Pioneer Elite SC-95 (North American version)

• Overview
• Pros and Cons
• Predecessor
• Selected Features
• Specifications
• Successor

Pioneer Elite SC-95 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 9 channel amplifier and is capable of 11.2 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 89 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.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite SC-95

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite SC-95 to its predecessor SC-85 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-95	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-85
More Channel Processing	11.2	vs	9.2
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
DTS:X	up to with firmware update	vs
DTS Neural:X	with firmware update	vs
HDR10		vs
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 Analog Pre-Outs	13.2	vs	11.2

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-95	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-85
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIz
DTS Neo	Neo:X (before firmware update)	vs	Neo:X
Wide Surround		vs
Virtual Depth		vs
X-Curve		vs
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080i (1125i)	vs	1080p (1125p)
USB DC Out Port		vs	1 Rear for AS-WL300 (5 V, 0.6 A)
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Component Video Outputs		vs	1
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	RCA Pre/Line Out + Subwoofer
PreAmp Mode		vs
adapterport		vs

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-95 vs Pioneer Elite SC-85.

Amplifier

Pioneer Elite SC-95 has 9 channel Class D³ amplifier and delivers 135 W (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load. This receiver even supports front wide channels which is found only in a very few high-end receivers these days.

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 4K upscaling up to 60p. It can bypass HDR10.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Pioneer Elite SC-95 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 9.1.2 or 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Pioneer Elite SC-95 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 9.1.2 or 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is a new upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Class D³ Amplifier

Pioneer Class D³ amplifiers contain advanced integrated circuitry technology creating unmatched power without sacrificing sound quality or performance. Class D³ amplifiers use a Direct Signal Path Design to provide the shortest audio signal path possible. By eliminating EMI filters, feedback loops, and current limiters of previous designs, Class D³ reduces ringing distortion and noise, especially in the high frequency audio band.

The power consumption of the Digital Class D³ Amplifier is significantly lower than traditional A/B amplifiers - letting you save energy and generate less heat without compromising performance. The Digital Class D³ Amplifier uses a simple structure employing a straight signal path, resulting in improved sound quality requiring less energy than competitive models yet producing more simultaneous power output. This direct signal path means no EMI filters, feedback loops or current limiting - a true engineering art. Unlike traditional designs, these amps deliver the strength to handle multiple low-impedance speakers without dramatic power loss. The efficiency of Class D³ means cooler operation while drawing just a fraction of the power consumed by conventional amplifiers, enhancing and extending component life and reliability.

Advanced Sound Retriever

Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite SC-95 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 Correction

Pioneer Elite SC-95 comes with MCACC Pro room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Pioneer Elite SC-95 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver supports AirPlay. It has 8 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 13.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite SC-95.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Series	Elite
Model	SC-95
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	North America
Release Year	2015

AMPLIFIER
Channels	9.2
Front Wide Channel Support
Amplifier Design	Class D3 (Direct Energy HD)
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability	Front, Center, Surround, SP-B

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Texas Instruments Aureus
DAC	ESS SABRE32 Ultra (ES9016S)
Maximum Channel Processing	11.2
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X	up to with firmware update
DTS Neural:X	with firmware update
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:X (before firmware update)
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	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	up to 96 kHz/24 bit
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	2-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	All Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer	Hi-bit32 Audio Processing
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	11 + 1
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance	(Focus/Wide)
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers	(Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Virtual Depth
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output

