Pioneer SC-1223-K

    79
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    USA

    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • 4K/30Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
    • Bluetooth, Ethernet
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pioneer SC-1223-K was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/30Hz and upscales up to 4K/30p video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 79 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. 2013 Lineup
    4. Predecessor
    5. Audio Section
    6. Video Section
    7. Multi-zone Playback
    8. Inputs and Outputs
    9. Evaluation
    10. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer SC-1223-K.

    PROs

    •   High Power Output - 120 W
    •   Front Wide Channel Support
    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    •   Bluetooth
    •   8 HDMI Inputs
    •   USB Input
    •   RCA Pre-Outs
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   3 Zones
    •   Analog Tuner
    •   Pandora
    •   Spotify

    CONs

    •   No Dolby Atmos
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No DTS:X
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No HDR10
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No Dolby Vision
    •   No eARC
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No Phono Input
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Tidal

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   3 HDMI Outputs
    •   RCA Line Inputs

    Pioneer 2013 Lineup

    In 2013 Pioneer released 14 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Pioneer 2013 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Zones Price
    SC-79 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2150 W9.111.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-77 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.111.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-75 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2135 W9.111.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-72 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2130 W7.19.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-71 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2120 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-70 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-43 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.180 W7.12
    SC-1523-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2135 W9.111.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-1323-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2125 W7.19.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-1223-K Image cannot be found 7.2120 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-1123-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-1023-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.180 W7.1 MCACC Auto2
    VSX-823-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.180 W5.1 MCACC Auto1
    VSX-523-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.180 W5.1 MCACC Auto1

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Pioneer SC-79 vs SC-77 vs SC-75 vs SC-72 vs SC-71 vs VSX-70.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pioneer SC-1223-K to its predecessor SC-1222-K and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pioneer SC-1223-K vs Pioneer SC-1222-K
    DTS Neo Neo:X vs Neo:6
    Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, 192kHz / 24-Bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD vs WAV/FLAC
    Gapless Playback vs
    Video Signal Passthrough up to 4K/30p vs up to 1080p
    Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/30p vs up to 1080/24p (Marvell Qdeo)
    MHL Input 1 Front (Version 2.0) vs
    More HDMI Inputs 8 (1 front) vs 7 (1 front)
    More HDMI Outputs 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE) vs 1
    Spotify vs
    DOWNGRADES Pioneer SC-1223-K vs Pioneer SC-1222-K
    Less RCA Line Inputs 4 vs 5
    Less RCA Line Outputs vs 1
    Less RCA Pre-Outs 2.2 vs 9.2
    Less Composite Video Inputs 4 (1 front) vs 5 (1 front)
    Less Composite Video Outputs 1 vs 2
    Zone 2 Outs Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out vs Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out + Subwoofer
    RS-232C Interface vs
    Multi-Zone On-Screen Display vs Zone 2 Text
    SiriusXM vs
    Transformer Stabilizer vs
    Smaller Power Supply 260 W vs 290 W
    Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 150 W (1.0% THD) vs 160 W (1.0% THD)
    Lower Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven) 180 W (1.0% THD) vs 190 W (1.0% THD)
    Lower Multi Channel Simultaneous Drive (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%) 560 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%) vs 600 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)
    Lower S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 100 dB vs 101 dB

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer SC-1223-K vs SC-1222-K.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Class D3 Amplifier

    Pioneer SC-1223-K features 7 channel power amplifier with Class D3 design. It is rated at 120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Front Wide Channel Support
      Amplifier DesignClass D3 (Direct Energy HD)
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability Front

      Speaker Configurations

      Pioneer SC-1223-K's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Front Wide Channel support: Pioneer SC-1223-K supports front wide channels. With the presence of two front wide speakers you can enhance the front surround stage. The following speaker configurations are available for front wide channels - 7.2.
      • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer SC-1223-K allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.
      Pioneer SC-1223-K
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      DECODING
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD with Loudness Management
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic PLIIz
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo Neo:X
      DTS-HD Master Audio
      DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
      DTS 96/24
      DTS Express
      DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
      IMAX Enhanced
      Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

      Sound Processing

      • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer SC-1223-K is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

      Room Calibration

      Pioneer SC-1223-K comes with Advanced MCACC room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      • MCACC: Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) delivers an easy-to-use, automatic sound adjustment system to precision-tune your Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers with minimal effort. Every MCACC system comes with a microphone to measure and analyze reverb characteristics. The equalizer optimally adjusts sound parameters to fit the size and shape of your home environment while maintaining the integrity of high-resolution playback without any degradation to the quality of your music.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Pioneer SC-1223-K features 8 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 for MAIN and 1 for MAIN/HDZONE.

      • 4K/30Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/30p video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling: Pioneer SC-1223-K can upscale up to 4K/30p from HDMI and analog sources.
      • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Pioneer SC-1223-K will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Pioneer SC-1223-K is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
      Pioneer SC-1223-K
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      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      HDCP Version2.2
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/30p
      Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/30p

      Multi-zone Playback

      Pioneer SC-1223-K offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 3 different rooms.


      Zone 2

      • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
      • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.
      • Composite Video Output: Pioneer SC-1223-K has analog Composite Video output for Zone 2. This means that it can send a different video signal to the TV.

      Zone 3

        ZONES
        Number of Zones3
        Powered Zones 2
        Zone 2 OutsComposite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
        Zone 3 OutsHDMI
        RS-232C Interface
        +12V Trigger Output
        Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 1

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        9.2 Channels

        >

        Inputs and Outputs

        Audio

        • Analog Pre-Outs: Pioneer SC-1223-K has 2.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
        • Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
        • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 2 coaxial inputs are available for digital audio connection.
        • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

        Video

        • HDMI:
        • Inputs: 8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
          8K Inputs: 0
        • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
        • Inputs: 4   Outputs: 1
        • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Pioneer SC-1223-K supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
        • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

        Front A/V Inputs

        • HDMI, USB, Composite Video
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        TERMINALS
        HDMI Inputs8 (1 front)
        HDMI Outputs2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
        8K Inputs
        USB Input1 Front
        USB DC Out Port1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
        Optical Inputs2
        Optical Outputs
        Coaxial Inputs2
        RCA Line Inputs4
        RCA Line Outputs
        XLR Line Inputs
        Phono Input
        Multi-Channel Input
        RCA Pre-Outs2.2
        XLR Pre-outs
        Composite Video Inputs4 (1 front)
        Composite Video Outputs1
        S-Video Inputs
        S-Video Outputs
        Component Video Inputs2
        Component Video Outputs1

        Pioneer SC-1223-K Evaluation

        We evaluate Pioneer SC-1223-K and give score of 79 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


        OVERALL
        79

        Amplifier

        EXCELLENT
        89

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 89 for Amplifier features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   High Power Output - 120 W

        Audio Features

        GOOD
        75

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 75 for Audio Features features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   Front Wide Channel Support
        •   7.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   DSD via HDMI

        Video Features

        AVERAGE
        66

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 66 for Video Features features.

        •   No HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   No Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough
        •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion

        Connectivity

        GOOD
        80

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 80 for Connectivity features.

        •   No eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        •   8 HDMI Inputs
        •   3 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   USB Input
        •   RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   RCA Pre-Outs
        •   Composite Video Inputs
        •   Component Video Inputs
        •   Ethernet

        Zones

        EXCELLENT
        85

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 85 for Zones features.

        •   3 Zones

        Radio

        EXCELLENT
        85

        We give Pioneer SC-1223-K a score of 85 for Radio features.

        •   Analog Tuner
        •   Pandora
        •   Spotify
        •   No Tidal


        For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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