Pioneer Elite SC-07

Grimster74

Well, seems the blue LED on the Standby/On switch of my 07 has burnt out. It's not affecting the performance of the unit but it's just the fact that I thought LED's were supposed to last for quite some time. I've contacting Pioneer to see how I go about getting it repaired but it one of those deals were the unit is flawless and I hate the thought of sending it to a repair shop only to have it returned with scratches or blemishes. There seems to be a few other people over at the AVS forum that have had this same problem but there dealer just swapped the unit out for them, purchased mine at BB so you know thats not gonna happen. As soon as I hear from Pioneer, I'll let you guys know how it turns out. And I know, if its not affecting the unit why worry about it, well the units only 3 months old and I expect everything to work 100%.

Rob

nguyendot

You know you can just bring it to Best Buy (since you bought it there) and they will take care of that for you. They honor manufacturers warranties and will ship it off for you free. I do understand the concern about it getting scratched though, which is going to be the case no matter who ships it, because once Pioneer gets it, it's fair game. Now if Best Buy considers the unit DEVO, they will simply swap it out under the MFG warranty. This is rare nowadays however.

Just some knowledge I picked up the 6 years I worked at BBY.... That's how I got my BDP-S1 Sony Blu-ray repaired, along with many many other things.

WilliamM2

If it were mine, I would just replace the LED myself. I have done that anyways, just to change the color to something less distracting than blue.

nguyendot

I prefer the new amber/red of yesteryear. I hate this fascination with blue (proven to be the most distracting color).

Grimster74

nguyendot wrote: »

You know you can just bring it to Best Buy (since you bought it there) and they will take care of that for you. They honor manufacturers warranties and will ship it off for you free. I do understand the concern about it getting scratched though, which is going to be the case no matter who ships it, because once Pioneer gets it, it's fair game. Now if Best Buy considers the unit DEVO, they will simply swap it out under the MFG warranty. This is rare nowadays however.

Just some knowledge I picked up the 6 years I worked at BBY.... That's how I got my BDP-S1 Sony Blu-ray repaired, along with many many other things.

Hey Thanks, I'll have to look into this.

mantis

Sorry to hear about the problem. Glad it's not performance related. We have not had a single problem with any of the current Pioneer ELite receivers. Maybe a few had shabby bulbs.

Sounds like BB will take care of you. I'm sure they will. Good luck man.

Dan

nguyendot

If they don't know what you're talking about, have them look up their policy. It is very clearly stated that they must honor the MFG warranty.

Grimster74

Does this only apply if your purchased the extended service plan or just warranty in general? Thanks!

Rob

Grimster74

And what exactly does it take for the unit to be DEVO, not sure what this means?

Grimster74

Just got off the phone with BB and they said it would be 1-2 weeks before I received the repaired unit, 2 weeks with no xbox, what the hell.:eek: Looks like I'm gonna have to go and purchase the wireless adapter for the xbox upstairs and carry my hard drive back and forth.:D

nguyendot

Eh? Just hook your xbox straight up then.

I carry my hdd back and forth though, it works.

Grimster74

I'm running a projector though, no receiver, no sound in the H/T room.

nguyendot

Ah, makes sense.

Grimster74

And again, not sure if you missed the above question, what is classified as a DEVO unit? Thanks!

Rob

nguyendot

Oh, my bad. DEVO = defective equipment void of operation. Not taken literally, just something that best buy classifies in their system as non-service, replace on site.
There is a flag for it in their system, called RSS (Retail Store Systems). Usually it's sent off anyways for diagnosis prior to DEVO junk-out (where they give you a new one).


The best part of this process? I didn't even buy my BDP-S1 from best buy, and they sent it off for me.
How can they do this? Well with Best Buy being the largest electronics retailer, they have a great relationship with most of the companies, and have them pay the bill.

Kex

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well, seems the blue LED on the Standby/On switch of my 07 has burnt out. It's not affecting the performance of the unit but it's just the fact that I thought LED's were supposed to last for quite some time. ...

It's always disheartening when a new piece of expensive gear shows signs of fallibility, no matter how minor.