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

VIDEO
HDR10
HDR10+
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
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 4K/60p (4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/60p (4:4:4)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component****, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080i (1125i)
Stream Smoother
Pure Cinema
Video Parameter Adjustments	YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma, Black Level
Triple HD Noise Reduction
Super Resolution
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input	1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod and iPhone via front USB
Remote App	iControlAV5 (for iOS and Android)
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Input	8 (1 front)
HDMI Output	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	3
Analog Audio Line Output	1
Phono Input
Optical In	2
Optical Out	1
Coaxial In/Out	2 /
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	2
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	1
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
Analog Pre-Outs	13.2
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	4
Powered Zones	2, 3 and HDZone
Zone 2	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 4 Outs	HDMI
RS-232
+12V Trigger Output	2 (assignable)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	2 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface (GUI) with Album Artwork (HDMI only)
HDMI Speaker B Link
AVNavigator	Built-in
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration	Surround Back/Front Height/Front Wide/Front Bi-Amp/Zone 2/B-Speaker/Powered HD Zone
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Remote Controller	Learning Remote Control (Lumius)
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
Front Panel	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front
Advanced Direct Construction	Advanced Direct Construction
Speaker Terminals	11
Large Speaker Terminals	11
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	330 W
Standby Power	0.1 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 185 mm x 441 mm 17-1/8" x 7-5/16" x 17-3/8"
Weight	15.1 kg (33.3 lbs)
Warranty	2 Years Parts & Labor

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	135 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	175 W (1.0% THD)
Power Output (4 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	220 W (1.0% THD)
Multi Channel Simultaneous Drive (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 1.0%)	760 W
THD	0.04% (1 kHz, 110 W + 110 W, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	390 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
Rated Lineout Level and Impedance	390 mV/2.2 kΩ (REC OUT)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	101 dB
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	5.6 MHz, 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/PR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
HDMI Terminal	19-pin (not DVI)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 55 mA
HDMI Input/MHL Terminal	5 V, 900 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 High Speed (Type A) 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 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 2017 Pioneer Elite SC-95 was replaced by SC-LX701. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-95
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	vs	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD	vs	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	up to 192 kHz/24 bit	vs	up to 96 kHz/24 bit
Reflex Optimizer		vs
BT.2020 color space		vs
Dolby Vision		vs
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite	vs	Component****, Composite
FireConnect		vs
FlareConnect		vs
Chromecast Built-In		vs
DTS Play-Fi		vs
Works with SONOS		vs
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	6	vs	3
Phono Input		vs
More Optical Inputs	3	vs	2
More Component Video Inputs	2	vs	1
More Component Video Outputs	1	vs
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	RCA Pre/Line Out
PreAmp Mode		vs
Tidal		vs
Deezer		vs
Longer Warranty	3 Years Parts & Labor	vs	2 Years Parts & Labor
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	107 dB	vs	101 dB
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB	11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	vs	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Newer Bluetooth Version	4.1 + LE	vs	2.1 + EDR
Wider AM Frequency Range	530 kHz - 1710 kHz	vs	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer Elite SC-LX701	vs	Pioneer Elite SC-95
Front Wide Channel Support		vs
Dolby Digital EX		vs
DTS Neo		vs	Neo:X (before firmware update)
DSD to PCM Converter		vs
Sound Retriever	Advanced	vs	Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
Sound Retriever AIR		vs
Digital Noise Reduction		vs
High-resolution Music Enhancer		vs	Hi-bit32 Audio Processing
Optimum Surround		vs
Headphone Surround		vs
Virtual Speakers		vs	(Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Higher MCACC Memory	3	vs	6
Stream Smoother		vs
Pure Cinema		vs
Video Parameter Adjustments		vs	YNR, CNR, BNR, MNR, Detail, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma, Black Level
MHL Input		vs	1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5		vs
Less HDMI Outputs	2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)	vs	3 (2 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
Less Analog Audio Line Outputs		vs	1
Less Optical Outputs		vs	1
Less Composite Video Outputs		vs	2
Less Analog Pre-Outs	11.2	vs	13.2
Less Zones	3	vs	4
Less Powered Zones	2 and 3	vs	2, 3 and HDZone
On-Screen Display	Icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)	vs	Graphical User Interface (GUI) with Album Artwork (HDMI only)
AVNavigator		vs	Built-in
Less Presets	40	vs	63
Smaller Power Supply	310 W	vs	330 W

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 vs Pioneer Elite SC-95.