Onkyo 805 vs Pioneer SC-07

[septim]

I am really debating buying an SC-07 to replace my Onkyo 805. Some places like AVS and Blu-Ray.com are all fawning over the SCs, while this place seems pretty divided on it. One reason why I want the 07 is that I have a projector and TV setup and am currently splitting the HDMI out and once in a while it will lose handshake and I have to reset the splitter.

The speakers I will be using are AV123 Rocket RS850/RS450/Bigfoot. The room is 22' by 12'. Even though I mention the dual HDMI outs as a reason my primary concern is pure sound quality.

Has anyone compared an Onkyo to the SC-05/07 and tell me what to think?

I don't have any real way to compare them in person.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I am really debating buying an SC-07 to replace my Onkyo 805. Some places like AVS and Blu-Ray.com are all fawning over the SCs, while this place seems pretty divided on it. One reason why I want the 07 is that I have a projector and TV setup and am currently splitting the HDMI out and once in a while it will lose handshake and I have to reset the splitter.

The speakers I will be using are AV123 Rocket RS850/RS450/Bigfoot. The room is 22' by 12'. Even though I mention the dual HDMI outs as a reason my primary concern is pure sound quality.

Has anyone compared an Onkyo to the SC-05/07 and tell me what to think?

I don't have any real way to compare them in person.

OK, I never compare the sound of my 805 with the SC-05/07.

Now, your #1 priority is sound quality.
And your #2 priority is HDMI handshake.

And when you say that places like AVS are all fawning over the SCs (I'm not a big fan of Blu-Ray.com), you must be reading at the wrong places.
I read AVS threads about the 805, the SC-05 and the SC-07, and what I found is that most (the very big majority) of the people there really never compared both of these receivers (805 vs SC-05/07). So you cannot make a fair assessment. Also, do you know people that happen to have the same speakers than yours.
Also, do you know someone that live in your room???

My suggestion to you: Buy the SC-07 or the 05, and plug it in your home, and play with it for 25 days, then decide if you want to keep it or return it for your money back. When the 25 days or so period is over, come back here in this very same thread (I will be waiting for you), and tell me what was your final decision. But let me give you my prediction first: I'll bet that you will be returning the Pioneer Elite (any which one from the SC-07/05) back to the store.
But don't take my prediction for it, after all it's only a prediction.
Just do it, you'll learn first hand what a lot of people should do when face with your situation.

Bests to you,

Bob

Note: By the way, when I bought my 805, I never look back, and I don't regret it for even one flip of the wing from a fly (that's about 1/1,000,000,000,000,000 of a second)!

 

[MatthewB.]

I haven't compared the 805 to he Pioneer SC series but have Pioneer Elite recievers and feel the 805 more than holds it own against those. In fact I still own a Denon 4802R and Denon 3808ci and the 805 and have the 805 in my main HT system (which tells you how good it is) I have compared it slightly better in sound quality than my 3808 and matches the sound quality in my 4802 (which retailed for 2,400 back in 02') I think you will be fine either way, but you may have better luck just buying an outboard HDMI switcher for 100.00 and see how that does.

 

[lsiberian]

I am really debating buying an SC-07 to replace my Onkyo 805. Some places like AVS and Blu-Ray.com are all fawning over the SCs, while this place seems pretty divided on it. One reason why I want the 07 is that I have a projector and TV setup and am currently splitting the HDMI out and once in a while it will lose handshake and I have to reset the splitter.

The speakers I will be using are AV123 Rocket RS850/RS450/Bigfoot. The room is 22' by 12'. Even though I mention the dual HDMI outs as a reason my primary concern is pure sound quality.

Has anyone compared an Onkyo to the SC-05/07 and tell me what to think?

I don't have any real way to compare them in person.

The 805 is a monster. I think replacing it isn't a great idea.

 

[FilmMixer]

I've owned both the Onkyo 905 and SC-07...

For sound quality, the Pioneer killed it... no comparison. The MCACC deals with low end and time domain corrections nicely, and you can tweak it to your hearts content..

