Pioneer Elite SC-82

    82
    Image cannot be found
    USA

    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 130 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
    • Bluetooth, Ethernet
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pioneer Elite SC-82 was introduced in 2014. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 130 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 82 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. 2014 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 Elite SC-82.

    PROs

    •   High Power Output - 130 W
    •   Front Wide Channel Support
    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    •   Bluetooth
    •   7 HDMI Inputs
    •   USB Input
    •   RCA Pre-Outs
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   4 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
    •   Few RCA Line Inputs
    •   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

    Pioneer 2014 Lineup

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

    Pioneer 2014 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioZones Price
    SC-89 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-87 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2140 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-85 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2135 W9.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos4
    SC-82 Image cannot be found 7.2130 W7.19.2 Advanced MCACC4
    SC-81 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2120 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-80 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-44 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.280 W7.1 MCACC2
    VSX-1124-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.12.2 Advanced MCACC3
    VSX-1024-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.280 W7.1 MCACC Auto2
    VSX-824-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.280 W5.1 MCACC Auto1
    VSX-524-K Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		5.180 W5.1 MCACC Auto1

    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.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite SC-82 to its predecessor SC-72 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pioneer Elite SC-82 vs Pioneer SC-72
    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
    DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite SC-82 vs Pioneer SC-72
    Surround EX vs
    Less HDMI Inputs 7 (1 front) vs 8 (1 front)
    Less RCA Line Inputs 3 vs 5
    Less Composite Video Inputs 2 vs 5 (1 front)
    Front A/V Inputs HDMI, USB vs HDMI, USB, Composite Video
    Zone 2 Outs RCA Pre/Line Out + Subwoofer vs Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out + Subwoofer

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-82 vs SC-72.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Class D3 Amplifier

    Pioneer Elite SC-82 features 7 channel power amplifier with Class D3 design. It is rated at 130 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output130 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 Elite SC-82'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-82 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-82 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 Elite SC-82
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      DECODING
      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: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 Elite SC-82 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-82 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 Elite SC-82 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 for MAIN and 1 for MAIN/HDZONE.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
        4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit)
        4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit) video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling: Pioneer Elite SC-82 can upscale up to 4K/60p (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-82 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
      • 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite SC-82 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
      Pioneer Elite SC-82
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      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/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
      4K/60p (4:2:2 36-bit)
      4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)
      Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/60p (Marvell Qdeo)

      Multi-zone Playback

      Pioneer Elite SC-82 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 4 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

        Zone 4

          ZONES
          Number of Zones4
          Powered Zones2 and HDZone
          Zone 2 OutsRCA Pre/Line Out + Subwoofer
          Zone 3 OutsHDMI
          RS-232C Interface
          +12V Trigger Output2 (Main, Zone2, Zone 3, HDZone)
          Remote (IR) Input/Output2 / 1
          >

          Inputs and Outputs

          Audio

          • Analog Pre-Outs: Pioneer Elite SC-82 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 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-82 supports up to 1080p (1125p) resolution on Component video connectors.
          • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

          Front A/V Inputs

          • HDMI, USB
          Image cannot be found
          Image cannot be found
          TERMINALS
          HDMI Inputs7 (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 Inputs3
          RCA Line Outputs1
          XLR Line Inputs
          Phono Input
          Multi-Channel Input
          RCA Pre-Outs9.2
          XLR Pre-outs
          Composite Video Inputs2
          Composite Video Outputs2
          S-Video Inputs
          S-Video Outputs
          Component Video Inputs2
          Component Video Outputs1

          Pioneer Elite SC-82 Evaluation

          We evaluate Pioneer Elite SC-82 and give score of 82 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
          82

          Amplifier

          EXCELLENT
          90

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 a score of 90 for Amplifier features.

          •   7.2 Channels
          •   High Power Output - 130 W

          Audio Features

          GOOD
          75

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 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

          GOOD
          73

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 a score of 73 for Video Features features.

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

          Connectivity

          GOOD
          81

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 a score of 81 for Connectivity features.

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

          Zones

          EXCELLENT
          94

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 a score of 94 for Zones features.

          •   4 Zones

          Radio

          EXCELLENT
          85

          We give Pioneer Elite SC-82 a score of 85 for Radio features.

          •   Analog Tuner
          •   Pandora
          •   Spotify
          •   No Tidal


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

          Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

          ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.