CEDIA EXPO 2014
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association

Pioneer Electronics Elite SC-85, SC-87 And SC-89 Receivers
Pioneer Electronics is introducing three high-end Elite SC receivers that will support Dolby Atmos technology for the home. The Elite SC-85, SC-87 and SC-89 (pictured) 9.2-channel audio video receivers ($1,600, $2,000 and $3,000 respectively) are Dolby Atmos upgradeable via firmware, which is expected to be available by the end of 2014. All models use Class D3 amplification technology, which can simultaneously deliver high power output to all channels without loss in audio quality within these designs. Another feature is Pioneer's MCACC Pro, which is a new enhanced version of Pioneer’s acoustic calibration system. Each receiver also incorporates HDMI 2.0, Roku Ready, HDBaseT (SC-89 only), multi-room and multi-source setup and playback configurations. Digital audio conversion is via the ESS SABRE32 Ultra DACs and can play back 192kHz/32-bit audio.

Pioneer's MCACC Pro fully supports the surround format of Dolby Atmos with an acoustic calibration system that automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, distance, and level as well as the room's layout including ceiling height, and changes equalizer settings to achieve an excellent audio response. Newly to the 2014 MCACC Pro feature is the addition of independent dual subwoofer output as well as four-band subwoofer EQ for increased flexibility within the low frequency range.

USB 32-bit asynchronous audio DAC (SC-89 only) allows direct connection to both Windows and Mac computers. Music played from the computer utilizes the highly accurate audio optimized clock within the receiver, resulting in less jitter and delivering studio-like audio reproduction. Additionally, the SC-89's USB DAC supports DSD Native playback (both 2.8Mhz and 5.6Mhz) via Mac and Windows computers.

For advanced control, all receiver models within this range are certified for compatibility with the most popular custom control brands including Crestron, Control4, and offer custom installation features including full two-way RS-232 and IP control.

All nine speaker channels can be reconfigured 11 different ways (12 with SC-87 and SC-89), all controllable from the receiver and/or user's portable device via the iControlAV5 App (available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and Android OS devices). In addition to a true 9.2-channel speaker setup, each amplifier can produce a 5.1-channel configuration, with the extra outputs utilized for powering different zones that can be independently controlled. Simultaneous entertainment from different sources in up to four zones – a main zone, a powered Zone 2 (two speakers in a second room), a powered Zone 3 (two speakers in a third room) and HDZONE (additional HDMI source to a fourth room). In these setup configurations, users have the ability to adjust tone (treble and bass), volume and balance (left and right), and the option to incorporate a subwoofer to create a more powerful 2.1-channel system (for Zone 2).

Pioneer recently developed iControlAV5, a new free APP enabling wireless control over the features and functionalities of its 2012, 2013 and 2014 line of receivers from the convenience of both Android and Apple portable devices. The APP incorporates multiple controls from basic volume adjustments and input selection to advanced features such as equalizer adjustments and management of audio settings and modes, including full control of the Roku Streaming Stick. With both models, iControlAV5 adds AV Scaling, enabling manual override of a television's native setting for easy adjustment of video scaling.

Music enthusiasts have a diversified listening experience, since the receivers have access to today's most popular Internet radio music services including Spotify, Pandora and vTuner. In addition, Pioneer incorporates the seamless connectivity standards of HTC Connect, which enables wireless high quality music files to be shared between compatible HTC One smartphones and Pioneer receivers.

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