SC-55 vs. SC-37/37

domflane
domflane Posts: 653
edited November 2011 in Electronics
Hey guys, I've been out for a while, but I need some advice. My HK AVR354 recently blew up, so I'm in the market for a new receiver. I'm thinking about ditching my Carver AV-505 and just going with an SC series Pio Elite to run my RTiA5 based HT. Question is, how does the new digital amp in the SC-55 compare to the ICE amps in the SC-35? I know that the ICE amps get a lot of praise around here, but they're almost phased out and I really want to buy new so I get Pioneer's factory warranty. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks
Home Theater
RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
2 Channel
Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
Post edited by domflane on
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Comments

  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2011
    Some great reviews in home theater magazine last month of the SC-57. It got high marks.

    http://www.hometheater.com/content/pioneer-elite-sc-57-av-receiver

    Shouldn't be terribly different from the SC-55.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Theheadsn
    Theheadsn Posts: 413
    edited November 2011
    the newer ones seem to just add bells and whistles from what Ive been able to see. I wouldn't want to pay the extra 1k just for them.

    As far as the warrenty, if you find a 37 at a store, new or even open box, you still get the full pioneer warrenty. The warrenty starts the day you bought it. One of the things that sold me on the open box 37 I was able to pick up :)
    Home Theater Setup
    • Receiver - Onkyo TX-RZ1100
    • Mains - Polk RTi A9's
    • External Amps - Outlaw 2200 Monoblocks for L/R/C
    • Center - Polk CSiA6
    • Side Surrounds - Polk FXiA6's
    • Atmos - 4 Polk 80F/X RT's
    • Sub - SVS PC-4000
    • T.V. - LG OLED65C7P

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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited November 2011
    Well I went ahead and picked up an SC-55 at best buy . . probably paid too much for it but oh well. I would have really rather found an SC-35/37 as an open box or just left over, but nobody in my area seemed to have any. I couldn't find any eBay stores or anything on Amazon that was a certified Pioneer seller either. The only thing I was worried about is that this is the first time that they're not calling the amps ICE amps. I know that they still have some kind of separate amplification for each of the 9 channels that is vastly superior to what's found in most receivers, I just didn't know how this new one stacked up to their ICE amps that everyone seemed so fond of. Thanks again
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited November 2011
    Just for the heck of it, I checked Audioholics website (They are authorized, that's where I got mine). It looks like they may not even carry Pioneer anymore. Wonder if this is a temporary thing, or what the deal is.
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,313
    edited November 2011
    Very cool , be sure to join the ICE CLUB in here and post a review and pic's.

    One thing I want you to look out for is picture drop. I have had 2 models of the SC-57 drop picture for about 1 second then come right back on , it happened once every few hours of use. I have a call into Pioneer about it and they are looking into it.

    Let me know if you have any issues at all.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited November 2011
    There seems to be fewer and fewer retailers, in my area especially, that stock anything above low grade HT gear. I wish Pioneer had an eBay store like Polk and Harman Kardon where they sell factory refurbuished items. You never know what you're going to get on craigslist or from the shady sellers on eBay. I'd be more than happy to pick up a used one from a Club Polk member, but my HK broke down and I needed something fast since Skyrim and MW3 just launched.

    Mantis - I've been using the SC-55 for a few days now, mostly gaming, but a few blu-rays and some computer use and I haven't had any video issues so far. I can say that compared to my HK, which I was very fond of, the Elite really is no comparison. Its an amazing piece of equipment and so far I think it's worth the money. I wish the on screen menu wasn't such a pain in the ****, but I need to do some more manual reading and testing before I can give a full review.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited November 2011
    I loved my H/K.... until I got the Elite. Good times :cool:
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
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