Loaded Pioneer Elite 9.2 AVR 140 WPC, 8 x 4K HDMI 4 Zn! SC-68

Loaded Pioneer Elite 9.2 AVR 140 WPC, 8 x 4K HDMI, 4 Zones! 11.2 Pre-Outs

32-bit asynchronous USB DAC • D3 Class D amplification • All the Apple trimmings • THX Certified: Ultra2 Plus

The SC-68, scion of Pioneer’s upper-crust Elite line, uses a new generation of switching amplification Pioneer calls D3. And its feature roster is as long as a mobster’s rap sheet. It has virtually everything a receiver could possibly have, plus a few things no one but Pioneer has, such as AIR Studios Monitor Certification.

Perhaps most impressively, this receiver’s USB DAC, which can accept direct input from a computer, essentially turning the receiver into a 32-bit, 192-kilohertz, asynchronous, jitter-busting, digital-to-analog conversion machine, one that can turn a chaotically clocked bitstream into something musical. In theory, this might put Pioneer in the same category as the high-end USB component-DAC makers.

Now, computers tend to make lousy audio sources. They’re often so unsuitable for playback of high-resolution content that they practically negate the purpose of buying it. Besides being cumbersome objects, they tend to multitask, resulting in jitter— with audible timing errors in the bitstream. The receiver’s asynchronous DAC wrestles the clocking function away from the PC and cleans up the sound considerably. Even plain ol’ MP3s benefit—but what’s especially gratifying is that you can now use the computer to download lossless FLAC or uncompressed WAV files, play them on the computer itself, and hear the benefit of their higher resolution on your primary theater speakers. The DAC offers the option of requantizing 16-, 20-, and 24-bit material to 32 bits to achieve what the manual calls “smoother, more subtle musical expression.” Its digital filter can be set as follows: “slow (soft and warm), sharp (solid and tight), and short (quick and forward).” You can easily toggle these two functions on or off via remote buttons.

D3 is the third generation of Pioneer’s switching amplification strategy. Class D, in general, is more energy efficient than the Class AB used in most receivers because it dissipates less energy in the form of heat. Pioneer says D3 uses 44 percent less energy than its previous version of Class D, and 50 percent less than Class AB, while providing a wider dynamic range and supporting speaker impedances down to 4 ohms, even when more than one zone is operating.

The amp also benefits from a newly designed heat sink, discrete seven- and nine-channel inputs, and more direct signal paths, eliminating EMI filtering, feedback loops, impedance selectors, and current limiters. Pioneer says this reduces coloration, ringing, and noise, especially at high frequencies.

Just 7.25 inches tall, this 9.2-channel receiver is rated at 140 watts into 8 ohms with two channels driven. Surround is at heart a 5.1-channel medium, so you have two extra pairs of amp channels to play with, plus provision for a second sub. You might use the extra amp channels to run front-height and back-surround speakers simultaneously. But they have other potential uses, including biamplification of the front left/right channels and multiple zones. Mix and match to your heart’s content: This receiver will let you set up to 10 output configurations. And it facilitates multiple wiring schemes, with 11.2-channel preamp outs and 11 sets of binding posts. If you like having high def in more than one place, note that one of the four zones is associated with an HDMI output, another with component out, and two more with composite outs—so half the total is HD capable.

Want to get music from your smartphone or tablet into the receiver? Pioneer offers multiple wireless and wired paths. Prominent among them is Apple AirPlay. It’s oh so easy to use: Just enable Network Standby in the GUI. But you’re not limited to that. Pioneer now supports the HTC Connect standard for music streaming from HTC One smartphones, pushing album art and metadata to the video display. This receiver accommodates MHL (Mobile High-definition Link)–compatible devices via the front-panel HDMI jack—and it’s noteworthy that MHL has at least the potential to offer better-than-CD resolution.

Via USB, the receiver supports FLAC, WAV, MP3, WMA, and various iPod formats. Via network, the list also includes LPCM. FLAC and WAV are both supported at 192 kHz. The front USB jack accepts direct dockless plug-in of all but the oldest iPads, iPhones, and iPods. Interestingly, in another industry first for AVRs, the USB jack also accepts the

DSD DFF files that give the Super Audio CD its high resolution. Legal DFF downloads are available from a few small music labels such as Blue Coast, Channel Classics, and 2L. It’s also possible to rip SACDs to DFF, FLAC, or WAV if you have the appropriate third-party software.

Specifications: Audio Decoding: Dolby: TrueHD, Digital, EX, Pro Logic II/IIx/IIz DTS: DTS-HD MA, HRA, DTS, ES, 96/24, Neo: 6 Lossy File Formats: AAC, MP3, WMA High-Res File Formats: FLAC, WAV Streaming: Pandora, vTuner Other: 12 DSP modes, Full Stage Surround Advance (Focus/Wide), Sound Retriever AIR, Auto Sound Retriever, Phones Surround 3D: Yes THX Certified: Ultra2 Plus Number of Amp Channels: 9 Rated Power (Watts Per Channel): 140 into 8 ohms, two channels driven Specified Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 100 kHz, +1/–3 dB Video Processing: Qdeo with 4K x 2K passthrough

Connections: Inputs: Video: HDMI 1.4a (8), component video (3), composite video (5) Audio: Coaxial digital (2), optical digital (2), analog stereo (5), 7.1-channel analog (1), phono (1), Additional: Ethernet (1), USB (1), USB-DAC in (1), Sirius (1), AM (1), FM (1), IR remote (2) Accessory: Wi-Fi adapter port (1), Bluetooth adapter port (1) Outputs: Video: HDMI 1.4a (3), component video (2), composite video (3) Audio: Optical digital (1), 11.2-channel pre out (1), analog stereo (2), subwoofer (Z2), 0.25-inch headphone Additional: RS-232 (1), IR remote (1), RF remote extension (1), 12-volt trigger (2)

Dimensions (W x H x D, Inches): 17.13 x 7.25 x 17.38, Weight (Pounds): 39.2

Includes original Pioneer remote, and soft copy of manual in PDF. Retailed new for $2500 USD ~$3950 CND with HST. Asking just $895 CND for this extremely impressive Pioneer Elite SC-68, thoroughly tested and working perfectly.