It will drive the Rockets nicely... I used to have 1000's and Strata Mini's when I had the SC07.. (still have 550's for surrounds)

 

[Seth=L]

I'd go for the SC-07 for sex appeal alone. A woman could appreciate it's bold sleekness.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Question(s) to FilmMixer.

I've owned both the Onkyo 905 and SC-07...

For sound quality, the Pioneer killed it... no comparison. The MCACC deals with low end and time domain corrections nicely, and you can tweak it to your hearts content..

It will drive the Rockets nicely... I used to have 1000's and Strata Mini's when I had the SC07.. (still have 550's for surrounds)

Hi Marc,

How are you?

Could you please, if I may ask, elaborate on sound differences, Audyssey MultEQ XT vs MCACC, ability to drive 4-ohm loads and general operation with ergonomics between these two great receivers (SC-07 & SR905)?

Also the advanced MCACC in the SC-07, is it based on a graphic or parametric equalizer? And how many bands per channel? And what is the lowest frequency EQ corrected? Do you prefer it (MCACC) over Audyssey MultEQ XT?

About the YPAO on Yamaha's, the V3900 and the Z7?

What is the impedance (minimum) of your Rocket's, your previous 1,000's and Strata Mini's, as well your 550's?

All my speakers (7) are 3.7 ohms (front mains), 2.8 ohms (center), 4.9 ohms (side surrounds) and 5.1 ohms (rear surrounds), minimum impedances.
My 805 and my 876 are driving them all with no difficulty.
Would the SC-05 and SC-07 be able to do the same? Well, in this case here, the SC-07.

And if I'm not mistaking, are you still owning the RX-Z7 (or is it the V3900)?
And if it is still the same (or another one), why did you get the SC-07 discarded, or the SR905 for that matter? I am very curious of your resolutions.

Bob

 

[jostenmeat]

I've owned both the Onkyo 905 and SC-07...

For sound quality, the Pioneer killed it... no comparison. The MCACC deals with low end and time domain corrections nicely, and you can tweak it to your hearts content.

Hi, FilmMixer, I'm with lotr in that I would love to hear your thoughts. Just like most any other AHer, I spend too much time thinking about receivers/pre's. I've been using an 805 as pre/pro, and I honestly think it might be the most value rich piece of equipment I own. Then again, I spent a lot more on other things. I have absolutely nothing, in terms of EQ/RC, to compare my XT to.

IIRC, MCAAC corrects only down to 63 hz? If it doesn't correct below that threshold, I assume when you say "low end", perhaps you mean midbass?

I love to pick your brain, because of who you are and what you do. Ya know, my HT blows away the local theaters, and the rare times I do visit the theater, I'm disappointed. However, the one thing that certain theaters do better than my system is the midbass. I can't expect too much out of my entry/midlevel speakers I suppose, while suffering plenty of baffle diffraction loss. Do you find it's the midbass that you (I assume) boost in order to get it closer to the in-theater experience?

as with lotr, I'd love to learn about the number of bands, and their spacing/flexibility, and any other tidbits.

Ya don't happen to have any experience with Trinnov, do you?

Thank you.

Could you please, if I may ask, elaborate on sound differences, Audyssey MultEQ XT vs MCACC, ability to drive 4-ohm loads and general operation with ergonomics between these two great receivers (SC-07 & SR905)?

Also the advanced MCACC in the SC-07, is it based on a graphic or parametric equalizer? And how many bands per channel? And what is the lowest frequency EQ corrected? Do you prefer it (MCACC) over Audyssey MultEQ XT?

 

[MatthewB.]

With impedence loads that low I would highly suggest buying a preamp and amps instead that are more geared towards driving low impedence loads. Or get a lesser receiver with preouts and hook up amps to that.

 

[Lordoftherings]

With impedence loads that low I would highly suggest buying a preamp and amps instead that are more geared towards driving low impedence loads. Or get a lesser receiver with preouts and hook up amps to that.

That is not that low. Low is 2ohms and below.

Anything around 4 to 5ohms is quite normal for many speakers.

