Pioneer Susano and Monitor Audio GS system

[admin_exported]

Hi WhatHifi

I currently have a Monitor Audio gold system (2xGS20, GS LCR, 2xGSFX, 1xGSW-12) hooked up with a Denon AVR-4308. Now I have the opportunity to buy a Pioneer Susano for a really great price. But I do not have the chance to audition the Susano first. So I am in doubt, would the Monitor Audio GS system and the Susano be a good match?

I have only heard a Pioneer SC-LX71 in the past, and I was not impressed - it was too bright in the sound for my taste. Now I am afraid the Susano would be too bright also. Any1 here with a combination of Pioneer Susano and a Monitor Audio GS system?

Thanks
Jacob

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hi Jacob

Did you hear it at a show or in a dealers demo room? The Pioneer's don't really sound bright, they just have a slightly more forward presentation that digs out a little more detail. The MCACC will, like any room EQ, present you with as flat a frequency response as possible. On top of this, the X Curve facility can reduce HF by up to 3dB in 0.5dB steps, which should tame the treble of the brightest speaker. Don't forget that many dealers will perform an auto setup, and then trust that set up and not bother tweaking it to really get the best from it. Some dealers may not even bother with an auto setup.

You have a chance here to really improve the heart of your system - I would strongly suggest you try and hear one again, and be let loose with the remote control.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

FrankHarveyHiFi: Some dealers may not even bother with an auto setup. .

Sad but true.

I echo David's comments. The LX90 is class leader IMO and one of the very best all in one AV products. Configured correctly it can drive a huge system perfectly.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the replies!

Nice to hear, I will try to audition an Ice Power Pioneer receiver again then. Last time I heard the LX71 it was as a demo in a shop - maybe they didn't do a properly setup, which really is a shame then.

So in general you guys think Pioneer and Monitor Audio is a good match? And it will be a significant step up for me to go from a Denon AVR-4308A to a Susano?

Thanks
Jacob

 

[Anonymous]

I have the RX6 range and the SC-LX72 and I love it, not bright at all, I would say bags of detail.

And dave is right, the x-curve is great, if you find the trebble is a tad in your face, notch it down a touch and bob's your uncle.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I've never actually had to use the X-Curve facility - in fact, I found myself notching up the treble by 1dB last night!

 

[Anonymous]

I do on certain bad recordings of shows, sometimes the audio is not up to par.

But its always nice to have just in case.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

J.Kratz:Hi WhatHifi

I currently have a Monitor Audio gold system (2xGS20, GS LCR, 2xGSFX, 1xGSW-12) hooked up with a Denon AVR-4308. Now I have the opportunity to buy a Pioneer Susano for a really great price. But I do not have the chance to audition the Susano first. So I am in doubt, would the Monitor Audio GS system and the Susano be a good match?

I have only heard a Pioneer SC-LX71 in the past, and I was not impressed - it was too bright in the sound for my taste. Now I am afraid the Susano would be too bright also. Any1 here with a combination of Pioneer Susano and a Monitor Audio GS system?

Thanks
Jacob

Hi Jacob

Funnily enough the first time i heard the SC-LX90 was with GS Series speakers. Both excellent products although as combination i frankly found the overall sound to be far too upfront. I'll suggest that you also look at Onkyo's PR-SC5508/PA-MC5500 combination, Denon's AVC-1HDA or if you are happy to consider buying used/discontinued components then Yamaha's DSP-Z11 should also be on the list.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[v1c]

J.Kratz:
Thank you for the replies!

Nice to hear, I will try to audition an Ice Power Pioneer receiver again then. Last time I heard the LX71 it was as a demo in a shop - maybe they didn't do a properly setup, which really is a shame then.

So in general you guys think Pioneer and Monitor Audio is a good match? And it will be a significant step up for me to go from a Denon AVR-4308A to a Susano?

Thanks
Jacob

It wouldn't surprise me that you weren't overly impressed with the LX 71 with a demo in a shop. I wasn't impressed with mine when i first set it up at home after a supposed upgrade from a Pioneer AX5i but after finding out some info on best MCACC set up it took a couple of weeks but it finally started to sing and now i think it's great. Put it this way i got the chance to hear the new Arcam AVR400 recently and it hasn't made me want to change for the Arcam. I would add though do not make the mistake of thinking that the LX90 will sound like an LX71 it's in another league.... i can honestly say i haven't heard anything better than an LX90 yet.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jacob,

As you can see, I have similar speakers and a much lower end Pioneer receiver. I have not yet upgraded my sub, but even with the Q acoustics sub, the system sounds fantastic. I find the combination of Pioneer and MA GS very impressive, not at all overly bright and I would imagine your setup would benefit greatly from the addition of a Susano. I would be interested to hear how you get on, as I plan a receiver upgrade later this year, after getting a GSW 12 and possibly some GS 20 or 60s at the front.

Best wishes,

Shuggie

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jacob,

If I could afford it, the only things that would stop me buying that receiver would be having a room too small to enjoy it and the fact that it can't handle 3D.

The lack of 3D ability suggests that at some point Pioneer will produce a replacement for it. But if you don't want that, then you will not regret having that receiver unless it blows your roof off!!!

Imho Pioneer receivers produce a very detailed and forward sound. Never bright....that was a criticsm from many many years ago. The detail and forwardness was enough to make me leave the Arcam stable forever!