Pioneer Elite SC-95 (North American version)
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Overview
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...
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite SC-95.
PROS |
|---|
| 👍 Front Wide Channel Support |
| 👍 Certified 4 Ω Performance |
| 👍 Bi-amp Capability |
| 👍 Many Channel Processing |
| 👍 Dolby Atmos |
| 👍 Dolby TrueHD |
| 👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
| 👍 Dolby Surround Upmixer |
| 👍 Dolby Digital EX |
| 👍 DTS:X |
| 👍 DTS Neural:X |
| 👍 DTS Neo |
| 👍 DTS-HD Master Audio |
| 👍 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio |
| 👍 DTS 96/24 |
| 👍 DTS Express |
| 👍 DTS-ES |
| 👍 High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network |
| 👍 Gapless Playback |
| 👍 DSD via HDMI |
| 👍 DSD via USB |
| 👍 DSD to PCM Converter |
| 👍 Dialog Enhancement |
| 👍 Dialogue Lift |
| 👍 Sound Retriever |
| 👍 Sound Retriever AIR |
| 👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
| 👍 High-resolution Music Enhancer |
| 👍 Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
| 👍 HDR10 |
| 👍 3-D Ready |
| 👍 4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
| 👍 4K or 8K Signal Upscaling |
| 👍 Analog To HDMI Upconversion |
| 👍 MHL Input |
| 👍 DLNA 1.5 |
| 👍 Ethernet |
| 👍 Wi-Fi |
| 👍 Bluetooth |
| 👍 New HDCP Version |
| 👍 Many HDMI Inputs |
| 👍 Many HDMI Outputs |
| 👍 USB Input |
| 👍 Composite Video Inputs |
| 👍 Composite Video Outputs |
| 👍 Component Video Inputs |
| 👍 Analog Pre-Outs |
| 👍 Zones |
| 👍 Detachable Power Cord |
| 👍 Analog Tuner |
| 👍 Pandora |
| 👍 Spotify |
| 👍 Transformer Stabilizer |
CONS |
|---|
| 👎 No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
| 👎 No DTS Virtual:X |
| 👎 No IMAX Enhanced |
| 👎 No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
| 👎 No HDR10+ |
| 👎 No BT.2020 color space |
| 👎 No Dolby Vision |
| 👎 No Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) |
| 👎 No Chromecast Built-In |
| 👎 Does not Work with Amazon Alexa |
| 👎 Does Not Work with SONOS |
| 👎 No eARC |
| 👎 Few Analog Audio Line Inputs |
| 👎 No Phono Input |
| 👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
| 👎 No Tidal |
| 👎 No Deezer |
| 👎 No Napster |
| 👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
| 👎 Old Bluetooth Version |
Major Changes from its predecessor
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less Component Video Inputs | 1 | vs | 2 |
| Less Component Video Outputs | vs | 1 |
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.
Specifications
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
Successor
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Tidal | vs | ||
| Deezer | vs | ||
| 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 |
| DOWNGRADES | Pioneer Elite SC-LX701 | vs | Pioneer Elite SC-95 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wide Channel Support | vs | ||
| Sound Retriever | Advanced | vs | Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC) |
| Sound Retriever AIR | vs | ||
| High-resolution Music Enhancer | vs | Hi-bit32 Audio Processing | |
| 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 |
| 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.
