fuzzydog Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 What makes Pioneer Elite receivers "elite"? I've been comparing the Elite SC-72 to the regular SC-1323 since Amazon had the latter on sale last Sunday for $599. They share all the same features, have an identical rear panel, and have the same MSRP of $1300. The only differences I can discern are a slightly different power rating (130 watts vs 125 watts), the SC-72 is 1.82" longer in depth, and the 72 has "Elite" styling cues. Of course the "Elite" branded models can only be sold at B&M stores (unless you want to risk no warranty) so you'll have a harder time finding good deals like Amazon had on the 1323. Is the "Elite" branding just a marketing ploy to protect Best Buy Magnolia's diminishing share of the market? I'll grant you that the higher end "Elite" models like SC-79 & SC-77 don't currently have equivalent regular Pioneer receiver models. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 the NO Warranty part does it for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 The major difference I have found between like SC series units (at least older such as my SC-1222) is the Elite look and extra year on warranty. When I looked at my SC-1222 internals compared to the SC-61 on the net, they looked the same other than the Elite had the trigger outputs. I'm not 100% sure this marketing will change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 The major difference I have found between like SC series units (at least older such as my SC-1222) is the Elite look and extra year on warranty. When I looked at my SC-1222 internals compared to the SC-61 on the net, they looked the same other than the Elite had the trigger outputs. I'm not 100% sure this marketing will change. Ok, the extra year of warranty on Elite branded receivers is another difference, but only if you buy from a B&M store. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) seems i recall back in the day the Elites were hand assembled. don't know if thats true today or not the only thing i found was that they are of higher quality and the gloss black Urushi finish just read Kuro means black in japanese love their stuff for 40 yrs now. their gold line spacers and rosewood side panels on receivers and cd players Edited February 4, 2014 by Budman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 seems i recall back in the day the Elites were hand assembled. don't know if thats true today or not How far back in the day are you talking? Both the Elite SC-72 and regular SC-1323 are marked "made in Malaysia". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelandKlipsch Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I know one of the differences in the Pioneer kuro displays versus the pioneer elite kuro displays other than some minor spec differences and options in calibration was the fact that the parts involved were handpicked especially the piece of glass chosen for the display. when it goes for the receivers I’m not sure it is the same (I doubt it) but I know I liked my pioneer elite SC55 when I owned it. If the prices were the same id pick the elite if it was a big difference in price id choose the pioneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromprof Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I couldn't find any meaningful difference between the Elite models and the Pioneer "SC" models other than price and warranty. I decided to go with a regular Pioneer unit and bought an extended warranty with some of the savings. Either are great units IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 They are almost the same price on the Pioneer website. If you buy it on the net, get a Square Trade warranty. They are great avr's to build you system around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Square Trade is a good idea; a few phone calls may find a B&M store that will Double Box ship, with receipt showing when you came by & picked it up. ;-) YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The only thing i don't like about the pio is the on screen menu set up. It takes you away from what your watching or listening to. So you can't see and hear the tweaks you make live. Other than that the elite has been a great avr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted February 5, 2014 Moderators Share Posted February 5, 2014 Their logo is different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japosey Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The overlap models are typically very similar with the exception of warranty and cosmetics. I'm sure they will tell you that they may include a few higher end/less tolerant parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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