Pioneer Elite SC-05 vs. Onkyo TX-SR876

[kevhed72]

OK...ABT has both of these in stock. The Pioneer is 1000.00 and the Onkyo is 1100.00. Everyone pick 1 of the 2 and give me the top 3 reasons for your choice...thanks folks.

[Murray1]

Seen 05 Elite for 699 new. Shop around.

[leroyjr1]

Just bought the sc-07 for $899 and they also had the sc-05 for $699.
Go to Videogon.com.

[mantis]

OK...ABT has both of these in stock. The Pioneer is 1000.00 and the Onkyo is 1100.00. Everyone pick 1 of the 2 and give me the top 3 reasons for your choice...thanks folks.

Reason 1) The Pioneer is retail 1800.00 so thats a 800.00 price drop.
Reason 2) Because it sounds better.
Reason 3) You wanna join the ICE club.

Honestly both are fine receivers but personally I would buy the Pioneer over the Onkyo even at full wood.

Dan

[kevhed72]

Ah...the peer pressure of the ICE club is working on me. Plus, the 100.00 difference is still 100 bucks...
thanks,

[Sherardp]

Definitely shop around, go for 05/07 put the money save towards new BD player or BD media. You won't regret it.

videogon, valueelectronics, axxisdurango all have these on sale. GL.

[mantis]

Don't wait to long, the sale is suppose to end in March.

Dan

[kevhed72]

I took the plunge and have an sc-05 on the way from ABT. They were out of the sc-07 and the salesperson didn't think they were getting ANY more in, but I got a deal on the sc-o5, and 12 mos. no interest. There were a few more in stock and you probably do better than the 999.00 list price on their site if you ask, if anyone else is looking for one. Looking just at price, I think this was the better choice over the Onkyo, plus all the great reviews the Elites are getting out there.

[leroyjr1]

Why didn't you jump on the sc-05/07 they have listed on videogon for $699/$899?

[kevhed72]

I really needed to finance the purchase...but, I do have 30 days to send it back.

How would the manufacturer's warranty hold up through them?

[leroyjr1]

Don't see why not, the place it ships from is an authorized dealer.

Congrats and welcome to the ICE club.:cool:

[jeahsj]

leroy, how do you know "the place it ships from is an authorized dealer"? What is the name of the authorized dealer?

[ben62670]

What speakers?
Ben

[leroyjr1]

leroy, how do you know "the place it ships from is an authorized dealer"? What is the name of the authorized dealer?



Hifi Heaven

Greenbay, Wisconsin

[jeahsj]

Thanks leroyjr1. i pulled the trigger and got it from Hifi Heaven for 782 shipped.

[vijayl]

good move.. u'll love it

[cnh]

I took the plunge and have an sc-05 on the way from ABT. They were out of the sc-07 and the salesperson didn't think they were getting ANY more in, but I got a deal on the sc-o5, and 12 mos. no interest. There were a few more in stock and you probably do better than the 999.00 list price on their site if you ask, if anyone else is looking for one. Looking just at price, I think this was the better choice over the Onkyo, plus all the great reviews the Elites are getting out there.

The Elite sounds fine...cleaner than the Onkyo by a degree but the Onkyo, on paper, has more power reserves. But people here so love the ICE-amps. I like them myself. But I'm not completely convinced that they're the best sounding receiver out there...because they're a bit too neutral for me personally. I like a bit more 'warmth' I'm afraid. There's still a matter of 'taste' after all.

IN any case....a good choice.

Enjoy your ICE....

cnh

[Sherardp]

Hey CNH,

Good call, as I agree not everyone will like the ICE. I'd suggest you give them a listen before buying. Seeing as everyone here is just selling their gear and buying them. They are not for everyone, if you prefer the laid back sound then these Pio Elites are not the way to go. Just don't want anyone disappointed, that's all I'm saying here. Other than that, enjoy the tunes/show.

[jeahsj]

Actually, I went to Best Buy and listened very carefully to the Pioneer and compared it to Denon and Yamaha before buying online. I think I get what some of you are talking about..."warmth" or "laid back sound". I found that to be true of the Denon, but to this listeners ear I considered it rather dull or even muddy. I preferred the brightness of the Elite way better. The Best Buy salesperson agreed when I had him constantly switch between each one several times for music and movies. It really all depends on what appeals to you. One man's warmth is another man's dullness. One man's brightness is another man's harshness. In choosing a receiver, it's better to go with what you like and try not to be influenced by someone based on their personal preference. I'm a guitarist and it's similar in how players choose their tone or amp.

