New Pioneer Elite A/V Receivers: SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH

[hugh]

Pioneer Electronics today introduced four new A/V receivers – the Elite SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH.

Pioneer's flagship A/V receiver, code named "Susano," has set the industry standard for home theater performance and its 2008 top-of-the-line receivers, the SC-07 and SC-05, continue to incorporate the Direct Energy HD Amplifier with ICEpower™ analog class D amplification technology.

The Elite VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH join Pioneer's leading receiver from 2007 - the VSX-94TXH - to round out the entire 2008 offering.

Pricing and Availability

The VSX-94TXH is currently available for $1,600.

Available in June

• VSX-01TXH - $750
• VSX-03TXH - $1,000

Available in August

• SC-05 - $1,800
• SC-07 - $2,200

[hugh]

from press release issued today

Pioneer Elite SC-07 and SC-05

The SC-07 and SC-05 in Pioneer’s line of Elite receivers deliver robust, realistic sound quality as a result of the exclusive Direct Energy HD Amplifier. Pioneer combines its industry-leading amplifier design and sound tuning technologies with the most advanced digital signal processing (DSP) to produce high resolution surround sound at unprecedented efficiency levels. Now the receiver can operate at extraordinary output levels with extremely low distortion and virtually no wasted energy; all in an effort to develop the most advanced home theater amplifier to date.

Entertainment enthusiasts can take advantage of internal decoding of new advanced lossless surround sound formats – DTS-HD™ Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus – to finally experience the full impact these high resolution audio codecs deliver to the viewing experience with ultra-rich surround sound that complements, and completes, on-screen imagery.

For accurate, natural surround sound reproduction of all connected HD and SD devices, Pioneer employs its exclusive room tuning feature in all four new Elite receivers. Advanced MCACC ensures studio quality surround sound regardless of the room configuration. This feature makes subtle adjustments to optimize the audio experience for even the most discerning ear. In addition, Pioneer’s Elite SC-07, SC-05 and VSX-94TXH incorporate the exclusive Full Band Phase Control, which eliminates “phase lag” or group delay between all speakers in a home theater system. This innovative DSP maintains soundtrack synchronization, ensuring the most accurate multi-channel sound reproduction is achieved and heard. All models include new symmetric equalization (EQ) for the most precise speaker calibration.

Pioneer’s new Elite receivers (SC-07, SC-05 and VSX-94TXH) include Neural-THX™ allowing for encoded content to be delivered in a two-channel stereo format and decoded for dispersion among up to 7.1 channel surround sound. In addition, the full line of Elite receivers includes dialogue enhancements, a wide range of listening modes, Mid-night Listening and Lip-Sync A/V synchronization. For the ultimate digital signal processing, all Elite receivers utilize anti-jitter technologies. The SC-07 is equipped with a professional level Burr Brown Sampling Rate Converter (SRC) to scale all digital audio signals up to 192 kHz 24-bit resolution.

HD Digital Connectivity

Pioneer brings HDMI 1.3a with full support of 12-Bit Deep Color to deliver a stellar picture from connected sources with a range of hues and shades not previously possible. In addition, for analog video sources, Pioneer’s Elite receivers are engineered for 1080p video processing with a Pioneer digital video converter and Faroudja video scaler chip that ensures up to full 1080p resolutions to best match the incoming video signal to the native resolution of a connected display.

Pioneer Audio Synergy

Pioneer’s engineers developed unique settings in its A/V receivers to harmonize audio performance like never before. Pioneer created jitter-free playback and dynamic sound quality for music CDs. When connected to a new Blu-ray Disc player via HDMI, Pioneer’s SC-07 and SC-05 receivers utilize a proprietary Precision Quartz Locking System (PQLS) that synchronizes data between the Blu-ray Disc player and the receiver, providing listeners with the ultimate precision in CD playback.

Networking and Consumer Convenience Features

Home Media Gallery

The SC-07 and SC-05 enhance the home theater experience with the exclusive Home Media Gallery. Pioneer’s home networking feature enables users to select and playback personal digital music and JPEG photo files direct from a PC hard drive or USB for playback in the living room through the main HD home theater system.

Through the receiver, users can easily access and stream digital media files directly from a connected home PC or laptop computer with IP networking capability. Home Media Gallery is compliant with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Windows Vista or Windows Media Connect as well as Microsoft playsforsure™ DRM technology.

Additional Connectivity Options

Pioneer continues to provide full-feature entertainment connectivity with Advanced Digital iPod® USB for pure digital audio fidelity. It allows users to navigate and select personalized music playlists from their iPods. Users can control these digital components player with the receiver’s remote control and on-screen display.

The proliferation of portable music devices has resulted in reduced audio file sizes that have negatively affected the reproduction quality of audio entertainment. Recognizing this, Pioneer employs its proprietary Sound Retriever DSP technology, which works by “filling in” and compensating for the audio data removed from the compressed files (WMA, MP3, MPEG-4 AAC) for music playback that is near CD quality.

Full Custom-Installation Ready

Pioneer’s full of Elite A/V Receivers are ready for custom installation with the following features:

* Multi-zone, multi-source capabilities allow Pioneer’s Elite receivers to serve as the entertainment centerpiece of up to 3 A/V zones in the home
* The SC-07 has dual HDMI video output and second zone component video output for zone 2 HD video capabilities
* RS232 Port for PC and 3rd party custom control and connectivity
* Advanced Direct Construction ensures enhanced reliability and performance
* New product cosmetics synchronizes with design of the KURO displays and Blu-ray Disc players

[rick240]

Originally Posted by hugh

Available in June

• VSX-01TXH - $750
• VSX-03TXH - $1,000

Does anyone have any idea when these will be available in Canada?

That could be a good time to get a 92 on sale!

[hugh]

Does anyone have any idea when these will be available in Canada?

ahh, June.

[gowyn]

the 01 apparently is in now, I'm going to check it out Thursday, quoted $900.

The 92 has been discounted to $1299.

[paul]

I recieved my new VSX-01TXH on Saturday to go with with my new 60 inch pro 151 plasma that is being installed tomorrow. I will let people know what I think of both. Bearing in mind that I am not nearly as knowledgeable as many on this forum.

[kgeorge78]

That Plasma Deserves the SC09!!

I have the same TV and I'm waiting for the SC07.

My local Elite store got the SC03s today.

Might go for a demo tomorrow.

[paul]

I purposefully went low end as I am waiting for an AVR with good video processing, specifically good 1080p upconversion of all sources digital and analogue.

[kgeorge78]

My local elite store got 01 and 03s no 05s or 07s yet

[Bigwill]

Hey guys, hoping someone can help. Got home tonight and fired everything up and noticed the signal kept dropping to the TV and no picture or so I thought. Here's the strange part, what is actually happening is that the signal is changing or something. Watching TSN the screen showed Dolby Digital as it always does. Problem is that when the screen goes blank, that changes to either PCM or Stereo. Nothing else in my set up is on. Any ideas?

[57]

When the signal drops, DD5.1 is gone - perfectly normal. Check your signal strength and S/N ratio, and do a cold reboot:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

Sometimes if you have poor RF-coax connections or splitters, ingress from cordless phones can cause issues - especially with TSN.

[Bigwill]

Thanks 57. Actually tried a reboot last night, left the box unplugged for 10 mins. It was actually every channel with the issue. Anyway, the reboot must have done it. We got a software update to the guide and maybe that was the issue.