New Elite SC-37 setup

polknewby

There isn't to many bells and whistles with my last AVR (1019ah-k) and had no trouble flying through the setup and playing around with it over the past couple months. I consider myself a pretty tech savvy person but I think setting this thing up and getting everything out of it I can I going to be a whole different ballgame. Any input on different settings, things you all wish you had done or hadn't done, x-over settings...etc would be greatly appreciated!
Also I was looking to add in a set of second speakers for a second zone and had a couple questions. Right now I would have 2 options. I have 2 older models of a couple different speakers my dad had given me 7 years ago when I went off to college (he had had them for prb 10-15 years maybe?) Anyways the 2 options would be
1. Quart One bookshelfs - Q One N• W - 001556. I tried to find these using the product number but had no luck. 4 Ohm, Rated power handling- 60W, music power handing- 80W, frequency response - 49-32000 Hz.
2. Paradigm bookshelf. No product number. I think it's about a 6.5 inch main speaker with a tweater. Front panel doesn't come off and the back has the red/black push down tabs. Above that is the air port and when you look in it looks like a metal disk is at the end. The front has Paradigm in silver with 2 lines through the letters and underline by 2 red lines as well. I would take a picture but only phone right now and cant upload photos off of it for some reason.
Anyways would either of those work? My guess is they are both 4 ohms and my currents speakers are 8 ohms -see sign below. Not sure if the 37 can be run at 4 and if it can, can you set you main listening area at one setting and zone 2 at another? Or would I be better off just getting another set of m40s or if I wanted a little fuller range the 60s or 70s?

I've watched a couple movies so far and have liked what ve heard so far. My GF even said it sounded clearer to her and sounded better overall. Couple questions real quick on top of above-
1. Does anyone have the high-bit32 on from the audio menu? Or know when this would be better used?
2. I have the Control set to on bit can't get video through to the tv without the avr being on. I have the tv audio set as via hdmi.
3. Anyone have any thoughts on the video upconversion. My tv is 240 hz but when I set the resolution on the avr to 1080/24P on cable it looked bad and extremely slow. I was hoping it would work well - doesn't make a difference on bluray since it is already in that format.

Any input would be great!

- Josh

Joe08867

One suggestion. Split up your paragraphs. Seriously I can't read posts like this without getting a headache. Just hit the return button every once in a while..

Fixed:
There isn't to many bells and whistles with my last AVR (1019ah-k) and had no trouble flying through the setup and playing around with it over the past couple months. I consider myself a pretty tech savvy person but I think setting this thing up and getting everything out of it I can I going to be a whole different ballgame.

Any input on different settings, things you all wish you had done or hadn't done, x-over settings...etc would be greatly appreciated!

Also I was looking to add in a set of second speakers for a second zone and had a couple questions. Right now I would have 2 options. I have 2 older models of a couple different speakers my dad had given me 7 years ago when I went off to college (he had had them for prb 10-15 years maybe?) Anyways the 2 options would be:
1. Quart One bookshelfs - Q One N• W - 001556. I tried to find these using the product number but had no luck. 4 Ohm, Rated power handling- 60W, music power handing- 80W, frequency response - 49-32000 Hz.

2. Paradigm bookshelf. No product number. I think it's about a 6.5 inch main speaker with a tweeter. Front panel doesn't come off and the back has the red/black push down tabs. Above that is the air port and when you look in it looks like a metal disk is at the end. The front has Paradigm in silver with 2 lines through the letters and underline by 2 red lines as well. I would take a picture but only phone right now and cant upload photos off of it for some reason.

Anyways would either of those work? My guess is they are both 4 ohms and my currents speakers are 8 ohms -see sign below. Not sure if the 37 can be run at 4 and if it can, can you set you main listening area at one setting and zone 2 at another? Or would I be better off just getting another set of m40s or if I wanted a little fuller range the 60s or 70s?