Wasn't there a thread somewhere about the blue LED on a JoLida fading slowly too? I was told by a mechanic that LED's either fail almost immediately, or never. I wonder if that is true.

cnh

Well,

That certainly sucks. Those SC-07s are almost the top of the food chain for Elites. I know I'd be having a fit if that happened to me...But I would also have trouble sending the unit out....ex. the power cord on my Onkyo (14 gauge-polarized) cracked one of the screw terminals and I couldn't push the cord back in. The unit is still under warranty. I couldn't see sending a 50 pound receiver to Onkyo for weeks. So I opened her up, got some electrical tape and tightly wrapped the CHEAP plastic part that the screw goes into. Then I put everything back together and snapped the cord back in...Having opened the box, I suppose I voided my warranty so don't you guys say anything! But we're up and running again....I've taken care to secure the cord so that the weight does not become an issue again....and shame on Onkyo for using such a cheap input!

cnh

Grimster74

Finally found the link and seems once I posted about my LED issue the guys over at AVS decided to post about other people's issues to help keep up. See post number 11047.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1057599&page=369

Grimster74

Well, she's packed up and ready to go back to BB.

cnh

What's the time-line on that? And do you have something to run your speakers with during the Pioneer's absence? Good that they addressed that...what I've seen in the last couple of years is that resellers won't deal with you directly after 30 days unless you've bought their extended warranty--they just refer you to your manufacturer. So I'm REALLY amazed that BB is playing nice!

Hope it's not too long!

cnh

Pedler

Take detailed pictures of the unit and when you drop it off make them look at it and see that their are no scratches. Then take names and when you get it back from them inspect it in front of them. This holds them accountable for the damages... ( You didn't hear this from me:cool:)

Grimster74

Well, just returned from BB, boy that Geek Squad Agent sure dislikes me at this moment. Last night I took detailed pics before packing into the box for my records. Today when I dropped the unit off to have it shipped out for repairs I made the little 110lb. soaking wet GS Agent inspect the unit while I was watching him, sure wish you guys could have seen him trying to just get it out of the box, LMAO!!! Anyways, he clearly noted that the unit was as noted, "FLAWLESS, like new condition, no scratches or blemishes what so ever". I was told if the unit didn't come back to me in the same shape it was when I dropped it off it would have to be replaced with a brand new unit and I had the manager sign off on it. Here's to hoping it returns in a timely manner.

Rob

nguyendot

Always document your stuff. Because if you don't, they aren't going to cover you for jack. I used to be that scrawny agent.. so I know. They just load them into a foam padded plastic "bucket/rack". It's only foam on the bottom, leaving the top open to scratches if it touches the bottom of the rack stacked on top of it. Then they just plastic wrap the entire 6ft stack and cart it off.

I'd want a new one if it came back scratched too. What do you think I did when I sent off my ebony glossy black 17" laptop to service? Pictures top bottom left right etc!

I hope it comes back correctly! It will be close to a month though.

Retro152

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well, just returned from BB, boy that Geek Squad Agent sure dislikes me at this moment. Last night I took detailed pics before packing into the box for my records. Today when I dropped the unit off to have it shipped out for repairs I made the little 110lb. soaking wet GS Agent inspect the unit while I was watching him, sure wish you guys could have seen him trying to just get it out of the box, LMAO!!! Anyways, he clearly noted that the unit was as noted, "FLAWLESS, like new condition, no scratches or blemishes what so ever". I was told if the unit didn't come back to me in the same shape it was when I dropped it off it would have to be replaced with a brand new unit and I had the manager sign off on it. Here's to hoping it returns in a timely manner.

Rob

Good for you! I would be the same way if it was my 05.We layout alot of cash for this gear, warrantys, and the like. We want it serviced in a timely manner, and first and foremost, expect it returned in the same condition we sent it out. Good luck with everything.


Pat.

Pedler

Grimster74 wrote: »

Well, just returned from BB, boy that Geek Squad Agent sure dislikes me at this moment. Last night I took detailed pics before packing into the box for my records. Today when I dropped the unit off to have it shipped out for repairs I made the little 110lb. soaking wet GS Agent inspect the unit while I was watching him, sure wish you guys could have seen him trying to just get it out of the box, LMAO!!! Anyways, he clearly noted that the unit was as noted, "FLAWLESS, like new condition, no scratches or blemishes what so ever". I was told if the unit didn't come back to me in the same shape it was when I dropped it off it would have to be replaced with a brand new unit and I had the manager sign off on it. Here's to hoping it returns in a timely manner.

Rob

Good job you won't regret it.:D ( P.S. This way you are fully covered.also when you get it back make them plug it in just in case it got damaged in shipping back to the store. :cool:

Grimster74

Okay, got my SC-07 back today. Almost 4 weeks this Thursday for BB's repair service to repair my unit and sure as ****, light still doesn't work. The repair slip claimed everything was in working order, even the light. The repair order said that they soldered a loose wire so the only thing I can figure is yeah, they may have repaired it and it may have worked when it left the repair facility but with shipping it back, it may have come loose again, who the hell knows. Anyways, they didn't have any new units in stock due to them being discontinued but they swapped my unit out with one they had back in the Mag. room, inside one of the high dollar tv/av stands. Said the unit had only been on display for a couple of weeks and other than the dust, looks like a brand new unit, hell, still has the plastic covers on everything. Anyways, when I get the unit home tonight I'm going have to do a factory reset on the unit and start all over I guess. Other than burning up my whole lunch break, overall happy that I have the SC-07 back.

