tough call..

[runlevel4]

Looking to update my setup.. I cant decide if i should go with the sc-27 or the rx-z7. I'm currently running a rx-v2065 (almost new), i stepped into the world of home audio without the background and bought the wrong receiver to start. I currently have an opportunity to exchange the 2065 for a sc-27 or rx-z7. However, I would like to make the right call this time around... any input is good input.

 

[jamie2112]

Both of those are very nice. I myself, like the Yamaha and would get that....
What exactly are you looking for an AVR to do for you?

 

[runlevel4]

support a 7.1 or 7.2 setup.

I have a total of 4 hdmi devices i need to feed through it (dvd, ps3, media box, etc).

I'm primarily looking for the best audio processing and sound quality/clarity..

And i know amplifier is key.

It looks as if the pioneer has the yamaha beat for audio processing but i've never heard them side by side. And has it hands down when it comes to video. However, the pioneer thd seems high...

I am a fan of the yamaha remote over the pioneer.

I also haven't been able to compare the GUI interfaces of them.

I guess what i'm getting at is, price aside, what receiver is going to give me the best movie experience.

 

[bandphan]

support a 7.1 or 7.2 setup.

I have a total of 4 hdmi devices i need to feed through it (dvd, ps3, media box, etc).

I'm primarily looking for the best audio processing and sound quality/clarity..

And i know amplifier is key.

It looks as if the pioneer has the yamaha beat for audio processing but i've never heard them side by side. And has it hands down when it comes to video. However, the pioneer thd seems high...

I am a fan of the yamaha remote over the pioneer.

I also haven't been able to compare the GUI interfaces of them.

I guess what i'm getting at is, price aside, what receiver is going to give me the best movie experience.

Would please explain how you have come to the conclusions in red??

http://audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rx-z7-7.1

The SC07: http://audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-sc-07/sc-07-system-setup

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Since most of your critical video should be from your HD source I would assume you would just "pass through" the AVR?

"Sound quality/clarity"- There should be no sonic signature of any good AVR/amp.

Remotes that come with AVRs are pretty much all junk. Get an Universal and be done with it.

I think all this adds up to getting the one that has the features you want/need and has the GUI that you like. I do wish that these used Audessy vs their own calibration standards.

Heck, do we even know what you are trying to power here? Speakers are the very most important thing and likely the only place that you will see a big change with how things sound. (ok, you got me, the room matters a lot too).

 

[Josuah]

FWIW, I didn't particularly like the sound of the Pioneer Elite SC-07 when driving a pair of Martin Logan Source or Purity (I forget which one) speakers. I felt as though the speakers weren't being exercised to their full potential.

I haven't heard the RX-Z7.

 

[Jeff R.]

I agree with the above question..Heck, do we even know what you are trying to power here?...That is really the main question that needs to answered. Are they monster towers that are inefficient or small satellites that are efficient...that will make a big difference.

 

[adwilk]

I haven't heard the RX-Z7.

It should sound identical to the Pioneer.

 

[Josuah]

It should sound identical to the Pioneer.

I'm allowed to not jump to conclusions without having heard it, right?

Heck, even the Audioholics reviews of the two units implies that they don't sound identical.

 

[runlevel4]

i went with the z7, the price was too good.

it'll be driving a cm2 and a pair of cm9s once it arrives. The rest of the setup isnt worth talking about yet.

 

[adwilk]

I'm allowed to not jump to conclusions without having heard it, right?

Heck, even the Audioholics reviews of the two units implies that they don't sound identical.

I was just giving you a hard time, honestly. If both of those units do some processing even in "pure" modes, they can have some kind of sonic signature.

 

[Josuah]

I was just giving you a hard time, honestly. If both of those units do some processing even in "pure" modes, they can have some kind of sonic signature.

I'm happy with my Marantz AV8003. It doesn't include an amp section though, otherwise I would've suggested it as an option to the OP.