[NotaSuv]

Had a nicer Denon for years.....have a SC-07 now....I personally enjoy the sound of the Pioneer better............neighbor likes his Denon...as has been here so many times....buy what sounds good to you....and enjoy....

[gonzalr]

I'm searching also for a good deal for SC-05 and looks like that most of the vendors are not an authorized dealer that's why they can sell it for a lower price.

Any advise for buying to unauthorized vendor?

[ckphoto]

I'm searching also for a good deal for SC-05 and looks like that most of the vendors are not an authorized dealer that's why they can sell it for a lower price.

Any advise for buying to unauthorized vendor?


It was mentioned already HiFi Heaven has the best deal and is a authorized dealer.

[gonzalr]

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/FindStore/Buy+Pioneer+Products+on+the+Internet

I check Pioneer website regarding HiFi Heaven and doesn't look like they are an authorized online dealer since they are not on the list. Does it mean that Pioneer website is not updated?

Please check above link. Thanks for the help.

[jeahsj]

1. You asked, "Any advise for buying to unauthorized vendor?" My advice is seek testimonials from actual buyers, check sites like resellerratings.com or bbb.org, and convince yourself you don't care about the warranty.

2. Online retailers are NOT the ONLY authorized resellers. Did you click on the "Where to Buy" link for brick and mortar stores? Type in "Green Bay" for City and select "Wisconsin" for State. Click the "Search" button. Well, lookie what we have here!

[Rocco1]

It seems like everyone is recommending the pioneer.
Is this just because of the difference in sound. The pioneer being more natural. As opposed to what for the Onkyo? I am confused everyone just said Elite Elite Elite and listed no reasons why.

I like to get everyones input. I just got the 906 and i thought it had a much fuller sound that the elite.

[cnh]

Hey Rocco,

That's sort of what I was saying above. That Onkyo is a warmer sounding receiver than the Pioneer. Some would argue that that means it has a bit less 'detail' and 'colors' the sound, or that it's maybe a bit muddy compared to the neutrality of the brighter Pioneer. I would not say that myself because I rather like that Onkyo model and its sound, it's laid back and very 'smooth'. This is precisely where one's 'subjective' tastes enter. And it's a matter of what 'you' like.

Let me continue with one more example since I've owned Onkyos and Denons. Above someone defines the Denon as muddy...but "I" find the Denons more neutral and having more detail in their high end than the Onkyo units?

You really have to go with what you like! A lot of people here are entranced with the Elites and, I will admit, they sound wonderful. But unlike some members of the Ice-club, I'm not in a mad rush to dump my Onkyo and I've heard both receivers. To me, they're just different sounding....not better or worse necessarily.

And I suspect you're a bit more like me.

cnh

[Rocco1]

CNH,

I am like you. I also think that the build quality on the onks are much better. Now dont anyone kill me on this, but a few years back when i was selling this stuff, pioneer was one of those products that always had minor issues here and there. Things obviously could have changed in the past couple of years.

I am in no way blasting the pioneers. i just think onks have been doing it better for longer.

[NewHTguy]

Rocco,
I own an Onk 875 and have no plans on selling it. At the same time, I have never listened to a Pio. Here are a few thoughts:

1) The Onk runs hot and I would not keep it in an enclosed cabinet. I use a Sanus open-style TV stand, so the heat is not really an issue. But don't let anyone tell otherwise. Once it has been running for a good 30 minutes, you cannot place your hand on the top back portion without feeling pain.

2) Up until recently, I used it to run some Rti 10's/Csi5 up front and found the sound to be fairly bright for music. Too bright for my tastes.

3) Although I have been out of town and not been able to do much crittical listening, the Onk sounds much better paired with the Lsi 25s when it comes to music. (I don't have a center yet so I can't comment on HT.)

4) I don't whether the Pio shines all that much when it comes to video upscaling. This may not matter to you if you have an upconverting blu-ray player. However, I can tell you that despite my love of "upgrading" the Onk 875 does such a great job upscaling standard dvds played on my 5-year old dvd player that have had almost no desire to pull the trigger on Blu-ray.

5) The power specs on the Onk are impressive for an AVR. I would feel quite comfortable having it drive my center and rears if i ever move beyond 2.1, while using my two-channel amp for the fronts.

6) It is *heavy*!!! and needs some airspace above it. I would be afraid to place it on the middle or top Sanus shelf.

I hope that helps somewhat.

[cnh]

Nice review, New...