Rob

Kex

Boy, oh boy! Why is it that some people can claim to have technical knowledge and still do such a poor job with what is probably a fairly simple repair? All the money and time wasted to send that unit out and get it back in the same condition! It's just baffling ... and disgraceful. It's the same with finding good mechanics for your car these days. Sorry, I'm starting off on a bit of a rant here, but I find this lack of servicing ability, in so many places, so annoying! Is it really any wonder more and more people just buy stuff off the internet, since increasingly, it seems, they're unlikely to get efficient service from B&M anyway? Getting a RMA from some of the better internet merchants is looking more attractive all the time ... and we've had a few good examples of this right here in CP recently.

I'm glad BB have at least tried to make it better now, with the new unit, and that you're back in business with your system. They should have given you a $100 gift card, or added $100 to your "Reward Zone" balance, to make up for all the time without the unit and all the trips to the store.

Sherardp

Kex wrote: »

Boy, oh boy! Why is it that some people can claim to have technical knowledge and still do such a poor job with what is probably a fairly simple repair? All the money and time wasted to send that unit out and get it back in the same condition! It's just baffling ... and disgraceful. It's the same with finding good mechanics for your car these days. Sorry, I'm starting off on a bit of a rant here, but I find this lack of servicing ability, in so many places, so annoying! Is it really any wonder more and more people just buy stuff off the internet, since increasingly, it seems, they're unlikely to get efficient service from B&M anyway? Getting a RMA from some of the better internet merchants is looking more attractive all the time ... and we've had a few good examples of this right here in CP recently.

I'm glad BB have at least tried to make it better now, with the new unit, and that you're back in business with your system. They should have given you a $100 gift card, or added $100 to your "Reward Zone" balance, to make up for all the time without the unit and all the trips to the store.

Completely in agreement with Kex. Glad you got it worked out Rob. I understand being under warranty you did'nt want to open it up. Like I told ya, I probably would have opened it up and did the repair myself. Glad you got a new unit and the HT room is back in business my friend.

Pedler

Thanks You Jinxed me my blue led burnt out on the left side. ( of the blue white blue leds in the center).

That was the final straw. ( I kept trying to get it to sound good I guess the class D amps are not my taste. and before you guys say I had a defective unit)

I took mine in a week and a 1/2 ago and they fixed the Led issue and the volume jumping and said the audio was great.

In the intern I used my 1018 and I preferred the sound of it over the -07 :eek:

Don't get me wrong the pioneer has power, detail but I noticed that it is very sensitive to RF noise and imparts a graininess to the audio. at least with my speakers.

Good By ICE Club... Hello New upgrade.

Grimster74

Hey Pedler, sorry for your issue with the LED light burning out and definitely sorry that your not happy with the sound coming out of the SC-07. You are probably the first person I've heard that didn't care for the sound of the ICE amps. To be completely honest with you, I couldn't tell you how the ICE amps sound, I'm using a dedicated Outlaw amplifier and I couldn't be happier with the processing power of the SC-07. My suggestion to you would be if you haven't already tried, try the Denon receivers, to me they seem a little more laid back if you will than the Elite receivers but to me, they just didn't have that "POP" I was in search for. Whatever your choice is, please let us know.

Rob

Pedler

Hey Grimster74,

Their are a few issues that I can say I don't like about the Pioneer. Maybe they
will fix these issues on the newest models.

I know as a pre it would be very good. but the Amps I think impart an edgyness to the sound. I do not disagree that it as a whole is not a good receiver, but some of the issues are some that this receiver should not have.

Running Auto-Cal the settings would result in your speakers sounding recessed. As a result I found the sound was better with the speakers MCACC turned off. Then manually ajust your speakers.

I have gone through the settings and reset this receiver too many times trying different setting and making a mess at times.
I feel like it has become my second wife. I have read the AVSforum info and called Pioneer for Technical questions great help and Great guys.

The 9 band EQ is not linked to the main front channels so if you make a change to the right you have to go to the left and manually change it to the same settings. Also You can not play a song at the same time that you are ajusting the EQ. (This means you are guessing).

Grimster..Did you manually set up your receiver? how did you do it? I have a few tips that I found out that surprised me in the settings.