I've watched a couple movies so far and have liked what I've heard so far. My GF even said it sounded clearer to her and sounded better overall. Couple questions real quick on top of above-
1. Does anyone have the high-bit32 on from the audio menu? Or know when this would be better used?
2. I have the Control set to on bit can't get video through to the tv without the avr being on. I have the tv audio set as via hdmi.
3. Anyone have any thoughts on the video upconversion. My tv is 240 hz but when I set the resolution on the avr to 1080/24P on cable it looked bad and extremely slow. I was hoping it would work well - doesn't make a difference on bluray since it is already in that format.

polknewby

Wow thanks for all the help - posting from my phone so doing what I can while not close to my computer.

Have a suggestion for you-
1. If posts like this give you headaches- don't read them!

And it looks like your signature is just right about people bitching at others for no reason. When I first got back on I saw a long reply and was hoping it would be helpful and not 'fixing' my obviously incorrect posting style.

But thanks- I will always space every paragraph from now on.

Anyways, does anyone have any information that might actually be of any use or real value?

tonyb

It maynot be the same in all Pioneer elites, but mine says you have to have the receiver in standby mode and set to "through" in the menu to get the tv to work without the receiver on. You also need the Tv plugged into a certain HDMI port on the receiver. You really have to go through the manual with a fine toothed comb. I find it a pain in the arse and run all my video directly to the tv and let the tv do any conversions, audio to the receiver.

Sherardp

TonyB is correct with the "through" settings. As for additional settings, make sure you run MCACC, then run it again manually. This should give you the best possible audio. I run dual subs with my X-over set to 50hz. May as well let my fronts work a little. As for video upconversion in the SC-07 I cannot use video upconversion with 1080p sources, your unit I think you can.

As for 4 ohms speakers the S37 is very well capable. Mantis has tested this some while back and had no issues. Congrats on what looks to be a great receiver.

polknewby

As far as running MCACC, I ran the complete setup (auto form) before listening to the speakers for the first time and sounded pretty good. I used symmetry on the first one.

Today went back and tried to do the advanced setup (all 3 methods saved in the settings) and didn't sound as good as the original time. Still just used the one position. I'd like to go back and do the 3 positions.

I would like to 'fine tune' the system but have never done manual settings and don't really have any idea where to really start. Any tips?

So far I do have to say the extra power has helped and my center channel has never sounded clearer and love my back surrounds now- before I had to really turn up the 1019 to hear them, but now can hear them at just about any volume!

Thanks for the tips!

-Josh

Sherardp

Get yourself an SPL meter from Radioshack and fine tune the channel levels. I would double check speaker distances using a tape measure.

tonyb

You can start Josh, by going into the speaker setup menu and adjust the speaker levels to where you like it. Don't be afraid to play around, also select the listening mode for each input.

polknewby

Thanks and will try to pick one of those up in the next couple days. With this setup what amp would you recommend? I have heard a lot of people say a 3 channel forthright front three would really help. Any brands you all think would be better? And how much power should I look for? Looking to spend a $3-400 maybe? It would Be a Christmas present..haha

-Josh

txcoastal1

Tony has great advice but 3-$400 wont get you far take a break play with what you have and save up a little money. Search the amp forums and try to shop and listen if possible. On a budget and ICE amps on the pioneer I would only worry about the front 3. Also, when u buy an amp the extra cost will be starting at $100 give or take for some entry level interconnects. When I started with my setup I babied my play running my LSIs on my SC-35 and shopped...well worth the wait and learned alot from CP while getting out and listening to as much equipment as possible even took a couple of my own CD's and DVD's to listen to to make my best judgement....good luck ---Ron

tonyb

Your running bookies, so I wouldn't worry so much about adding an amp. If and when you do, make it a quality one. Maybe save a bit and upgrade the speakers in the near future, that may give you the best bang for your buck in the SQ department. Enjoy your new toy.

polknewby

Right now in an apartment and hope to be in the market for a house within the next year. I would love a dedicated ht room. When talking about upgrades what would you recommend?