I can't disagree with anything up there except for one thing. Which 'proves' how subjective all this 'hearing' stuff is...I've never found Onkyo's to be bright. To me they are less bright than almost any other mid-fi receiver excepting the Harman Kardon--which I find to be the 'warmest'. So there we go....one man's bright is another's warm. Most of the guys I know who have Onkyo 50 pounders describe them as a 'lush' sounding receiver. But no doubt synergy is a factor.

The other thing that I find is that Onkyo is one of the 'most' forgiving receivers, maybe because it is more laid back, it sounds less harsh with a wider range of speakers than almost any other receiver...again excepting, perhaps the H/K. But so much of this is so very 'subjective'...they're my ears, after all.

cnh

[NewHTguy]

CNH,
Our differing views regarding brightness could be explained by the RTi speakers, which many consider bright. I don't hear any brightness when the Onk is driving my Lsi's.

[jeahsj]

This thread has turned into an Onkyo owner feel good thread! :)

I just received my SC-05 today and hooked it up. I'm not going to brag about how good it is. Don't want to make anyone feel bad. ;-)

[Rocco1]

oh dont worry you wont!

[NewHTguy]

This thread has turned into an Onkyo owner feel good thread! :)

I just received my SC-05 today and hooked it up. I'm not going to brag about how good it is. Don't want to make anyone feel bad. ;-)

That's not crazy talk, that's stupid talk. Hope you figured out how to determine if Hifi Heaven is an authorized dealer.

[RutgersFTW]

I would've chosen the 05/07 as well. All my experience with D amps finds them, in my subjective listening, to be smooth to a fault but still capable of revealing inner detail. Best of both worlds.

[NewHTguy]

If I were to buy an AVR today, I would certainly make an effort to try one of the new Pio's. If so many people like their sound, they must be nice. And the mere fact that they stay "cool" is a big plus for me. One of the things that I don't understand is that these are AVR's not preamps. Yet few of the posters ever seem to comment on the video. The close to top of the line (at the time) video processing was one of the features that sold me on the Onk 875. My tastes have changed and now are more two-channel oriented. However, if I were buying a piece of gear for music only, I would be looking at a pre-amp, not an AVR. Similarly, many of the folks on this forum have separate power amps. So I don't see why the classs D would matter. At that point the issue is processing, not power. From an environmental standpoint, however, I hope the Class D amps become standard. They seem to be much more efficient.

[Rocco1]

If I were to buy an AVR today, I would certainly make an effort to try one of the new Pio's. If so many people like their sound, they must be nice. And the mere fact that they stay "cool" is a big plus for me. One of the things that I don't understand is that these are AVR's not preamps. Yet few of the posters ever seem to comment on the video. The close to top of the line (at the time) video processing was one of the features that sold me on the Onk 875. My tastes have changed and now are more two-channel oriented. However, if I were buying a piece of gear for music only, I would be looking at a pre-amp, not an AVR. Similarly, many of the folks on this forum have separate power amps. So I don't see why the classs D would matter. At that point the issue is processing, not power. From an environmental standpoint, however, I hope the Class D amps become standard. They seem to be much more efficient.


I agree with you we all usaully discuss sound. This is forum is for polk speakers so audio is the main talk. With a lot of doing HT we should speak more on the video processing of our AVRs.

I do find it funny that it seems most of us buy AVRs and almost always end up with seperate amplification, therefore not needing the power from the avr at all. I guess its nice to be able to work up to the amps.

In my case it was cheaper to buy the onk avr 906 that the onk pre 876, which are virtually the same besides the amp in the 906. Which i find quite odd, that something with all the same stuff is more expensive with less options.

[NewHTguy]

I understand your point about many of the people here being more music oriented because I am one of them. At least these days I am. However, it seems inappropriate to compare products that are designed to process both video and audio based on the audio alone. Don't get me wrong, I don't care how people spend their money. But if we are having a borderline academic discussion about the pluses and minuses of various AVRs, I believe we are compelled to discuss all of the pluses and all of the minuses.

[cnh]

I agree with you we all usaully discuss sound. This is forum is for polk speakers so audio is the main talk. With a lot of doing HT we should speak more on the video processing of our AVRs.

I do find it funny that it seems most of us buy AVRs and almost always end up with seperate amplification, therefore not needing the power from the avr at all. I guess its nice to be able to work up to the amps.

In my case it was cheaper to buy the onk avr 906 that the onk pre 876, which are virtually the same besides the amp in the 906. Which i find quite odd, that something with all the same stuff is more expensive with less options.

