Pioneer SC-1222-K 7.2-Channel Network Ready AV Receiver

Pros: Sound is not bad. Accepts 4 ohm speakers. Bang for the buck. Has plenty of HDMI sources.

Cons: Pandora doesn't work even after firmware update and Pioneer support.
Media Server Music hardly ever works correctly. It will connect but the phone app control flakes out and cannot select a song I want.
For the rated power at 4 ohms it honestly does not sound better nor louder then my old HK AVR 650 it replaced.
Remote is a joke and and is overly complicated and the layout could have been designed alot better. You cannot type passwords in for Pandora through the remote or app has to be done from Receiver. When the Receiver gives you an error you have to painfully reenter all the info.
If I could return this I probably would.

Other Thoughts: Its an ugly Reciever in person. But you don't buy a receiver for looks.

Pros: I own a set of Polk LSi speakers that are 4 ohms and quite difficult to drive. I have previously driven these speakers with both a Denon and Onkyo AVR and thought that they sounded pretty good. But once I hooked them up to this unit, I couldn't believe my ears. The Class D amp is doing a tremendous job driving these speakers! I was almost going to get an Emotiva AMP but now I don't need to - and to think that this AVR was 1/4 the cost of either the Denon or Onkyo! And although some claim the MCACC isn't as good as the Audyssey MultiEQ XT in the Onkyo I have, I was also surprised at the improvement in surround imaging (I have a tough room for imaging with a decent number of glass windows and doors). Last, it runs really cool! I had all sorts of extra fans to cool my Onkyo in a closet but this Pioneer barely breaks a sweat.

Cons: The remote isn't good but I find I use the iOS app most of the time anyway (but it doesn't always connect through my home network). No onscreen display is a shame - not excuse for this missing. I have this in an AV closet so if it wasn't for the iOS app, I wouldn't be able to use this effectively at all. Actually, the video functions in general are pretty weak - I turned all the video enhancement features off.

Other Thoughts: It is on sale as I am writing this since the new models are likely due out soon. If you don't need the OSD but have tough to drive speakers, this AVR is for you!

Pros: Economically able to handle low impedance loads due to digital amplifier stage.

Online setup utility for attached device parameters is easy to use. Scope of adjustments are extensive.

Cons: HDCP pass thru is not always right on. Speaker connections are not ideal. Not a serious criticism as I know of no receiver that does this well.

Pros: The AV Navigator software is awesome it walks you through everything. You must have your default web browser set to Internet explorer or the software will be in Japanese only. I was using google chrome and it was messing up the Pioneer Software.

Cons: You will have to spend a day or more just reading and playing with the settings before you even know what you are doing. Took me hours just to do basic playback. Once you get it setup it worth the time and energy. This thing is Awesome!!

Other Thoughts: I still cant get over no manual!!! I actual think I need to print it out, that's how much reading and studying is required.

Pros: It's loud.

Cons: It came with Japanese software only. You select English and it installs in Japanese only. The AV Navigator software disc is useless that came with my unit. It's all in Japanese??? Why it's not available from Pioneers website is not right. Another major complaint NO MANUAL!!! If you don't have a laptop you will have to print out the 100 page manual. Why does this unit not come with a manual? Why does it take 20 minutes to get a hold of someone at Pioneer. I've been on hold for over 20 minutes now at 800 USA. I just want English software that was suppose to come with my unit. Where can I download it. I cant find it at the website. It's only firmware updates and manual no software available. 800 # was busy the first 10 tries now I'm on hold over 20 minutes.

Other Thoughts: Why would you not make the software download on your website.... Sham on you Pioneer....Like what use is the software unless you had a Pioneer receiver?

Pros: Very Loud!! Don't know cant get any pc functions to work with the Japanese software that came with my unit.

