Pioneer SC-05/25 versus Onkyo SR707/NR807

punk-roc

I know these types of questions get asked about 30 times a day and while i've searched the forum and read a ton of threads, it always seems like something specific comes up with each new thread that enlightens me a little. So here goes..

I'm looking to upgrade my current HT setup. I currently have:

Onkyo SR601 running RTi8 fronts, CSi3 center, and two R15 surrounds; along with some 11 year old Kennwood powered sub. With a Denon-2910 DVD player and an older Panasonic 42" plasma. I'm actually really happy with the speakers...

I want to eventually upgrade to the LSi9 or 15, along with the LSiC, LSiFX surrounds and a sub to be determined later...

I have a couple M2200 outlaw amp's I was planning on using to power the RTi8s and eventually the LSi9/15's. So I'm not worried about which receiver provides the most power necessarily, but rather I want to know which receiver would sound the best overall (I do realize it all eventually comes down to personal preference). My budget for this receiver is around $1000 (not real firm, if i need to reach a little i would) and I'm willing to purchase new or used.

This rig will mostly be for HT, but I've had an interest in trying to get into listening to higher end audio as well. Now I'm not an electrical engineer/extreme audiophile so I dont really know much about the internal processing each receiver does and how they differentiate each specific receiver (beyond reading that people like the Burr-Brown/Wolfson DACs, etc). I don't own any SACD's or anything (yet), and it made sense that the DACs wouldn't really factor unless I was using the Analog connections between some future CDP and my receiver.

People talk a lot about the ICE amp's in Pioneer being very impressive, now is that because they provide more power than other receivers? Or do they actually make CDs / Movie sounds better? Both? Neither?

Any opinions would be most appreciated, especially if you think i'm thinking incorrectly about anything in particular or everything

Thanks in advance!! I genuinely enjoy reading this forum for everyone's insight

Jason

leroyjr1

I've owned the Elite SC-07 & Onkyo 805 and I think the pioneer is a better receiver. The new Onkyo's have the 9.2 while the Pioneer only does 7.1.

Honestly both are great.

mantis

Sound quality wise the Pioneer ELite is a much better. Feature wise they are close maybe giving a slight edge to Onkyo. As a Pre the Pioneer wins hands down. For now you can store away those Outlaw amps as the SC model Elite receivers are plenty of power to drive them to full potential.

Sherardp

If mostly for HT then go with the Elite. Very detailed, and dynamic AVR. You will love the performance and power it provides.

mantis

Sherardp wrote: »

If mostly for HT then go with the Elite. Very detailed, and dynamic AVR. You will love the performance and power it provides.

For music go with the Elite. Very detailed, and dynamic AVR. You will provide the power it provides.

Just had to add that bro.

Sherardp

mantis wrote: »

For music go with the Elite. Very detailed, and dynamic AVR. You will provide the power it provides.

Just had to add that bro.

Thanks Mantis, I knew you would jump in here on this one.

Demiurge

I just bought the SC-25...killer unit.

leroyjr1

mantis wrote: »

For music go with the Elite. Very detailed, and dynamic AVR. You will provide the power it provides.

Just had to add that bro.

Maybe it was the settings but listening to music was just ok for me.

comfortablycurt

This is basically the same debate I'll be making when I look to get back into HT. I'll probably either end up with a Pioneer SC-07/27, or an Onkyo 805/807. Time will tell.

punk-roc

Thanks for the replies everyone.. Glad to hear that I was interpreting the threads correctly that the Pioneer should sound better than a comparable Onk. I've enjoyed my SR601, but I've never owned a decent receiver, so I can't compare haha.

The only real stumbling block for me is there are no authorized Pioneer dealers anywhere near me.. I can get a good deal from Newegg or Onecall for the Onkyo.. but I have to go to videogon or something for the Pioneer or pay retail, which seems silly

Guess it just a hint to move to a real city =P

Jason

mantis

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Maybe it was the settings but listening to music was just ok for me.

What speakers? How was it setup? Did you run MCACC? Did you use the internal DAC's?

rdb2001

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Maybe it was the settings but listening to music was just ok for me.

Same here for me leroy. I bought a pio elite to see what the hype is all about and it is great for movies. I use it as a prepro/ but when I listen to music, I yearn to have my HK back.

leroyjr1

mantis wrote: »

What speakers? How was it setup? Did you run MCACC? Did you use the internal DAC's?

HT setup

RTI a9
CSI a6
FXI a6
2 mp4k
elite sc-07
elite bdp
MIT cables
MIT ic's

yes ran the mccac. Everything was hooked up via HDMI but liked using the 2 channel analog audio out ( Elite bdp) better than the hdmi for music.

I usually don't listen to music on my ht setup I have a seperate 2 channel room. It may just be unfair to compare a receiver with hT speakers to a pre-amp and amp setup. It might be the speakers and not the receiver but overall it's just ok. For HT it sounds great.

mantis

Huh you preferred Analog audio out over HDMI , What BDP? The SC-07 uses Wolfson DAC's which is where a lot of the high quality reproduction happens and then the ICE amps followed by good preamp voltage out. Dynamic is what I experience every time I run mine or Install one.

Depending on what BDP you used , I'm assuming if it's a 05 model , it 2 has Wolson DAC's. Using Analog audio out actually shouldn't sound better. It has the ability to sound worse due to the transfer of analog with the ability of interference.

You are correct with having a 2 channel system vs a home theater system. Most likely the 2 channel system is going to sound better especially since you where using RTia series speakers. Good theater speakers and just ok or the the best sounding RT series speakers in a very long time.

digitalvideo

punk-roc wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone.. Glad to hear that I was interpreting the threads correctly that the Pioneer should sound better than a comparable Onk. I've enjoyed my SR601, but I've never owned a decent receiver, so I can't compare haha.

The only real stumbling block for me is there are no authorized Pioneer dealers anywhere near me.. I can get a good deal from Newegg or Onecall for the Onkyo.. but I have to go to videogon or something for the Pioneer or pay retail, which seems silly

Guess it just a hint to move to a real city =P

Jason

I don't know if you already did this but go to Pioneer's official website and click on the little tab/link that says: "Where to buy." and you just type in your area code and the product you're interested in and it will give you Pioneer authorized dealers in your area. You can pick the radius of 25 miles, 50 miles, 75 miles, 100 miles. Any of those dealers should be able to deliver or ship the product to you.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/

digitalvideo

Well I just checked myself at Pioneer's website and put in Spokane Washington's zip code and you're right, there are no authorized Pioneer dealers within a 200 mile radius. :eek: I would call Pioneer direct at the number on their website and order it from them directly or just go to Audiogon or Videogon. You can also call the Best Buy stores in the Seattle area and they will ship it to you. I perrsonally would stay away from ebay.

punk-roc

Well, I bit the bullet and bought the SC-25... had to do it off of Audiogon.. got it for $950. I'm excited to hear it drive my RTi8s.. expecting a large improvement over my Onkyo SR601!

Jason

leroyjr1

punk-roc wrote: »

Well, I bit the bullet and bought the SC-25... had to do it off of Audiogon.. got it for $950. I'm excited to hear it drive my RTi8s.. expecting a large improvement over my Onkyo SR601!

Jason

Nice choice you'll be very pleased..