The 906 does have a few features that the 876 doesn't, the most relevant is that it has a toroidal transformer! And some more flexible entry into the Video chip and access to it, etc.

No this is not an Onkyo thread guys. Besides what's wrong with mentioning a few features an Onkyo might have that the Pioneer doesn't. You guys have an entire ICE-Club...so I think we're cool? How's that for a bad pun?

cnh

[renowilliams]

I was looking into getting an sc-05 or sc-07, but here in Canada, I can't get a 05 for less than 1,700 cnd. I opted to get a pioneer elite of an older vintage ( VSX49TXi) Rocco, you should see the fit and finish on this particular pioneer, it is stunning. I know it doesn't have the ICE amp but I am told it is powerful. I will recieve it tomorrow and will definatley check it out thoroughly.

[Rocco1]

I was looking into getting an sc-05 or sc-07, but here in Canada, I can't get a 05 for less than 1,700 cnd. I opted to get a pioneer elite of an older vintage ( VSX49TXi) Rocco, you should see the fit and finish on this particular pioneer, it is stunning. I know it doesn't have the ICE amp but I am told it is powerful. I will recieve it tomorrow and will definatley check it out thoroughly.

reno,

you should have had one of us send you an sc 05 or 07 from down here we can find them for half the price.

[vijayl]

Yep Thats tru Rocco. Not sure what r the implecations of import duty tho!!

[jeahsj]

I've been using my SC-05 for two months now and am amazed at the improvement in sound over my Yamaha and compared to my friend's Onkyo. Anyone, or should I say everyone, that watches a movie at my house raves about the sound. The clarity at high levels is what impresses people most. It's made my subwoofer come alive and drives my speakers to their potential. One thing that matters to me is a receiver's ability to balance highs and lows without adjusting the volume. The SC-05 handles this perfectly as quiet scenes are clear and audible and loud action scenes don't break up or need to be adjusted. It's a perfect balance and the shift from quiet to loud scene, etc, is like being at the movies. Another thing I look for is it's balance of treble and bass. Again, the SC-05 is just right. Unlike other receivers, I don't hear the SC-05 as having more bass than treble or vice versa. To my ear, the SC-05 matches very well with my Polk speakers. I use a DVD and PS3 for blue ray and both sound great. One surprise for me is I never thought I'd use the internet connection, but I've come to appreciate it. Accessing internet radio stations directly from the receiver is a feature I'm beginning to enjoy. I also have a NAS device that supports TwonkyMedia. I didn't plan it this way as I purchased the NAS device 2 years ago, but having the SC-05 access my mp3 files on the drive is an added bonus. Music sounds impressive on the SC-05, but since much of what we listen to are mp3 files, I'm sure we are not using it to its potential.

[obieone]

I've been using my SC-05 for two months now and am amazed at the improvement in sound over my Yamaha and compared to my friend's Onkyo. Anyone, or should I say everyone, that watches a movie at my house raves about the sound. The clarity at high levels is what impresses people most. It's made my subwoofer come alive and drives my speakers to their potential. One thing that matters to me is a receiver's ability to balance highs and lows without adjusting the volume. The SC-05 handles this perfectly as quiet scenes are clear and audible and loud action scenes don't break up or need to be adjusted. It's a perfect balance and the shift from quiet to loud scene, etc, is like being at the movies. Another thing I look for is it's balance of treble and bass. Again, the SC-05 is just right. Unlike other receivers, I don't hear the SC-05 as having more bass than treble or vice versa. To my ear, the SC-05 matches very well with my Polk speakers. I use a DVD and PS3 for blue ray and both sound great. One surprise for me is I never thought I'd use the internet connection, but I've come to appreciate it. Accessing internet radio stations directly from the receiver is a feature I'm beginning to enjoy. I also have a NAS device that supports TwonkyMedia. I didn't plan it this way as I purchased the NAS device 2 years ago, but having the SC-05 access my mp3 files on the drive is an added bonus. Music sounds impressive on the SC-05, but since much of what we listen to are mp3 files, I'm sure we are not using it to its potential.


Pretty much my thoughts exactly! My Denon was more of a laid back sound.
And I know that this term get thrown around alot in this hobby, but, my SC-05, sounds more 'dynamic'. And it does give a better bass presence to my system.

As for the mp3 question, I've discovered that those songs, for whatever reasons, don't send a signal to the preouts, which is how I have by sub hooked up. So, I'm in the process of replacing a majority of them with cd's.