Cons: I'm missing many features for this unit. I have no pc help because the software that came with my unit is in Japanese only. It says install in English but it installs in Japanese only. So the AI onscreen step by step setup was of absolute 0 help. I cannot access any online features with this Japanese software. I cannot us any of the streaming etc features without the english software. Pretty lame it doesn't come with a manual. Good Luck if you don't have a laptop. Plan on setting up your computer in the room your setting the unit up in so you have a manual. I had to keep running from my main pc room to the movie room because I had no manual. I run back and forth between the computer and the unit for instructions. This unit requires about a day of manual reading on a manual you don't have. YOU DON'T GET A MANUAL WITH THIS UNIT WHAT????? It's all on the pc only. Of all the things I have ever owned this one needs a manual by far. Most of the time I just throw the manuals away. This manual you must read and need. Why it would NOT come with one is beyond me. Someone was not thinking at Pioneer!!!!! Also due to the modem and everything was torn up I had to do it without having software that walks you through the setup step by step. I had no internet at the time and Japanese software. I had to borrow a laptop to have a manual in the same room as the unit. It's hard to read the manual in another room and come back and forth to the unit all day long.
Had a problem not being able to get the dvr menu when hooked up through the Pioneer. I have one of those DVR's that plays back in any room. I have another DVR in another room so there is a special part so they cant communicate. I had to remove that special part off the cable line for my DVR menu to work with the Pioneer.

Other Thoughts: When you make something this complicated you have to have a manual. This would be one of those manuals that is actually read and would have marks from days of reading, If it came with a manual.

I have to go find English software for the online features so I can use all it has to offer. It's a little hard with Japanese software only. Then I can write a full review.

Pros: Fantastic sound! Crisp, clear and clean. Flexible zone capability (powered Zone 2, line-level signal to Zone 3). Love the "front height" speaker setup where L/R mains are augmented by L/R Height speakers. I like the customizable EQ and sound setting features that are allowed after running the MCACC auto-tuning configuration tool. Once I got the Android app setup and recognizing the receiver, I have totally love using it. I found the app, though a little finicky, much better than how many people reviewed it. The Internet radio and Pandora features are great.

Cons: The remote is cumbersome to say the least. There are so many features that it is sometimes difficult to figure out how to control specific tasks, even what would seem are easy ones like adjusting the radio stations.

Other Thoughts: I bought this receiver to serve as the centerpiece of my home's main floor, where I have a large living room and where I have my nicest speakers. I chose the SC-1222k primarily because of the Class D amplifiers. I really wanted the highest quality sound that I could afford to get.

I seriously considered other receivers with two HDMI outs and/or built-in wireless, but ultimately I decided this Pioneer receiver had more than enough add-on features to do the job. In the end, I'm extremely happy with this receiver and the sound it's putting out. It's true what others have said..."I've never heard my speakers sound like this!"

We already have two other Yamaha receivers, so I really wanted a different brand to get a different "flavor" of sound. This receiver generates a very clean and clear sound. Whether you're listening to a Sting song or a jazz quartet or a symphony, there is wonderful separation between instruments and timbre. It's just wonderful!

I printed the entire manual and would recommend that to everyone. I refer to it often. I've generally been able to solve everything I've had difficulty with, however there have been moments of frustration trying to figure out how to get everything to work.

Getting the Android app to work was a little tricky at first, as was getting the Internet connection established (I had to update the system software to the latest version). However, once everything was working, it has been great. I love being able to start/stop/operate everything from my phone from anywhere in my house.

I got this from newegg at a fantastic price (55% off list) and believe it was worth every penny. I'm a musician, computer geek and sound engineer. I'm picky about getting great sounding music. This receiver delivers! My recommendation...buy it!

Pros: great price nice selection of sound fields has a ton of inputs

Cons: not so user friendly/onlt 2 optical inputs/ Where is all my annalog to go?? the manual is cd-rom only

Pros: Effortless Power on Demand
Superb Sound Quality
MCACC is Accurate
4 Ohm Capabilities

Cons: Remote

Other Thoughts: So glad I picked this AVR over the competition! My expectations have been exceeded.

Pros: sounded great at first.but now i understand why its going so cheap.

Cons: sub outs did not work,were confused with left front speaker,and sub out,some how were wired together,could not get sub to configure on unit.If you are smart,spend the extra money and get a good one,I have owned yamaha for years,and never had a issue.

Other Thoughts: had to pay $60 to ship back,for a bad receiver,that was due to manufacture.