Pioneer Elite SC-61 (USA version)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Pioneer Elite SC-61 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 125 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 1080/60p and upscales up to 1080/24p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 77 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.

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite SC-61.

7 channel Class D³ Amplifier

Pioneer Elite SC-61 features 7 channel power amplifier with Class D³ design. It is rated at 125 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

Speaker Configurations

Pioneer Elite SC-61'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 Elite SC-61 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 Elite SC-61 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.

Sound Processing

• Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite SC-61 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 Elite SC-61 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.

HDMI

Pioneer Elite SC-61 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 1080/60p Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
• 1080p Upscaling: Pioneer Elite SC-61 can upscale up to 1080/24p (Marvell Qdeo) 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 Elite SC-61 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 Elite SC-61 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Pioneer Elite SC-61 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 Elite SC-61 has analog Composite Video output for Zone 2. This means that it can send a different video signal to the TV.

Zone 3

• Powered Zone 3: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 3 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 3 amplifier.

Audio

• Analog Pre-Outs: Pioneer Elite SC-61 has 9.2 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 and Outputs: There are 5 line inputs and 1 line output for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 2 optical outputs 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: 7 (1 front)   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
Inputs: 5   Outputs: 2
• 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 Elite SC-61 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite SC-61.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	SC-61
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2012

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
Amplifier	Class D3
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability	Front Channel

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	TI Aureus
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
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:6
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
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC,
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	WAV/FLAC
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction	plus PQLS (HDMI Bitstream/ Multi)
Auto Level Control	Multi-Channel
Dialog Enhancement
Dialogue Lift	via Dialog Enhancement
Sound Retriever	Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
Sound Retriever AIR
Digital Noise Reduction
Tone Control	Front L/R Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer	Hi-bit24 Audio Processing
Digital Filter Slow Mode
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Direct Mode
Auto Surround
Optimum Surround
Advanced Surround	15 + Headphone Surround
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance	(Focus/Wide)
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers	Surround Back / Height / Depth / Wide
Virtual Depth
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	Advanced MCACC
Manual MCACC
MCACC Memory	6
Full Band Phase Control
Standing Wave Control
EQ Bands	9
Symmetric EQ
X-Curve
Distance Adjustment	1/2 Inch
Precision Distance
Polarity Check
Auto Subwoofer Crossover

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 1080p
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 1080/24p (Marvell Qdeo)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component****, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080p (1125p)
Stream Smoother
Pure Cinema
Video Parameter Adjustments	Advanced Video Adjust - HD Sources Progressive Motion - YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma, Black level
Triple HD Noise Reduction
Super Resolution
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod/iPhone/iPad
Remote App	iControlAV2012(iPad, iPhone, Android)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi	via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately)
Bluetooth	via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
RCA Line Input	5
RCA Line Output	1
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	2
Composite Video Input	5 (1 front)
Composite Video Output	2
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	2
Component Video Output	1
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	9.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Composite Video
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	3
Powered Zones	2 and 3
Zone 2 Outs	Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out + Sub
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	2 (Main, Zone2, Zone 3)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	2 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	GUI with Album Art
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display	(Zone 2)
HDMI Speaker B Link
AVNavigator
PC Set-Up
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Bi-Amp / Zone 2 / B-Speaker / Surround Back / Front Height / Front Width
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Remote Controller	Learning
Detachable Power Cord
adapterport

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	63
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	vTuner
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Chassis	Insulated Dual Chassis
Front Panel	Hairline
Solid Aluminum Front
Advanced Direct Construction	Advanced Direct Construction
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	9
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Ceramic Speaker Terminals
3D Space Frame Construction
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
Transformer Stabilizer
Power Consumption	290 W
Standby Power	0.1 W

GENERAL
Auto Power Standby
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 185 mm x 441 mm 17-1/8" x 7-1/4" x 17-3/8"
Weight	14.4 kg (31.7 lbs)
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	125 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	165 W (1.0% THD)
Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	200 W (1.0% THD)
Multi Channel Simultaneous Drive (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	630 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)
THD	0.04% (1 kHz, 110 W + 110 W, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	375 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
Rated Lineout Level and Impedance	375 mV/2.2 kΩ (REC OUT)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	101 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
HDMI Terminal	19-pin (not DVI)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 55 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 2.1 A
adapterport Terminal	5 V, 100 mA
Extension Terminal	5 V, 150 mA
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted

In 2013 Pioneer Elite SC-61 was replaced by SC-71. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-71	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-61
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)	vs
More HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	vs	7 (1 front)
More HDMI Outputs	2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)	vs	1
HDMI Speaker B Link		vs
Spotify		vs

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-71	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-61
Optimum Surround		vs
Less RCA Line Inputs	4	vs	5
Less RCA Line Outputs		vs	1
Less Composite Video Inputs	4 (1 front)	vs	5 (1 front)
Less Composite Video Outputs	1	vs	2
Less RCA Pre-Outs	2.2	vs	9.2
Less Powered Zones	2	vs	2 and 3
Zone 2 Outs	Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out + Sub
+12V Trigger Output	1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)	vs	2 (Main, Zone2, Zone 3)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1	vs	2 / 1
Multi-Zone On-Screen Display		vs	(Zone 2)
SiriusXM Internet Radio		vs
Transformer Stabilizer		vs
Smaller Power Supply	260 W	vs	290 W
Lower Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	120 W (0.08% THD)	vs	125 W (0.08% THD)
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	150 W (1.0% THD)	vs	165 W (1.0% THD)
Lower Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven)	180 W (1.0% THD)	vs	200 W (1.0% THD)
Lower Multi Channel Simultaneous Drive (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	560 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	vs	630 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)
Lower S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	100 dB	vs	101 dB
Extension Terminal		vs	5 V, 150 mA

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-61 vs Pioneer Elite SC-71.