Pioneer Elite SC-57 9.1 Channel A/V Receiver (October 2011 Home Theater magazine)

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Pioneer Elite SC-57 9.1 Channel A/V Receiver (October 2011 Home Theater magazine review link)

This October 2011 Home Theater magazine review on the Pioneer Elite SC-57 9.1 surround sound receiver was very good (really a 9.2 surround receiver since it supports up to two subwoofers). This top of the line 2011 Pioneer Elite SC-57 A/V receiver is a value A/V receiver since it received 5 stars out of 5 for value. In terms of sound quality this $2,100 Pioneer class D amplifier out performs some class A/B and class A amplifiers that cost $4,000-$5,000+. An excellent $15,000 class A amplifier with proper tower speakers would outperform this lower cost Pioneer SC-57 for $2,100.

** Received 5 stars out of 5 for being an excellent value A/V receiver compared to other more expensive A/V receivers on the market **

The following are select quotes from the Home Theater magazine review

“The SC-57’s release was delayed for two years by the combination of Air Studios’ involvement in the project and the introduction of new, ultra-low-distortion International Rectifier switching devices that held the promise of creating a low-distortion amp with little or no negative feedback.”

“The THX Ultra2 Plus–Certified SC-57 decodes about every codec known to mankind and also includes a long list of Pioneer’s own listening modes for music and cinema.”

“Whether I ran it through the MCACC setup routine or not, the SC-57 produced noticeably warm, rich, coherent sound that was very well controlled on both top and bottom. An experienced listener might note an exceptionally well-damped, tight bottom end and a dry, less than fully extended and airy top end—and perhaps figure out pretty quickly that this isn’t Class A/B amplification. But even a hardened audiofool like me came away from a few weeks spent with the SC-57 very impressed and enthused about the future of Class D in this application. Still, in a vinyl-based two-channel system, I’ll still stick with Class A/B and Class A, thank you. (Speaking of vinyl, the moving-magnet input was also surprisingly good.)”

“To summarize, the Class D sound here definitely differs from what I’d expect from a good Class A/B amplifier, particularly in terms of air, extension, liquidity, and especially decay length. But the differing characteristics produced great clarity and solidity, and the leading edge of transients were free of undesirable etch and hardness that have plagued some other Class D designs. Stage coherence, whether in stereo or surround, was among the best I’ve heard from any AVR at any price, and instrumental body and weight were positively meaty.”

“To give you some idea, an audiophile friend came over during my audition. While I played a three-track RCA Living Stereo reissue on SACD, he stood waiting on the landing a half level below the living room, where he couldn’t even see the speakers. “Wow, that piano has such body!” he exclaimed, which is exactly what I’d been saying to myself a few minutes before he arrived. Imaging was unusually precise, both in stereo and surround mixes, perhaps giving credence to claims of the SC-57’s emphasis on maintaining phase coherence. This was clearly evident on two-channel and surround sound music or movies.”

“As an old stalwart, I still prefer a good Class A/B amp. But the Pioneer Elite SC-57’s Class D amp is so good that in some ways it’s more a matter of different than better or worse. I can understand why some might prefer its sonic character. In the end, the SC-57 offers a lot of everything—including great sound—at a very reasonable price.”

** Click here to read the complete review on the Pioneer SC-57 at the Home Theater magazine website **