Pioneer Elite SC-09TX - Manual

S
ometimes I get nostalgic
for the early days of
home theater. For
example, I fondly
remember the Proceed
AVP processor I reviewed for
Stereophile Guide to Home Theater
in 1997. Conventional Dolby
Digital and DTS were its most
exotic operating modes, the
remote had fewer than a dozen
buttons, and it didn’t provide
room equalization, extra
surround modes, or onboard
video processing. In fact, it didn’t
have any video switching beyond
S-video. We didn’t need no
stinkin’ component, and no one
had even heard of HDMI.
Laserdisc was the most established source, DVD was brand new, and
consumer high definition was still
a mote in the FCC’s eye.
But now we have A/V receivers
like the Pioneer Elite SC-09TX,
that have more features than the
giddiest gadget guru or befuddled
reviewer can get his hands
around. I’ll do my best to keep the
review of this incredibly complex
product from turning into a mini-
series.
don’t Toss That Manual
My first few weeks with the
SC-09TX were relatively blissful. I
did a manual setup and bypassed
all of the automated and exotic
features. I listened to music and
movies with only the occasional
TOP
PICK
price: $7,000 at a glance: Superb sound for both movies and music
•
10 channels of
powerful Class D amplification
•
Sets a steep learning curve but rewards with immense
flexibility
•
Video processing has limitations, including no upconversion of HDMI sources
And the Kitchen sink
Pioneer elite SC-09TX A/V receiver
By Thomas J. Norton
PhoToS Cordero Studios
Electronically reprinted from November 2008 volume 15 No.11
November 2008 www.hometheatermag.com
51240:12M0910