Pioneer Elite SC-81

Pioneer Elite SC-81 was introduced in 2014. 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/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 81 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-81.

In 2014 Pioneer released 11 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Pioneer SC-89 vs SC-87 vs SC-85 vs SC-82 vs SC-81 vs VSX-80.

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite SC-81 to its predecessor SC-71 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-81	vs	Pioneer SC-71
Full Band Phase Control		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit) 4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit) 4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)	vs	up to 4K/30p
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo)	vs	up to 4K/30p
More RCA Line Outputs	1	vs
More Composite Video Outputs	2	vs	1
More Powered Zones	2 and HDZone	vs	2
+12V Trigger Output	2 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)	vs	1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)
Transformer Stabilizer		vs
Bigger Power Supply	290 W	vs	260 W

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-81	vs	Pioneer SC-71
Surround EX		vs
Less HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	8 (1 front)
Less RCA Line Inputs	3	vs	4
Less Composite Video Inputs	2	vs	4 (1 front)
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB	vs	HDMI, USB, Composite Video
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-81 vs SC-71.

In 2015 Pioneer Elite SC-81 was replaced by Pioneer SC-91. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pioneer Elite SC-81 and its successor.

UPGRADES	Pioneer SC-91	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-81
Higher Power Output	130 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)	vs	120 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
Dolby Atmos		vs
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
More Tone Control Channels	All Channels	vs	Front L/R Channels
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	MCACC Pro	vs	Advanced MCACC
Wi-Fi		vs	via optional AS-WL300 adapter (sold separately)
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC	vs	via optional AS-BT100 or AS-BT200 adapters (sold separately)
More Speaker Terminals	11	vs	9
More Large Speaker Terminals	11	vs	9
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	130 W (0.08% THD)	vs	120 W (0.08% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	170 W (1.0% THD)	vs	150 W (1.0% THD)
Higher Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven)	210 W (1.0% THD)	vs	180 W (1.0% THD)
Higher Multi Channel Simultaneous Drive (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	660 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	vs	560 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)
Higher Rated Lineout Level	380 mV/2.2 kΩ (REC OUT)	vs	365 mV/2.2 kΩ (REC OUT)
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	101 dB	vs	100 dB
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	vs	2.8 MHz

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer SC-91	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-81
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIz
DTS Neo	Neo:6	vs	Neo:X
Wide Surround		vs
Virtual Depth		vs
X-Curve		vs
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080i (1125i)	vs	1080p (1125p)
Stream Smoother		vs
Pure Cinema		vs
Video Parameter Adjustments		vs	YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma, Black Level
Triple HD Noise Reduction		vs
USB DC Out Port		vs	1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
Less Optical Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1	vs	2
Less RCA Pre-Outs	0.2	vs	2.2
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Component Video Outputs		vs	1
adapterport		vs
On-Screen Display	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)	vs	Graphical User Interface (GUI) with Album Artwork (HDMI only)
PreAmp Mode		vs

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-81 vs SC-91.

Pioneer Elite SC-81 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.

Zone 3

Audio

• Analog Pre-Outs: Pioneer Elite SC-81 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 and Outputs: There are 3 line inputs and 1 line output 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: 7 (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: 2   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-81 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

Front A/V Inputs

• HDMI, USB