent a complaint to the Pioneer EU.
So just like I thought, the initial result was ABSOLUTELY off the line (which I never experienced on SC-1224), setting all my speakers to LARGE, distance with totally wrong measurements and channel levels in deeply negative numbers. Another thing that made me curious was why the test tones are so quiet (more people have mentioned this over at the SC-LX 701, 801... thread) and I realized you need to MANUALLY turn up the volume on the remote control (ideally to 0.0dB) when peforming any tweaks in MANUAL MCACC in order to have the tones clear and loud...this used to be automatic on previous models, always going down to 0.0dB as a reference and that´s why the warning of emitting loud tones had sense. I mentioned this hassle to the Pioneer EU as well.
So I figured that this type of "baby" MCACC most likely won´t be of any help whatsoever and I completely switched it OFF in AV adjust for every input and manually set crossover, distance and channel levels using my SPL meter (C, slow). To my surprise, the AVR sounds pretty good, noticeably sharper and tighter with bass than the SC-1224 did.
What I really don´t like is the significant Onkyo influence in OSD, disability to show outputting audio format on AVR´s display (you need to keep hitting STATUS on remote) and no DIMMER button on remote...or in iControlAV5 app, which is ridiculous...
There is no real AUDIO and VIDEO parameter option as it used to be, just stripped down version of some enhancements.
Also, everytime I press AV ADJUST when in NET or BD inputs, it brings me to blank screen on TV with selection of options on the bottom in really small font...not very attractive.
But basically one can get along with this AVR, played some HD audio demos yesterday and it does sound solid. Also the NET services work flawlessly, Spotify and Deezer out of my iPhone are displayed with nice info screen and images. But I´m a little pissed that Pioneer underestimated several things with this unit and literally made a odd duck out of it, comparing to the rest of lineup.
I have a 14-day trial, so contemplating to swap it for Marantz SR-6011 for just some 50 euros more. Never had any Marantz before, class AB amp, any opinions on this? I´m really confused here.