Pioneer Elite SC-07 or Emotiva Separates?

SolidSqual

Hey Guys,

Any opinions what's better between the two:

Pioneer Elite SC-07 vs. Emotiva Processor and XPA-5?

concealer404

Hoooooooo boy. I see this thread being fun.

I can't comment on these model specifically, but i think we both agreed in the past that the XPA-series amps would be great for HT.

And i personally, LOVE Pioneer AVRs.

What are you trying to drive and in what size room?

anhchungdoan

SolidSqual wrote: »

Hey Guys,

Any opinions what's better between the two:

Pioneer Elite SC-07 vs. Emotiva Processor and XPA-5?

Just curious that you have the Wyred for sound class D switching amp the why don't you get the W-4_S MC 7 multichannel amps if you do not think the Pio SC-07 has enough juice.

I have the Pio SC05 and I love it. Since my room is small 14X16 and it's upstairs, I do not have the real-estate flexibilty to try the combo out.

concealer404

anhchungdoan wrote: »

Just curious that you have the Wyred for sound class D switching amp the why don't you get the W-4_S MC 7 multichannel amps if you do not think the Pio SC-07 has enough juice.

I have the Pio SC05 and I love it. Since my room is small 14X16 and it's upstairs, I do not have the real-estate flexibilty to try the combo out.

I don't think this question is actually for him... he's got another thread asking about a setup he's doing for someone else.

olilugo

Hey Solid,
I have the sc-07 and I am on the waiting list for the UMC-1 from emotiva. I have to say I love my SC-07. I am using it as a pre and I feed 5 channels into my sunfire amp.
I would love to compare the emotiva against my sc-07 but I have to say that the emotiva does not handle usb connections and this is a feature that I realy like as I don't have a CD player. I feed all my music using a usb drive and using flac format into my sc-07 and let the sc-07 decode and play. I don't know how much better would it be with a dedicated CD player but I am very happy with my setup as I have it today.
So what I am saying is I will be cancelling my UMC-1 order since I don't really see any better tecnology between the sc-07 and the UMC-1. and I like the extra features of the SC-07

Montoya

The Xpa-5 is a solid amp for home theater but I would pick the pioneer SC-07 or SC-05, even a 94thx over any Emotiva processor. The past processor they made was a pile.

WilliamM2

SolidSqual wrote: »

Hey Guys,

Any opinions what's better between the two:

Pioneer Elite SC-07 vs. Emotiva Processor and XPA-5?

Emotiva doesn't currently offer any processors, so the choice is easy.

iskandam

I used to have a Harman Kardon receiver that I was using as a pre-pro with the XPA-5 then replaced it with the SC-05. I was a bit nervous at first, but I ended up with even better sound. The combination of Wolfson DACs, ICE amps, and very good room correction algorithm really made for a balanced sound from top to bottom that's also clear and very dynamic. I miss nothing from the separates combo in terms of dynamics and impact.

But the UMC-1's spec does look very good and I wonder how the UMC-1/XPA-5 combo would compare against Pioneer Elite's SC-series receivers.

SolidSqual

Thanks guys, this system is for my quasi in-laws. I'm leaning towards the XPA-5 with a good processor or perhaps an XPA-2 and letting a good AVR handle the remaining channels and processing.

buymesome

Surley a dedicated processor like even the emo would win against any avr?

concealer404

buymesome wrote: »

Surley a dedicated processor like even the emo would win against any avr?

Eh... you can't really make that generalization. There are some monster AVRs out there, and the SC07 is touching in that realm, in my opinion. I would give my left nut to try one.

I would bet that the majority of the SC07's cost stems from development or features in OTHER than it's amplification, since i believe Class D is reasonably inexpensive. I could be off base here, though.

jinjuku

buymesome wrote: »

Surley a dedicated processor like even the emo would win against any avr?

I think the pre-processing is where the larger outfits with more in house engineering have a definitive edge. The only trade off is that the bean counters get involved and force concessions in design.

Onkyo is a perfect example of being able to offer killer AVR's and Pre-pro's. Then again even large manufactures can bring out a severely flawed product (HK 247AVR).

dorokusai

Pioneer.

Sherardp

dorokusai wrote: »

Pioneer.

This.

SC-07 gets my vote.

SolidSqual

Shoot, I just realized the new models are out. Should I go SC-07 because of the DACs or go with the SC-27?

heiney9

dorokusai wrote: »

Pioneer.

Ditto.......no need to over complicate things with external amps. They are in-laws (or maybe future in-laws) and I'd bet a bit older and probably not as into audio as most here. So a nice HT AVR like the Pioneer will get the job done in spades.

