Pioneer elite sc-61 vs. Yamaha rx-a1020

[dmollenauer]

I'm looking to upgrade my old receiver. A requirement is pre-outs, for future amp upgrades. These 2 seem to be similarly priced, feature-packed etc.

The Pioneer has class D amps. Any thoughts or suggestions on what is the better choice, and/or what might be a better match for my Klipsch floorstanding speakers, which are bright. Thanks.

[pacman9270]

Originally Posted by dmollenauer

I'm looking to upgrade my old receiver. A requirement is pre-outs, for future amp upgrades. These 2 seem to be similarly priced, feature-packed etc.

The Pioneer has class D amps. Any thoughts or suggestions on what is the better choice, and/or what might be a better match for my Klipsch floorstanding speakers, which are bright. Thanks.

I just ordered the SC-61 and hope to get this Friday. Will give a review soon.

[leonardb]

I've had the Pioneer since Boxing Day and really like it. The amps are better than my older Pioneer VSX9120 TXH; I really notice more detail in music and it doesn't break a sweat with movies. I haven't seen the Yamaha, but here is a link to a review from Home Theater Magazine:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/y...20-av-receiver
You wouldn't go wrong with either receiver.
I just noticed a review for the SC-61:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...61-av-receiver

[pacman9270]

Originally Posted by leonardb

I've had the Pioneer since Boxing Day and really like it. The amps are better than my older Pioneer VSX9120 TXH; I really notice more detail in music and it doesn't break a sweat with movies. I haven't seen the Yamaha, but here is a link to a review from Home Theater Magazine:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/y...20-av-receiver
You wouldn't go wrong with either receiver.
I just noticed a review for the SC-61:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...61-av-receiver

They write such great reviews. I'm loving the SC-61 so far. I'm rewatching every movie I own. It's a whole new sonic experience. I upgraded from the Elite VSX-40... to give you an idea of where I upgraded from.

[pacman9270]

I posted my review. Can't wait for a weekend of showing off my system at home.

[dmollenauer]

Thanks for your review, and the links to the other reviews. I am leaning toward the Pioneer right now for approx. $625 new (love those amps) The yammy would be approx $525 new. Review to hopefully follow soon.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by dmollenauer

Thanks for your review, and the links to the other reviews. I am leaning toward the Pioneer right now for approx. $625 new (love those amps) The yammy would be approx $525 new. Review to hopefully follow soon.

Where is it $625?

[pacman9270]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

Where is it $625?

For real! Where did you find it for $625?

[WillHunting]

The lowest price I can find is 715

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by WillHunting

The lowest price I can find is 715

I saw that too. I decided to save about $200 and go with the non Elite Pioneer SC1222K from newegg for $530 total. It's the same unit except for missing the 12v triggers, 1 less year of warranty, and different color led display lights.

[Ferrari Fan]

Originally Posted by WillHunting

The lowest price I can find is 715

PLEASE. When people say they find an item for X amount of dollars, please say where you found it for that price. Also note, that if a Pioneer or Pioneer Elite product is not purchased from an approved seller, the Pioneer warranty is not valad.

Quote from Pioneer's website "Manufacturer’s warranty and rebate are not valid when you purchase from an unauthorized dealer"

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...Online+Dealers

Thanks

Note, I don't work for Pioneer, but a fan of their products. In fact my first Pioneer product was a reciever that I bought new back in 1978. I owned it for 15 years, then sold it to a co-worker, who in turn sold it to another co-worker. It's still going strong and has never needed any work what so ever. 35 years old.....Pioneer builds great products IMO. Now, I'm currently looking to replace my Onkyo 875 for the Pioneer Elite SC-61.

If anybody is interested in an excellent condition Onkyo 875, drop me a pm.

[dmollenauer]

I am close to pulling the trigger on the sc-61, but I have concerns that the new models will be coming out in a few months. I am debating on waiting for the 2013 models. I am not really concerned with features as much as upgrades to amps, mcacc, dac's etc. that affect sound quality. Any thoughts or insights on when the new models might be available?

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by dmollenauer

I am close to pulling the trigger on the sc-61, but I have concerns that the new models will be coming out in a few months. I am debating on waiting for the 2013 models. I am not really concerned with features as much as upgrades to amps, mcacc, dac's etc. that affect sound quality. Any thoughts or insights on when the new models might be available?

