June 6, 2012
PIONEER AV RECEIVERS AMPLIFIED BY CLASS D3 TECHNOLOGY



By Gary Reber


Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. integrates Class D3 digital amplification into two of its flagship Pioneer® branded  receivers,  the  SC-1222  (7.2-channel) and SC-1522 (9.2-channel), bringing  powerful audio and video performance with increased customization capabilities  to a wider audience of home theater enthusiasts for the first time. The receivers are built with custom installation features that offer users and installers multi-room setup options, multiple HDMI® inputs and PC Setup control, as well as the latest technologies including Apple’s AirPlay®,  DLNA® 1.5, Windows® 7 compatibility, Internet radio and Advanced MCACC®mauto room calibration.

“Incorporating  Class  D3  technology  into the SC-1222 and SC-1522 further
expands  the  choices  in  Pioneer receivers for our customers,” said Chris
Walker,  director  of  AV  marketing  and  product  planning  for  the Home
Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Both receivers also
offer   more   installation   flexibility,   ideal
  for   advanced  custom
installations.”

The Class D3 Advantage
Pioneer’s  Class  D3  amplifier,  built  into  the  SC receivers, generates
immense  power  without  sacrificing  sound  quality  and performance.  The
exclusive  class  D technology requires less energy than competitive models
yet  produces  more  simultaneous power output, and is designed to maximize
the  audio  potential  of uncompressed sources such as Blu-ray Disc™ titles
and high-definition audio content distributed on the Internet.

The  amplifier  section  also  uses a Direct Signal Path Design, configured
with  all of its internal components to have the shortest audio signal path
possible,  eliminating  EMI  filters,  feedback loops, and current limiters
that  were  necessary  on previous designs.  This results in a reduction of
ringing  distortion and noise, especially in the high frequency audio band.
The  receivers  can
produce up to 140 Watts per channel of power with great
detail and high dynamic range.

Connectivity Options
Apple’s  AirPlay1, DLNA 1.5 and Bluetooth® connectivity are built into both
models  for  wireless  access and connection, with the ability to play high
resolution  FLAC  and  WAV  music  files  of  up  to  192kHz/24-Bits.  Both
receivers offer endless music entertainment with vTuner®, PANDORA® Internet
radio  and access to subscription-based SiriusXM® Radio.  Pioneer’s Air Jam
App2,  available  at  no charge from the Apple App Store on iPhone®, iPad®,
and  iPod  touch®  or  the  iTunes® store, at www.apple.com/iTunes/, allows
connection  to personal sources with its ability to pair up to four devices
simultaneously  via Bluetooth and create group playlists (optional AS-BT200
Bluetooth adapter required).
  ·   High  Resolution  Music  Playback – The SC-1222
offers DSD (SACD DFF
     Files)  music  file  playback  via  the  front USB connection and the
     SC-1522  offers the 192kHz/32-bit asynchronous USB DAC for ultra-high
     quality music file playback from a USB3-connected PC or Mac.
  ·   MHL-Compatibility Device Connectivity – The SC-1522 features a front
     Mobile   High   Definition   Link  (MHL)  connection  for  compatible
     smartphones  as additional sources for audio and video entertainment.
     The  front-panel  HDMI/MHL terminal delivers content with up to 1080p
     video and 7.1-channel HD audio resolution.

Video Enhancement Capabilities
To  enhance  the  video  performance from connected sources, both receivers
convert  all  analog  signals  to  digital HDMI and upscale both analog and
digital  signals  to  1080p  resolution.   The  models  also  use Pioneer’s
Advanced  Video  Adjust  to  optimize  video signals by the type of display
connected and the Stream Smoother feature to enhance the picture quality of
any   source   downloaded   from  the  Internet  via  other  devices.   The
incorporated  Marvell®  Qdeo® processor produces true 1080p/24fps video.  A
4K  Pass  Through  built  in to the SC-1522 ensures consumers have the most
up-to-date technology to take advantage of advanced digital formats.

Customizable Benefits
Users have full customizable options for their home theater experience with
as  many  as  ten  different  configurations  (SC-1522)  to  create  a full
5.1-channel  setup  with  the  ability  to  use  the remaining channels for
additional  zones.  Both models offer entertainment options for up to three
zones,  with  Zone  2  providing  composite video output and the ability to
handle  network  and  USB  content,  and Zone 3 offering analog audio input
sources.    The  SC-1522  gives  users  the  option  of  a dedicated Zone 2
subwoofer output in addition to the two dedicated subwoofer outputs for the
main zone.

Both  models  are  compatible  with home automation systems from Control4®,
Crestron® and Savant®.  Additionally, most home theater system needs can be
tailored  with  the ability to control the receivers directly from portable
devices running Pioneer’s iControlAV2012 App4.

To  help  make  custom  installation more convenient, the Advanced PC Setup
feature in the SC-1522 lets installers pre-configure connection settings on
a  Windows-based  personal computer before the actual installation process,
as  well  as  perform  read  and  rewrite functions to reset and adjust the
receiver from a remote location.  Do-it-yourselfers can use Wiring Navi for
Windows-based   PCs   and   the  iPad,  an  interactive  guide  for  wiring
connections,  and the Interactive Manual application that provides a linked
two-way manual to dynamically learn about the receiver’s features.

AV Processing
Pioneer  SC  receiver  models  offer  the  best audio and video performance
utilizing   Pioneer’s   unmatched  proprietary  technologies  that  include
Advanced MCACC for the most accurate automatic room calibration, Auto Phase
Control  Plus for real time phase matching to analyze the audio input every
30  seconds, PQLS Bit-Stream to help eliminate distortion caused by digital
bit-stream  timing  errors,  and Virtual Speaker Modes for simulating sound
coming  from  various  areas  in  a room without actual additional speakers
connected.   The  SC-1522  has  been  certified  with THX® Select 2 Plus to
ensure it delivers the highest fidelity home entertainment experience.

Portable Device Control
Pioneer’s  iControlAV2012 App, available at no charge from the App Store on
iPhone,  iPad,  and iPod touch or www.apple.com/itunes/, enables control of
power on and off, volume and sound mode settings, and the ability for users
to  choose  and control content from Pandora internet radio, other Internet
radio stations, and music files from network-attached storage (NAS) devices
on a home network.

The  app also includes Sound Explorer, which gives users the ability to set
and  adjust  numerous  sound  enhancements  such  as PQLS Jitter reduction,
equalizer, standing wave compensation, phase control and auto phase control
plus,  tone  controls,  Advanced  Sound  Retriever®  (ASR),  digital  noise
reduction, dialog enhancement, X-curve, Hi-Bit 24 and Virtual Modes.

The  Pioneer  branded  SC  receivers have suggested retail prices of $1,099
(SC-1222) and $1,599 (SC-1522).

About Pioneer
Pioneer’s Home Electronics Division develops award-winning audio and video
home theater products including A/V receivers, Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD
players, and speakers.  The company’s brands include Pioneer® and Elite®.
More details can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

1Airplay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with
iOS 4.2 or later.
2 Noise and interruption may be caused when the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
is connected to other Bluetooth devices. This app is developed and checked
for operation under iOS 4.2 or later. The number of connectable devices or
compatibility may differ when other software versions are installed.
3 The USB driver file is found in AVNAvigator for installation on the
computer (Requires Windows 10 or 11 for PC and iTunes 10.4 for Mac).
4 A/V receiver needs to be connected to a wired LAN in a wireless LAN
network. This application is developed and checked for operation.



Tags: - equipment - - Pioneer Electronics - - Class D3 Digital Amplication - - SC-1222 - - SC-1522 receivers -