H9

Toolfan66

Pioneer SC-07 or 05

I am running the 07 with the XPA-3 with great results.

BlueFox

SolidSqual wrote: »

Shoot, I just realized the new models are out. Should I go SC-07 because of the DACs or go with the SC-27?

Okay, are you saying the old model is better than the new?

BlueFox

I just looked on Amazon and the SC-07 is $1999, while the SC-27 is $1339. Maybe the old is better than the new.

Toolfan66

BlueFox wrote: »

I just looked on Amazon and the SC-07 is $1999, while the SC-27 is $1339. Maybe the old is better than the new.

I paid $1000 for my SC-07 brand new at best buy about 9 months ago.

SolidSqual

Yeah I can't figure out the pricing scheme.

WilliamM2

BlueFox wrote: »

I just looked on Amazon and the SC-07 is $1999, while the SC-27 is $1339. Maybe the old is better than the new.

That's not from Amazon, but one of their partners. Other vendors there have it for $1599. Like anything else, once it stops being manufactured, vendors with the lowest price will sell out first, leaving only the high priced vendors with any stock.

comfortablycurt

FWIW, the Emo processor isn't even out yet. It's been delayed a couple times...and now there isn't even a release date as far as I know. That could be a sign of potential problems. I'd wait to get some feedback from other people before going that route.

The SC-07 is going to be my next AVR. It's got all the features I'll ever need...plus a ton that I won't need, and I've heard nothing but praise for them in general.

olilugo

comfortablycurt wrote: »

FWIW, the Emo processor isn't even out yet. It's been delayed a couple times...and now there isn't even a release date as far as I know. That could be a sign of potential problems. I'd wait to get some feedback from other people before going that route.

The SC-07 is going to be my next AVR. It's got all the features I'll ever need...plus a ton that I won't need, and I've heard nothing but praise for them in general.

correction the emotiva UMC-1 is going to release at the end of November per emotiva e-mail.

Sherardp

I heard Robert @ ValueElectronics.com has some in stock. Give him a shout and tell him what you are after. Great guy to work with and he can get you the 05/07.

Retro152

Sc-05,07, and (Gulp) 09, all by themselves all day. My Xpa-3 is in the rig more to justify the purchase than performance, LOL.:p:D




Pat.

mantis

I used to have Rotel separates before I owned the Pioneer Elite SC-07. I will honesty say I don't miss my Rotel separates at all. I thought the SC-07 was going to be a huge step down for music and a slight improvement for movies. I was wrong on both accounts. Music is excellent especially using the Ipod usb port in the front. My Ipod music never sounded like that on any dock or just a 1/8 to rca cables of high quality. The Internal DAC's are top notch and I would not trade it for anything preamp right now. No way!!!

I also used it as a preamp and I was totally happy. I thought it was better then the Rotel in every way. For a while I kept thinking music as just a tad better on the Rotel, over time that opinion also has changed.

I don't have any experience with Emotiva but I would like 2. I'm actually surprised I have not run into there gear in the field yet.

dorokusai

A really good AVR can easily handle any HT duty depending on what it is and what it's being used for. The pre-conception that they all suck is usually from folks who didn't buy the right gear in the first place. The augmenting of gear based on what you already own is great, but don't waste your resources and become constricted in your choices.

I also dislike a high-end AVR simply being used as a pre-pro...what a waste of money. If you make smart choices from the start, your life becomes so much easier.

HT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

mufsoman

Check out your local Best Buy's. There are still SC-05 and SC-07's out there for big discounts. You have to search. Most are open box or demo's, but still have the full Pioneer warranty and a 30 day return if not satisfied.

cnh

dorokusai wrote: »

A really good AVR can easily handle any HT duty depending on what it is and what it's being used for. The pre-conception that they all suck is usually from folks who didn't buy the right gear in the first place. The augmenting of gear based on what you already own is great, but don't waste your resources and become constricted in your choices.

I also dislike a high-end AVR simply being used as a pre-pro...what a waste of money. If you make smart choices from the start, your life becomes so much easier.

HT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

I've agreed with Doro before on this one but what the heck....upgrades are really more of a 2 channel game--HT...you can do well there without breaking the Piggy Bank...

My recommendation Pioneer SC-07 all the way...don't own one but I've auditioned them several times with different speaker sets....good, clean, powerful, quick sound....what more could you ask for.

cnh

SolidSqual

Ok, thanks guys. I got the go ahead to buy a Pioneer Elite SC-27. Your insights and recommendations were very helpful.