I would seriously consider the Pioneer SC1222 ($529 free shipping from newegg) if you are looking at the SC-61. I almost bought the SC61, but then I found out more about the SC1222. It is almost the exact same receiver, same class D amp, and same power. The SC1222 is not an Elite model, so it has ones less year of warranty, no 12v triggers, and different color led display on the front. Those features were not enough to make up the price difference between the two, almost half the price!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117412

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I would seriously consider the Pioneer SC1222 ($529 free shipping from newegg) if you are looking at the SC-61. I almost bought the SC61, but then I found out more about the SC1222. It is almost the exact same receiver, same cladd D amp, and same power. The SC1222 is not an Elite model, so it has ones less year of warranty, no 12v triggers, and different color led display on the front. Those features were not enough to make up the price difference between the two, almost half the price!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117412

If I wasn't totally poor living paycheck-to-paycheck I'd be all over this thing!

[X400]

wow if i knew that sooner i dont think i woulda shelled out for the a2020

nice buy!

[pacman9270]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I would seriously consider the Pioneer SC1222 ($529 free shipping from newegg) if you are looking at the SC-61. I almost bought the SC61, but then I found out more about the SC1222. It is almost the exact same receiver, same class D amp, and same power. The SC1222 is not an Elite model, so it has ones less year of warranty, no 12v triggers, and different color led display on the front. Those features were not enough to make up the price difference between the two, almost half the price!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117412

Nice find. Didn't see this when researching my SC-61. I had assumed that the Pioneer models were Class AB amps. Nothing against AB amplification. Thanks for sharing, gave me some good reading.

Follow up update...
Still having issues with updating the firmware on the AVR. Using powered wireless LAN adapters for connectivity but seems somewhat useless. I only use the Internet Radio on the AVR.

Still really loving my sound. Just another level of home theater and music listening.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by pacman9270

Nice find. Didn't see this when researching my SC-61. I had assumed that the Pioneer models were Class AB amps. Nothing against AB amplification. Thanks for sharing, gave me some good reading.

Follow up update...
Still having issues with updating the firmware on the AVR. Using powered wireless LAN adapters for connectivity but seems somewhat useless. I only use the Internet Radio on the AVR.

Still really loving my sound. Just another level of home theater and music listening.

I'm loving my SC1222 too. I was set on it after hearing the SC61 vs some other comparable AVR's. Runs super cool and sounds amazing. Not sure if this is due to the Class D amps, but I would think so.

[pacman9270]

Congrats! Yeah... I've become a Pioneer fan.

[dmollenauer]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I would seriously consider the Pioneer SC1222 ($529 free shipping from newegg) if you are looking at the SC-61. I almost bought the SC61, but then I found out more about the SC1222. It is almost the exact same receiver, same class D amp, and same power. The SC1222 is not an Elite model, so it has ones less year of warranty, no 12v triggers, and different color led display on the front. Those features were not enough to make up the price difference between the two, almost half the price!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117412

Wow! Thanks for the suggestion. The 12v trigger would help though if I eventually upgrade to an external amp (which is the plan eventually) It basically boils down to $90 more for the elite.

[Ferrari Fan]

Originally Posted by dmollenauer

I am close to pulling the trigger on the sc-61, but I have concerns that the new models will be coming out in a few months. I am debating on waiting for the 2013 models. I am not really concerned with features as much as upgrades to amps, mcacc, dac's etc. that affect sound quality. Any thoughts or insights on when the new models might be available?

I too was considering the SC-61, but then I found the Pioneer Elite VSX-53. It's almost identical to the SC-61. I picked one up to use in the livingroom and could not be happier. If my theater room reciever died, I'd have no problem placing the VSX-53 there.

Read the thread I made here for it.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=216384


If you're worried it won't have enough power, then as you mentioned, in the future you might get an amp. I have the Emotiva XPA-3 and it's great. It easily powers my three front speakers, Paradigm Studio 100 V.5 and center Paradigm CC-590 V.5, while the reciever powers the rears. Oh, and at the moment, it's on sale and they have free shipping too !

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/.../products/xpa3