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Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
#292795 02/18/10 04:00 AM
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treyp Offline OP
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OK, I did it.. Last week, I bought a Pioneer Elite SC-25 to go w/ my 7.1 Epic Grand Master 500 system. All I can say is…… UNFREAKING-BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! I am a 40+ yr old Average Joe who is hard to impress, but am totally awestruck at the difference in the total sound clarity, balance & power this receiver produces vs. my Yamaha RX-V659.

For those curious, below is a quick layman’s review of the SC-25, which I now affectionately refer to as “the beast”.

First, the MCACC setup was easy and accurate except for the sub. I did increase the subwoofer level+1db for movies, copied the setting over to a new memory location and went +6db for music. I found that leaving on all the misc functions such as standing wave control, full band phase control, EQ, etc… greatly enhanced the sound quality.

Video performance: Pass through of HDMI is flawless. I notice no difference in video quality in my Dish DVR or Panasonic Blu Ray when run thru the SC-25. On the other hand, I did plug in my old Pioneer Laserdisc player, via composite video, and it looked a bad VHS tape. Don’t know if that’s a knock on the player or receiver or both…... it was what it was…... unwatchable.

Music Listening (with Panasonic Blu Ray): On CD, I‘ve listening to everything from Elvis to Queen to Pink Floyd to Michael Jackson to Chris Rea and it all has sounded great. Never would have believe it prior to (as I was a stereo only for music guy), but I have settled to listening to music w/ Neo 6 THX. With this setting, the surround channels compliment the fronts, without ever intruding. Even tossed in my DTS 96/24 DVD of Queen’s GH1… sound presentation was awesome.

Movie Listening: The SC-25 simply shines when watching a movie. So far, I have watched all my favorite scenes from Transformers, Transformers ROTF, the Dark Knight and Star Trek. The sound clarity & dynamic range has never faltered, even at EXTREME volume. Believe me, this receiver's class D ICE amps are capable of some SERIOUS volume in the average home theater. Good news is…… Axioms are more than capable to handle it. The sound field created by the SC-25 is seamless and superbly balanced. Bass management is remarkable as well. Before the SC-25, my EP500 had a very annoying peak at 40-50Hz, which made it sound annoyingly boomy most of the time. No more. I can only assume the SC-25’s standing wave function is adjusting for this. All I have now is THUNDERING, FLOOR SHAKING bass when needed from my EP500.

To wrap it up for you…… My “Turn It down!!!!!!” wife even noticed the difference in sound quality and was truly impressed. When she commented that “it’s not as loud”, I knew it was money well spent.

Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
treyp #292798 02/18/10 04:08 AM
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Dang you. Just when I decided on the Denon 3310.

Sounds like the up conversion is so so on HDMI? I'm not that concerned honestly. The only non-HDMI source I use now is my Wii, which is only used sporadically.

I'm still bummed that the OSD is not available on HDMI on the SC-25 though.

Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
oldskoolboarder #292799 02/18/10 04:14 AM
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Cesar, note that much of Trey's satisfaction relates to the MCACC room correction. Many are of the view that the Audyssey MultEQ-XT, as found on the 3310, is even better.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
oldskoolboarder #292830 02/18/10 10:32 AM
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 Originally Posted By: oldskoolboarder
Sounds like the up conversion is so so on HDMI?

Well, considering the player is coming in via composite, it's very likely nothing could make it look good when trying to up-rez....


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
MarkSJohnson #292845 02/18/10 01:17 PM
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Yes Cesar, Audyssey is a wonderful addition to your Denon.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
oldskoolboarder #292850 02/18/10 01:28 PM
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Oldskool,
I think you'll be equally happy with the Denon. While I fully understand where Trey is coming from in his enthusiasm on the SC-25 as I have similar enthusiasm for my SC-05, there are some limiting factors in the SC series which is what I was pointing out to you in the other thread. If those limiting factors don't impact your particular setup (which in mine they do not) it is one helluva receiver. I just hate to see someone buy into the positives without being aware of the potential drawbacks too.

All that being said, there are many that wax poetic about their Denon's too. Just not the Denon manual!


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: Pioneer Elite SC-25 + Axiom = Heaven!!!!!!!!
cb919 #292862 02/18/10 03:49 PM
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treyp,

Congrats on the new receiver, sounds like it was worth every penny you spent.


Speakers: Energy RC-70s, RC-LCR, RC-Rs and eD A2-300 x 2.
Receiver: Marantz 6006

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