New Pioneer Elite Receivers Play Nice with Your iPhone
By Rachel Cericola
Pioneer is adding more choices for your receiver needs in their lofty Elite suite of high-end receivers. However, instead of just offering units that produce cool sound, they are throwing in something a little extra special: iPhone connectivity.
Each of the company's new Elite receivers are iPhone/iPod-certified, meaning that you can use the included USB/composite video cable to hook up an Apple iPhone. Once connected, users can even access iPhone content in a second or third zone using the receiver's multi-zone capability and dynamic on-screen GUI.
Both the Pioneer Elite
SC-25TXH and the
SC-27 feature a Direct Energy HD Class D amplifier with ICEPower technology. Pioneer also says that the SC-27 is the first Class D amp design to achieve THX Ultra2 Plus and AIR Studio monitor certifications. "Integrating Class D amplification into a THX Certified A/V receiver is no simple task," says Warren Mansfield, director of consumer technology at THX. "Our testing requirements are incredibly strict for noise, distortion, frequency response and output. Pioneer has done a remarkable job of blending this new technology with the raw power and performance needed to accurately present cinematic soundtracks in the home."
Pioneer says that the Elite SC-27 is the first Class D amp design to achieve THX Ultra2 Plus and AIR Studio monitor certifications.
Each of the SC units also utilizes Burr-Brown analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and Wolfson digital-to-analog converters (DAC). The SC-27 features a professional-grade Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-Bit sampling rate converter (SRC) for ultra-wide dynamic range and advanced jitter reduction.
Two other models, the Elite
VSX-21TXH and
VSX-23TXH, also offer Direct Energy Class A/B amplification with hand-selected DSP circuitry. Both units promise 1080p video scaling and interlaced-to-progressive conversion technologies. The VSX-23TXH also features front-panel HDMI and USB inputs.
All four Elite models boast Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) and Auto Level Control (ALC), which promise to pump up the sound quality of digital audio tracks. Other features include Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS) Multi-Channel, MCACC Room Tuning, and networked entertainment via Sirius Satellite Radio and Rhapsody (subscriptions are required). Each one provides multi-room, multi-source capabilities for up to two zones, with the VSX-23TXH adding in the third zone. With the exception of the VSX-23TXH, all also offer dual HDMI outputs.
The Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH and VSX-23TXH are expected to ship this month for $700 and $900, respectively. Expect the Elite SC-25TXH and SC-27 to come next month for $1,700 and $2,000, respectively.
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