And the 805 and upper models were designed specifically for my type of speakers. My 805 and 876 are just in my desire's range for power, value, performance, audio, video, ergonomics, features, room EQ, THX, HDMI, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, PCM-1796a, processing power, 4-ohm drive capability (down to 3.2), bi-ampable, bio-degradable, good remote, good manual, easy on-screen display, keep me warm in winter time, Reon, incredible bargains, heavy (good), beefy (good), simple, not bad looking (and they look like they mean business), good reviews, impressed reviewers, impressive lab tests; they simply have what I was exactly looking for, in a top notch receiver; for my brains, for my heart, for my soul, for my piece of mind, for my room, for my speakers and for my ears.

Why will I get a cheaper receiver with an external amp, when the 805 is already that, plus a much better receiver too?

If I want to drive 2 or 3ohms speakers, I'll buy a couple separate amps, plus a surround processor for my taste. Plus I make sure that I match their input and output impedance perfectly with the appropriate overall gain. And with balanced connections. Like an Onkyo PR-SC886P with an Emotiva XPA-2 and XPA-5.

If I want a cheap receiver, it's for my HTIB speaker's set. Like a Marantz SR5003.

But that's just me in my own way of thinking. And I feel good about it.

Bob

 

[Seth=L]

A lot of so called "8 ohm" speakers play around in the 4 ohm area anyway.

 

[Lordoftherings]

^ How come you got two "Thanks" for such a short and obvious comment???

 

[greggp2]

^ How come you got two "Thanks" for such a short and obvious comment???

Either because he carries a Gun or maybe because he changed his quote from "a baited question is baited" to " I still have a lot to learn "

 

[Lordoftherings]

Now he's got three!!!

 

[greggp2]

WT ???? Let's just start thanking one another...

 

[Seth=L]

I'd like to thank the academy...

 

[bandphan]

^ How come you got two "Thanks" for such a short and obvious comment???

I'd like to thank the academy...

 

[Lordoftherings]

A small token of my appreciation.

Wow! This is becoming a very fun and friendly thread. I like it.
And by the way, very cool picture by Bandphan. LOL.

But what about the Onkyo TX-SR805 vs the Pioneer Elite SC-07?

For power (watts), my vote goes to the 805. But it is close, except with all channels driven, the 805 takes the lead here.

For ergonomics, remote control and instruction manual, I'll still vote for the 805.

For value (street price at this time), $599 (805) vs $899 (SC-07), I still cast my vote for the 805.

For build quality (weight, internal parts, Dacs, etc.), the 805 again.
(The 805 has the BB TI PCM-1796a, and the SC-07 has the WM-8740.)
(The 805 is 50.9 lbs and the SC-07 is 40.1 lbs.)

For Automatic Room EQ, the 805 again with Audyssey MultEQ XT.
Pioneer MCACC is only parametric, even if you can manually adjust it.

For Overall Performance (easy operation, sound quality in 2-channel and multichanel audio), tough call as I never heard the SC-07 just yet.

For OSD (Gui), again I never saw the one from the SC-07.

For video processor, I'm not sure either, but the SC-07 might be ahead here.

* Any other comments by other members? In particular from the ones that had these two receivers in their home recently or in the past, and that have the occasion to compare them?

Cheers to all, and I will like to Thank all involved in this thread, first my family and my lovely supportive wife which who I will not be here today if it was not of her, Jesus and God, of course the Academy and all of those who voted for me, and from my director to my administrator, and all of those who participated in this very exciting project right from the beginning.

Thanks again,

Bob

 

[Seth=L]

I have to give the Pioneer some clout because it's using class D, which would cut the weight down substantially. Power wise I don't think you will notice much difference between the two. I personally think the Pioneer looks sexy as hell and I trust that they made a solid product here. A lot of research went into making that line of receivers, you can just tell by looking inside the unit.

If I had the extra cash I would no doubt nail the SC-07. The SC-07 will undoubtably run much cooler. I don't need a space heater on my rack creating problems for my other stuff.

 

[nibhaz]

If I had the extra cash I would no doubt nail the SC-07. The SC-07 will undoubtably run much cooler. I don't need a space heater on my rack creating problems for my other stuff.

Please don't nail a SC-07, you might find that hard to explain when you go to the emergency room.